8.4.20 // Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship.
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I didn't know the true meaning of this word until I met Justin.
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His demeanor, warm and inviting, set the tone of what was an evening I won't soon forget. The evening when this beautiful hat became mine.
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Justin's hats aren't run of the mill. They are pieces of art, each one handcrafted with details that come with stories, explanations, and soul. From the palm strands harvested and braided in Guatemala, to the shape of the hat crafted with water thoughtfully preserved, these hats are expressions of old-world beauty.
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Our socially distanced hat fitting was more than just that, a hat fitting. The hats may have been the centerpiece, but the shared stories, exchange of energy, and joint lust for life brimmed in that park making the experience truly magical.
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I could have stayed there all night listening to the tales Justin told and molding hats, but to my sadness, it was over too soon as the sun started to set and the chill from the Ventura coast rolled over the hills.
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Maybe one day, Justin will take on an apprentice, and I hope he'll remember that afternoon in the park. But in the meantime, if you want a truly beautiful hat and to cross paths, even for just a moment, with a beautiful soul, find El Rancho Carpintero.