Love is in the (Wedding F)air

I'm moving house over the next couple of weeks, so preparations are underway to make our new house our new home, and specifically to make myself the new studio space I've always wanted! The designated bedroom is big enough to leave everything up and out all the time, including the ironing board (ambassador, you're spoiling us!) and hopefully my beloved but logistically neglected knitting machine too! I can't wait!! Needless to say I've got a few origami projects on the go in anticipation (progress pictures to follow once we're in!) In the meantime I'm spending quite a lot of time on Pinterest and Cut Out and Keep (amazing crafty website stuffed absolutely full of fantastically creative ideas - check it out!) As a result, the next few posts are likely to peppered with progress on the home front as well as hatting - hopefully that's an acceptable compromise! ;)

After splashing out on a frankly spectacular sofa (Red. Leather. I'm in love) we're now limiting ourselves to pre-loved and upcycled stuff to a) avoid Show-Home-itis and b) because I've always wanted to learn to reupholster... The first candidates are these beautiful rocking chairs we're picking up over the weekend (#godblesseBay)

I'm still really struggling with balancing the 9-5 with millinery - there just aren't enough hours in the day, and I'm afraid there hasn't been *that* much hatting action production-wise this week :o/

I have, however, finally got found to blocking up an acid yellow silk shell edged lining (my favourite of all the stitches EVER!) for The Hummingbird Project. This WILL be sewn in and finished for the next post!!

I'm also in the process of overhauling the Collections section to include a boreader overall sample of the hats. I'm experimenting with a straightforward season division with a couple of theme-focused collections on the side to make it easier for potential customers to find what they want - all feedback gratefully received if you've time to pop on and have a gander :)

Sunday 9th was also my first wedding fair of 2014 - they're such a mixing blessing. First and foremost, it's always a treat to spend a day in the company of the frankly fabulous Sue Graley (her website's down at the moment, so check out her photos on Facebook in the meantime, but she has some truly sensation new dresses at the moment - the Gatsby one is my favourite of course!!)) and I honestly don't think i could do it without her! And of course it's always lovely to hear positive feedback from passersby. But, the Sunday scheduling is a tad relentless (combined with The Day Job), and it's hard when people forget that a table isn't a soundproof barrier if there's a particular hat they're not so keen on... #Tricky. Nonetheless, one must remain positive (PMA!) and I caught up with a couple of love lost (and soon to be wed!) school friends, and had a couple of genuinely interested enquiries so I guess on balance I have to keep plugging away for now!

Anyway, here's our stand in action at the Perfect Brides Wedding Fair at Chesford Grange, Kenilworth!

We're at the glamorous Nailcote Hall's event on Sunday 16th in Berkswell, so come and say hello if you're in the area and fancy a bridal browse :)

And with that I'm off back to my Pinterest obsession and to catch up with the Handmade Mondayers' creative home ideas. See you in a couple of weeks (internet connection permitting - ha!) x