I finished skinning the hat with sheet metal, but still have trimming to do on it. I also have elaborations to add, metal trim, feathers, ribbon...

I have placed the frame of the hat on the outside of this hat as opposed to the pencil rod frame being on the inside of the three dresses. i think it adds a more of a finished quality to the edges of the cut sheet metal.

I have been experimenting copper acid etching with Chuck and love it! I think I am going to add a copper trim on this hat. The different metals compliment and contrast each other at the same time. The acid etching creates a textured surface in comparison to the shiny surface of the polished copper.

The acid etching of the copper makes me what to explore making entire forms out of copper. The sheer beauty of the copper is stunning, and the range of colors one can achieve from copper oxidation versus steel oxidation is much greater.

I am currently working on a steel hat. I have been looking at kentucky derby hats for inspiration, very large brimmed hats with embellishments... feathers, ribbon, flowers...

I am continuing trying to capture movement in the steel, creating exaggerated rolls and curves in the brim of the hat. I am drawn to the negative space the rolls in the steel create. I am trying to maintain elegance and beauty, which culturally describes female atrributes.

"Steel Maiden" and "Cold Rolled Pleats"

I finished the third dress and got some pictures. I need to fix the photos a little bit still...but here are two.

I finally found fabric that I feel is working with the steel dress. The bottom is going to have two more tiers and screen mesh is going to be added as trim to the top and bottom. I think the screen with help in the transition from the steel to the fabric.

I like the contrast between the fabric and steel. The fabric also opens up doors to new techniques... textures and colors. I also want to add embroidery, quilting or dying portions in future works.