Hats are also great for the excuse of not doing ones hair. I am guilty of this more often then not. Especially in the Winter. My logic is, I have to stay warm, thus I have to wear a hat anyway, so no one is going to see my hair and the hat would wreck it, so why bother taking the time to do anything with my hair. I could make better use of those precious minutes in my day and on and on the rant goes. It's true. And my logic of not doing my hair usually wins out. Even as I sit here at the computer, writing this, my hair is unruly, unkempt, and sticking out in all directions…and I don't care, because you can't see me and my daughter and husband love me just the same :D And I'm going to put a hat on when I go out tonight :P
My most recent, delightful hat purchase was at the formerly known Winter Market (now The Market @ Medalta) from a highly talented woman, Charlene Knightly of Knightly Krafts.
As I am the market manager, I've been privileged to have gotten to know our faithful vendors, Charlene being one of those, and thus we have become friends. Sitting beside her table every week, I couldn't help but continually wander over and peruse her wares time and time again. I would try this one or that one. I finally settled on a beautiful red and gold knitted beanie, with a gold ribbon and dragonfly brooch on it. I wear it ALL THE TIME! If you know me, you've probably seen me wearing it. It's the perfect shade of red to compliment all my earth toned clothes (which is almost everything I own). I absolutely love it!
the only difference now is I have a dragonfly brooch instead and my ribbon is in a bow.
Not only is Charlene amazingly talented, she's also sweet as sweet can be, easy to talk to, honest, hard working, full of love and life, witty, and super fun to be around. I look forward to growing the friendship that has blossomed between us.
Charlene's love of knitting, crocheting and all things crafty began as a child. She recalls, "I grew up in a home where my mother did lots of different crafts. She taught me to knit, crochet, sew, cross-stitch, and several other different types of crafty things."
"I was married in 1987 and my husband and I began a family 2 years later. I had 4 children and was a stay-at-home mum. I was always interested in opportunities that would allow me to stay home and still make some added income to help out with the budget." A feat so many of us momma's are trying to do these days, so we can stay home with out babies and experience their firsts :)
In 2005, Charlene and her husband, Pete, moved their family to Africa, where they spent the next 3 years. "While in Africa, I taught many ladies how to sew and do bead work. This is one of the things I am most proud of. I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend there, helping and teaching women how to run their own business and to create beautiful works of art."
"When we came back to Canada in 2008, I continued to bead jewellery, but one day a lady from church asked if I would knit some hats to send to Kenya, for a project that they were supporting there. I began knitting and crocheting hats to send and got completely hooked (pardon the pun) on crocheting! Some people suggested that I start selling them (once the project was over, I found myself still crocheting like crazy) and so I began to advertise them for sale on my blog and eventually through Facebook."
After Charlene moved out west to Medicine Hat, in 2011, it was suggested to her that the Farmer's Market may be a great place to begin selling her wonderful creations. Thus, Charlene joined the Farmer's Market in the Spring of 2012 as Knightly Krafts.
"Things expanded quite rapidly and I am thoroughly enjoying creating and meeting so many neat people in this city."
The future is looming with opportunity for Charlene and Knightly Krafts, as she intends to grow her business in the area of the online market industry, as well as continuing to sell through local markets. Charlene also has plans to add to her inventory, sewn hats, some being made from recycled clothing. "I'm a huge fan of upcycling old products into new ones, instead of filling the landfill," a passion that began during her years in Africa, where almost everything is recycled.
Charlene also began including stunning brooches (vintage and new) onto her hats last summer, much to the delight of her customers. Needless to say, it was a huge hit.
Charlene also makes special orders for those who request them, so if there is something you like, but want in a different colour, or something you envision, you have but to ask.
Head over to Knightly Krafts Facebook page here and "like" them. There are up-to-date pictures on items available for sale and also on sold items (for those who may find inspiration for a special order). There is also a "shop now" tab on the page which enables you to purchase products using paypal.
You can also find Knightly Krafts at The Market @ Medalta every Thursday (beginning Feb 21st) from 4:30 - 8:30pm, located at Medalta Pottery in Medicine Hat, Ab. Sometimes it's always nice to touch, feel, and try on something, to realize your life will never be the same without it ;) Try on at your own risk! :)
If you have any further questions or would like to make a special order, you can message Charlene through her Facebook page, or email her at charlene.knightly@gmail.com.
Knightly Krafts has a very special incentive just for my Growing Green readers! Simply use the PROMO CODE: Handcrafted on any hat order and receive 20% off your purchase! Sounds like a plan to me!
Enjoy your beautiful day today, and remember to stay warm and stylish!
next week's feature hint: taking it back to ol' natural.
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