This is the time in my life where I redirected my painting skills to a deep down passion for millinery, hat making.
I had long been in love with the hat. I find hats to be very becoming on both women and men. I was inspired by the creativity of the 1940's when hat making had to become creative due to lack of materials.
I tried to figure out "how to" make a hat and then one day I figured it out...buy a pattern.
Immediately I start sewing and creating and before I knew I had a collection of unique hat originals in fabric. I decided to have a "hat show" and set it up with my friends as models and friends of my Mom's as potential clients. I remember my Father being a little annoyed that he had to go downstairs and let all these women take over his living room.
He changed his mind when after the 2-3 hour presentation I had cash and checks equaling $500.00!!! We all changed our minds at that point. I had discovered a business.
I jumped in excited that I was creating and making money and all those good things about being a success. I designed and lived at my sewing machine, had more shows, sold more hats and before I knew it I had a proposal.
It came from My Dad and Mom....they wanted me to open a hat shop in Maui. They would support it for 2 years and so...off I went.
Just as a good adventure should doors opened and I found myself renting a deserted gas station in the surf town of Paia, Maui and there I opened "Paradise Millinery".
Maui is a mellow island and not too much night life goes on in a town like Paia. I started to have these monthly "Hat Happenings" where people could dress up and I would supply a fashion show of my latest designs and later we would have poetry, music, and all that good stuff. The town loved it, everyone having fun and looking forward to the small but not insignificant events.
After about a year I started to miss the jungle and countryside. I decided to let go of the store and move to a little house in Haiku (an area upcountry). I was pretty young and inexperienced in running a business and looking back this wasn't the smartest move for my business yet it was the path I chose and it had it's own needs and reasons to happen.
It was moving to Haiku for instance that I met my friend Elizabeth, who now is one of my closest friends. It was moving to Haiku that got me back into painting. I felt centered and content.
Though I haven't made hats for the past few years I suppose I will again. I still love the hat and I still treasure the moments I shared with my gas station turned hat parlor and my love towards my family has become stronger for their support of my dream. I am a very blessed spirit...I have people who really believe in me and when the hard times comes, and they always do, I rely upon the backbone of their belief.
Life is a wonderful thing!!!