Ashland vintage hat maker in national spotlight

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Ashland, Ore. — An Ashland woman who creates retro hats is receiving national attention from American business woman Martha Stewart.

Bonnie Shaffer started her business, Hats With a Past, in 2009. Visiting her shop in Ashland’s Plaza feels like a trip back to the 1920’s and 30’s Art Deco period. Dozens of flapper style cloche hats, newsboy and driving caps for men sit on hat stands. Old magazines, instructional books, and a 1920’s Singer sewing machine complete the feel. Even Shaffer’s materials are authentic vintage.

“The wools I collect are from mills that have been closed for years, they’re out of business,” she said.

Shaffer completes her hats by adding buckles, pins, and embellishments from antique stores. Some of them date back to 80 years. Her creations have taken off.

“I’m up to 1,430 sales right now on my Etsy shop and I’ve done much more than that through trade shows and whole sales,” she said.

Her hats are owned and worn proudly by people all over the world including Parisians, Australians, and Saudi Arabians. Now, Martha Stewart is taking notice. In August, Shaffer applied for Stewart’s national “American Made” awards program, celebrating one of a kind small businesses and handmade products. Shaffer said she was thrilled and surprised when she heard back.

“At first I thought it was spam, but then I’m like no, it says CONGRATULATIONS in huge capital letters,” she said.

A finalist, Shaffer could get the chance to go to Stewart’s American Made Summit in New York City to network and learn from other influential creators.

“I’m really happy she’s supporting makers who are small and maybe in the background,” she said.

Nationwide voting begins Monday. To vote you can click here. Win or lose Shaffer’s sewing machine will go on humming.

“I’m excited to make hats for people who really want them,” she said.

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