How to Make Horse Hair Jewelry and Accessories
Jewelry and accessories made from horse hair can add a dash of flare to any outfit. Slowly save the hair that you comb from your horse to create a beautiful bracelet that all of your friends will marvel over. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Horse hair
- Thin metal wire
- Elastic band
- Metal beads
- Silk cord, same color as hair
- Silver cap end
- Toggle clasp
Instructions
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1
Collect horse hairs that are about a foot in length. Continue collecting them until you have small bundle--as wide as your thumb.
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2
Wrap an elastic band at the far end of the horse hair. Insert the thin metal wire into the center of the bundle. Make sure the elastic band is wrapped tightly, as to hold the hairs and wire in place.
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3
Comb the hair gently to remove any tangles.
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4
Separate the small bundle of hair into three equal sections. Keep the wire in the center of the middle section of hair. Braid the hair, concealing the metal wire, until you reach the bottom of the bundle.
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5
Bind the end of the braid with silk cord in the same color of the horse hair. Repeat this process for the beginning of the braid, binding the silk cord in front of the elastic band (where the braid begins). Remove elastic band. Trim off excess hair.
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Pull the silk cord through the cap end and secure it to the end of your bracelet. The hair slips into the cap end, providing a neat appearance. Repeat this process for the other end of your bracelet.
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Slip the metal beads over the hair and position where desired. You may choose to have an attractive bead or charm in the center of your bracelet, as a focal point.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove horse hair jewelry before bathing or swimming.
Resources
- Photo Credit www.mypartnercreations.com
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Comments
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Has anyone ever tried using a dipping pot and wax string?
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this braid is not difficult, kumihimo laramie braid, very easy.
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Laurie Fredrika Higgins
Mar 13, 2011
@tamivroma - Google "whipping rope". It should get you to a site that explains how the "whip" the end of a rope. However, I'm not sure why silk is recommended. I'd like to know that. I've used cotton and it doesn't hold all that well. But I'm not sure that the rubber bands I'm using (braiding bands) will fit under the end caps. I'm researching elastic thread. also, I think the bit of hair should be longer (15-18 inches) to start. Tie it in the middle and braid from there. I use a four-part round braid. But I don't know how to do the one shown. -
Jodi Faulkner
Sep 27, 2010
From what I've found on the braid that is shown is that it's an old Victorian style craft that dates back in the 19th century. The craft was done to preserve and wear the hair of love ones that have either passed or in our countries history gone off to war(civil war in this case). Since they didn't have photography it was custom to leave a locket of hair with love ones and even close friends as a memory of yourself. It would be placed in lockets, books with names and something written about the person or made into jewelry. They would also make mourning jewelry out of the hair for the family to wear when the person passed on. So far I've found very little instruction on how to do the braid above and I'm trying different techniques trying to figure it out. At least I haven't found how to do it on the internet. Those who do know are not willing to share for fear that it will cut into...
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tamivroma
Jul 11, 2010
This is not a good EHow at all - how do you do the braid shown? How do you put the silk bank on as described.
