Filling an Empty Hair Brooch

[Becky Young]

I am working on a mourning impression for this season's events. I recently purchased an empty mourning brooch and was planning on placing hair of a late loved one inside. What would be the most common way of laying the hair behind the glass? Is a plain loop of hair ok or should it be braided? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Becky Young

[Drygoods]

Re: Filling an Empty Hair Brooch

Well, if you are doing hair of a young girl or woman, I'd braid it, however if you're doing a man or older boy, I'd do a loop. If you want a smooth hair curl look, I'd suggest that you use a clear drying glue stick and wet the back of a paper with the glue. Then with your fingers, smooth the hair over that paper, try to line each hair evenly next to each other. Make a loop with your fingers and then cross the curl back over that smoothed portion, and then carefully place back into the brooch. This will help keep your curl from slipping and shifting, and is totally accurate.
Doing a cut hair picture, you use the same process of smooth glue and hair, or if you want a powdered ground hair scene, you will need to first boil the hair, grind it to a fine pulp, and then glue whatever scene you wish to replicate or do letters of the individual &c,. I know that this is likely far more than you wanted, but hair jewelry really is a thing of beauty when you realize the value it means to the owner, and how much the individual wished to preserve the memory and love of the beloved lost one.

[Becky Young]

Re: Filling an Empty Hair Brooch

Thank you very much, Judith. I agree, hair jewelry truly is an art and I appreciate the information. For authenticity, would you recommend a hide glue to adhere the hair to paper?

Becky Young