An update on what I am focusing on is overdue.
Research – Rural and Small-Town Milliners
I am diving into the history of rural and small-town milliners across New York State and a bit beyond. This ongoing research aims to piece together who owned, operated, and worked in millinery shops, exploring how this craft shaped the lives of individual women and contributed to the broader economic and social fabric of the region. This project is focused on highlighting the significance of women’s work in these communities, providing a deeper understanding of their roles in local industry and culture.
Research – Connecting Fancy Work
If I could call a research project “dabbling,” it would apply to this. I pick up and drop my on- going interest in Fancy Work throughout the year. I am fascinated by these creative yet functional projects that integrate aspects of math and science into women’s everyday lives.
Millinery – Experimenting With Conservation Techniques
I have begun appling techniques I learned in making reproduction straw millinery to repairing and conserving extant straw millinery. This venture is very much in the experiment stage. I hope to share my progress soon.
Presentations
After decades of multi-day costumed interpretation programs, I am shifting to small to mid-size lecture and discussion formats. I find this format allows me to share aspects of my research more thoroughly.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
loved the presentation of the small town milners I witnessed via zoom! I hope you will offer more…as I can’t justify a very long drive for a one day event (swMich to NY)
So impressed by your research and making.
regards
Carole Kiernan
I am so glad you enjoyed it.
I know there was a good size Zoom audience. But, I didn’t know who was attending.