♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ WONKY TOPPERS! ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

I can't even begin to explain the day I have just had but I will anyway...

Last night I went to bed looking at some clock parts I happened to find a few months ago. My imagination started to run a little wild and I ended up dreaming about top hats! Hmmm a bit weird, but, I had spent some time researching mini top hats for some future head pieces and have never really found any that would suit the Fagin, Mad Hatter theme I was going for.

Darren then took me to a little place in Southampton full of things and stuff... and there they were. A collection of hats, trilbys, top hats, bowler hats you name it they had it. Old ones, new ones, dirty ones, clean ones. I spotted these beauties nestled amongst the Halloween tat that was currently been put out on the shelves. How could I not purchase them. Sounds a little cheesy but they were exactly what I had dreamt about that night. How sad. I got chatting to the little man in the shop, who I am meeting on Saturday to discuss the processes they used to use to make the hats out of beaver skins and felt (he has a book I might be interested in), and he was really interested in what I was doing. Might I have found a place to put some Soobird offerings?

Anyway, I have told whoever will listen about these hats and I haven't found anyone who shares the same enthusiasm as I do... yet!
♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ It's ready! ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Click here to see the site so far...

It's ready and waiting for visitors.

After days of playing around with layouts, colours, pages and images I have finally got the website up and running. I am currently trying to make some more pieces to add to the shop so at the moment it is itemless. It won't be long though as I have a red arrow currently being cemented together by my very good friend Gary Stanley, so hopefully I will have some weird and wonderful hats to show off in my new shop soon.

I have also added a Guest Book to the site for feedback and comments. I also want to encourage visitors to jot down themes etc on that page. Everyday I get people suggesting future hats ranging from the sensible and sophisticated to the totally absurd. I don't think I will ever run out of things to make but it is better to be safe than sorry.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Hot Muffins♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

A great night had by all. I managed to get setup with the help of Lisa and enjoy an evening of dancing and music. There were over 30 items of Soobird pieces on display and I had lots of interest, not forgetting a sale... thanks Wendy.

The next night is on December 20th and I will be there 11am - 11pm as there is an Art Market on during the day. Until then I will hopefully get the new website up to scratch http://www.soobird.com/ and get lots of weird and unusual pieces ready for the stall in The Oracle, Reading that Chloe and Scarlet have kindly invited me to. I will be there on the 5th and 6th of December so pop down and buy your Xmas pressies of us!

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ New webiste on it's way♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

I am now the proud owner of www.soobird.com

There is nothing on there as of yet, but I am soon to have a website that includes a gallery, blog, guestbook and shop.... so watch this space.

Hopefully I will get it up and running in the next few days, I am taking my time, I want it to be perfect as the interest I have had recently for hats and fascinators has been huge. I have received my first official order courtesy of Judy who I met at the fashion show a week or so ago so in between the Hot Muffins Burlesque Night at the Oakford, Reading this Sunday and life I shall be working on my website and my order.

It's all very exciting!

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Find me on the 25th ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ BUSY MONTH ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

It has been hectic...

I had an email of Russ, my political friend, with an offer of an advertising opportunity. I was invited to put a flyer into the goody bags that were being dished out at the Winchester Uni Freshers Fayre. I then got asked to put a lealfet into 150 goody bags for a fashion show organised by Alex Edwards, the owner of Cadogans in The Square, Winchester in association with the Winchester Conservatives, raising money for the 'Help the Heroes' charity.

I had an idea... every leaflet would have a mini 'Soobird' gift! Only 150 to make in 10 days. Easy!

It actually wasn't that bad.

I had a few evenings dedicated to making 150 card flowers that were then attached to cocktail sticks and eventually pierced through the leaflets. I had help of a very kind friend who gave up her afternoon to help cut and stick, with me keeping a close eye on quality control from the sofa. I also managed to round up the student troops at school to help make felt balls for the middle of the flowers.

After making around 100 of the pieces I had an idea. I decided to turn the poker themed tokens into a bit of a game. Only two Royal Flush pieces were made and they were a buttonhole and a brooch for one lucky lady and gent in the audience.

The fashion show was held at Avington Park, Winchester a stunning house full of history. I got a bit lost looking at all the artefacts on display, especially the alcove of corals and dried sealife. The show was a huge success and I had lots of interest in the fascinator I was modelling.

Aswell as creating the mini gifts I have also been creating more fascinators and brooches that are now on sale in Tiger Lilly's, Reading and on Etsy. I now have a week to get my stuff together ready for the next installment of 'The Hot Muffins' Burlesque Night at The Oakford Social Club, Reading on Sunday 25th October (7-11) where I shall be having a stall displaying my bits and pieces.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠