Get ready for a long blog post, y’all!
I have SO much to talk about and share with a TON of photos
to highlight what I have been doing this past month.

To begin, I must refer to my last Austen Authors blog post, dated July 10:  Busy Bee Sharon has been Making Regency Bonnets!  If you missed that one, click on over for the background to this post and a bunch of photos. As the title suggests and as I explain in that post, I began my bonnet making project simply to create headwear for myself, my daughter Emily, and my daughter-in-law Serena. As often happens with such endeavors, I discovered a certain talent for bonnet creation and a hitherto unknown passion. But more on that in a moment. First, let me share our fun at the festival!

The Greater Louisville Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) – of which I am fortunate to be a member of – has presented and hosted this particular Jane Austen Festival for 10 years. In 2015 we put the Festival on hiatus due to our Region hosting the JASNA Annual General Meeting, but aside from that one year break, the Festival has grown to become the largest Austen-focused event in the United States (Not counting the AGM, of course). Twice we have set Guinness World Records in our costume-clad Promenade participation. This year the theme was celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of Persuasion, so naturally the navy was given the spotlight, as well as wonderful images of Colonel Wentworth all over the place!

Usually my husband Steve – who is a professional photographer with a fabulous website of his own: LuvTheLightPhotos.com  – spends the days snapping hundreds of photos. In fact, his website has several galleries dedicated to past Austen events, including the AGM and Louisville Festival. This year, however, as the photos below reveal, he was on puppy-duty taking care of our sweet miniature poodle Olivia Marjo while mom played. I actually took more photos than he did, which is very strange!

I can’t state strongly enough how awesome this Festival is. Every year, not just this one. I’ve been lucky to attend four times now and am never disappointed. I HIGHLY recommend the event to anyone who loves Jane Austen! It is worth setting aside the time and money to attend, trust me. The theme for 2019 is Northanger Abbey and the dates have been set for July 12 to 14. Mark your calendars and start making plans now! In due time there will be more information, so visit the website: www.JASNALouisville.com and join the JASNA Louisville Facebook Group to keep up on the news.

For me, this year was extra special because I was able to attend with my two daughters (neither of whom had ever attended before), my husband, and my son. Honestly, this was the BEST part for me. We did enjoy many of the events, such as the excellent Regency Style Show and Afternoon Tea, but having my family together was priceless. Here are a few photos–

Tea Time Fun with my Daughters ~

Indeed, we had a marvelous time and created a wealth of special memories for our family. I am already excited for next year, and not only due to the possibility of another wonderful sharing experience with my kids. Another reason to anticipate the 2019 Festival is my new venture into creating bonnets. No, I have not slowed down these past weeks! Quite the opposite, in fact, and if I continue at the rate I am going, I may have my own emporium booth to sell my creations. Time will tell, but for the present I am keeping it online.

YES! I am here to announce that my shop on Etsy has officially opened!

As of this moment, I have 25 items for sale. 17 of these items are bonnets or hats, and I also have reticules, gloves, and floral hairpieces. Take a look at some of the bonnets I have created and which YOU can buy–

I am VERY excited about this new endeavor. Making bonnets is super fun. It is a different type of creativity than writing, which I hope to continue as well when time allows.

Of course, as with anything business-like that requires sales to be successful, spreading the word so that customers come to my shop. Discovery is key! How can YOU help me? Glad you asked!

1. Visit my store at: www.ALadyBonnetBoutique.com or search for me on Etsy if you lose the link. Check out my stock and purchase something if it strikes your fancy!
2. When there, “favorite” my store for updates on new items when I add them.
3. Use the handy social media links Etsy provides to share A Lady Bonnet Boutique on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
4. Feel free to use the badge I’ve created (to the right) to share far and wide with the link to my store.
5. “Like” my new Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/aladybonnetboutique  and share on your Facebook. I have purchasing links to most of my products on the page’s shop, although I encourage ordering directly from Etsy as it is easier and has better shipping choices.

Thank you for allowing me to share my exciting news with y’all. I am continuing my quest to improve my skills and create a plethora of hat and bonnet styles. I have LOTS of ideas and a TON of supplies to do it! Watch the video on my shop home page to see what I have in my work area. I would love to hear your thoughts, especially your favorite style of bonnet or hat to wear. Ideas are welcome!