The Maker

Culturally inspired yet universal, historical yet timeless, handcrafted to wear forever...

My name is Heather Daveno. I’m a self-taught textile artisan based in Seattle, Washington. If you follow me here, you will remember me as a hatmaker. As of January 2024 I have moved on to making other things, still crafted by hand from rescued textiles and found objects.

Many of my pieces are inspired by my travels and my cultural and historical studies. Travel has been an intrinsic motivation behind many of my most popular designs. You can read excerpts from selected travels by clicking on links in the Tag Cloud at right, or read the full stories at Daveno Travels. I am also a regular contributor to Mainly Museums.

August Phoenix Mercantile

August Phoenix Mercantile is the newest evolution of August Phoenix Hats — a woman owned proprietorship and registered trade name of Lao Hats in Washington State.

August Phoenix is a reference to the resplendent and legendary bird that is reborn from its own fire and ash. It reflects the fusion of cultural and historical influences that dominate my work, while highlighting my philosophy of giving new life to reused materials. It is a rebranding of Lao Hats, my original business, named after a persona I portrayed in a medieval reenactment group for 20+ years. The shift to Mercantile focuses on my broader interests, which include historical research and publication.

Designs on this site and my social media sites are copyright, but you are welcome to share photos as long as you credit my work : ) Please contact me with any other questions you may have about my works and my travels!

Previous Galleries
  • Brookfield Craft Center in Brookfield, CT (2004-2022)
  • Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ (2009-2022)
  • Creative Minds Art Gallery on Orcas Island, WA (2019-2021)
  • Social Fabric in Bellingham, WA (2019)
  • Crow Valley Gallery on Orcas Island, WA (2017-2019)
  • Nature’s Kitchen in Yreka, CA (2013-2023)
  • Tubac Center of the Arts in Tubac, AZ (2010-2017)
  • Alki Arts Gallery in Seattle, WA (2014)
  • Museum of Northwest Art Gift Shop in La Conner, WA (2012)
  • Fairweather Art Gallery in Juneau, AK (2012)
  • Art Supply NW in Everett, WA (2007-2008)
  • Raven Blues in Poulsbo, WA (2006-2008)
  • The Dolphin Song Gallery in Gardiner, KS (2005-2009)
  • Morningstar Boutique in Boulder, CO (2005-2006)
  • Sticks & Stones Art Gallery in Hood River, OR (2004)
  • The Artisan’s Guild in New Britain, CT (2004)
  • Truemark Archery in Tacoma, WA (2004)
  • Mile Six at Pike Place Market in Seattle, WA (2003-2006)
Special Projects
  • Homebody Kabul at the Underground Railway Theater in Cambridge, MA (2017)
  • The Women’s March in Seattle, WA (2017)
  • “Expedition Everest” at Disney World, FL (2006)
Previous Events
  • London Accessory Week in the UK (July 2022)
  • Uncommon Threads in St. Charles, IL (2021)
  • Hat Love at Social Fabric in Bellingham, WA (2019)
  • Arts North Studio Tour in Seattle, WA (2016-2017)
  • Any Day Hats at Beppa Studio in Seattle, WA (2015-2017)
  • Phinney Fall Millinery Guild Sale in Seattle, WA (2015)
  • Elemental Exhibit at Social Fabric in Bellingham, WA (2016)
  • Hatstravaganza Show in Seattle, WA (2015)
  • Fabulous Fibers (Show Catalog by Rosen Media, 2014)
  • Best of the Northwest Art Show in Seattle, WA (2003-2014)
  • Holiday Sale at Phinney Center in Seattle, WA (2014)
  • Redmond Town Center Art Festival in Redmond, WA (2012-2014, Juried Art Award Winner 2013)
  • North End Art Tour (NEAT) in Seattle, WA (2012-2013)
  • MONAStyle in La Conner, WA (2012-2013)
  • Functional Art Show & Competition at Art Not Terminal in Seattle, WA (2012)
  • One & Only Holiday Show at the J.M. Kohler Art Gallery in Sheboygan, WI (2005-2011)
  • RAGS Wearable Art Sale and Benefit in Tacoma, WA (2006-2011, 2021)
  • More the Merrier at Molbaks Nursery in Woodinville, WA (2006)
  • Holiday Sale at the Textile Center in Minneapolis, MN (2005)
  • Bellevue Arts & Crafts Fair in Bellevue, WA (2005)
  • Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival in Mukilteo, WA (2004)
  • Pantheacon in San Francisco, CA (2004)
  • Art as Gift, Pomerene Center in Coshocton, OH (2003-2005)
  • Seattle Sampling in Seattle, WA (2003-2004)
  • Seattle Gift Show in Seattle, WA (2003)
  • MonaStyle at the Skagit Casino, WA (2003)