hope in this...probably not in an economy where people are loosing houses, can't find work and are barely managing. "A hat priced hat" is exactly what some people want...for the cold -- anything else is a pipe dream they don't enter into for a good reason. To stomp your feet about your product not commanding the price that you think it should means you've missed a few points in coming to terms with what you do. Why do you think they are called "starving artists"? This is nothing new, failing to see these truths may make you feel good about yourself and the concept of supporting artists, but at that price...no matter what it is...many people aren't going to be able to afford it. The hats show nice work, but don't blame those who don't plunk down their money for it...a lot of people just go for the show. I agree that the hat is fluff, something that doesn't feed, heat or pay the bills. Right now there's a lot of fluff -- to some its food, sometimes its anything that doesn't save your butt in a trench built for you to hide from bombs in. No disrespect to the maker, but no disrespect to Ludd either...maybe a thank you though. There is plenty of money out there . . . people make choices about how they spend it. Creative work/business IS the new economy. It is how more folk will be responsible for the results they want to create