I figure I haven't written too much lately about my braided horse hair jewelry pieces.
When it is braided like this it feels like fishing line. It's very strong and will last a lifetime or more if properly maintained.
From November to January I did many, many pieces. All were commissioned. This means people send me their horses hair, I make a piece and send them back their new item and whatever hair I did not use.
This is a hat band for a friend made out of her six horses hair. I have been looking at it for a wile pondering when I am going to get it done. It's braided in what is called a "chevron" weave. I like the contrast of black, brown and most importantly, white hair. The picture is hard to see everything, it's too dark and I would have forgotten to take the picture tomorrow and then macro Monday would have been over.
So I guess now that the holiday buzz is over it's back to some pieces that are not in dire need of finishing. I am looking forward to seeing what this one is going to turn out like.
14 comments:
That is gorgeous! You are very talented. Only, how do you end the piece without all the wispy strands sticking out everywhere?
Oh wow Sydney- that is awesome. I wish I had hair from my old gelding- it'd be in the mail to you in a flash. Maybe I can get some from Sonny though- he has tons of tail hair... hmmm..... something to think about here!
That is beautiful!!! How did you learn to do that? I can braid but starting and finishing would be a problem. Beautiful work!
Thanks. I learned believe it or not, to braid horse hair by myself. I looked at a lot of other things people have braided and figured out the braids. I can braid and knot and tie things in more ways than you would believe. Horse hair was just a new medium for me.
Ending really depends on the piece. I usually sew the ends with waxed thread and then hitch a keeper over it.
That's awesome! I can totally see myself stealing some tail hair from my mom's two horses, or my instructor's favorites, and getting them braided as a gift.
What sort of things can you braid them into, you mentioned a band to go around a hat. Anything else that you typically do or you seem to get a lot of demand for?
Cool hat band!
Just wanted to stop by to see if you read the comments on my blog about the Halison (sp?) saddles. Some of my more experienced ss riders made some comments about them for you.
Julie
Make sure you ask before taking anyones horse hair. Theres a specific way to do it without taking too much hair or making it apparent.
Jayke- I most often do bracelets, earrings (which require very little hair) necklaces, key fobs, light switch pulls, zipper pulls, shoo fly's (tassles basically) and hat bands. Horse hair items are limited by your imagination basically. Upon request I do hitch things like inlays etcbut the price is going to be waaaay up there because it takes a lot of time and most of the time the hair needs to be dyed to make a pattern etc.
I do bracelets the most for sure. They are the cheapest (without beads) and the most universal to wear.
Julie: I love your blog, the readers are so helpful.
A beautiful hat band and so personal.
What a wonderful art! I love the hat band..you are very talented! :0
that's really awesome you're talented
Very nice braid work. When we lost Carina I sure wish we had saved her tail :( Hind sight...
I learned stuff!
This is a great photo with lots of detail, Sydney.
Yes, you are very talented, and I can't wait to have a piece made by you of Rojo's tail hair. I actually have your package sitting on my dresser ready to go with your Pay It Forward and some other goodies inside. I just have to get to the post office.
Quick question: What length and thickness of hair would you need to make a bracelet?
~Lisa
Very beautiful items shown in these picture , unbelievable stuff.i like to buy those .
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