Shirley Schaeffer Parkin, Fiber Artist A native of Hendersonville, NC, I have come back to Western North Carolina to retire in Weaverville after spending 30 years in Greenville, SC. Teaching and Computer Science were my focus at Winthrop and Furman University respectively, but after retirement, Creative Design and Fabrics were the passions that led me to making hats. The journey began in 2007 when I pursued the art of quilting, but shortly after found millinery to be the field that made me happiest. As a member of the Weaverville Art Safari, I tested the waters to see if WNC had a market for my creations and found that it did. Now I am excited to be a new member (Feb, 2023) of the Carolina Mountain Artist Guild where I feel an amazing sense of genuine artistic camaraderie. Choosing the right fabric for the design is essential, and I shop for only the best. I use selections from Moda, Free Spirit, Robert Kaufman, Michael Miller, Henry Glass, and Kaffe Fassett as well as less known designers that I stumble across on Spoonflower. If you have purchased one of my hats, I hope you enjoy wearing it. If not but want more information or to request something custom made, email me with questions at parkin.place.hats@gmail.com.
