How to Decorate Long Pirate Hair With Beads

Beads can be worn around the neck and woven into long hair.

A pirate costume that features long hair can benefit from the addition of beads. Whether for Halloween or a pirate-themed party, beads give long hair an authentic look and can add detail to your costume. While it is possible to weave beads into your own long hair or costume wig, you might end up with a look that you don't want to leave woven in. Instead, create a string of beads that you can attach to your hair or wig whenever the need to put on the pirate look arises.

Things You'll Need

• Jewelry wire
• Needle-nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Beads -- variety of colors, shapes and sizes
• Small barrette

Instructions

1. Assemble your variety of beads on your work surface, and decide how you want to arrange them on the wire. Include round wooden beads, black spherical beads, seashell beads and other beads with a pirate-like look.

2. Cut a length of jewelry wire to about the same length as your hair or wig, using wire cutters. Twist one end of the jewelry wire into a knot, using needle-nose pliers. Then string the beads onto it -- leaving about 2 inches of wire at the end.

3. Attach the barrette to the wire above the beads, by wrapping and twisting it tightly around the barrette with the pliers. Cut any excess wire.

4. Snap the barrette -- with its new string of beads -- into your hair, near your scalp. Experiment with putting it in different places, where the beads will be visible.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a pirate hat to hide the barrette and make it look more natural. You can also use small alligator clip with teeth instead of a barrette, and then clip it into your hair underneath the top layers so it's less visible.

References

• Faire Treasures: Pirate Hair Jewels