How to Make a Bracelet From a Horse's Mane and Tail
Horse owners and enthusiasts typically agree that a bracelet made out of the mane and tail hair of their favorite steed is a wonderful way to show respect and affection for the horse, and to keep a part of him near at all times. Horse hair bracelets are fun to make and also wonderful gifts. The most difficult part of this unusual handicraft is choosing which style of braid or twist you want to use. Often owners of more than one horse will take hair from each and make a multi-colored braided bracelet.
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Things You'll Need
- Hair from a horse's mane and tail
- Rubber band or braiding band
- Shampoo
- Bracelet fittings (available at craft stores)
- Craft glue such as 3M E-600 or Super Glue
- Carpet thread (available at craft stores)
- Needle-nose or jeweler's pliers
- Soft cloth
- Scissors
Instructions
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A horse's mane is usually shorter than its tail but still may be used to create a bracelet. Choose long, solidly colored strands of hair. Cut the hair strands close to the base. Shampoo all the collected hair two or three times. It is important the hair is clean.
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Craft thread of a contrasting color adds spark to the bracelet. Wait for the hair to dry completely. Measure the wrist the bracelet will wrap around. If the tail hair is long it may be cut in half and doubled to increase the thickness of the bracelet.
Line up the strands, then wrap a rubber band or braiding band around it to hold it together, about two inches from the end to allow room for wrapping. Wrap the end of the hair evenly and tightly with carpet thread, which is the strongest and heaviest hand-sewing thread. Choosing a contrasting or complementary color of thread may enhance the look of the finished bracelet. Once this is completed apply craft glue or Super Glue to the wrapping.
Remove the rubber band or braiding band once the glue has thoroughly dried.
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Use needle-nose or jeweler's pliers. Attach one end of the finding to the glued end by applying some glue to the inside of the finding, inserting the hair and gently closing the finding with the pliers. Cover the finding with a soft cloth before squeezing it closed to avoid scratching or marking. Squeeze gently and repeatedly as you move the pliers around the fitting to ensure it closes evenly around the hair.
Wait for the glue to dry completely.
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Any style of braid or twist will make a lovely bracelet. Attach the fitting to a solid surface or have an assistant hold it steady so you can braid the hair. Braid evenly and firmly into the required length. Be careful not to braid too tightly, as this may cause kinking. Measure around the recipient's wrist often to ensure the bracelet will be the proper length.
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Braid the hair slightly longer than the length needed, to allow room to wrap the end with carpet thread, just as you did on the first end. Glue the new wrapping, and allow the glue to dry thoroughly before cutting off the extra length. Apply glue and attach the second fitting the end in the same way the first was done, being careful to cover with a soft cloth before tightening to avoid scratching.
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Tips & Warnings
Since horse's tails are usually longer than their manes, tail hair may be preferred. If the horse's mane and tail are of different colors or textures, using both will create a more unique braid. The quantity required will depend on how thick a bracelet you want to make, how thick the horse's hair is and how long the strands are. If a wider bracelet is wanted, cut a small number of hairs from more than one section of the mane and tail.
Use scissors to snip off any short hairs that escape the braid.
If using Super Glue be careful not to glue your fingers.
Do not braid too tightly, as this may cause kinking.
Do not braid too loosely, as this may allow the bracelet to catch on objects and come apart.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
