About me

Glenna Combs, Owner

I was born and raised deep in the Appalachian mountains in Leslie County, Kentucky, the youngest child of ten. My parents were talented in many handcrafts. My father was a carpenter and fine wood craftsman. He was also a blacksmith, a gunsmith making flint lock long rifles and repairing modern fire arms as well, and a shaped note singing school instructor. My mother was a homemaker, a quilter, knitter, crochet artist, a seamstress and a gardener. My father played the banjo and four of my five brothers were musicians. I was raised in an atmosphere of creativity, pride in achievement, loving encouragement and accomplishment through hard work and perseverance.

When I was a little girl, daddy ordered our winter coats and shoes from Montgomery Ward so we got a new catalog in the mail ever spring and fall. Mom would give the old one to me and my sister to cut out the models for paper dolls. I always chose the ladies with pretty hats. I have always loved a woman in a hat. However, after the 60's, hats went out of fashion. I was not until about 10 years ago that I got interested in hats again.

I have been a registered nurse for 38 years. I was retired from nursing from 2008 to 2012. During that time I became increasingly interested in learning the millinery skill. I searched for classes that were within driving distance of me. I was unsuccessful until 2014 at which time I found a week-long millinery class being taught by Jan Wutkowski at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. I decided to go there for my vacation. I was hooked! I have been a dedicated millinery student and artist ever since. I retired from nursing in November of 2017.

Since that time I have taken multiple classes from renowned millinery instructors from the US and internationally as well. I have continued working to perfect my millinery skills. I make hats in the traditional fashion, hand sewing nearly every hat I make and designing embellishments as well.

I quickly outgrew my living room and in 2015 built an addition onto my home for a working studio.

In 2016 I added an outdoor deck for entertaining friends, family, and guests. At Millinery Meet-up in Gatlinburg, TN, the idea was born to open up my studio for a teaching venue for millinery. The studio would accommodate five students, myself and an instructor. I began to host millinery classes by bringing in instructors to teach and recruiting students to attend. There were three successful classes in 2017.

Since there is only one hotel in our little town and accommodations for the students was limited, I decided to invest in a small bed & breakfast and locate it on my property. That was completed in 2018.

My plans for the future are three prong: first, to expand my classes here at Sycamore Hollow Hats Studio into other artistic venues such as painting, beading, basket weaving, broom making, felting, Eco dyeing, etc. Of course, millinery classes will always be at the heart of Sycamore Hollow. Second, in addition to the classes, I will strive to attend workshops for myself and grow as an artist and entrepreneur, always searching for sales opportunities for my own creations and opportunities to promote eastern Kentucky tourism and culture. Third, I plan continue to grow my business by promoting the Sycamore Hollow Guest House on Airbnb and other sites.

Won't you come visit us here in Manchester, KY and other Eastern Kentucky areas for a great experience. You would sure be warmly welcomed!

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