Budget friendly hair toys? And does anyone make their own?

[Emila]

For fellow Aussies I found this website with some inexpensive hair sticks and forks. I have no idea what the quality would be like and it probably wouldn't be worthwhile for many to pay for international shipping, but just sharing this in case it helps someone https://eclectico.com.au/collections/hair-sticks

[lapushka]

Oh that's good! I'm sorry I might have misunderstood what you were looking for before! But I'm glad that you found one you like! Comfort is an important factor for claw clips!
I noticed there are quite a lot of claw clips on etsy, but then you don't get to see it in person before you buy which might be important.

Yes it's super hard to buy these online.

[sapphire-o]

Chopsticks is probably the cheapest I can think of. I've shortened and sharpened quite a few bamboo or wooden chopsticks. I have a big hairtoy collection but still use my chopsticks sometimes. Some of them were completely free - given with Asian dinner. Just wash them well after eating with them.

[Braided Lady]

I'm really bad at spending money-i.e., I rarely do so, so I haven't bought much in the way of hair toys even though I love them. I just got a bunch of acrylic hair sticks as Christmas presents, but before that I made my own out of dowels from hobby lobby. I cut the dowels to size with a tool that wasn't made for it but worked, and then I used a pencil sharpener to make the end pointy. From there I just sand papered it until it was as completely smooth as I could make(which was quite smooth) and oiled it for good measure(I'm still not sure it did anything) and it was good to go! I decorated a couple with beads and shells, but mostly wore them plain and hidden in my hair, and I liked all of them a lot. They are very strong too.

[Emila]

Chopsticks are such a good idea.

[Emila]

I'm really bad at spending money-i.e., I rarely do so, so I haven't bought much in the way of hair toys even though I love them. I just got a bunch of acrylic hate sticks as Christmas presents, but before that I made my own out of dowels from hobby lobby. I cut the dowels to size with a tool that wasn't made for it but worked, and then I used a pencil sharpener to make the end pointy. From there I just sand papered it until it was as completely smooth as I could make(which was quite smooth) and oiled it for good measure(I'm still not sure it did anything) and it was good to go! I decorated a couple with beads and shells, but mostly wore them plain and hidden in my hair, and I liked all of them a lot. They are very strong too.

Braided lady they sounds really nice! I'd love to see a photo of them, if you feel like sharing that is!

[Braided Lady]

Here's some pictures. Some sticks, some cheap plastic combs I decorated, and my favorite home decorated bobby pin.
Also the bag of dowels.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/y4h6T9in2nSU7ay46
ETA
My favorite comb broke when I dropped it and I still need to superglue it back together, so I people it with an erasure for the picture.

[lapushka]

It's fun decorating your own, isn't it? My dad once carved some sticks for me.

[Emila]

Braided Lady, they are lovely! I think you've inspired me to give this a try thanks for sharing

[Braided Lady]

Braided Lady, they are lovely! I think you've inspired me to give this a try thanks for sharing

Wonderful! I would love to see pictures if yours turn out well.
I am very happy with mine, and yes, it was quite fun to make them, Lapushka.