Update - June 2023
Hi Friends,
If you’re new here I’m Zen, and I live with my husband and three teenagers in beautiful Idaho. I recently left my job in the fly fishing industry to pursue this passion project of mine full-time, so I thank you for all of your support. It’s been a bit since I’ve given an update about the “hairy” projects I’ve got going on, so here we go!
Hairwork Jewelry Commissions: I’m currently working through some pieces, and have finished some lovely gems too. If you haven’t seen Alicia’s Purple Pendant or Grammy’s Memorial Ring yet, you’re in for a treat. Many people ask where I get the metal findings for my hairwork jewelry, and the answer is that they are custom-made by jewelers I collaborate with, like Brenda at Wild Carrot Hairwork! I literally couldn’t do this work without them because I am not a metalworker and there is nowhere to buy these specific findings anymore unless they are taken off of antiques. We hope to change this. Eventually, I’d like to offer an assortment of empty jewelry findings on my website for those of you who’d like to purchase them for your own work. Until then, I expect to open my shop for custom orders again in July.
In-Person Hairwork Classes: Last month I enjoyed a fun trip to Chicago, where I taught my first in-person ‘Beginning Table Braiding Hairwork’ class at Mickey Alice Kwapis’ studio. I’m so thankful to Mickey for providing the space and opportunity and for being a badass host and tour guide! I am also grateful for my wonderful students who were eager to learn and a joy to teach and chat with too. I hope to return again in the Fall for another beginning tablework class and an all-day advanced class. Dates TBD.
Online Table Braiding Tutorials: When I started to learn a few years ago, it was really hard to find anything new about how to do this. Instructions in the old texts are difficult to follow so I completely understand the want and need for modern resources, so I’m grateful for your patience while I practice and develop these techniques. I’ve begun outlining and writing some tutorials to eventually publish online, but of course, I am making slow progress with it between everything else.
Braiding Tables & Weighted Bobbin Sets: Just like the instructions are hard to find, the tools are too! I purchased my Swedish-style hairwork table from Karen Keenan at Hemslojd Studios - https://hemslojdstudios.com/hairwork-tables/ But I’ve also been developing my own hairwork table that looks more similar to Japanese-style Kumihimo silk braiding tables. I wanted to make a good entry-level table that was also able to break down and travel easily. The biggest problem with a lot of the currently available options for tables is that they are not smooth enough to braid human hair - the surface and techniques are rough on our strands and they tend to break off more easily and create uneven braids. I was able to hand-make 12 wooden braiding tables (from reclaimed hardwood flooring) to teach my Chicago class, but they were all sold by the time I got home! Last week I was able to collect some more wood and finished 5 more tables. My plan is to first assemble another teaching set, and then I will work on making more tables available for purchase. The tables will be $95 each and the weighted bobbins are $32 for a set of (10) 3/4oz bobbins with (1) 3oz counterweight.
Hair Anthropology - The Book: I will be attending a writer’s conference in Jackson, WY soon where I hope to learn more about the world of literary publishing and agents because I am still unsure how to best get all my research and writing out into the world. I am investigating the history of human hair as a material resource (beyond wigs). What did people do with hair in the past, what are we doing with it now, and what does the future of hair fiber as a resource look like? What cultural aspects shape our views of hair fiber as trash versus treasure? Why is using hair such a controversial subject? I hope to answer these questions and more!
And finally, I wrote an article about human hair fishing lines that was published in Tenkara Angler, check it out if you’d like - A History You’ve Never Heard: The Past, Present, and Future of Fishing Lines
If you have any other additional questions or comments please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best, Zen
