The Paper Hat book is here.

Yup really truly in my hands as I write this. Paul and I are are so happy with the results. It is beautiful. You can get a sneak peak by going to Craftside Blog and download one of my hat design patterns for free. Goodreads has a contest for the month that you can enter to win one of my books for free.

The rose hat made from coffee filters is one of our favorites.
Thanks Zoe for being our wonderful model!

Little Sammy our ferocious viking

Yay! Book Deal!

I'm so excited to be sharing this great news.
I'm writing a how-to make paper hats book. The hats will be
geared for children made by adults, based on all new designs.
Each hat will be made from recycled material and antique ephemera.
Paul has built a cute little pop-up studio in our tiny barn
and I'm matching up adorable children to my hat designs.
I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Uppercase Magazine No. 17 + ME!

My Uppercase Magazine interview by Lois Sturgeon (of 13Threads Blog) is out! Pretty wonderful to be in print but to be in the edition that covers scented ink printing is a big bonus. The folks at Uppercase offer my friends a great break on the subscription to this amazing publication if you go here and use the code "contributor17". Thanks Mr. Paul Clancy for providing beautiful photos of my face and legs. And Erik Gould for shooting my paintings so beautifully!

New Years Eve Party Heals Cocklaphobiacs

My gallery owner, Kate Levin, and the folks from the creative economy group in New Bedford (AHA) asked me to have a paper hat making table for the big bash they threw New Years Eve.  A "sewing circle" of local artists met for weeks prior, snipping and folding and rolling recycled paper adornments. The night was a beautiful smash. The photo booth my friend Kate Mello ran was a magnet for both the proud hat wearing and the shy hat phobics who became spirited converts. To see more of the event you can go to here.

More Wedding Lids

Why I love Artists at Weddings

I love guests at a wedding that take a little chance. And I'm not talking should the guest who takes a chance with having a third Long Island Ice Tea. I fall in love with the ones who perform their toasts in character (as if they had, had that third drink), belt out an original song they wrote themselves, or wear a piece of art on their head. Artists. They do that when they sense not only permission but a little joyful nudge from the bride and groom.  Here are some samples of hat wearing joy.

8.3.10 Color Swatch

kraft paper brown

haven't i seen you before?

on the back of a cereal box, maybe?

you are humble as can be but

you have snuck up on us, haven't you.

slipped in the back door of our

never green enough guilty conscience.

i've seen the towering temples

you've masterminded for yourself

at holy foods,

lining the shelves and end caps

with the collected DNA

of every scrap of fiber

that's come before you.

but i like you anyway

you are as comfortable as a

molasses cookie

and as crafty

as they come.
-Alyn Carlson

photo from madame alyn's bin 
great news- RI Monthly magazine just gave my hats 
a "Best of RI"award in the shopping category.

"Yes! I have found the cure for cocklaphobia!"

-Alyn Carlson

I'm making a fresh batch of paper party hats for a little girl named Lucy. Finding some great stuff in the paper bins. She's turning six and that's the age that pink rules. So cute you just want to bite them. Is it because of the missing teeth? Eight is pretty good too. You know how everyone has an age in their mind they are eternally? Mine is eight. Got red sneakers that summer and I think that's why I can never have enough red shoes. Puts me on my bike, going down the big hill on Viceroy Road, trying not to stare at my new Keds. What my paper hats do to people has been fun to watch. Hats are tricky. Everyone says they look awful in hats. I would say 9 out of 10 people checking mine out, say that to me. Actors are the exception and will plop any hat on. But the average person needs a little coaxing. And they find the paper hats are a little more approachable. Paper hats are without question, not to be taken seriously. They aren't made of felt or fur or wool, stuff that's expensive or more enduring. Mine are ephemeral, come from what is headed for the recycling center. They give all the timid cocklaphobics permission to not take themselves seriously, either. To feel 6 or 7 or 8 again. A relief, don't you think? And all of my paper hats look great with red Keds.