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bluedigger

(17,086 posts) Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:11 PM Apr 2012

The Hat Maker

In the back of Nathaniel’s, Nate Funmaker waits for the customer. You’d probably expect the veteran hat maker to be wearing a cowboy hat of his own making.

Instead, the 47-year-old Mancos man offers a slight smile. “I’m a ball cap guy,” he says.

The statement sums up who he is more than one might think.

Of course, Funmaker has several cowboy hats that he wears. He looks good in a western hat. He’s comfortable and at ease under his favorite gray rabbit-beaver fur blend hat.

His philosophy is pretty darn simple.

“I’m not a cowboy, I’m a craftsman,” he says.

Nate Funmaker is a Native American who has been making hats for 18 years.

http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20120427/LIVING/704279999/The-Hat-Maker-

A little spendy for me, but maybe he has something cheaper on the wall.

6 replies

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The Hat Maker (Original Post) bluedigger Apr 2012 OP

Great article! rug Apr 2012 #1

Thanks, rug! bluedigger Apr 2012 #3

I like his hats and his cats siligut Apr 2012 #2

I liked the cat, too. bluedigger Apr 2012 #5

My uncle in the1950's.......... mrmpa Apr 2012 #4

Nice story and nice hats. harmonicon Apr 2012 #6

rug

(82,333 posts)

1. Great article!

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:35 PM

Apr 2012

Thanks for posting it. Would never have seen it or heard of him otherwise.

bluedigger

(17,086 posts)

3. Thanks, rug!

Reply to rug (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 01:07 PM

Apr 2012

Just a small town paper feature story, but I liked it!

siligut

(12,272 posts)

2. I like his hats and his cats

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 01:04 PM

Apr 2012

Only one cat is in the pictures, but the article says he has two. He makes real nice hats, it is a good business for him.

bluedigger

(17,086 posts)

5. I liked the cat, too.

Reply to siligut (Reply #2)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 10:40 PM

Apr 2012

I live pretty close, I'm going to have to check him out.

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)

4. My uncle in the1950's..........

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 05:25 PM

Apr 2012

had a hat shop. He sold ready made hats and created his own. His store was one where you could take your hat in, have it cleaned and blocked. Growing up, I remember always seeing him in a hat. He would have been 98 this year.

harmonicon

(12,008 posts)

6. Nice story and nice hats.

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 11:25 PM

Apr 2012

I completely agree with the man that it's good to know who makes the things we use. I bought a new bass (not the fish, the instrument) last year, and I love it, but I think I love it even more because I was communicating with the builder while it was being made and got pictures of it during the process.

I have nothing to gain by promoting these guys, but if anyone's interested in some nice hand-made shoes, I've bought a few pair from here, and I can vouch for the quality:
http://fernandfootwear.com/index.php

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