When Janet Smolic made her first hat, it wasn’t about style—it was about getting through the day. After losing her father, her niece, and then her son in just a few months, she was completely overwhelmed by grief and looking for anything to hold onto.
“I lived in that room,” she says, describing her garage-turned-art studio. “I tried everything... Painting, crafting, anything to help me stay grounded.”
Then one October afternoon, she saw a video of someone making a hat. Curious, she gave it a try. She cut out the pieces, picked some lace, and started building something beautiful. That first hat—yellow-orange with hand-cut lace appliqués—was more than just a project. It was a turning point.
Since then, hats have become Janet’s way forward. Made from felt or straw, every one of her pieces is unique, heartfelt, and a reflection of her healing.
A Hat for Every Vibe
Janet’s style is as dynamic as her personality. “I’m a hippie and a cowgirl. I raise chickens, I ride motorcycles,” she says with a laugh. “And I think all of that shows up in my hats.”
Her designs mix rustic and romantic—leather bands, soft lace, flower appliqués, hand-burned details. Some are Western, some are whimsical, and some look like they belong at Coachella. No two are ever the same.
She starts with a basic hat body, which she buys from a wholesaler. “They’re handmade in Mexico and shipped to Texas,” she says. “Then I pick the styles I like—flat brims, cowboy hats, fedoras—and that’s when the fun begins.”
She collects materials from all over: Hobby Lobby, Amazon, local shops—wherever inspiration strikes. Lately, she’s been experimenting with straw hats and even designing custom baseball caps.
Sometimes she starts with a clear idea, and other times she just goes with the flow. “I might have a plan, or I might stare at it for a while, add something, walk away, come back later. It can take hours or days. But when it clicks, I know it.”
Before she begins, she often slips into what she calls “crafting meditation.” “It clears my head. If I’m creatively stuck, that’s how I reset.”
From Personal Project to Passionate Business
At first, Janet made hats just for herself. But now, custom requests are coming in fast.
Her son-in-law asked for a hat that reminded him of home, with trees and mountains. Another customer wanted a hat for her husband, filled with fossils, dinosaurs, and forest images, all his favorite things.
“I love doing customs,” Janet says. “But I always tell people: give me room to play. I want to use your ideas, but I need freedom to be creative.”
That flexibility extends to her prices and timeline, too. Most hats cost between $35 and $125, depending on the materials and time. But time, she’s learned, can’t be rushed.
“Some days, everything just works,” she says. “Other days, I’m redoing things over and over. But even the tough ones usually turn out to be my favorites.”
Even when she’s struggling, she says, “I feel content. I know I’m on the right path.”
Building a Brand from Scratch
Janet is still in the early stages of building her brand. Right now, she sells at local markets, like the Foothills Community Market, and shares her work on Instagram at @front_r_fashion.
Eventually, she’d love to partner with boutiques or open her own storefront. “If I could work on hats in the shop while people browsed,” she says, “that would be the dream.”
The elements can be tricky—Arizona wind isn’t kind to market tents—and learning to market herself has been a challenge. “Getting your name out there is the hardest part,” she says. “You pour your heart into this, and sometimes still wonder—am I doing the right thing?”
But the reactions from customers, both online and in person, keep her going. “People tell me they’ve never seen anything like my hats,” she says. “That makes me feel like I’m on to something.”
Hats That Heal
Grief didn’t stop Janet Smolic—it pushed her in a new direction.
In the quiet of her art space, surrounded by fabric scraps and calming music, she’s found something she hadn’t felt in a long time: peace. Hat by hat, she’s pieced together a new life—one shaped not just by loss, but by courage, creativity, and purpose.
What started as a way to cope has become a way to live again. With each design, each color, each carefully chosen detail, Janet isn’t just making hats, she’s making space for joy.
“I don’t know exactly where it’s all headed,” she says, “but I can feel it—I’m meant to be doing this.”
People may come for the hats, but it’s Janet’s spirit they remember.
“I’m a hippie and a cowgirl. I raise chickens, I ride motorcycles,” Janet says with a laugh. “And I think all of that shows up in my hats.”
Where to Shop Janet’s Hats:
You can find Janet Smolic’s handmade designs at local Tucson markets or online via Instagram: @front_r_fashion. Custom orders are available upon request!
“People tell me they can feel my pain in the beauty of the hat. That’s a huge part of the healing for me.”