Necklaces Made from Human Hair

Craft & Design

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Kerry Howley wanted to make human hair less repulsive, so she made these amazingly intricate necklaces from it.

The necklaces are made of human hair, a material we are familiar with and take pride in. However once off of the body it becomes an innate source of aversion. I wanted to see if I could make discarded hair attractive again.

[via buzzfeed and geekosysytem]

16 thoughts on “Necklaces Made from Human Hair

  1. Katy Hancock says:

    Well there’s no doubt these are beautiful and intricate, innovative and totally quirky – all of the characteristics that usually suck me in. In the same breath (albeit separated by a full stop) these fit in to the category of those hoof stilettos I saw a while ago – I couldn’t possibly think about wearing them. I can’t stand my hair on my face/neck now, particularly little flyway bits that tickle!
    But they are incredible – and the Kerry Howley is a very talented lady.

  2. Nancy Cruse says:

    Beautiful designs but the thought of wearing one…not so much

  3. Knittergirl01 says:

    I have two pins that are made from hair. I think that they are from the 1900’s. It’s just amazing what people were doing with hair.

  4. AC says:

    still repulsive. i get the heebie jeebies just looking at it.

  5. Nasty says:

    Yes, the design is nice and intricate, but the end result is messy, no matter what it is made out of. The fact that it is made from hair makes this even more repulsive.

  6. Andrew S says:

    Hello Nasty and AC,
    I think you’re probably right that the hair isn’t really any less repulsive (even though that was her goal). I think the win here is that she followed through on kind of an unusual idea and ended up with some really striking images of her project.

  7. Alison Cutler says:

    I just gave a lesson today for The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers on Hair Art. Popular in the Europe from the 1400’s to 1700’s. Hair was thought to have “magical” qualities since it was so long lasting. Early pioneers collected their hair and made wreaths, jewelery, flowers, watch chains etc. Many famous people wore hair jewelery including Queen Victoria who wore a bracelet until her death that had a picture of Prince Albert as well as a lock of his hair. Many copied her example and wore brooches, necklaces, etc. with a deceased loved one’s hair during the traditional year of mourning. Napoleon wore a watch chain made from Empress Maria Louise’s hair. It was not unusual for someone to request to be buried with a lock of hair from a spouse or mistress. Couples also had special jewelery or framed artwork made from their hair to commemorate their wedding day or other special events in their lives. Hair Art — who knew?!

  8. L S K says:

    I am amazed that you could do that I have anccestory who made hair art and ive often wondered how to do it I think its beautiful

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Artist, writer, and teacher who makes work about popular culture, technology, and traditional craft processes. http://www.andrewsalomone.com

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