Distinctly Montana Magazine

Distinctly Montana Gal Fall 2014

Distinctly Montana Magazine

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D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A F A L L | 2 0 1 4 2 1 Gal custom hat and a "store-bought" hat are indubitable. Besides the higher quality of materials and craftsmanship that make the chapeau last for years, the sizing can be adjusted to a fraction of an inch making your hat fit your head just right. "No specific type of person buys these hats. The kid that works hard on the ranch wants a good hat as much as any- one. He has a strong work ethic and I honor that by keeping prices affordable. But it's not just cowboys who want a quality hat. I've had a guy covered with tattoos come in for a "Doc Holliday" hat. My customers come from every walk of life—from the real working cowboy to the banker in New York City, or doctors and lawyers. They're all the same, just good people who love the western way of life. When I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, it was because of what we represent—our western way of life—where a handshake is your bond—people like to be affiliated with that." Kirkpatrick-Massar's humility is another reason for her induction. She was quick to add, "Sometimes we forget to give credit where credit is due. We get too big for our own britches and forget where we came from. I feel blessed to be given this talent, knowing it came from God. I always want to give Him the glory for it." Kirkpatrick-Massar's artistic bend eventually compelled her to expand beyond hats to making bronze sculptures and leather accessories (chaps, visors, etc.). But hats will always be her primary product. "This has been a good business for me. It has treated me right and lets me meet such an array of amazing people. There's no doubt in my mind it is truly the right thing for me to be doing." As long as there are cowboys, there will be a need for the highest quality of custom cowboy hats. Montana's mad hatter, Sheila Kirkpatrick-Massar, continues to work hard to ensure that need is met with style. A 10X Bone Buckaroo Style hat with spotted binding and spotted ribbon White hat with leather trim The Sahara tan hat, 10x beaver with a leather-carved brim, and laced turqouise binding with turqouise accents

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