Beautiful objects can be made with common and unusual renewable resources. Hairwork, an almost forgotten handwork form and a unique jewelry-making folk art, uses one of these resources: human hair. This art form is significant in Scandinavian history and culture. For example, imagine traveling in the Victorian era, from a Swedish country village to such places as St. Petersburg, Edinburgh, or London during the winter to make hair jewelry for urban citizens.

In this course, students will learn how to weave four braiding patterns on a traditional hairwork table. They will discover the cultural impact of this popular 1800s adornment practice through artifacts, literature, and story. Careful work will result in using lovely and intricate braids to assemble a handmade human hair bracelet.

Hairwork was a common and highly valued practice for many skilled women from Sweden (and elsewhere, including the United States), especially women from the village of Våmhus, Sweden, the only village that, to this day, has kept the hairwork tradition alive for over 200 years. Learn more about this decorative art and its fascinating cultural history.

Note to returning students: braid patterns may be different from class to class. This class features a sliding bracelet closure.

A materials fee of $15 will be payable directly to the instructor during class.

Optional Tools

• Your favorite embroidery scissors
• Instructor will provide horse and human hair to use during the course. If an individual wishes to bring hair to the class, please make sure it is at least 12" long. A hank of hair about 3/4" to 1”’ in diameter is sufficient.
• Hairwork is an intricate craft. Ott Lights will be available in the classroom. If participants use magnification aids for handwork, please bring them to the class.