We are discontinuing some books, DVD & VHS titles and have listed them in the CloseOut section of our website. For the most part, these are readily available from other traditional sources and we choose to free up the space for other product. The documentary, "What Is It About Hats?" is one of the titles.

Remember to visit  the Close Outs Section on the website for other feathers, ribbons and hat deals. There  are some great striped hatband ribbons, pleated horsehair, denim berets and other inexpensive soft hats for quick, easy sales at your Spring shows.

Sales, Close Outs and Odd Lots

USING A FACIAL SAUNA AS A SUBSTITUTE STEAMER

If you lack a traditional steamer for felt hat bodies, an inexpensive facial sauna can be used. Here is how:

· Fill the sauna with distilled water and plug in the electrical cord (or follow the directions that came with your sauna) .

· Dampen your felt by spritzing with room temperature water in a spray bottle.

· When the steam is going nicely, gather your hat body gently into a cone shape, wrong side out. Insert the hat body crown side down into the sauna (photo 1).

· Over the top of the sauna, place one or two inexpensive shower caps. Do not tape or band caps onto sauna as to avoid possible steam burns when removing the tape (photo 2). The felt cone must not touch the bottom of the sauna. Otherwise, the vent might mark the felt.

· When the reservoir goes dry, check the felt. Be careful, it will be hot. If the hat body is not moistened enough, add more water to the reservoir and repeat the steaming if needed.

· Never leave the sauna unattended for long.

· Check the felt frequently.

· Remove the felt from the sauna and block it on your hat block as usual.

· This method should only be used for felts, not straws.

Happy Hat Making!

Susan Freese