Market Fluctuations

We were back at St. Lawrence Market for this last Saturday in May. The weather didn't know what it wanted to do, so it did it all: cloudy and cool, sunny and warm. It never actually rained on us, for which we are truly grateful. It pays to dress in layers. It also pays to bring a chamois to dry off one's sodden table prior to setting it up, or to have friends who will lend you theirs. (Thanks, Lena!)

Karina kindly paused to pose.









Faye, Linda and their mum Doreen Dohoo. Faye, from Detroit, is modeling her new equestrian cap with zipper trim that looks so great with her top. Linda is in her new hairband that looks so great with her colouring.








James busting a move to promote O.I.P. Dance Centre.








When I saw what my fellow vendor Gloria had on today, I asked her to model this hat.









Many have admired the safety pin trim on this grey linen striped bucket hat, but Kate is the one who made it hers. I think they'll be very happy together.

Henriette and Anne Visit My Home Showroom

Last Christmas, Anne (another one) and her siblings wanted to give their mother, Henriette, something special. As Henriette is a longtime hat lover, a gift certificate from a milliner was a natural choice.

Just today Anne brought her very stylish mother to my home showroom. Another room reveal, another "Wow!" (My favourite one-syllable word.) We were all prepared for measurements and custom order taking, but no! Henriette found a couple of ready-made hats she liked very much that fit her needs for everyday, plus one a that's little fancier. She looks fabulous in both of them, and I am honoured to dress that elegant head!

Henriette models the black and white checked hat she eventually chooses, while Anne takes her picture. The hat reminded them of the decor of a room in their family's past, which Anne's siblings are expected to "get" once they see it.

I neglected to snap Henriette modeling her new Trilby. (If I'm really lucky, maybe she or Anne will send me such a photo???)




Trying on a grey linen striped bucket with safety pin trim











Checking Anne's photos











Playing dress-up in "Mean Mr. Mustard"









Anne playing dress-up in my sinamay fascinator. Her shirt demanded she try it on.

Absence Alert

Please note that I will not be at the Market on Saturday, May 21. I will be out of town at a memorial service for a member of my family. See you (weather permitting) on Saturday, May 28.

Hats 1, Weather 0

Well, the hats have always won, as far as I'm concerned. (Yes, I am a word nerd and can't resist a pun.)

It was supposed to rain all weekend. But when we woke up Saturday morning, there was no rain. There was gloom, and damp ground, but no precipitation was at that moment precipitating. Just anticipation of precipitation.

The rule chez nous about such occasions is we simply take the hats to Market and hope for the best. So this is what we did, and a kind universe rewarded us with a relatively dry and warm outing.

Not much foot traffic, however. It was very foggy and gloomy, if not actually rainy, and most people seemed to have chosen to stay in. Which is really their loss, because today, Sunday, is way wetter and colder.

Only one photo this week: Hailey, who was in town to compete in a hockey tournament. A jock, and a fashionista! Well-balanced child. Doesn't she look excellent in her sunny new hat?

To Market, To Market

It's May, so that means I'm back selling my hats outside St. Lawrence Market on Saturdays. Last Saturday was our first day of the season. It's a little like the first day of school -- greeting returning vendor friends, meeting new ones and locating your position. Mine is practically the same as last year's - one tent closer to Front Street. (The tents are cheek-by-jowl close, so you probably won't be able to tell.)

The weather was quite nice, which is such a psychological boost to start the season with. Some cloud and coolness, but mostly sunny and warm.

We really lucked into our tent neighbours for the season. To our right is Lena Saunders, a jewelry maker and a peach, one of the first friends I made here, and on our left is Derek Ryles, who sells lavender products from his own farm in Prince Edward County. In a fabulous coincidence, he also happens to be a dear old friend of Scott's brother! It's looking like it will be a very happy summer.

So come on down and see us, and try on a hat while you're here! We'll be on the north side of Front Street, just west of Jarvis, between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. (maybe later) on Saturdays from now until the end of September, weather permitting. And if I know in advance of any changes to that schedule, I'll post them her on my blog. Don't hesitate to email me, if you're planning to come. Not necessary, but always a pleasure to hear from you!

Now, on with the show!

Catherine is the very first person to try on my new equestrian-styled cap, and doesn't she just rock it? Why yes, she does.









Mayu and Haolin looking adorable in straw hats.












Kathy and Carla playing dress-up.






Debbie's taking her new hat to live in Michigan.












Melissa was taken by the undulating sequin trim weaving in and out of the folded grosgrain ribbon on her new slouch cloche. I called it "Nessie". It was a happy design accident and I'll be making more. Just not exactly the same. Every hat I make is one of a kind.

Harry and Edith

Still feeling that Royal Wedding afterglow. Herewith a family photo with a royal touch.

Harry and Edith Pollard were my mum's aunt and uncle. Here they are in front of Buckingham Palace, circa 1970-ish. They had been invited for a Royal Garden Party, in Uncle Harry's capacity as mayor for the wee village of Carleton near Skipton in York, in the north of England. Of course Aunt Edith is wearing a hat.

Edith was a costumer for a community theatre company. I've blogged about her before. I really think my interest in millinery and other textile arts is at least partly genetic. It totally runs in my family.

Edith and Harry were absolute pussycats, and here they are in London to visit the Queen!