Sunday 29 August 2010

Buskerfest 2010

The great festival of international street entertainers descended upon St. Lawrence Market this weekend. The hats and Scott and I were there on Saturday. And a fantastic day it was! The weather made a late-August resurgence into spectacularity* and we basked in sunny warmth. Nice change from last year's chill and rain.

Not surprisingly, there was a big crowd milling about on blocked-off Front Street. Families enjoying the free entertainment. I was mostly somewhat confined to my tent under the North Market eaves, so it was great that a steady stream of wandering buskers put on a variety of shows right in front of me. This was much more fun than last year, when the same entertainers put on the same shows in the same space several times a day. A Dado-like personage who "spoke" with a whistle amused and confounded with yo-yos, rope and juggling. A Japanese couple amused and confounded with unicycles. Pyromeo and Juliet played with love and fire. And so on.

What a day for my spare camera batteries to die. They had been recharged, really they had. Sadly, I only captured images of the first couple of acts.

On with the show!

Sue in her new sprigged grey chapeau. They make a lovely couple.













Nadia, truly a gilded lily in her new black and gold feathered band.












Kira, pretty in pink. And butterflies!
















My tent neighbour, the aptly named Jewel, modeling her new feathered band.











Jewel and her jewelry.
Maybe I should call myself Hattie?








The juggler!















Very funny unicyclist couple.















Ta-da!











*Desk dictionary says yes, spell check says no. I'm going old school.

Thursday 19 August 2010

Attention Shoppers: Market Exchange


Please note that I will not be at my St. Lawrence Market table this Saturday. My indispensable partner, Scott, is playing Hugh's Room that evening with his band, Kensington Market. (Scott plays bass.)

Maybe you heard them on CIUT's Take 5 this morning.

So come to see Kensington Market! They're really good! Of course, I would say that, wouldn't I? But I liked them on the radio before I knew any of them.

Sunday 15 August 2010

Neutrality Agreement

It was all about natural linen colour yesterday. Every hat I sold was that delicious shade. Chic, timeless, flattering, neutral, easy to wear, goes with everything. I love using that colour.

St. Lawrence Market was much nicer without all the wood smoke from last week, if you ask me. A quick survey of some of my textile crafting neighbours featured the word Febreeze as the common denominator. All is well, though; no lasting ill effects were bemoaned. All my hats needed to recuperate was a breath of fresh air in our back yard.

The weather was just great -- not too hot, which was a lovely surprise, given the infernal forecast. Of course, we tend to be lucky where we're situated, with the lake breezes wafting up Market Street. And the rain held off, too. Lots of foot traffic, sensibly taking advantage of the luscious bounty offered by the farmers of the North Market next door to us crafters. I bought some divine French haricots verts from the Handsome Farmer. (I can't tell you which one that is, because I don't want to hurt the feelings of the other farmers.) And peaches and strawberries and tomatoes and kale. And sexy, stinky, runny cheese from the South Market. Life is good. (I almost typed "Life is food." An apt Freudian slip.)

Lots of visitors came by, which is so great. I love having a regular gig at a regular spot, so people can drop by knowing you'll be there. Friends, family (bearing home-baked goodies! Thanks, Kathy!), returning customers. It's very gratifying and a good way to feel rich.

Herewith the weekly photo parade:

Lovely Lucie was the first to try on my new gambler-ish straw. No one looked better in it, either.














Gail models her new, bespoke linen bucket hat with the pleated details. She says she likes it even better than the coral linen one she bought earlier this season. Thanks, Gail!






Linda in her new wide-brimmed natural linen hat. And a new, bespoke Trilby will follow.








Anne (easy name to remember!) in her new linen bucket. Don't they look happy together?








Pretty Adria in her pretty, sprigged band. Excellent choice!









Looking ahead to fall/winter, Katrinka models her woolly bow band. It says Minnie Mouse, but in a good way.

Sunday 8 August 2010

Summer and Smoke


Yesterday there was a free corn roast at St. Lawrence Market. Gorgeous day for it, too. Last summer it took place only on the south side, and I never encountered it. This year they had it on both sides of Front Street. I was situated very close by.

They built a big, wood-burning fire next to the fountain, with no chimney. It produced a great deal of smoke. It smelled great for the first little while, until you noticed how much your eyes were stinging. It also produced a great deal of ash, which blew about in large chunks and settled everywhere.

The corn roast was very popular. There was a long lineup the whole time, which snaked right in front of my hat display. These folks were not hat customers. If there were any out there, they had a lot of people to wiggle through to get to my display. I guess that's why they didn't. It was also became pretty claustrophobic for us vendors, hemmed in by the press of humanity.

Sigh....

Fortunately, a kind universe favoured me with a very good day before the conflagration of the corn began. Herewith the photographic souvenirs:

Denise Dufour, a returning customer (my absolutely favourite kind), chose two new hats for herself. Here she is in a black and white gingham with zipper tape trim.
















A real hat fan, Michelle fell immediately in love with my Balenciaga-ish chapeau. Add why shouldn't she? It was a millinery class project that earned a very high mark. It's great to see it find such an appreciative new owner. My mother will miss it, though. It was her favourite.








People. Lots and lots of people. Lots and lots of waiting. Note the tarpaulin my best beloved, Scott, has rigged in a desperate bid to block out the smoke.












Samantha knows what she likes. She chose this hat to model while waiting in line with her dad, Darryl.











A rare, behind-the-gridwall view of the sea of humanity slowly filing by my display.