How to make hair sticks?

[trampledbygeese]

I have some lovely hair sticks for wearing around town, but I worry about breaking them while I'm working on the farm.

How can I make my own hairstick?

Sure, a chopstick is a great alternative - except, it's usually far too long, catching on everything, and most of the time they have a texture at the tip, either ridges or some other texture that yanks at my hair and breaks it.

A dowel and a sander don't seem to work well as dowels are not always that strong.

What about a branch from a hardwood tree like apple or holly? It's a strong wood.

How else can I make my own hair sticks? Thoughts?

[mary*rose]

Pencils do the trick for me whenever I'm in school and I need something quick to do up my hair with. I'm sure you could use a twig from a tree, but it would take a lot of work to get it so it wouldn't catch on your hair.

[GaJunebug]

You can purchase ready formed hair stick blanks that can be further embellished with beads etc.

Are you wanting to actually make the hair stick portion?

I would think that whittling down the wood you mentioned, rasping it and then hitting it with sandpaper before oiling or staining it.

Guess you could leave it without a gloss finish or add one.

Also, you could cut off the ridges on the end of chopsticks, put it in a pencil sharpener to get the shape back to a point and sand for smoothness.


( I use pre made wooden blanks for mine that have a hole drilled in the tops so I can embellish with beads etc.)

[trampledbygeese]

It's good a twig will work. I got some aged arbutus and maple blow downs from the forest today. They have nice, long smooth sections. I'll try sanding them down tomorrow, and probably finish up with a coat of beeswax or linseed oil.

[GaJunebug]

P.S. Other use metal knitting needles as hair sticks or bend them to form hair forks.

[trampledbygeese]

You can purchase ready formed hair stick blanks that can be further embellished with beads etc.

...

Where do you get the blanks?

I was thinking of making the hair stick part - I just want something cheep to hold up my hair while I'm working that I don't have to worry about breaking. My hair can break anything! My hair usually breaks four to five brushes or combs per year. There is just so much hair!

[trampledbygeese]

P.S. Other use metal knitting needles as hair sticks or bend them to form hair forks.

I didn't even think about bending knitting needles. What a great idea. Another project for tomorrow.

[GaJunebug]

If you google it, several stores come up. I believe this is where I got my blanks from although it's been quite a while. I think I got the kind that are 10 for 8.98.
http://www.manyhorses.com/store_hairsticks.htm

[LaurelSpring]

I made mine from chopsticks. I cut off the back end to desired length and sharpen the front with a pencil sharpener. Then I sand it really well. I drilled a little hole in the back so I could decorate it. Next I painted it with nail polish so it is smooth without any prickles. Then I use a little wire and add beads and glue this into the hole. They turn out really nice. I think I have my first attemt in my album but I should add the nicer ones I made after that.

[uptosomeone]

I only ever use twigs from trees. With a knife and a nail file it's extreeemely easy and fast (seriously, like ten minutes max) carve it into a perfectly smooth hairstick, and you can make them small enough that no ends catch on anything! I think they're actually a lot prettier than normal hairsticks, but then again I don't really like ficcares or flexi-8's either...they're too bold for me. :shrug:

[B-L]

You got to check out the self-made hair toys thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=131) - there is some amaaaaaaazing craftsmanship ther! :D

[supbanana]

You got to check out the self-made hair toys thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=131) - there is some amaaaaaaazing craftsmanship ther! :D

+1, this is the thread to check out.

I make mine using dowels and sanding, but then again I choose the dowels that are fairly thick and can withstand a ton of torque.

[Shigure]

I have some free time so this weekend I'm going to master (read: do at least one usable) carving hair sticks.

[Groovy Granny]

I am of the sanded twig variety; have made just one so far and am still looking for the perfect piece for a fork.
But I am in awe of some of the creations on that thread.....such great talent we have on LHC :crush:

[Jo Ann]

P.S. Other use metal knitting needles as hair sticks or bend them to form hair forks.
At least one lady here uses a gutter spike--the thing you use to attach gutters to a home.

[Shigure]

I've done one yesterday and three today. I painted then. Tomorrow I'm going to paint them with polish and send pictures here. Be nice. This are my first attempts.
But I have to admit one thing. It is fun to do.
I wish I have more time.

[Shigure]

Here are my new toys. Firs made on top, last at the bottom.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/157169942@N02/38335197266/in/dateposted-public/

[Alysia]

Those are lovely, beautiful mellow colors. Is the darkest one stained or is that the natural color?

[Shigure]

It is stained with brown ink, then polished.