Tabistry Witch Hat in Time for Halloween!

 

I've been planning to make this hat for years.  Even had someone inquire about how to go about making one a while back.  Well, finally got to it...and before Halloween even!  And, so happy with it.

 

 

I will be wearing it with the tabbed stays pictured here.  I like the curvy old stovepipe look I was able to get with this weaving technique.  I will need that wide brim for the sun.

I plan to wear this to All Hallow's weekend at TRF (Texas Renaissance Festival) coming up soon.   Still trying to figure out what accessories to wear.  I think I need to find a ways to attach one of our adorable Cornish Pixies to my outfit.  I've been debating on bringing props and accessories, like a broom or wand.  I always hesitate to bring extra things to carry, as I tend to lay them down and leave them.  :/

I will, of course, bring my pouch and a tankard with holder on by belt.  I posted about my tankard covers just before this post.  This was the only pic I have shared with one of them.  Oops!  But, sadly I lost the moth that the daughter made.  We're talking about remaking some more of these (will post it on mieljolie.blogspot.com if we do).  I would love to pin some to my hat and tankard again.  They were so cute and made from scraps and a safety pin!  I believe she was inspired by a picture on Pinterest. 

Also still working out other accessories and jewelry.  I think a tabistry necklace would be nice.  Maybe use the same turquoise gemmed tabs like the bodice and hat trim have. 

We took these pics goofing around the backyard herb spiral and greenhouse.  It's a mess back there!  We haven't been working on it much this summer.  I've been too busy with other things, and let the garden get a little too dry and overgrown (Even the ollas can't save the plants, if I don't fill them up!  Haha).  I do love having fresh herbs.  Hopefully most have them have survived the heat.  Can't say the same for the strawberries. :(  But, the grapevine is doing well and should shade the spot for the strawberries.  Once it grows in a bit, I will replant the strawberries.

That's it for now! I will be posting the pattern for the hat on Patreon for the Tabistry members (https://www.patreon.com/mieljolie).  I also have my other tutorials available there in my shop.

Tankard Covers

 

 

While taking pictures for my newest project (will post right after this one), it occurred to me that I failed to post these tankard covers, when I couldn't find any pics of either of them.  I've used both of them for years now.  Very simple project, and useful for thrifted tankards that may have writing etched into them like these did.  And, also very convenient for hanging our accumulation of trinkets on!

 Basic staggered scale patter panel woven tho the width and height of the cup body.  Then laced on using the tail end of the panel.  The jewels are attached with those bedazzler studded rimmed acrylic gems.  The specific type of tabs I used them on had two divets that were just right at .5" to push the studs of the gem into.  Used these before in red on my mom's topless hat.  

Not only does it cover the writing on them, it also makes it easy to identify which tankard is mine.  :) 

 

Good news!  I think I've finally figured out a solution to replace Etsy for offering tutorials on Tabistry.  I didn't like the idea of just an online shop, and none of the options I found offered international, tax remittance, vetting abuse.

I've chosen Patreon, because it has more options to help build better communication, and options that I hadn't considered before.  After all, I'm not writing these to get rich.  I just want to be compensated enough to justify spending a portion of my time maintaining the shop and writing tutorials, when I could be inspiring others, answering questions, or even better playing with tabs and other crafts.  :)  Anyway, hope you'll take a minute to go over and check out the new shop.  Planning to get a Discord Server working to answer question more efficiently.

New Patreon Account

And, most of all, I want to apologize yet again for taking so long with this.  It's been over a year, and I was still holding out, wishing that Etsy would do the right things get things figured out.  Alas, I think the good old days are over.  We have new horizons to catch.

NO LONGER OFFERING TUTORIALS OR HANDMADE ITEMS THROUGH ETSY

UPDATE:  Have setup Patreon, and crossing fingers that works well enough.

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Below is the response I got to my Etsy appeal (on a shop in good standing):

 

Sep 18, 2026, 2:00 AM EDT

 

"Hello,

Thanks for contacting Etsy.

 

We appreciate you taking the time to file an appeal. Thank you for taking the time to follow up about this.

 

Unfortunately we had not heard from you within the allowed time period to verify your account and after careful consideration, we've determined your account does not qualify for reinstatement.

 

Although you are currently unable to proceed with your existing shop, you are permitted to open a new shop.

 

We are sorry we could not be more helpful on this occasion and wish you the best with your future endeavors.

 

Thanks. "

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- This was the reply to my appeal that I sent as soon as I discovered they had officially suspended my account for delaying sending an updated copy of my ID, which I told them I would do after a human personally reached out to me. 

 

They had put my shop in vacation mode for having an expired license on file. That license had not been updated in like 20 years, because it was never asked for and already verified my ID through a 3rd party they required a couple years ago. Magically became an issue after I contacted support for their multiple warning threats to the visibility of my account for not responding to messages within 24 hours that did not need replies and that were 2-4 days late being received by my email (which they acknowledged after I sent screenshots). I still suspect they didn't want to deal with me and flagged my expired ID.

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You may read the appeal responses I sent here:

 

Sep 16, 2026, 11:50 AM EDT

 

Why are you appealing your account suspension?: Other

 

Other reason: I'm under the impression an Etsy support person may have used my ID verification as an excuse to suspend my account and not deal with my reported issue after automated systems were unfairly punishing my shop. If you value small shops and their experience, I would be willing to explain this further with an actual agent. Your website needs serious help and more compassion for it's long time sellers.

Are there any actions you've taken to address your suspension?: Though I'm perfectly capable, I have chose not to provide my verification and am not taking any actions until I can speak to an actual human agent who cares at all about my shop being on this platform I was a seller for 20 years, and I feel like I was treated like an idiot and a criminal.

 

 

How will your business practices change if you regain account access?: 

 

I'm willing to consider it, but shouldn't be necessary for me to change any practices, as I was in good standing before the agent may have retaliated against me. I'm a small shop that merely shares tutorials and occasional handmade items. But, I guess I'm not making Etsy enough money to be worth the time.

 

 

Describe any extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to your suspension: 

 

When I was trying to get assistance with a bug in Etsy's policies effecting my shop, I suspect an agent reviewing my records saw my ID was expired and used it against me so they wouldn't have to deal with my issue.