There's no guarantee that your bracelet will turn out as nicely as this one from www.highhopesdesigns.com, but it can be a inspiration.
Horse hair jewelry is a great gift for equestrians and a fun way to honor your horse.
Bracelets and necklaces are not easy to make but with some practice you can make gifts for your friends and yourself.
So, how do you start?
Instructions:
- Collect tail hair from the horse(s) you want to use. If you have horses with different colored tails you can braid them into a pattern!
- Take the hair from the bottom of the tail bone. You need to take long ones. You’ll need about an inch in diameter. Put a rubber band on them (a braiding band works well).
- Next, wash the hair with shampoo. It’s really important that the hair be very clean; you may need to wash it more than once. Don’t use conditioner on it!
- Get supplies at a craft store such as Michael’s, AC Moore, or JoAnn’s Fabrics. They sell jewelry findings that you can use to attach the ends.
- When the hair is dry, take carpet thread that matches the color and wrap it tightly. Then use E-600 glue around the thread to help it hold.
- Decide what kind of braid you would like to try. Round braids work well. If you’ve ever braided a lanyard, you will find the same techniques work. Here’s a site with instructions.
- Attach the finding to the end of the bound hair. Put some glue in the finding, insert the hair and then squeeze it shut with small pliers. You should put a cloth around the finding before you close it to prevent the pliers from scratching the metal.
- Tie the end to something sturdy so you can pull on the strands while you braid and help keep the braid tight.
- When you reach the end, wrap it with thread, seal it with glue and add the second finding.
Tips
- Make sure to keep the braid snug but not too tight as it will kink.
- Trim any hairs that stick out of the braid with scissors.
- You can spray the braid with hair spray to make it stick together better and make it shiny.
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11 Responses to How to make a horse hair bracelet
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An inch in diameter? Maybe 1/4 inch? Maybe even less than that depending on the findings you can find. I had to go online to find findings that were at least 4 mm. in diameter on the inside. There’s more to this endeavor than what’s written here.
I’ve been happy with my 2 purchases from Solenaro Designs Horse Hair Jewelry at http://solenarodesigns.com/ since trying to make my own bracelets. Impecable jewelry. Beautiful bracelets and earrings. Take a look if you are looking for higher quality than home made. Beautiful.
I must agree with Larry. I too have a piece made from Solenaro Designs Jewelry and wear one every day. Gets more complements than all other pieces I wear. Can be seen at http://www.solenarodesigns.com/BSS-3_Rope_Edged.html . The hair was woven flat and inserted into the cuff bracelet. I’ve been wearing it for about 4 years and looks fabulous. For ideas on how to make georgious hose hair jewelry check out Solenaro Designs.
Me too with Solenaro Designs. Here’s the bracelet they made me at http://www.solenarodesigns.com/Horse_Jewelry_Great_Susp.html
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They should have a video but other wise fantastic bracelet.
Solenaro Designs uses ivory. Ivory of any kind antique or not adds to the danger of all wild elephants.
My horse died today but I had the vet save his tail hairs. I want to wear them everyday to remember him.
I am very sorry for your loss. I have still not been able to bring myself to use the tail hairs that we collected when my horse died but I plan to have a bracelet made from them. Another very nice keepsake I’ve seen are decorated horse shoes. If you have any of his old ones, you can make a lovely wall hanging from it.
i love your ideas and i dont have a horse but want one thanks for this idea…
thanks for that awesome idea my bffs are having a party about horses and going to make for gifts