Monday, May 5, 2014

Hatstruck Couture Millinery Brainstorming a Possible Millinery Contest

I've had two site contest giveaways and one sort of silent giveaway.  However, I've never had a millinery contest.  The "sort of" was to be a "silent" giveaway where I was going to do a giveaway to the next person that made a comment on my blog, but the person never picked up the gift (contacted me).  I didn't want to go through having to check all of the memberships; so, without announcement, I tried to go the silent route, unannounced.  I don't even remember the winner's name.  I'll try that again in the future because it did cut down on the work, and eventually there will be a winner that picks up her/his gift.  The first and second images here show the gifts I gave away for my two announced giveaways.

Anyway I need to generate some excitement around here.  In order to keep doing this thing I have to keep myself entertained.  So I thought, "What about a millinery contest?"  I have no idea of its structure yet, but I'm thinking the following:


  • Participants have to be a blog member; 
  •  Three judges having varying tastes--HINT, HINT, are you interested?;
  •  Winning categories, maybe:  (1) Most Innovative; (2) Most Representative of Theme; (3) Workmanship, (4) Best in Contest;
  • Prizes:  a box of goodies from me.  I give pretty good gifts, even if I have to say so myself.  My gift box would include, but would not be limited to; straws, leather and suede pieces, jinsin, fur felt, horsehair, hat stretcher, etc.  I would also welcome sponsors--HINT, HINT--in order to give away even more goodies; and
  • Other prizes would probably include a little cash or less millinery supplies.

I just figured out that I would drop the second and third places and award gifts only to the winning categories.  Oh, I changed again:  Best in Contest, being also first place and there would be a second place--who knows at this point.  The Best in Contest would be the highest winner, picking up the majority of the category places, one having to be workmanship. 

I figure that all of us are at different levels in our millinery journey.  Some may not possess the workmanship skills, but may have great design (maybe another category) skills, or they may be very innovative.  I would love for all to be comfortable submitting a hat.  I must admit that I have a thing for workmanship.  However, in the real world innovation and design many times win out.  But I have to restate that in order to win the Best in Contest, workmanship has to be in place; this I will definitely not change!.


What do you think?

#Hatstruck #millinery


31 comments:

  1. Great idea. Encourages all to be more creative.

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  2. Ooooo I'm in! Never taken part in a contest before! Thank you for doing this!! Off to the workroom!!!!

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    1. Thanks Wendy,

      Don't start yet until you get the theme, etc.

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  3. What a great idea! Thank you Lee for doing this... now off to the workroom!!! LOL

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  4. I'd love the idea! I've been a silent follower of your blog for a while so I'd just take this chance to tell you how much I like it! :-)

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    1. Well thanks Masha. I hope you decide to become a noisy follower :)

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  5. Hi Lee, i think that this is great way to entertain yourself and keep others on toes. Zuzana :)

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  6. I think it's a great idea. Stick to your guns about the judges. Don't let this become a voting affair where the most popular milliner wins because she has the most friends.

    Are we to take good photos so you can see the attention to detail, or are we sending these things in? Will you have a theme?

    Oh and also I've blocked 4 hats using your pinnless procedure and it's worked very well. I like the 3rd knot best: the really complicated one. But that's how I roll.

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    1. Thanks Mo,

      Hold on before you start because I have to announce the theme, etc., I also have to attend a funeral; so it will be about a week before I can really get into this.

      Also, I think the judges would be a better choice than the voting thing. I've been in one of those and never again. To much work, among other things :)

      I will be requesting good images only. Remember that I'm still working on the details, thus the brainstorming.

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  7. Sounds like fun! Looking forward to hearing the theme....

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  8. Actually do you sell them instead? =)

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    1. Hi,

      I don't understand the question. Sell what? If you mean do I sell supplies? No, I don't. I just have a lot of supplies that I've accumulated over the years.

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  9. Dear Lee- I have one question I would like to ask you - hoping that you can help. If that is possible- could you please give me your e-mail address? Thanks a lot!

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  10. I would love to participate!! Will you accept contestants from Ireland? :)

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  11. This sounds great Lee! I would be willing to enter or judge. :)

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    1. Hi Shurie,

      Great; pick one--judge or contestant ! I'd appreciate either.

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  12. it's a great idea if you accept French people...
    Thnaks for this beautiful blog.
    Eve .Gherson www.evegherson.com

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    1. Thanks Eve. The contest will be open to all, so stay tuned for the details.

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  13. This would be so fun. I am very new to Millinery so I don't think I could compete but I would give it a shot in the dark just because it sounds so very fun! Thank you for making the Millinery experience even more fun!

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    1. Thanks Fancy,

      I will be giving out more details next week. You said that you are new to millinery; so here is a suggestion. Don't try to make something beyond your experience. Remember that simple and well done also counts and may even beat out the more experienced milliner's work that is not so well put together.

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    2. Thanks for the encouragement and tips Lee. I am looking forward to seeing what the theme is and see is I can put something together.

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    3. Anytime Fancy. Thanks for your interest.

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