Customer Reviews

Art of Hair Work: Hair Braiding and Jewelry of Sentiment

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Do you remember plaited lanyards you tried to make when youwere in the second grade in day camp; the ones that somebig kid could make in all sorts of spirals and squares but (c'mon admit it) you just couldn't make work for you? Well this book takes that art back to its basic, the nineteenth century art of hair braiding. Mark Campbell makes this incredibly difficult appearing craft much easier to do than you'd ever imagine. So if you want to know just how to make your own (pardon) heirloom bracelet, this is the book for you.........Georgie

This is a great compilation of 19th century engravings and instructions on how to create Hair work Jewelry. The craft is very similar to macrame, bobbin lace, or kumihimo. Just done with hair instead. It has instructions on the basic principles and tools involved in the craft. There are over 150 different braiding designs included. It also gives brief illustrations on how to sew smaller braids together to make wider bracelets. It also includes period engravings of finished hair work pieces. This does not have any instructions on how to create the elaborate hair work wreathes that were worked into looking like flower arrangements. But it is superb for creating a lost art of jewelry. My only problem was finding hair to work with that was long enough. Or finding other colors to create interesting designs. Working with string to test a pattern can help to get the hang of it. Ebay is a great outlet for human hair. Search for real hair extensions. If human hair is too morbid for you, horse hair is an option.

Great book. Explains a lot on hair braiding. Could have more on mounted hair work though. Still great reference with step by steps on braiding.