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This is the first post of my new weekly feature, #ShopNewsSunday! Every week on Sunday I will post a few short lines talking about what I'm working on for my online shop. This week I have two bits of news you might appreciate.
First, I've gone through my entire blog and put every post into a category. That will make my blog much easier to navigate so that you can find older useful posts fast. This was based on some feedback from one customer who said that it was hard to find the tutorials I put up on my blog without going through every single post. Well, now they have their own category! Second, right now I'm working on a redesign of my Patreon page. When I first started it last season I wasn't really sure how to do it. But I've spent the last couple of weeks looking at lots of other Patreon pages and getting in touch with other artists and creators. I've learned a lot, and I hope to get the new Patreon page (and new reward tiers) up and running in the next week or two. I'll keep you posted!
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This is the first post in what I hope will be a mini-series focusing on how I came up with some of my favorite hat designs. If there is a particular hat that you would like me to cover just leave me a comment here or on my Facebook page. Let me know why you're interested in that hat in particular and I will likely do a design deep dive of it in the coming weeks!  The first hat I want to look at is one of my favorite designs of all time. It brings together two design elements in such a way that makes the hat completely unique and yet still "witchy" and wicked in a recognizable way. This hat features a side curl and a tattered brim, and these are the two design elements I will be focusing on for this post.
Ever since I made my very first witch hat I have been obsessed with hat tails. That's probably pretty obvious since the tails of my hats are what really sets them apart. But even back in the beginning when I first started making witch and wizard hats with tails I was trying to figure out how to make my hats even more unique. Sometimes that lead to strange side projects where I stuck hat tails all over everything (as I posted about on Facebook last week). Sometimes though those early experiments were simpler and more subtle. Years ago when I had just started taking pictures of my hats I noticed that when I took a picture of the hat straight on the tail looked almost like a fin. You couldn't see the tail's details. I decided I wanted to make my hats look more three-dimensional and interesting, even when looking at the hat straight on. I tried changing the orientation of the tail just a little bit to see what would happen, hoping you would be able to see more of the folds and details no matter what angle you were looking at the hat from. This led to my very first side curl hat.  After making that first side curl hat though it would be years before I tried the design again. One of the reasons it took me years was that I became fixated on simply making the hat tails larger and more detailed in general. Then things just became so busy that, for a time, I didn't really have the time to try anything experimental. But one day a customer contacted me and actually asked for a hat with tail that was a little bit more on the side. I instantly remembered that old experiment from years previous and I was able to incorporate that older design into a brand new hat!
Compared to the side curl the tattered brim design element is much newer. I came up with it only two or three years ago. As I've mentioned in other posts, sometimes I've been a little too focused on the hat tails while the rest of the hat looks pretty ordinary. The tattered brim idea was one of my first attempts to make the rest of my hats as interesting as the tails. It all began with a customer contacting me and asking me how I might make the hat look a little more "lived in" and less pristine without necessary dirtying the hat or making it less structurally sound. I thought about it for a little while and looked at lots of pictures of worn out hats. I then realized that one of the common elements between all those pictures were holes and rips in the brim. From that realization I came up with the tattered brim design.  I was happy with the way it came out, as it really made the hat look ghostly. But I also thought that maybe I needed to tone down the tattering some to make it look a little more naturally distressed and less like it was unraveling. I made a few hats with just a few chunks carefully cut out and a few slits and cuts along the brim. This had the desired effect in that the hat looked more natural. But then I worried that the hat was not engaging enough. I enjoy fantasy designs that are a little over-the-top, so I tried out a few more design variations of the tattered brim, coming up with two alternate designs that are still available in my shop. There is the icicle brim for my frost mage hat and the cobweb brim, which is the newest tattered brim variation.
Finally I go the chance to put these two design elements together. The hat also featured a leather hat band made out of a belt that I had been saving for months waiting for the perfect hat to wrap it around. I think the end result was spectacular. Even the photo shoot seemed to be blessed, as you can read about here. And that's how the tattered brim + side curl hat came to be! 
One of the biggest challenges for me when I make my wet felting tutorials is taking photos where people can clearly see what I'm doing. Hundreds of the photos I take while I work are useless because my shoulder is in the way, my hair sticks to the lens, or the whole picture is at a weird angle so that no one can really tell what's going on. Now that I'm beginning to put together video tutorials the problem is even worse. My husband has to try and keep the camera still, find a good angle to record at, and avoid bumping into me as I move all around the work table.
After weeks of setting up tripods all over my workshop trying to figure this out I finally have a solution. I purchased a small video camera and hung it up from the light fixture right over my work table. Now anyone who looks at my video tutorials will get a bird's eye view of the action without the camera moving around all over the place or being stuck at an odd angle. 
We are still working some of the kinks out of this new process though. Since there is only one window in my workroom whenever I stand in front of it and block some of the daylight from getting in the camera goes a little wild trying to readjust. Lighting in general is a problem, making the video look grainy sometimes. The camera also swings a bit when the people above us start to walk around. But generally I am very happy with the results. When this new setup works well you can really see exactly what I'm doing as I make my hats.
It will still be a few weeks before I am able to offer video tutorials for sale, but I'm hoping this will be a whole new direction for the way I do digital lessons and tutorials. If you are interested in getting an update when I post my first video tutorial then use the e-mail signup sheet below. I will send you a newsletter with all the details, but only when there is a new tutorial or workshop to tell you about (I do not send any other promotional materials so don't worry about your inbox filling up).
It was too short notice for me to attend as an artist but the people running the event were nice enough to give me two free tickets. They hoped I would come by and check it out and consider signing up for next year. So I packed up my Grumpy Husband and made the trip to Louisville this past week to attend. I'll spoil the end of the story for you right now though. I don't plan to attend again in the future (as patron or artist) unless they make some important changes. Here are some of my experiences and the biggest problems I had with this event... It was impossible to actually talk to any of the artists. We arrived just when the doors opened, and about ten minutes later the live music began. I'm not really a fan of loud music to begin with, so maybe that colored my experiences, but this music was so loud that I couldn't hear my husband shouting right next to me. More than half the artists were also set up right around the stage where the musicians were. I tried to talk to a few of them. Some of them had some really beautiful and unique items that I wanted to learn more about. But we could do little more than smile and gesture towards each other. Our voices just couldn't compete with the music. It was difficult to actually move through the venue. This event took place in a performance space with a stage in the middle and couches everywhere instead of traditional seating. There was also a big balcony section circling above with more couches and space for artists to set up tables. While it might be fun to sit on a sofa and enjoy a performance (I appreciate the more informal vibe) it was actually really difficult to move from one artist to the next. The venue was not designed for this kind of movement, so there was only enough room between the artists and the walls and sofas for a couple of people to pass each other. If I stopped in front of an artist's table I literally stopped the flow of traffic because no one would be able to get around me. All I could do was walk around and around past the tables, taking a few moments to gesticulate at the artists I liked best. The general mood of the artists and patrons was pretty low. I only stayed for about 45 minutes so maybe things changed after I left, but for the most part everyone I saw around me seemed to be uncomfortable and unhappy to be there. The artists only smiled if you made direct eye contact, and even then many of them could only manage a weak grin. They seemed disengaged and overwhelmed, staring off into space, sitting behind their art instead of beside it, frowning when they thought no one was looking, and otherwise just shuffling around. The patrons, those people who came there ostensibly to shop and make connections with artists, all sat on sofas that were distant from the artists themselves. Many of them looked bored and disinterested. They couldn't even talk to each other because the music was too loud for any of them to comfortably communicate. Final thoughts. As an artist I would love more places to show off my work, make connections, and maybe even drum up some sales. I especially like the idea of a showcase that is different than the norm, something that is more intense and more engaging for the people who go. I think that is what RAW wanted to be that evening in Louisville. But instead the whole thing felt more like they were checking boxes rather than trying to actually figure out what works and what doesn’t, or how they can actually make the artists feel more like the center of attention rather than sideshows on the way to the bar.
Finally, I know that RAW also has allot of controversy surrounding it. There are many people who accuse them of scamming artists and putting on "vanity shows." I'm not going to speak to that directly. I'm not here to rant. But if you are an artist considering participating in a RAW event in your neighborhood I would suggest doing a Google search or two before you sign up. Read what other people are saying. Take their advice seriously and make sure you know exactly what you are getting in to and how you can use it to boost your exposure. Without that solid game plan it is easy for events like RAW to swallow you whole. Most of the hats and items I make I am able to sell on Etsy. I've been selling on that platform for years and overall it has been a great experience. I have interacted with all kinds of people and sent my hats all over the world. Since I don't have a brick-and-mortar location I am able to enjoy a certain flexibility in the way I market my art and in the way I approach my business. To put it simply, selling on Etsy works for me. Recently though Etsy has made a controversial decision to significantly raise the fees they charge sellers like me. In some cases they are nearly doubled. I'm not writing this to complain. I pass no judgment on Etsy and I won't even try to figure out the why and wheretofor of their decision making process. But this change does have real-world implications for sellers like me. It tugs on the strings of my already tight budget. If you are interested in buying a hat from me though there is a small way you can help. Not many people who follow me on social media realize that I sell some of my most popular hats right through my website. The immediate benefit to me is that there are no seller fees when I use my shop. I pay one lump sum every couple of years and I can sell whatever I want without additional fees. For my customers the shop may also be simpler and easier to navigate, and it is just as safe and secure as Etsy with the ability to pay using PayPal or Square. And you don't have to sign up for an account to buy things off my website like you do with Etsy. Green Witch Hat
$350.00 - $450.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Galaxy Gradient Witch Hat
$390.00 - $500.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Black Witch Hat (Long Tail Style)
$350.00 - $450.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Curled Brim Witch Hat
$375.00 - $475.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Tattered Brim Witch Hat
$375.00 - $475.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Candy Corn Colorway Witch Hat
$390.00 - $500.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Potion Gradient Witch Hat
$390.00 - $500.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Hybrid Hue Witch Hat
$370.00 - $470.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Dark Jinx Colorway Witch Hat
$390.00 - $500.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! "Waxing" Cresent Witch Hat (Long Tail Style)
$370.00 - $470.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Crooked Witch Hat
$370.00 - $470.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! Ghost Witch Tattered Brim Witch Hat
$375.00 - $475.00
Need a witch or wizard hat for Halloween? Or just want one for your next geeky adventure? Then splurge on the accessory that will give your next Renaissance Faire or LARPing costume a +10 bonus to immersiveness! Maybe go all-out and wear one to a cosplaying/fantasy convention. Or just use it to keep the sun off your face at this year's Burning Man. Whether you are a witch or wizard this hat is your ticket to a magical good time! I can't speak for other artists out there. Each one of us is so different and the way we choose to sell our art and engage with people is also very different. But no matter what artist you choose to purchase from I hope you will give a little thought to the overhead and hidden expenses artists have to pay just to get their stuff out there. I know that little bit of thoughtfulness can really brighten my day and help me to remember one of the reasons I started selling my art in the first place, to connect with good people who are just as passionate as I am.
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