When designing this hat I wanted to include elements that were repurposed and recycled, as well as “new” elements.

The base of the hat was wet felted to emphasize the water element, using repurposed wool from my cousin’s Shetland sheep farm. Sheep live off the land and water. The base is a solid round shaped with many colors and to the grey wool; such as blues, greens, browns, and soft reds (colors found in earth).

The inside is lined with a cotton material (air element) with a green leafy pattern (earth element). Brown ribbon trim to represent the brown earth that grows our food.

The outside of the base was covered by needle felted white flowers of sheep’s wool. White, the color of purity and air.

The center of the flowers are wooden disks, burned (fire) with a patterned texture. Charcoal (fire) was added to each to give dimension and uniqueness.

The 4 repurposed feathers are red and black, the red of fire and black, what fire leaves behind. Flames can not live without air to help them grow.

The smokes, which is a product of the flames are recycled copper Curly Q’s, which is a metal found in the building block of life.

Note: Entries have been not been edited or proofread to protect the integrity of the maker's original meaning.