Wicked hatter can make your costume a work of art

By Allison Marlow
Posted 10/25/17

Caroline Lindsey has been collecting antique hats her entire life. Now, the stacks of top hats, derby and fedoras are the base of her new business – creating witch’s hats.

Lindsey, of Gulf …

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Wicked hatter can make your costume a work of art

Posted

Caroline Lindsey has been collecting antique hats her entire life. Now, the stacks of top hats, derby and fedoras are the base of her new business – creating witch’s hats.

Lindsey, of Gulf Shores, began her hattery after 20 years in the nail salon business. She said she had decided to return to school but those plans fell apart after the devastating loss of a close friend.

As she struggled to recover from depression, Lindsey said she began to refurbish the hats in her collection. As she focused her creative energy on the hats she was struck with an idea.

She would create witch’s hats. Custom-made, handcrafted, detailed witch’s hats.

Within eight weeks Lindsey had her samples ready, her website up and running and was booked for several local events.

“These hats really saved my life,” she said. “I had enjoyed working my whole life and then suddenly it was gone. I had the chance to focus on something I wanted to do.

“I learned from losing my friend that we are not guaranteed another day,” she said.

When Lindsey told her mother her plans, she was not surprised. Her daughter, she remarked, would get to celebrate her favorite holiday all year round.

Now, Lindsey’s hats are enjoying their big moment. Halloween is here and Lindsey can top off any style of costume with a hat so intricately detailed it is a work of art.

Lindsey doesn’t just decorate the hats, she creates new hats by piecing together several styles, adding brims and removing other parts. Each is an individual creation.

After Halloween, Lindsey puts aside her favorite designs just long enough to create hats for New Year’s Eve, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, pirates and Renaissance Faires.

“I love what I do,” she said. “These hats have created me as much as I have created them.”