ThistleCottageStudio
Announcement
Welcome to Thistle Cottage Studio!!
On November 21st, 2022, we will be celebrating our our 14th year on Etsy, and our hats now call home to 26 countries!!! Four of them, have recently shipped to Atlanta, GA. and will make their debut in the upcoming musical film version of THE COLOR PURPLE, scheduled for release in June of 2023. Stephen Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey producers.
I've been spending my time of late, cranking out 24 dozen face masks for hospitals, nurses, doctors, friends and neighbors, DCYF (Dept. of Children, Youth and Families), as well as the MBTA (Massachusetts Transit Authority in Boston), who nurses and doctors depend on to get back and forth to work!! They have already lost a beloved conductor!! So, in some small way, I hope I have made a difference!!
I've also been practicing my baking skills, and hope to master a good pate chou pastry, a rich creme' patessiere, a light and fluffy genoese cake, and maybe even dare to learn some piping skills!!! Do I dare attempt a classic French daquoise?
In honor of our 14th Anniversary this coming November, we have a new full length video, and is up and running on YouTube!! Shot in our new 1,200 sq. ft. live/work studio, learn what makes an OMCM hat so special!!!
Meet our newest student, Evanne, making her very first hat!!
That video is ready to view on YouTube right now!!
Simply go to YouTube, and type in, Orsini-Medici Couture Millinery.
So, pop some popcorn, sit back and relax, as it is a full length movie
at almost 90 minutes!!
Lots to see and learn about our hats, techniques, and a bit of our
Italian Renaissance history!! Oh--and my BFF (Best Feline Friend)Salem, makes a cameo appearance in his video debut, as our Director of Hospitality (in training!!), and Official Quilt and Pillow Fluffer!!!
Our out of state B&B hat making students just love him!!
I am so delighted to have this opportunity to say
THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY CUSTOMERS all around the globe who have made purchases in my shop, and for leaving such glowing 5 STAR feedback!!
There is nothing better than to do what you love most, and make a living from it!!!
As the old saying goes, "If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life!!"
Fall and winter are my all time favorite seasons!! While nature is getting ready for along winters' nap, I am just coming back to life, from a melting hot summer!!!
Fall is especially my season, and everything about it inspires my creativity!!
And please don't forget to leave us your comments on our YouTube video!!
WHAT'S NEW?
We are now launching two jewelry lines under our new accessories brand of Orsini-Medici Embellishments!! I've been working very hard all summer on these lines, that are inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and the romantic Edwardian and Victorian eras. It all started with hatpins for our hats. Hatpins with flowers, vintage Swarovski crystal beads, Czech glass beads, and then it literally blossomed into two jewelry lines from there!! My muses are relentless!!!
They command, I obey!!! They know best!!!
The ideas are coming fast and furious, and we must make room!!!
The hat room in our studio is over flowing with gorgeous hats that need loving homes!! NOW couldn't be a better time to grab whatever you've been losing sleep over!!!
We now offer easy layaway terms, so that everyone can own a really great, handmade hat!!! Just convo me anytime for details!!
We also encourage potential hat customers to learn how to take proper millinery head measurements when placing an order, to insure that your hat fits perfectly!! Convo me at check out, and I will instruct you!!
OAK HILL VINTAGE, ETC.
Our NEW sister store Oak Hill Vintage,etc. is now open!!!
Lots of new treasures being added each month!! Stop by for a browse, where you will find rare pieces of vintage clothing, vintage jewelry, vintage hats, paper ephemera, reproduction clothing of many eras, including the 1920's, and vintage finds to feather your nest at home!!
I have been an avid vintage and antiques collector for over 40 years, and it is now time to begin to thin the herd, and share some of my treasures with you.
I also plan on designing some decorator pillows with my vast collection of textiles, and those will carry our new label, Comfort & Joy Home.
Many thanks to all who have purchased my work over the years.
I hope you've all loved your purchases and are still enjoying them!!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OakHillVintageEtc?ref=hdr_shop_menu
AN IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please read the description of each hat to the end, where you will see if the hat you're interested in, is IN STOCK, or if it is a custom order only piece.
Please be sure to read store policies before ordering.
Please convo me if our convenient layaway option would suit your needs, as a special listing will need to be posted for you in RESERVE.
We do ship internationally. Please message me for a shipping quote to add to your listing if you do not see one at check out.
HATMAKING WORKSHOPS
Please message me, or email me at:
orsinimedicicouturemillinery @ gmail.com for details.
Many thanks to all of my wonderful customers, and future customers!!
I couldn't do what I love most without you!!!
WHAT INSPIRES ME?
In 2022, my research and passion for millinery history continues, and I am very excited to be researching past eras of hat fashions, to see how they can be updated, and made relevant to current fashion trends, yet, still be faithful to their period in millinery history!!
Hat shapes of the 1930's and 1950's are of particular interest to me this season, and can easily be updated and still retain the glamour of the era for today's woman.
ABOUT FEEDBACK
Many thanks to all my loyal customers, and newbies too!!
November 21st, 2022 marks our 14th Anniversary here on Etsy, and it's been such fun!!! I'd like to take this time to thank you all who have purchased my work, be it hats, clothing or accessories.
We welcome any notes from you on this!!! As part of the Etsy process, feedback is so important. If ever you are not happy for any reason with your purchase, please convo me first to repair the problem before leaving negative feedback, as it is irreversible!!
I have worked very hard to build a positive reputation and stellar customer service, as you will see in my feedback, which I encourage you to read! Recently, I received this lovely message from one of my most loyal customers, and just had to share it. She's just a little partial, so I hope you can appreciate this:
"Hey Elsie,
Just for the heck of it I went on ETSY and searched hand blocked hats. There were 347 on 9 pages. None of them hold a candle to you. The designs weren’t original and/or they weren’t well made, but just cobbled together. You are the BEST at what you do.
Thanks for letting me in on it.
Hugs, Paula"
A slideshow of OMCM hats here, courtesy of HatAcademy. Enjoy!!
http://hatacademy.com/photo/albums/orsini-medici-couture-millinery-for-thistle-cottage-studio ( you will need to copy and paste this web address to your browser to view the slide show)
BLOGPOST:
Graci mille!! Or, a million thank yous to my dear friend, and fellow Etsyian, MCatherine of Hide a Heart, for posting her interview with me on her blog.
Check out her Etsy shop too, for a most unique way to spread your love to those you care about!!!
Here's the link to that new blogpost/interview, about what inspires my creations, and the story of my new brand, Orsini~Medici Couture Millinery!!
Please remember to leave your comments!! (Please copy and paste to your browser).
https://hideaheart.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/thistle-cottage-studio/#comment-1008
Gift Certificates are also now available in any denomination.
If you love fine handmade millinery, unique hand knitted and crocheted pieces, shabby chic, cottage-style, all things charming and romantic, a nod to the UK, ethnic, period and historically inspired fashion, repurposed collectibles, upcycled/recycled, and period reproduction jewelry, and even Italian Renaissance masks, then I think you will enjoy what you see here. Ideas come fast and furious, leaving me no time to rest between projects. Like spores and tendrils from the numerous lush ferns growing in my studio, new ideas take root from one to the next, in an endless evolving cycle of creativity. Several projects are often in progress at the same time. So many ideas, so little time!!
Stop in often, you never know what you'll see next!!
Thanks so much for browsing!!!
Ciao for now,
THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO, ORSINI~MEDICI COUTURE MILLINERY,
ORSINI-MEDICI EMBELLISHMENTS & OAK HILL VINTAGE etc.
PS...... " It's OK to wear a hat!!!"
Hats off to you!!
Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, HatAcademy.com, Flickr, threadsmagazine.com, craftstylish.com, blogger.com, Kaboodle.com, and Stumbleupon.com
To subscribe to this shops' RSS FEED, and stay informed each time a new item is listed, please copy and paste this link to your browser:
feed://www.etsy.com/shop/orsinimedici1951/rss
Announcement
Welcome to Thistle Cottage Studio!!
On November 21st, 2022, we will be celebrating our our 14th year on Etsy, and our hats now call home to 26 countries!!! Four of them, have recently shipped to Atlanta, GA. and will make their debut in the upcoming musical film version of THE COLOR PURPLE, scheduled for release in June of 2023. Stephen Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey producers.
I've been spending my time of late, cranking out 24 dozen face masks for hospitals, nurses, doctors, friends and neighbors, DCYF (Dept. of Children, Youth and Families), as well as the MBTA (Massachusetts Transit Authority in Boston), who nurses and doctors depend on to get back and forth to work!! They have already lost a beloved conductor!! So, in some small way, I hope I have made a difference!!
I've also been practicing my baking skills, and hope to master a good pate chou pastry, a rich creme' patessiere, a light and fluffy genoese cake, and maybe even dare to learn some piping skills!!! Do I dare attempt a classic French daquoise?
In honor of our 14th Anniversary this coming November, we have a new full length video, and is up and running on YouTube!! Shot in our new 1,200 sq. ft. live/work studio, learn what makes an OMCM hat so special!!!
Meet our newest student, Evanne, making her very first hat!!
That video is ready to view on YouTube right now!!
Simply go to YouTube, and type in, Orsini-Medici Couture Millinery.
So, pop some popcorn, sit back and relax, as it is a full length movie
at almost 90 minutes!!
Lots to see and learn about our hats, techniques, and a bit of our
Italian Renaissance history!! Oh--and my BFF (Best Feline Friend)Salem, makes a cameo appearance in his video debut, as our Director of Hospitality (in training!!), and Official Quilt and Pillow Fluffer!!!
Our out of state B&B hat making students just love him!!
I am so delighted to have this opportunity to say
THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY CUSTOMERS all around the globe who have made purchases in my shop, and for leaving such glowing 5 STAR feedback!!
There is nothing better than to do what you love most, and make a living from it!!!
As the old saying goes, "If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life!!"
Fall and winter are my all time favorite seasons!! While nature is getting ready for along winters' nap, I am just coming back to life, from a melting hot summer!!!
Fall is especially my season, and everything about it inspires my creativity!!
And please don't forget to leave us your comments on our YouTube video!!
WHAT'S NEW?
We are now launching two jewelry lines under our new accessories brand of Orsini-Medici Embellishments!! I've been working very hard all summer on these lines, that are inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and the romantic Edwardian and Victorian eras. It all started with hatpins for our hats. Hatpins with flowers, vintage Swarovski crystal beads, Czech glass beads, and then it literally blossomed into two jewelry lines from there!! My muses are relentless!!!
They command, I obey!!! They know best!!!
The ideas are coming fast and furious, and we must make room!!!
The hat room in our studio is over flowing with gorgeous hats that need loving homes!! NOW couldn't be a better time to grab whatever you've been losing sleep over!!!
We now offer easy layaway terms, so that everyone can own a really great, handmade hat!!! Just convo me anytime for details!!
We also encourage potential hat customers to learn how to take proper millinery head measurements when placing an order, to insure that your hat fits perfectly!! Convo me at check out, and I will instruct you!!
OAK HILL VINTAGE, ETC.
Our NEW sister store Oak Hill Vintage,etc. is now open!!!
Lots of new treasures being added each month!! Stop by for a browse, where you will find rare pieces of vintage clothing, vintage jewelry, vintage hats, paper ephemera, reproduction clothing of many eras, including the 1920's, and vintage finds to feather your nest at home!!
I have been an avid vintage and antiques collector for over 40 years, and it is now time to begin to thin the herd, and share some of my treasures with you.
I also plan on designing some decorator pillows with my vast collection of textiles, and those will carry our new label, Comfort & Joy Home.
Many thanks to all who have purchased my work over the years.
I hope you've all loved your purchases and are still enjoying them!!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OakHillVintageEtc?ref=hdr_shop_menu
AN IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please read the description of each hat to the end, where you will see if the hat you're interested in, is IN STOCK, or if it is a custom order only piece.
Please be sure to read store policies before ordering.
Please convo me if our convenient layaway option would suit your needs, as a special listing will need to be posted for you in RESERVE.
We do ship internationally. Please message me for a shipping quote to add to your listing if you do not see one at check out.
HATMAKING WORKSHOPS
Please message me, or email me at:
orsinimedicicouturemillinery @ gmail.com for details.
Many thanks to all of my wonderful customers, and future customers!!
I couldn't do what I love most without you!!!
WHAT INSPIRES ME?
In 2022, my research and passion for millinery history continues, and I am very excited to be researching past eras of hat fashions, to see how they can be updated, and made relevant to current fashion trends, yet, still be faithful to their period in millinery history!!
Hat shapes of the 1930's and 1950's are of particular interest to me this season, and can easily be updated and still retain the glamour of the era for today's woman.
ABOUT FEEDBACK
Many thanks to all my loyal customers, and newbies too!!
November 21st, 2022 marks our 14th Anniversary here on Etsy, and it's been such fun!!! I'd like to take this time to thank you all who have purchased my work, be it hats, clothing or accessories.
We welcome any notes from you on this!!! As part of the Etsy process, feedback is so important. If ever you are not happy for any reason with your purchase, please convo me first to repair the problem before leaving negative feedback, as it is irreversible!!
I have worked very hard to build a positive reputation and stellar customer service, as you will see in my feedback, which I encourage you to read! Recently, I received this lovely message from one of my most loyal customers, and just had to share it. She's just a little partial, so I hope you can appreciate this:
"Hey Elsie,
Just for the heck of it I went on ETSY and searched hand blocked hats. There were 347 on 9 pages. None of them hold a candle to you. The designs weren’t original and/or they weren’t well made, but just cobbled together. You are the BEST at what you do.
Thanks for letting me in on it.
Hugs, Paula"
A slideshow of OMCM hats here, courtesy of HatAcademy. Enjoy!!
http://hatacademy.com/photo/albums/orsini-medici-couture-millinery-for-thistle-cottage-studio ( you will need to copy and paste this web address to your browser to view the slide show)
BLOGPOST:
Graci mille!! Or, a million thank yous to my dear friend, and fellow Etsyian, MCatherine of Hide a Heart, for posting her interview with me on her blog.
Check out her Etsy shop too, for a most unique way to spread your love to those you care about!!!
Here's the link to that new blogpost/interview, about what inspires my creations, and the story of my new brand, Orsini~Medici Couture Millinery!!
Please remember to leave your comments!! (Please copy and paste to your browser).
https://hideaheart.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/thistle-cottage-studio/#comment-1008
Gift Certificates are also now available in any denomination.
If you love fine handmade millinery, unique hand knitted and crocheted pieces, shabby chic, cottage-style, all things charming and romantic, a nod to the UK, ethnic, period and historically inspired fashion, repurposed collectibles, upcycled/recycled, and period reproduction jewelry, and even Italian Renaissance masks, then I think you will enjoy what you see here. Ideas come fast and furious, leaving me no time to rest between projects. Like spores and tendrils from the numerous lush ferns growing in my studio, new ideas take root from one to the next, in an endless evolving cycle of creativity. Several projects are often in progress at the same time. So many ideas, so little time!!
Stop in often, you never know what you'll see next!!
Thanks so much for browsing!!!
Ciao for now,
THISTLE COTTAGE STUDIO, ORSINI~MEDICI COUTURE MILLINERY,
ORSINI-MEDICI EMBELLISHMENTS & OAK HILL VINTAGE etc.
PS...... " It's OK to wear a hat!!!"
Hats off to you!!
Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, HatAcademy.com, Flickr, threadsmagazine.com, craftstylish.com, blogger.com, Kaboodle.com, and Stumbleupon.com
To subscribe to this shops' RSS FEED, and stay informed each time a new item is listed, please copy and paste this link to your browser:
feed://www.etsy.com/shop/orsinimedici1951/rss
Items
All Items
Reviews
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Susan on Aug 2, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThis bag is awesome. I am thrilled with my purchase. Thank you.
![Elsie]()
Elsie responded on Aug 8, 2022
Thank you Susan!! Very happy to hear that you love this bag!! I have just enough of this gorgeous tapestry for one more tote, and smaller pieces for smaller bags. Lots more beautiful tapestry bags coming this fall!!!
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aqlhvbet on Jul 13, 2022
5 out of 5 starsI just loved this hat! This item matched its description and exceeded my expectations. I look forward to wearing it. Thank you so very much.
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Helen on Jun 15, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThese earrings are so beautiful! They are even more stunning in person, and I am going to LOVE wearing them! :)
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Helen on Jun 15, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThese earrings are simply divine! There is an elegance to these beauties that speaks to me. Thank you for the great customer experience! :)
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Helen on Jun 15, 2022
5 out of 5 starsSuch pretty earrings, even more beautiful in person! Thank you for the excellent customer service experience! :)
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Helen on Jun 15, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThese earrings are even more beautiful in person. I love the colors and the beads are lovely!
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Helen on Jun 15, 2022
5 out of 5 starsAbsolutely stunning earrings! Even more beautiful in person! I am excited to find and occasion to wear them! :)
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Beth on May 6, 2022
5 out of 5 starsIt was absolutely wonderful to work with Elsie! I wore the hat yesterday at Thurby and had so much fun with the retro 50’s style of the hat. Highly recommend working with Elsie on any hat design - she listens, asks the right questions and most importantly has impeccable craftsmanship!
![Elsie]()
Elsie responded on May 9, 2022
Oh Beth!!! You absolutely nailed the look!!! Thank you so much for including the photo of the outfit and your dashing husband!! I'm sure you had a FABULOUS time!!! BRAVO!!!
About ThistleCottageStudio
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A meeting with Stephen Jones at the PEM in Salem, MA, for the opening of his show HATS: An Anthology by Stephen Jones. -
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Queen Victoria mourning hat reproduction. Ca. 1861. -
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1950's inspired wedding headpiece, with Kanzashi rosette. -
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Our own handmade silk organza, cherry lipped rose. We also teach silk flower making classes!!! -
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Poppy and Houndstooth Check Capeline Hat, with handmade silk poppies.
Orsini~Medici Couture Millinery for Thistle Cottage Studio: Where creativity flows like the waterfall in our backyard!!
UPDATE: We just shipped four hats to Atlanta, GA where they will make their debut in the upcoming musical movie version of The Color Purple!!
Stephen Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, producers. Scheduled for release in June 2023.
I began Thistle Cottage Studio 14 years ago on Etsy, this November 21st, and have been delighted with it ever since. Etsy has given me a creative outlet, and has made my work accessible worldwide. Since then, my clothing, hats, jewelry, and accessories have traveled all over the globe in 26 countries!! They have found homes across the USA and Canada, and are living exciting lives in, England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and Greece, as well as Finland, Norway, Sweden, and as far away as Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, and China. I have also been lucky enough to meet people who have offered me new paths in which to apply my millinery skills. Published in the spring of 2015, are two romantic novels on which my hats and costumes were used for the covers. As the river of creativity is continually flowing with it's innumerable gifts, I have recently started making jewelry again, as well as hat pins for my hats under the name Orsini-Medici Embellishments!!
I live vicariously through my hats!! They have taken on a life all their own, and I now include my new label Orsini~Medici Couture Millinery in each one, in honor of my late, dear mother and grandfather, who passed their incredibly historic DNA on to me. Our family crest is now my new logo, with the addition of top hats on the bears!! (just couldn't resist!!). The Orsini name (meaning little bear!!) can be traced back to the Italian Renaissance, where the Orsini and Medici families ruled all of Tuscany for over 400 years. My grandfather was a descendant of Clarice Orsini, who married Lorenzo de Medici in the late 1400's.
Our cozy new live/work studio is just minutes from the Blackstone River in historic Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and is the largest studio yet. At just over 1,200 sq. ft. students from out of state have the convenience and the option of B&B-ing with us, with a private room, for less than staying in a hotel!!
Gourmet meals are served, as I love to cook as much as I love to make hats!!!
Those interested in on demand millinery classes can email me at orsinimedicicouturemillinery @ gmail.com.
PS--Pour yourself a nice hot cup of coffee or tea, or pop some popcorn and check out our full length NEW Orsini-Medici Couture Millinery video on YouTube!!! You can also see the 6 minute trailer here, on our ABOUT page!!
Shop members
-
Orsini~Medici Couture Millinery
Designer, Owner/designer, Milliner, Teacher. I Wear Every Hat In This Business!!
I am an award winning apparel/costume designer, milliner, and teacher. My work has been recognised by the RI State Council on the Arts. With 40+ yrs. in dressmaking as a shop owner, and 20+ yrs. in the theater, millinery has been an easy transition.
Production partners
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Vistaprint
Canada
Based in the Netherlands, printed in Canada
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Vistaprint
United States
Vista print does all of my business cards, rack cards, and jewelry cards. They are located in Columbia,TN, but have all of their orders printed in Canada. They are very affordable, do great work, and ship FAST!!!
Shop policies
If a hat is too large or too tight, we can resize it to your exact head measurement!
It is up to the customer to provide us with an accurate measurement! We provide detailed instructions at the time of your order.
Customer agrees to pay return shipping, once the hat is resized.
International shipping will incur an overage charge beyond our $30.00 credit toward second shipping. Any amount over the $30.00 credit must be paid in full via a special shipping overage RESERVED listing.
Please make your purchase(s) carefully, as we DO NOT GIVE REFUNDS.
Feel free to convo us with any questions before placing your order.
We much prefer HAPPY customers, and will do everything possible to fulfill that!
Accepted payment methods
Returns and exchanges
I gladly accept exchanges
I don't accept returns or cancellations
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
- Custom or personalized orders
- Perishable products (like food or flowers)
- Digital downloads
- Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
- Items on sale
Returns and exchange details
If a hat is too large or too tight, we can resize it to your exact head measurement! It is up to the customer to provide us with an accurate measurement! We provide detailed instructions at the time of your order.
Customer agrees to pay return shipping, once the hat is resized.
International shipping will incur an overage charge beyond our $30.00 credit toward second shipping. Any amount over the $30.00 credit must be paid in full via a special shipping overage RESERVED listing.
Please make your purchase(s) carefully, as we DO NOT GIVE REFUNDS.
Feel free to convo us with any questions before placing your order.
We much prefer HAPPY customers, and will do everything possible to fulfill that!