What to do with cut hair (selling/donating)...

[Zombiekins]

I realize it's been ages since I was an active member on this forum (frankly, *any* forum), but was hoping to mine the wealth of info here. :)

So, I recently cut my hair (two days ago, in fact) all in one go and now have a braid that's around 24" and I don't know what to do with it. It's been colored with henna and semi-permanent dyes so donating doesn't really seem to be an option. At least, from what I've read most places only want virgin hair. And after researching LoL years ago, I'm not too keen on donating my hair to them after correcting other people's misinformation as to what the charity actually does. Granted, that was many years ago and they could have changed since then....still...

There might be someone out there who could use it? I know it's not virgin, and definitely needed more frequent trims than it received, but on the whole it's thick, soft, and in good shape. Just...you know...dark on account of the henna (the semi-perms didn't leave much of a mark). So as long as it wasn't going to be bleached then I don't know why it *couldn't* be used in a wig. I figured selling it directly to a wigmaker, or someone like that, would be a better option as I could be up front with them about the condition of my hair instead of "surprise! I know it's not what you ask for on your donation page, so have fun trying to sell it instead!"

I have tried to do some searches, but most sites tell you about how to sell it (photos, line up a buyer, etc.) but no one lists *where* - and I don't want to deal with weird, shady companies. This forum is so expansive and I know others on here grew their hair for donations - or to sell and then donate the money - and I was hoping someone could please point me in the right direction?

Thank you and I hope it isn't a problem to post here. :)

[akilina]

Ahh I wish I had something to offer but I think that selling your hair to a wig maker personally is a great idea. Someone would get it and enjoy it and that could be insured in your mind because if the wig maker liked the hair they would buy it.

Donation places usually don't even use half the hair they get. I wouldn't either. People have come into my work donating HORRIBLE hair (not going to lie.) And I would just do it for them and put the hair in a baggie and give them all the info to ship it off. I felt bad but I wasn't about to rain on their parade and say "they wont even take this" because they felt "good" about what they were doing.

[trillian]

If you know someone who spins, they could make yarn out of your hair for you. I have to admit, I think the idea is a little weird, but it can be done...

Actually, I'd stick with selling it to a wigmaker yourself. Sorry - I'm less than helpful today!

[woolyleprechaun]

Not many people deal with dyed or henna'd hair (hence why I feel no guilt at all keeping mine on my head :))
I know that Victorians used hair for many strange crafts, even making bracelets and things. It might be worth looking that up?
Other than that, Im no use to you. I had three foot of hair in a baggie in my drawer for seven years.... I just had no idea what to do with it! :)

[Tisiloves]

Make a hair rat/clip in?

[Nightshade]

There probably wouldn't be enough for a wigmaker, but a dollmaker might be interested.

[Celtic Morla]

Why not make a hair piece for yourslef?? I t can always coem in heandy..

ready to kill my DH because he cleaned the bathroo and threw out all my combings(he thought the baggie was meant for garbage esp since it wa sin the drawer!!) from 18 months worth of savings!

[Zombiekins]

Hey guys, thanks for the ideas!

To be honest, I'd never considered donating my hair - hence all the hennaing and semi-permanent purples and reds (no point in having long hair if you don't enjoy it, right?) - it's just that holding the braid in my hands afterward...I dunno, seems a waste to just chuck it out since there is so much of it. I had thought of keeping it as a memento or something, but it's kind of unsettling to hold it now that it's no longer attached. Like a giant version of finding a hair in your food. :)

I'll see about contacting some local wigmakers to see if they might be interested, and dollmakers too, thanks Nightshade, and if there is anyone online that someone from here has had contact with I'd appreciate that too. A larger city might have more options.

Alas, I'm not sure I feel up to trying to make hair clips or rats out of it myself - and not enough hair left to use them either! Though it does sound like a cool idea for a rainy day project.