Durango Custom Hats by artist Melissa Lewis-Barnes
Handcrafted Cowboy Hats with a Native American influence created by Dine’ Artist Melissa Lewis-Barnes I make one of a kind cowboy hats with a bit of flair!
Whether you are a working cowboy or weekend cowboy, I strive to produce hats that are functional and handsome. All hats are made out of the best material I can source. From the beaver fur felt to the beads,and leather, I look for quality so that I can design and hand build an outstanding hat for you. Many ask “How did you learn to make hats?” Well the simple answer is..I took a hat apart and rever
08/11/2023
🔥Hot off the work table and already shipped to its new home.
04/11/2023
Did I ever tell you…I’m obsessed with details!🤩 In my world, every little bit counts when I’m creating a custom made hat for you. The crease, the color, the painted design, and the beads…don’t even get me started on the beads. My goal is to wow you when you open that box.🤩 With that in mind….I can’t wait to share this beauty…keep posted.
November is National Native American Heritage Month.😍
I am proud to say:
I am enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.
I am a, Artist/Entrepreneur/Wife-Mother of two/Daughter/Sister/Friend.
In celebration of this month I decided to create a list of Native American Artist who’s work I admire. Over the years of showing at Santa Indian Market, The Heard Museum and the Autry Museum, I have met THE most talented artist, most like family now.
I am proud to call them friends and wanted to share with you their extraordinary work. ✨~M
( Keep posted I’ll be adding on daily)
BTW..buy directly from the artist, nothing compares.💗
Sheridan Macknight
https://sheridanevemacknight.com
Shane Hendren
http://www.shanerhendren.com
Dawn Wallace
https://dawnwallacejewelry.artspan.com
Elizabeth Kirk
https://www.kirkjewelry.com
Beverly Bearking Moran
https://www.beverlybearking.com/home
Navajo Spirit
https://bio.site/navajospirit
Amber Duboise-Shepard
https://www.amberlduboise-shepherdart.com/shop
Micqaela Jones
https://instagram.com/tosa_wihi_studios
Billy Rogers
https://instagram.com/redhouseart71
Theresa Secord
https://instagram.com/theresabaskets
Debbie Lujan
https://instagram.com/deb.lujan
Montie Yellow Bird
https://instagram.com/blackpintohorse
Traci Rabbit
https://instagram.com/tracirabbit
Loren Aragon
https://instagram.com/aconav
Adrian Reeves Long
https://instagram.com/adrianreeveslong
Reggie Mitchell
https://instagram.com/fiercewarchief
Janessa Guerro
https://instagram.com/janessag.jewelry
09/10/2023
This was such an amazing hat project!🔥
Appropriately sharing today, as we celebrate and honor our traditions and people.
🪶 Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
28/09/2023
Stunning…a friend, a beautiful artist inside and out and her work is absolutely gorgeous!! 😍🔥
I’m so very happy with how this important commissioned painting turned out:)
This one will be a part of the permanent collection of The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights in Boise, Idaho. It is a 3’x5’ piece is entitled, “Beauty in Diversity”.
I hope you can see it in person:)
Acrylic on canvas with gold, silver and copper metal leafing.
19/09/2023
He asked for it…So I made it!🤩
A good old-fashion 10 gallon cowboy hat. Yup I still make those …
100x Black, Canadian Peak crown, big brim, ribbon bound edge and the beaded feather 🪶…
It’s perfection, if I do say so myself 💫
✨remember I’m still handcrafting hats one at time just for you…DM for pricing
26/08/2023
And…on to the next project🤩
Good day to put on some good tunes and just braid away.😎🎶
25/08/2023
Excited to share that I was invited for a sit down interview about my hats!🎩🪶Fun interview about my inspiration, where I started and where I’m going..🤩

Have a listen as “The American Art Collective Podcast” pays us a visit at the famous Santa Fe Indian Market. I am SO thrilled to be included in this podcast! Thank you!🤩🙏
So…grab yourself a cup coffee, sit down and enjoy.
Episode:208
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DIHtgbEox2oSW9UcljnfH?si=alA2uO2_S1C-4jXJ7KEC0w
20/08/2023
First day in Santa Fe is in the books and what a way to start Indian Market 2023, it was truly AMAZING🌟
So much beauty!🤩
Here’s a snapshot into my world, new hats, friends, beautiful weather.
Today is the LAST day swing by my booth located at SFT 504, next to the fabulous La Fonda Hotel. 🪶✨
14/08/2023
➕➕SWAIA 2023➕➕
Santa Fe I am headed your way!🤩Find me, along with all my hat creations at my NEW location this year, right off the Plaza, next to the La Fonda Hotel.
➕On Old Santa Fe Trail
➕Melissa Lewis-Barnes
➕Booth SFT 504
➕August 19th & 20th
➕9am to 5pm
➕Free
See you soon friends!😍
11/08/2023
✨I have to say I have THE most wonderful clients!🤩 ✨Thank you for allowing me to create for you! This hat in particular was exciting to make…I could hardly wait to get it finished, but even better was the reaction I received when I delivered this hat to my beautiful client. She was THRILLED…I was thrilled💕 What a person, such a beautiful soul..I know my hat creation is in good hands.🥰
*Custom Made Hat Price: $2,500
50% Deposit required to get project started. Wait time varies depending on material.
🤩Oh WOW🤩!! What a compliment coming from one of my favorite friend/client/jeweler/cowboy! I’m sure a lot of you are familiar with Shane R. Hendren Jewelry, his work is outstanding. And if your not…check him out! I’ve had the privilege to make hats for him and his family, and they really put them to the test! Literally… from the roping arena to the red carpet.🤩
26/07/2023
Absolutely wowed this morning!🤩Check out that view…Southwest Colorado sunrise😍Sharing my moment away from building hats. The 6am view from my deck…happily getting my yoga in.🙏🌅
12/07/2023
The hat making process…from the finished look to the many steps it takes me to create a one of kind work of art.💕
Blocking, sanding, finishing, sewing on the ribbon trim, sewing in the hat sweatband, pencil rolling the edge, conforming the head-shape, beading the hatband (one of most elaborate to date), shaping the hat, sewing in the hand made liners, sewing on the hatband..and finally it’s DONE…🤩
A 100x pure beaver fur hat with fully customized beaded hatband and feather..just what my client ordered😎 Pretty thrilled with this one!😍
25/06/2023
On to the next hat project..Currently beading the hatband and I am loving where this is going!💕
My inspiration postcards from the Grand Canyon. Check out those colors, all my favorites..cerulean blue, sunset gold, hint of a purple brown, burnt sienna..😍 Keep posted..I’m so excited to finished it! I thinking it’s going to be a good one!😎
17/06/2023
This one is definitely going to stop traffic!🤩 My newest hat project I just completed…I LOVE how it came out!
The black gaucho is a classic, so sleek…I’ve taken it to the next level by creating a gorgeous turquoise and rust beaded hatband and beaded feather combo. It’s perfect…
Look out for this one Grand Canyon State…it’s headed your way.🤩
Black Gaucho Hat $875
Beaded hatband and feather $350
31/05/2023
Back at it…🔥
26/05/2023
This beauty of ours ends a chapter today and tomorrow a new one begins. Its been an amazing journey…really the time of lives to watch her grow and develop into this young women that she is.
As I write this I’m thinking of all the wonderful people who have come into our lives…all I can say is Thank you!!!
Especially to our wonderful teachers and counselors (Deb M.)we appreciate you…I know she will continue to climb that educational ladder because of you.
Coaches..you made this girl a beast on the field. Thank you for believing in her! Her sportsmanship, determination and leadership skills are because you challenged her to go out and do her best.
Friends, thank you for providing an extra family for her. Opening your doors, keeping an eye out for her, and taking her on adventures.
Honorary Moms..Thank you for sharing your wisdom, encouragement, truthful thoughts, your grace, strength, and how to walk in beauty. (Ahéhee')
Most importantly..our family..thank you being there for her, all the prayers, support, and cheering her on.
So here’s to new beginnings…We love you Tehya Barnes!
19/05/2023
✨Something new✨…Switching gears for just a moment for this daughter of mine. I am so excited to announce she is graduating from High School in a few days and I wanted to surprise her with a beaded graduation cap.
Happy to say it’s done!🤩😅
My one and only beaded cap, for my one and only daughter.🥰💕
23/04/2023
Making hats my own way…💕
Always one of a kind. ✨
©️Hat and Design by
Melissa Lewis-Barnes
13/04/2023
Something new on the work bench.🤩
I can’t wait to share what I’ve been up to….🤩
Your gonna love it!!!
Design and hat by
©️Melissa Lewis-Barnes
01/04/2023
Just had to share..it was truly a proud moment for me. 🤩While in Epcot we happened upon a beautiful display of Native American art work on loan from the Smithsonian. I am blessed to call some of these artist friends, and the fact that I show my art work along side such talented artist is just thrilling to me. We saw work from THE fabulous Jhane Myers and Loren Aragon, just to name a few..neighboring tribes to the Diné, a beautiful Ute Cradlebroads and stunning Jicarilla Apache straw hats. The raised beaded hats caught my eye from the Mohawk Nation..such artistic talent!
I applaud you all..Proud moment! Thank you for sharing your talents and culture with the world.🤩
10/03/2023
✨Once upon a time✨….
way back in 2002.
I had an idea that would change my hat journey. Then, I was one of very few lady hatters in the county, definitely the only Native Women Hat-maker that owned her own business.
I had an idea…to take my precious handmade hats and paint them. (you can see in the photo I was making some pretty cool cowboy hats) I had just finished my very first hand painted hat, debuting it at a horse show and a cowboy walked up to me and asked, “Can I take your photo?…So I can say I knew you when”….🥰 The photo was filed away for years, I rediscovered it today! 🤩What a treasure!
Who knew from that moment on where that one hat would take me. Opening doors I would have never imagined, 20+ years later I’m proud to say…
I’m still doing it…
still loving it..
and even prouder to say that the hat revolution happening right now might have began with one idea to see what would happen 💫
07/03/2023
Home🥰..from the desert to the mountains..happy to be back to the snow where I belong.
06/03/2023
There’s only one word that can sum up my art weekend in Phoenix….
🌵💖FABULOUS! 💖🌵
Thank you Heard Museum for hosting another beautiful art show…it’s always such an honor to be included to show my work with the most renowned artist in the world.💞
And thanks to the collectors who came out, and a special shout to all my new clients, WELCOME and thrilled to have you join the Club🤩 I can’t wait to get started on our new projects. ~
04/03/2023
Well…Hello Phoenix!
I’m here and ready to go! Art show starts tomorrow..can’t wait to see you all!🤩
03/03/2023
Phoenix I’m headed your way..🌵☀️ Looking forward to sharing what I’ve been up to. 🤩
Find me at the Heard Museum on March 4th & 5th, Booth E-09.
I’ve got lots of new hat designs to show you.., vibrant beaded hatbands and gorgeous beaded feathers….see you soon!
16/01/2023
For National Hat Day…Showing off my latest favorite. 💓🎩
12/01/2023
🔥Done!
🔥And shipped!💃🏻
Now this is how I like to start my New Year! Creating fabulous hats for you!!
Thanks for the Custom Hat Order! Keep an eye out of this one at the Sundance Film Festival…it’s definitely going to turn some heads.
©️Melissa Lewis-Barnes
Custom 50x Hat with Custom Beaded/Quill Hatband $1300
11/01/2023
Inside the Artist Studio.
Inspiration from my desk…concho belts and vibrant art😍
This beauty is just about done…keep posted, she’s is gorgeous!
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