Meet Ryan Klein; son, husband, new father, band manager, singer/song writer for the Low Down Drifters

I met Ryan Klein in 2018 at Spur Festival in Darrington. He was playing with the @thelowdowndrifters and now manages the band from Washington since their move to Texas.

He and his lovely family stopped by in August of last year with two hats he had scored thrifting.

Both hats had potential but were a long way from being wearable.

Ryan lost his Dad recently- suddenly - and was looking to hold his memory in a design that had come to him - prayer hands.

Ryan is always gracious in his asks, no time limit, open to my input, kind in his communication. I agreed to do it, but secretly felt an immense amount of pressure from the project and I resisted starting it for months.

In mid February as I found myself settled in my new work shop, in our new building, I knew I was ready. I had thought through this hat design over & over in my mind.

I started by finding prayer hands I liked on the internet. I printed the image and placed it on my work bench. I sketched on the hat with pencil the design and layout.

I plugged in my leather burning tool, turned it up all the way so the lines would be crisp, settled my mind, focused my attention, picked up the burner and started. I had one chance to get this right.

My wife came in half way through and suggested some knuckle detail, this really helped give the fingers life.

The design was still missing something, this is when I was inspired to add a halo effect by tracing a circular hang tag sitting on my work bench and added the rays of light.

Ryan’s hatband is made from a paisley silk tie and the white feathers are from a snow goose that lived in the Skagit Valley. The hat pin was hand made by an artist years ago. It’s hand stamped sterling silver & turquoise.

Thank you for trusting me with your project. You and your Dad helped me grow through this process. 🥰