How To Make a Victorian Hair Work Bracelet

Brooches, Bracelets and Jewelery Made of Hair in Victorian Times

Mar 5, 2009

Often used as a symbol of mourning, sentiment or friendship, hair ornaments had great appeal to the Victorians.

The Victorians did not consider preserving the hair of relatives or companions at all macabre, as many would today. On the contrary, wearing a bracelet or locket of hair was considered a fitting token of grief and even the use of one's own hair or a living relation's was seen as a suitable and sentimental gift when offered to family or friends.

Hair Jewelry in Victorian Times

A broad assortment of antique Victorian hair pieces and jewelry can be seen on display in museums and private collections. Many pieces of hair work jewelry depict natural scenes, such as sprays of flowers or landscapes, and hair work may include hair from multiple individuals.

It was not uncommon for generations of hair to be used in an ongoing scene, with gray hair of grand parents and children, relatives both dead and alive to complete the picture. “These curious amalgams were presented frequently in the form of trees, using the gray or white hairs of grandparents and elders for the trunk and low-lying branches, and children's tresses for the higher twigs and foliage”. Period Pastimes 1989, Felice Hodges, page 170. Woven hair work was recommended as a challenging and worthwhile accomplishment for young ladies.

Victorian Arts and Crafts

Hair jewelry in Victorian times consisted of earrings, watch chains, pictures, beads, pins and rings made of hair. Hair jewelry was made by professionals or amateurs, with most Victorian ladies encouraged to take up the hobby.

Making jewelry out of hair these days is mostly considered a grotesque or hideous relic of the past, however, Victorian arts, crafts and leisure activities of all kinds are enjoying a come-back and growing in popularity. Antique Victorian hair work jewelry has also risen in price over the years.

How To Make a Victorian Hair Bracelet:

1.Braid several very fine braids with long strands of hair, long enough to comfortably fit around a wrist. Secure with a small elastic band.

2.Braid the braided hair to make a thicker rope, giving an intertwined, woven look.

4.Fit a clasp and a catch to the ends, pressing the clasp down firmly so it grips and secures the hair.

In this day and age, a lot of mothers will snip a lock of their baby's hair and keep it in a little envelope or scrapbook for sentimental reasons. Others are interested in purchasing a locket in which to preserve a curl of hair, proof that keepsakes of this kind are not as outdated as some might think!

The copyright of the article How To Make a Victorian Hair Work Bracelet in Georgian/Victorian Britain is owned by Fleur Hupston. Permission to republish How To Make a Victorian Hair Work Bracelet in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.