Artist: Pearl Goodes

 Pearl Goodes was started in 1991 with a suggestion by Jim Gillespie to sell my hats at Blissfest.  I had made a few hats as gifts for family members, and Jim really liked the one I made for Bob.  So it started.  I started using recycled material almost immediately because it made sense and I had a lot of old clothes lying around at the  time.  Now, when my friends clean out their closets, I get first choice.  I have been fortunate that others have given me remnants and unused material, especially upholstery material. 

Starting with hats, I named each design after the first person I made them for or the person they reminded me of.  I also decided that first year never to make the same hat twice, so every hat (and now bag) is one of a kind.  I added bags about ten years ago, although the styles have changed drastically since then.  I am constantly changing, revising, and, hopefully, improving the designs or creating new ones.

I kept it at hobby level and only sold at Blissfest and Hiawatha Music Festival until now.

Then, after our trip to Spain in 2005, I published a chapbook of Bob's poetry and photography to give to friends and maybe sell to others, and  pearlfire press was born.  (See Bob Vance, also on this site).  The first seven books were offered for sale at Blissfest 2007 with moderate success.