The Art of Hat Making: A Peek Inside Ballard Millinery Studio
Alright, let’s dive into this! Picture a universe where hats aren’t just headwear—they’re tales waiting to be told. That’s what you’ll discover at Ballard Millinery Studio. “His hats waltz through royal weddings, take center stage at the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and rock out with Northwest Rock royalty,” says a fan of these magical creations.
Back in the ’90s, Wayne Wickern, the genius behind these works of art, whipped up “maybe 15 or so hats for Ann Wilson and Hart.” Wayne, who proudly calls himself a “hat designer or milliner,” has been honing his skills since 1986. Armed with wooden forms, sizzling irons, and a sprinkle of enchantment, he crafts hats as special as their wearers.
Meet the Milliner
Wayne doesn’t work alone. He’s got a posse of five other hat-making pros. Take Jane Leeds, for instance, who picked up her skills from Wayne himself. “He’s patient and kind, and he knows his stuff like history, materials, everything,” Jane gushes. Making a hat ain’t no walk in the park—it demands steam, muscle, and a pinch of humor. As Jane cheerfully notes, “Everyone needs a fez or any of these fantastic creations.”
The Personality Behind the Hat
Every hat spins a yarn and reveals a different side of you. “A hat will bring out different aspects of someone’s personality, so each hat has its own little person behind it,” Wayne explains. Breathing life into that is always a fun ride. And if you’re thinking you’re not a “hat person,” Jane’s got a nugget of wisdom. “Don’t say you can’t wear hats. You can wear a hat. It’s all about the attitude. Wear it, feel awesome, and folks will echo, ‘Great hat!’”
In this quaint gray building in Ballard, your perfect hat awaits—even if it’s still on the drawing board. As Wayne warmly invites, “I’d say come and visit us at Ballard Millinery, and uh there’s 6 of us whipping up hats. You’re bound to find something that’ll vibe with, hm, maybe more than one that’ll vibe with your personality.”
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