Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Archival Anecdotes: One way to say "I love you"

The art of hairwork is far more intricate than you might imagine. The Eddy County Museum holds two unique specimens of this craft. Both were created as a symbol of love and devotion from a wife to her husband.  

Throughout the Victorian Era, hairworks were popular tokens to signify affection, and came in the form of intricate mementos. Hair was formed into bracelets, brooches, earrings, rings, chains, necklaces, bags, bookmarks and so much more.

The popular lady's magazines of the era often provided directions and pattern designs for creating these cherished keepsakes.

Abbreviated information from the 1850 publication "Godey's Lady's Book" details the process:

• Sort the tress into lengths and tie the ends firmly and quite straight with pack thread.

• Put the hair into a small saucepan with about a pint and a half of water, and a pinch of baking soda, and boil it for 15 or 20 minutes.

• Take it out and shake off the moisture before hanging to dry. Once dry, divide it into strands containing from 20 to 30 hairs each.

• Every hair in the strand should be of the same length, and the strands should be all of an equal length.

As for tools, a fine edged penknife, a very delicate pair of scissors with fine sharp points, a couple of pencils, a fine long pin, and a palette were necessary.

The type of memento to be made was determined by the length of hair used. Short hair could easily be worked into rings, brooches or other small trinkets, while longer hair could be used to make chains, necklaces and intricate artwork.

 
 
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