Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-01

Especial to the Kennebec Journal)
Hallowell, Me-, April 30-Mrs. Gar
ence H. Catlin Of Hallowell, formerly
Miss Ella Dunn. daughter of Sher-
man w. Dunn, has shown unusuG.
artistic talent as well as inventive
genius in some of her recent work.
Mrs. Catlin recently passed a winter
In Florida and while there had the
idea OF utilizing product of that
state in an entirely original fashion.
Mrs. Caflin has always been interest
cd in sketching and designing and
before going South had been employ.
ing her talent in practical way as
milllner. In Florida she conceived
the idea OF using some Of the hitherto
unthought- products Of that state
in the creation of hats. And she
carried her idea into execution in
Saint Petersburg, creating interest
and admiration FOR her novel ideas.
She made use of Spanish moss fibres,
palmetto leaves and most Interesting
OF all, of a growth that she called
'conch shell petals" to make hats.
The local correspondent was privi-
legged to see some of this interesting
work at Mrs. Catlin's home.
The one which was perhaps oldest
and most interesting was made of the
gray Spanish moss which in Florida
hangs from all the live oak trees.
This material was "malined" on a
small shape. taking the place of
straw. Poinsettias Of silk and scrolls
of silk cord formed the trimming.
Mrs. Catlin said that in Florida she
varied her work by using orange
blossoms of silk. Another, made of
braided palmetto in gray green had
fanshaped ornaments on either side,
made by cutting the palm very near
its stem. x sort of varnish or
dressing has been applied to give a
soft lustre. This palmetto as origi-
nally obtained by Mrs. Catlin was
snow white.
But most picturesque was what she
! called the "Conch Petal hat. The
material Of these was gathered from
the sea and prepared by Mrs. Catlin
1t is an odd. petal-like growth that
can be obtained only during the
month Of February when the tide is
at ebb and very early in the morning.
When seen under water, Mrs. Catlin
says that it has the appearance Of a
long string of petals. 1t is relatively
colorless in it's natural state. What
color 1t has Is somewhat of a canary
yellow. This substance Is washed,
dried and cut apart. Mrs. Catlin had
made of it most attractive hats that
to all appearance were Of the softest
straw and of the latest shapes. The
odd petals were seWed over the
shapes. Flower-like trimmings
were made from dyed petals. A soft
pink and an apple green for foliage
predominated. Soft silk facings add
ed color note. One in particular
that interested the correspondent
was Of a beautiful mulberry shade
with a facing of crushed strawberry.
The spectator actually has to touch
the hats to be really sure'that they
are made of this odd substance and
not of the conventional straw.
Mrs. Catlin has been interested in
other forms of artistic endeavor. She
has given much time in recent years
to the study of design. She has some
interesting and attractive pen and
ink sketches well worth seeing She
Is planning to continue her mover
experiments in design by using some
of the products Of her native state in
unusual ways and artistic designs.
Mrs. Catlin enjoyed very much her
winter in the South, where she had
many pleasant experiences and saw
much of interest. but she feels that
Maine is after all the best State.
While in Florida Mrs. Catlin also
made jewelry and trinkets of various
kinds for her friends from the sea
shells and other Florida material.
She brought back with her as SOU
venirs Of her trip many interesting
views and curios.