How to Make Jewelry From Horsehair

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By Julia Fuller
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Collect horse mane and tail hair

Do you want to create unique jewelry to wear and sell at craft shows? If you own a horse, or know someone who does, you can make your jewelry from horsehair. The long strands of tail horsehair can be used to create unique one of kind necklaces. Use the shorter mane hairs to create rings and bracelets. Sell the extras at craft shows or to your friends for profit. How do make horsehair jewelry?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Horse mane and tail hair
Beads assorted
Small shells
Pillow to pin work-in-process
Safety pins
Clasps, earrings
Directions for making jewelry with embroidery thread or macramé
Scissors
Needle nose pliers
Assorted dyes (optional)

Step 1

Take horsehairs from the mane and tail

Gather beads, small shells, and other ornaments you want to add to your jewelry. If making necklaces and bracelets you will need jewelry clasps. If making earrings you will need the studs or hoops. If making hair ornaments you may need barrettes or bands. Remove about 50 tail hairs from a horse’s tail; be careful not to take them all from the same spot. You can also remove 50 or more hairs from the mane spacing where you are pulling them from as well.
Step 2

Line up six strands of horsehair and fold in half

Tie an overhand knot to begin your necklace, bracelet, or ring. Take six strands of horsehair in a variety of colors and line up the ends and then fold it in half. These directions for making a simple friendship bracelet are from Friendship Bracelets by Camilla Gryski. It is available through Amazon for less than seven dollars and the link is in the additional resources section.
Step 3

Wind the looped end to make a circle

Wind the looped end all the way around your index finger pinching the threads together where they cross to make a circle.
Step 4

Tie the knot and then pin it to a pillow, a cushion, or your pants.

While holding the circle together where the threads cross, slip the circle off from you finger. Put the folded loop through the circle and pull tight. The original fold that is now sticking through the end is where you will connect your clasp or tie the two ends together so be sure you have enough sticking out. Now use a safety pin and pin the knot to a pillow or your jeans so you can freely work with the strings.
Step 5

Start knotting or braiding your horsehairs. To knot begin with #1 and tie two knots onto each of the other five hairs. Repeat with each strand and then start over. Look at the resource section to find some great patterns or search for hemp, macrame, thread, and embroidery patterns.

Comments

kaytay said

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on 3/26/2009 Neat way to make jewelry using horse hair

almondspecial said

on 2/20/2009 That is very cool.Like this, interesting!!!!

miasavc said

on 1/17/2009 Wow, I did not know this is possible! Thanks for sharing this. You have easy to follow steps & the pictures helped a lot.

Beadbug said

on 10/11/2008 I have several horse hair articles, did you know you can also make Raku ottery with horse hair? One of my bridles is beads on each side of the cheek strap and the head piece is beaded with a horse hair tassel!