I have always been rather crafty. It goes back to art projects with my mom at home. Crafts made as a kid in church afterschool programs. Running the craft portion of the day at church camps. Then when I got to college, theater. Design. After graduation, props. I spent a number of years working in professional theater doing props.

I like crafts. I’m good at them.

So, when I was approached last year by a friend who was doing a line of clothing for Seattle Fashion Week, I was up for the challenge. She wanted hats. Hairpieces for her models. I had never made a hat before, but I figured, how hard can it be? You can make just about anything with hot glue. I ended up creating about 8 peices for that show. Since then, I’ve been asked to make hats for a number of photo shoots for local designers. I quite enjoy having projects.

I wouldn’t say I have a passion for hats. But, I would say I have a passion for projects. I usually do my best work under a deadline. I like being sent pictures for inspiration and creating something new and interesting.

But, hats are cool. I never really wore hats until I started making them. Wearing hats is a lost art. Dress hats are a way to accessorize in a way that no one does anymore. They can be feminine and delicate or over the top and flamboyant. Either way, wearing a fabulous hat makes you feel like a star. You stand out in a crowd and are envied by all the other women who aren’t brave enough to don feathers. And that is something I feel that I am really lacking. Feathers.

All of my hats are currently up on my Etsy site. I finally got it up and running last November. www.KatieCoxDesigns.etsy.com

Last week I got a call from one of those local designers. She is putting together a Valentine’s photo shoot. She gave me a number of cutsy pictures for inspiration. I think I may have gone overboard on the cutsy front. I’ve sent her pictures. We’ll see soon enough what she thinks.