Tyger's New Ryan Ross Bonnet

**Ryan Ross** · 18th February 12, 11:49 AM

Den- You're The Man for getting us back on track, before someone came along and shut us down!

It's better to burn out, than to fade away!

Thanks much, good sirs, for your kind words.

EDIT: LOVE that buckle, Mark. Very, very handsome.

**tyger** · 18th February 12, 11:56 AM

Good point Ryan. I was having so much fun that I almost stepped on my own. It has been a long time since I have felt like contributing much. Maybe I should go back and edit some. But it really seems that a good time is being had by all, and clearly everybody has been enjoying ourselves/themselves, so.......

Have you thought about $125? No doubt that I would pay $125 for this hat.
Plus, think of how a few extra bucks will help out the Scottish Tartans Museum Gift Shop (STMGS).

You know, I have heard that the STM is the biggest resource of its kind in the US, maybe even wider on the global scale. I will have to remember to ask either Ronan or Matt about that.

**Ryan Ross** · 18th February 12, 12:04 PM

I'm having a great time in here, too! And I by no means think we should stay on topic. Haha... It just seems like an on-topic post every now and again looks good on paper.

As for the price- who knows? Economics was never my strong suit, in spite of how much I admire our fellow Scot, Adam Smith.

**denmcdough** · 18th February 12, 12:12 PM

Ryan, I wasn't really trying to get you guys back on track. I was just showing off my bonnet. I love that thing, really!!! Wish I could afford one in every color. Someday!!??

Den

**Ryan Ross** · 18th February 12, 12:18 PM

Den- You smooth opperator, you.

**tyger** · 18th February 12, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

I'm having a great time in here, too! And I by no means think we should stay on topic. Haha... It just seems like an on-topic post every now and again looks good on paper.

As for the price- who knows? Economics was never my strong suit, in spite of how much I admire our fellow Scot, Adam Smith.

Price is something that we will only know through pain. That said, I think you can draw some compares and contrasts with other articles in the bin.

For example: there are stamped out items that are priced at $60, and they are not 25% of what a handmade item is in any way, shape, or form. They cost $6 to make, and wind up selling for $60. They were made by a nameless, faceless, soul, then jobbed, and stocked.

So, one does the math, and the item comes to $240. Well, it might be that nobody would pay THAT for a buckle, so one starts compromizing with ones self, and one winds up settling for less. The question is: how much less will one settle for?

If it is cheap, it isn't worth anything.

**denmcdough** · 18th February 12, 12:21 PM

Yep>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

**tyger** · 18th February 12, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by denmcdough

Ryan, I wasn't really trying to get you guys back on track. I was just showing off my bonnet. I love that thing, really!!! Wish I could afford one in every color. Someday!!??

Den

The truth, plainly spoken.

I gotta wait 45 seconds before I can post this, so I am entertaining myselft 'till then.

**Nick the DSM** · 18th February 12, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by tyger

Ha! Easy to do my friend! Jump in and tell us your fav.

I'm not sure about my fav, haven't tried enough kinds to pick 'em out!

**Ryan Ross** · 18th February 12, 01:16 PM

Bonnet making is very much a labor of love, for me. In this day, it seems most craftsmen have to feel that way, as technological advancements and unskilled foreign labor churn out mass produced products (of low quality) at very low cost. A lot of people are pleased with said items, but I think that items in that category are still over priced. The only mass produced items left in my everyday Highland wardrobe are kilt hose, and those are made in Scotland, not China. Once I have time to get into hose knitting, those will be cycled out, also.

When a craftsman produces something with their mind and their hands... and their sweat, blood, etc... they put a little piece of themselves into their work.

So when I kilt up, I have with me, not only the finest examples of artistry, but also reminders of my friends... skilled, creative people, with names, faces, and personalities. And when people ask me about the kilt, and pieces of kit, I can tell them about the history and function of said item, but that's not the most rewarding part. After I get through with "the belt used to be the only thing that held a kilt up", I can say "This one was made by Lamar Britt- an eccentric guy from Conyers, and the buckle was crafted special for me, by a friend of mine called Mark Goodwin... I might be related to him, but we're not sure yet".

That beats the heck out of a Made in China sticker, and there's no way you can put a price on it.