My current hat obsession is resulting in the creation of numerous hats…
several of which I actually like!
And although I have hat blocks I realized to successfully photograph my hats to sell on etsy
( lemonntwist is my shop name )
a hat model was required.
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| a weird hat head not even for sale! |
I looked online and even ugly hat heads were over $300 !!!
Or else pathetic wig styrofoam things.
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| one of many crammed full antique stores |
So I headed to the antique mecca of Orange County;
the Orange Circle in ( where else ) the city of Orange.
Numerous antique/vintage/retro/stores are scattered amongst hip trendy gastro pubs and restaurants.
It's been easily 15 years since I've been to the Circle and it has really changed into a happening destination.
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| these weird whicker heads were everywhere but, none were for sale |
Well, the hunt was on an I saw lots and lots of hats and lots and lots of hat heads but, none of the hat heads were for sale; only for display.
The store keepers kept saying it was really difficult to even find a hat head, much less a cool vintage one.
But, I soldiered on to store after store trying hard not to be distracted by cool vintage hats.
I didn't even peek at the prices because I was on a mission…
find a hat head!
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| so cute! |
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| Great hat, great head…for display only |
Sweet torture!
The perfect hat head but, of course it was not for sale.
I even made the shop keeper take it off the top of the shelves to make sure.
And then my luck changed!
This is the first hat head I found for sale and even though it had no personality and was pretty ugly I seriously thought about it. If it hadn't been $169 I might have bought it!
Then I stumbled upon this odd dismembered mannequin.
The earrings were permanent and the piece was just a little too creepy.
I definitely would not want to come upon it in my studio in the dark...
Then I finally found a real contender.
The only negatives were that it was very modern looking, the head circumference was a little small and I thought she had a really snotty look on her face.
Remember I was seeing lots of really lovely hat heads ( for display only ) so I hoped for something better.
And then I found my perfect hat model.
She's not in perfect shape but, she is in perfect spirit!
Shop keeper says she's from the 1950s and she needs a little TLC…
This is my sweet Irene and she was a super sweet deal at $60.
My hats already look better :)
And if I hear a bump in the night she won't freak me out...
