I saw this concept for unique hair accessories in 2015, on Pinterest. The basic concept was a comb that slides into an updo, with a decorative bit secured with a bobby pin. This was one of my first ones. I had a simple design with strands of beadwork, and I used beading thread. Though that didn’t have a forgiving fit, and the Silamide bead thread was subject to fraying. I tried with nylon monofilament, and it didn’t sit quite right on the head, since nylon monofilament is stiff. Third time was a charm- polymer stretch cord! Durable yet flexible for a forgiving fit.
I was between my master’s and my PhD, and living in field housing. So after getting inside from the woods, I would take a shower and then bead for a few hours while watching Disappeared. I did a lot of experimenting with hair jewelry. I made a couple of other hair accessories, but wasn’t crazy about the design. I tried this one that goes across the back of the head. I tried some simple two-bobby-pin designs like this one. I amassed a large number of designs that just didn’t work- they didn’t sit right, or they had to defy physics to work as I had envisioned. For now, those sit in a box where I revisit them. Sometimes, a piece just needs a few tweaks, and having a prototype is a good springboard. I sometimes revisit the fail bin for inspiration!
This piece involves two bobby pins, with beadwork along the back of the head.
This one was an example of where stuff just didn't sit right. I'll let this one percolate and maybe revisit it!
A few months into my PhD program, I discovered that multi-hole beads had taken off. Those led to the making of some pretty spectacular hair jewelry! The comb with beadwork and bobby pin was the one design I liked- it sat best on the head and was the most user-friendly. Over my PhD program, I made some interesting ones, like the Electric Zigzag and Orbital Rings. The one issue I had was that bobby pins slide out of place over time. I swapped out the bobby pin for a no-slip barrette- problem solved!
In the last year, I’ve picked up hair jewelry again, and was surprised at how popular these were! One day, I went to take the trash out, and came back to three orders- two orbital rings, and one sunset bramble!
Love this tiger eye sunset bramble hair jewelry!
Given their popularity, I started making them again. I have found many designs that work. While the concept remains the same (glass or gemstone beads on the comb, beadwork along the head, secured with a barrette), I have diversified the beadwork designs. Many of these designs are quite intricate and require some detailed beadwork, like the Prismatic Crown.
While I prefer wearing it with the beadwork along the side of the head, I did see another great idea. A lovely woman got an Orbital Rings piece for her granddaughter, who wore her hair in a bun and slid the comb into the top, with the beadwork running over the bun and the clip at the base of her head. Another cool idea!
I swear by these for a bad hair day, or for a night out. Though they would also be fantastic for a festival. Ren Faire enthusiasts absolutely love these! Stay tuned- I have lots of hair jewelry dropping in the coming weeks, and some new designs coming this winter!
All the best,
Grace