Hat maker Eric Watson makes old methods new again

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Eric Watson is one of only a handful of hat makers left in the country. Working out of his shop in Cave Creek, Watson makes his hats by hand using machines from the 1800s. See how his old-fashioned methods set him apart and hear how Watson is impacting the fashion landscape in his area. See more of Watson’s work at watsonshatshop.com.

Watch more episodes from “Art in the 48” here.

Eric Watson, hat maker

Fountain Hills with text reading: Food Festival Saturday, April 11, 2026, Fountain Hills, Arizona
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