Mini Steampunk Top Hat

Thank goodness I am back in my craft room for a bit before the big move! I have always loved mini top hats and feathers so I decided I needed to try to make one. Here it is!

(It is sitting on a candlestick because I wanted it to? Haha!)

I have been on the look out for an awesome top hat template but everything I looked at just wasn't jiving with me. Some were shaped weird, or too tall. Some were made out of a dixie cup, some were even already made and just had to be embellished but I wanted an interesting shape and made from scratch. Finally about 3 weeks ago I stumbled upon Lost Wax! And my new mini top hat journey began!

THE PROCESS: Oh boy! This took awhile to finish but I started by purchasing a template from Lost Wax HERE (awesome guy and he has a tutorial!) and then used my crafters foam to cut out the template. Cutting takes the longest and precision is key! 

All my pieces cut out. 

Contact cement is the only glue that works for this. The white glue you see in the picture was my first attempt on the brim of the hat and I had to start over and use Contact Cement. Lesson learned.

This picture is everything glued in place and ready for paint. I learned that it does matter where you accidentally drop the contact cement because it shows through the paint but, for my first hat, I am okay with the oopsy parts. :)

Now the fun part! I used Metallic Copper paint but you can use any paint you would like. After the hat was dry I added Gold Metallic paint to some pieces. Then cut some brown leather cord to fit around the bottom of the hat. The "rivets" were glued on with Glossy Accents (I believe these "rivets" are made  for fabric and you iron them onto the fabric). I also added my compass with a brad and some more Glossy Accents. TIP-drink plenty of coffee before and during this process! :)

Next I tackled the other side of the hat with some feathers! Aaahhhhh feathers. I have accumulated many feathers from friends (human and animal alike) and my junk drawer is overflowing, so I figured that now would be the perfect time to make some room. Glueing feathers requires some finesse, because glue gets everywhere and makes your feathers look like a clump of blah real quick. Lol! I had to use the 13/11 because my lucky numbers are 13 and 11! Boo yeah! 

I added some pheasant, peacock (he is a close friend and very loud so I don't feel bad using his feathers), and small feathers to the side of the hat with Glossy Accents. I cut some copper wiring I found in another stash/junk drawer and wrapped it around my paintbrush to curl it and added that as well. Of course there has to be a gear in there! 

The small green feathers sure do shine in the sunlight! 

The following pictures are just taken in different angles and lighting. It is amazing how different a picture will be by changing the light, background, setting, etc. 

What a journey! I have loved making this little hat and plan on making many, many more (and I have plenty of feathers!). Now that the first is done, I do believe that the next one will be a lot smoother! Carpe Diem!

Thanks for stopping by my little part of the art world and I do love reading your comments because it is just so nice and sweet! Happy Crafting! ~Niki

This mini Steampunk top hat will be shared with the following:

A Vintage Journey-Special Numbers HERE My special numbers are 13 and 11.

Rhedds Creative Spirit-Altered Art/Mixed Media Only HERE

Our Creative Corner-Junk in Your Trunk HERE I used my art junk drawer that is overflowing with feathers ad other tidbits like the copper wiring and the leather piece.

Altered Eclectics-Altered Art/Mixed Media Only HERE

That Craft Place-Mother's Day/Anything Goes HERE