Alley Kat Hat Co

[ChicagoWayVito]

Fantastic. One thing now we can see, the other pictures (professional looking) of this hat in the black cherry sort of brings out some of the color tone a bit but now, seeing it from your pictures and that we can see the same color tones proves the beauty is not just due to great camera work, (nothing wrong with that but) it shows the real color of the hat is what we are looking at. Great review also on how the hat feels. We are sure sold on wanting one and it is in our hat line up budget now!

You won't be disappointed. I can't wait to start seeing pictures of the hat that Tim ends up making for you.

 

[moontheloon]

fantastic piece CWV

just gorgeous!!!

great job Tim

 

[ChicagoWayVito]

fantastic piece CWV

just gorgeous!!!

great job Tim

Moon, hope to see your Alley Kat Hat pics in the near future.
Seriously, the hand on the hat is great!

 

[bolthead]

You won't be disappointed. I can't wait to start seeing pictures of the hat that Tim ends up making for you.

nice Avatar.......

 

[ChicagoWayVito]

nice Avatar.......

LOL. A nice hat with a nice picture. I might as well have a nice avatar with it

 

[RJR]

nice Avatar.......

+1

 

[1mach1]

Ribbon and wind cord not 100% nailed down, but some progress pics from Tim.
Thanks for keeping me in the loop Tim. I am super excited!!

Black sweat.

 

[LuvMyMan]

Ribbon and wind cord not 100% nailed down, but some progress pics from Tim.
Thanks for keeping me in the loop Tim. I am super excited!!

Black sweat.

Wow that is getting there! I note your hat was blocked high crown, no taper! What color is it?

 

[1mach1]

Wow that is getting there! I note your hat was blocked high crown, no taper! What color is it?

Thanks Cindy! Tim is busting his butt on this one. Its dark moss beaver.

 

[LuvMyMan]

Thanks Cindy! Tim is busting his butt on this one. Its dark moss beaver.

O.K. was hard to tell from the pictures. Thanks!

 

[ChicagoWayVito]

Ribbon and wind cord not 100% nailed down, but some progress pics from Tim.
Thanks for keeping me in the loop Tim. I am super excited!!

Black sweat.

Harv the hat is looking great so far. I like the color and may have to have something in that color in the future. The ribbon colors in the picture work should you decide to go with those. Can't wait to see more as this unfolds.

 

[1mach1]

Harv the hat is looking great so far. I like the color and may have to have something in that color in the future. The ribbon colors in the picture work should you decide to go with those. Can't wait to see more as this unfolds.

Thanks Kevin. As you know, its an absolute pleasure working with Tim.

 

[ChicagoWayVito]

Thanks Kevin. As you know, its an absolute pleasure working with Tim.

Harv, yes sir Tim is great to work with. Very accommodating and really worked with me to get the look I wanted. Tim even dug up old vintage photos and advertisements to send me for certain looks. The bow and wind trolley on my hat are modeled from a Stetson Open Road ad from 1949 and I think he nailed it.

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Harv, yes sir Tim is great to work with. Very accommodating and really worked with me to get the look I wanted. Tim even dug up old vintage photos and advertisements to send me for certain looks. The bow and wind trolley on my hat are modeled from a Stetson Open Road ad from 1949 and I think he nailed it.

I appreciate you noting that Kevin. I had to study it close but like you said nailed the bow and wind cord placement.

 

[LuvMyMan]

I would normally not want for myself or Daniel, a hat to be made like someone already has...but...that Black Cherry is far too fantastic looking! It would just make so many suits and sports coats Daniel has, all work really well.

Have the Ivory hat from Esther with the purple to go with those colors, then having Gannon make a grey for those colored clothing...then a purple for me from Esther...then one of these Black Cherries....this hat should be given a name...."Prince of Darkness"!

Each Hat maker has their own "flavor" in their work, showcasing their talent. It will be hard for Daniel and I to have to wait to see how super these hats will be!

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

I would normally not want for myself or Daniel, a hat to be made like someone already has...but...that Black Cherry is far too fantastic looking! It would just make so many suits and sports coats Daniel has, all work really well.

Have the Ivory hat from Esther with the purple to go with those colors, then having Gannon make a grey for those colored clothing...then a purple for me from Esther...then one of these Black Cherries....this hat should be given a name...."Prince of Darkness"!

Each Hat maker has their own "flavor" in their work, showcasing their talent. It will be hard for Daniel and I to have to wait to see how super these hats will be!

Great post Cindy. Your 100% correct and there is so much talent between us. Bottom line we all bring something unique to the table and we all have a style per say. Mike Gannon has a very nice style. I like what he does to his crowns to achieve his look! Mike if you read this, I tip my hat to you and say keep up the fine craftsmanship. To Esther....she amazes me. She is very talented. I admire how she works and her passions are evident. Keep a keen eye on her because I just sent her a 300 yard gift of woven edge 40s 50s ribbon, along with that a challenge that will wake the eye of the vintage looker. In not saying anymore there.....she is going to blow some minds and when it happens i believe it could be a turning point for her only in the sense, where she opens another door to possible new client base as a result of my challenge to her. I like that she encourages me through kind words and liking my work. Moon commented the other day....he saw us communicating he applauded that. In Art school, back in the 80s we all encouraged each other. Why not, it helps you grow. We all pushed each other very hard to better ourself. That behavior here is a great thing. Respect for each other and not being reluctant to express a like on a well made hat speaks volumes .

I recently had a few positive things happen in my life. I think loosing my job at 52 and getting the rug yanked out from under me was a blessing. And in hindsight all I did want to do was walk my pops footsteps. I feel blessed to have learned manual machinist work. I could feel my pop. there with me every day. I honestly struggled with that as I never lost a job. But I've learned from this and I let it bother me for the better part of a month until my girlfriend was watching me work one day and she said i think you should just make your hats, we will be fine. Thanks Gabe Long. You moved me in more than one way. Thank you. To PreacherMan.....you touched my heart and put faith back in my life. You stayed after me for 4 years and gave me the tools to get through a living hell. TomS a text every night to make sure I was ok. The list goes on....people knew I was needing support in the form of caring. There is a lot of that here.
Now as to the name of this fine looking Black Cherry......and it needs a name....Cindy the word darkness I respect but.....sort of devilish....but in saying that you've given me a potential name.....I need help. I never really cared much for Prince the artist....but that was a teenager who listened to Led Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who...... And from what I can remember the Dead 50 times over. Who was Prince? Well as I grew I realized he really was a good guitarist. And I saw a very young picture of him recently with a very old Gibson Arch Top.
Could a name be Purple Rain possibly....ill take some help here. Suggestions based on this??
I want to express my most sincere thanks for everyone her on this forum who supports Mike , Esther and myself.
You all have a great day.....1mach1 is waiting.....

 

[Frunobulax]

Great post Cindy. Your 100% correct and there is so much talent between us. Bottom line we all bring something unique to the table and we all have a style per say. Mike Gannon has a very nice style. I like what he does to his crowns to achieve his look! Mike if you read this, I tip my hat to you and say keep up the fine craftsmanship. To Esther....she amazes me. She is very talented. I admire how she works and her passions are evident. Keep a keen eye on her because I just sent her a 300 yard gift of woven edge 40s 50s ribbon, along with that a challenge that will wake the eye of the vintage looker. In not saying anymore there.....she is going to blow some minds and when it happens i believe it could be a turning point for her only in the sense, where she opens another door to possible new client base as a result of my challenge to her. I like that she encourages me through kind words and liking my work. Moon commented the other day....he saw us communicating he applauded that. In Art school, back in the 80s we all encouraged each other. Why not, it helps you grow. We all pushed each other very hard to better ourself. That behavior here is a great thing. Respect for each other and not being reluctant to express a like on a well made hat speaks volumes .

I recently had a few positive things happen in my life. I think loosing my job at 52 and getting the rug yanked out from under me was a blessing. And in hindsight all I did want to do was walk my pops footsteps. I feel blessed to have learned manual machinist work. I could feel my pop. there with me every day. I honestly struggled with that as I never lost a job. But I've learned from this and I let it bother me for the better part of a month until my girlfriend was watching me work one day and she said i think you should just make your hats, we will be fine. Thanks Gabe Long. You moved me in more than one way. Thank you. To PreacherMan.....you touched my heart and put faith back in my life. You stayed after me for 4 years and gave me the tools to get through a living hell. TomS a text every night to make sure I was ok. The list goes on....people knew I was needing support in the form of caring. There is a lot of that here.
Now as to the name of this fine looking Black Cherry......and it needs a name....Cindy the word darkness I respect but.....sort of devilish....but in saying that you've given me a potential name.....I need help. I never really cared much for Prince the artist....but that was a teenager who listened to Led Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who...... And from what I can remember the Dead 50 times over. Who was Prince? Well as I grew I realized he really was a good guitarist. And I saw a very young picture of him recently with a very old Gibson Arch Top.
Could a name be Purple Rain possibly....ill take some help here. Suggestions based on this??
I want to express my most sincere thanks for everyone her on this forum who supports Mike , Esther and myself.
You all have a great day.....1mach1 is waiting.....

Tim, I want to chime in and thank you. Your recent assistance helping me with sweat bands was illuminating and exhibited your generosity to a guy who just likes puttering about with his hats. I'll never be a true hatter, but the insight and patient advice you gave me was invaluable.

And appreciated.

A suggestion on the hat (as I'm a Deep Purple fan) - It could be called the Highway Star? Speed King? Black Night? The Purpendicular Hat? Rat Bat Hat?

OK, I'll Hush, now.

 

[1mach1]

Tim is moving along. Progress report. Thanks Tim!

 

[RJR]

Tim is moving along. Progress report. Thanks Tim!

Looks good.

 

[1mach1]

Looks good.

Thanks Bob!