Hairwork Flower

[mala_14]

This weekend I went to a workshop for learning how to do hairwork. The workshop was led by Sandra Klowak. She taught us how to do the kind of hairwork that is used to make decorative pieces, like wreaths (not the kinds that were used for jewelry, which involve different techniques). It was super cool. You create guimpes of hair and wire that you then shape into flowers. The hair we used was synthetic.

I think mine turned out pretty good for a first try!


The hair makes little loops that are formed over a rod and are secured by the wire. I'm considering trying something like this but with cord for making trims.


It's tricky to get the ends to look nice. You can see at the back of my flower that lots of the hair ends are sticking out in tufts. I made 5 small guimpes and then twisted the wires together to make the flower.


It was a really neat learning experience. It's such an unusual skill and so very Victorian.

Comments

[theladyrebecca]

That is so cool! Where did you find a workshop like that?

[mala_14]

It was put on at a local house museum, Dalnavert House. They have different sorts of events all the time. The person who taught us is actually an old acquaintance of mine, which was a cool coincidence.

[theladyrebecca]

That's so neat. I've never heard of anywhere else putting on a hair art workshop!

[mala_14]

Yeah, it's pretty obscure. She's heavily involved with local museums, so that's probably why they thought to put on the workshop.

[elizabeth_mn]

Whoa! That's amazing! I'd love for you to show me sometime!

[mala_14]

It is really cool, but also really simple. I will definitely show you!

[danabren]

Well isn't that cool as hell!

[mala_14]

Hairwork is super cool! And relaxing.

[marianme]

Nice work. Can totally see trim application.

[mala_14]

Thanks! I'll document my experiments if I ever get around to trying to make trim.

[m_of_disguise]

That is so cool! What a fun new skill!

[mala_14]

It really is! SO fun!

[starlightmasque]

WHOA

[mala_14]

I know, right?! So weird, but so fun.

[nuranar]

How fascinating!

[mala_14]

It was really interesting. Also, surprisingly simple and straightforward.

[chocolatepot]

Late (as usual), but this is so cool! I love that they offered it.

[mala_14]

Isn't it?! They usually just have lectures on stuff, so it was fun to do a workshop.