Bon Bons ready for prime time

I had a very successful photo shoot yesterday, beautiful new model, Christiana, showed off my new fascinators with style and class.  We shot about 30 fascinators in a couple of hours, 800 plus shots. Now I start getting them up on my Etsy site...........www.etsy.com/shop/thefascinatormaven

Arlene's Original Designs New line, new ideas, take a peek

I am just finishing up my new spring line of little bon bon fascinators. I will get them all finished by tomorrow and do a photo shoot on Saturday morning. I am really excited about these, so cute, so easy to wear. One last look at my work table, next picture will be finished pieces on a model.

Pink Pussycat Hats

I went to the women's march here in Bellingham and I wore a fleece hat that one of the entrepreneurs here in town made up for the occasion.  I was mighty glad that I had it because it was pretty cold and the hat was a nicely made and lined fleece.  This got me thinking, most of the Pink Pussycat hats were knit or crocheted, great if you have the time and the talent to make one, how about a very simple, quick fleece hat, so I made up a pattern that I want to share with you.  You can purchase one from my Etsy shop for only $1 and it is an instant download.
www.etsy.com/shop/thefascinatormaven

Little Bon Bons

I am just finishing up some of my new line for Spring. This year I have been inspired to make a collection of small fascinators because here in the US we seldom wear fascinators except for special occasions like weddings or teas. When we do wear fascinators casually it is usually for a luncheon or cocktails, so I wanted to design something really easy to wear.  When I photographed the first group in the collection they reminded me of little confections, little bon bons.
I will have them up on my Etsy shop in a couple of weeks. 
www.etsy.com/shop/thefascinatormaven

Handbags, something new

Since winning the Bellingham "Downtown, up cycle, Throwdown", I remembered that I can make handbags also, I had gotten so involved with my hats that I had forgotten that I have made handbags in the past also. 

I will be making two, maybe three sets of hats and matching handbags for the Assistance League's "Where Hope Blooms" fund raiser in
April and have included a couple in my new spring line.

I am also very excited about the new hat block that I have received from Guy Morse Brown Hat Blocks in England and will be including the new shape in my spring line also

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Rhonda and I had a very busy day at the "Bridal Expo" at the 4 Points in Bellingham, WA yesterday, Alicia's Formal House put on a fantastic, fashion show, lots of beautiful new Wedding Gowns set to some very lively music, really a fun fashion show.  Rhonda is a great public relations person and I am sure she was exhausted at the end of a 10 hour day, I know I was.

Rhonda at work

Love Hats: How to Make Silk Flowers - The first bit - stiffening the fabric...

Love Hats: How to Make Silk Flowers - The first bit - stiffening the fabric...