studio notes #8
This is a more technical update. I've been researching table hair work techniques, which is basically a way of braiding strands of hair using an elevated flat surface with a hole in the middle. Traditionally, the finished braids are then boiled into shape on molds and used to create the cords found in hair work rings and bracelets. I will be using plastic grocery bags instead of hair. I’ve been surprised by how difficult it is to find modern books about the technique. Y'all may know that I taught myself kumihimo from books a few years ago so I could use it with strips of grocery bags. So I am pretty sure the two techniques are similar but I am curious about what is different when working with hair.
Since I couldn't find any modern texts, I started looking for original sources.
I first came across Self-Instructor in the Art of Hair Work by Mark Campbell, which has been interesting, but the first pattern I tried was a complete failure. I had a feeling there was something I was missing.
That led me to Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, which has been utterly fascinating as an artifact of its time. But it also turned out to be a really useful technical resource. The magazine actually starts from the beginning and teaches its Victorian readers how to make hair work at home, starting from the beginning and using things they may already have at home.
I didn't have a top hat or a band box just laying around, so instead I'm using a makeshift "third hand” that I'm in the process of designing to give my left hand some relief. I started with the first suggested pattern and, unlike the Campbell pattern, it made a cord!
It did take me 2 more tries to get what I think may be the correct pattern. In sample #2 I added a strip of black plastic to the center to see how that looked. And in sample #3 I used 1 brown and 1 black strand with no internal cord. Each time I worked on balancing the weight with my quilting clips.
Here are the Godey's sections I've been using so far:
Volume 58, Issue 2 - february 1959 — overview
Volume 58, Issue 3 - march 1959 — overview continued
Volume 58, Issue 4 - april 1959 — overview continued + round chain plait
I also finished my second sample! I've made it into a necklace and have worn it on several walks so far to see how the weight feels and how it moves.
Inspiration for the future
While I was scanning through Godey's, I came across references to vivariums and fans, among other things. Both immediately made me wonder if they could become part of the visual language for thinking about climate change.
I'm not sure where either of those ideas will go yet, but they're going in the binder.
My husband also put the latest sample up to his forehead which I fell in love with and now I want to make something that would work like that…
