Custom Butterfly Silver Hair Stick and Earrings

One of our lovely customers recently ordered this custom butterfly hair stick. It is a silver-plated hair stick decorated with sapphire blue and violet Swarovski crystals and a silver-plated butterfly. The crystals are faceted to catch and reflect the light beautifully. We also made matching earrings - we think they'll look stunning worn together!


If you would like your own custom design, don't hesitate to contact us!

'How to Grow Long Hair' on Squidoo and some great Custom Orders!

Art for Hair is part of Etsy's Team SquidEtsy, a group of craftspeople and artists who use Squidoo to promote their work. Squidoo is a site where anyone can set up a page, known as a lens, about any subject they like. Our newest lens is all about long hair - how to grow it and care for it. If you're trying to grow long hair, check it out!

We're working on some great custom hairstick orders - no pictures yet, but one will be a stunning bridal stick. We're really looking forward to finishing them and getting them to their new owners!

As we're in Florida, we're also waiting for Tropical Storm Fay. Right now, it looks like we'll escape the worst, but if you are trying to contact us about an order and we don't reply, it's probably because we lost power/cable. We'll get back to you as soon as possible!

11% off at our DaWanda shop today!

We're participating in DaWanda's summer 'shopathlon' (in honor of the Olympics and European football), and today there will be 11% off our hair sticks and hair forks at our DaWanda shop. Why exactly 11% we don't know, but it's a great discount! The discount is valid from 8pm-11pm tonight, Central European Time. This should mean it starts at 3pm US Eastern Time and 11am US Pacific Time. Everything else from participating shops in the 'accessories' category at DaWanda is also reduced. Happy shopping!

Customer Review!

I designed this flower dangle hair stick as a special custom order for a lovely customer. We were delighted to hear that it arrived safely, and is just what she wanted. With her permission, this is what she told us about her new, unique hairstick:

"The hairstick arrived safely today! Thank you so much for making it for me. I love it! This is so gorgeous!

I'm glad that you added the dangle for me because I really like how it hangs and moves. The hairstick looks so beautiful when used in hair - just the right portion of wooden part and the flower part are showing, and the dangle is just so pretty.

Thank you very much again for such wonderful work of art."

Thanks so much for the review!

Indian Head Massage

Indian head massage (also known as champissage) originated nearly 4000 years ago, as a technique to aid hair growth, improve health and decrease stress. Indian women use oils (often coconut) to nourish their hair, while the gentle massage improves the circulation and therefore helps stimulate hair growth. In Indian culture, the body's three highest chakras (energy centers) are located in the forehead, crown of the head and throat. Massage of these balances the body's energy, as the chakras regulate energy flow through the body. If you are trying to grow long hair, regular head massages can help you achieve consistent growth rates by stimulating circulation. It's also a great relaxation technique, and tired children love it too! Oil is optional, but does help stop hair tangling and also nourishes hair. If your prefer not to use oil, gentle massage should not tangle the hair.

To give a basic Indian head massage, start at your partner's shoulders. Gently squeeze the muscles, starting from the base of the neck and continuing out to the shoulders. Holding their shoulders, make small circles with your thumbs, up and down their neck. Now put your hands on the sides of their head, with your fingertips and the heel of your hands touching their scalp, and your fingers pointing up. Gently massage their head, as if you are working in shampoo. Next, put one hand against your partner's forehead for support, and massage their head with the heel of you other hand. Finally, make small circles with your fingertips on their temples and stroke their head from the forehead back. Make these strokes lighter and lighter to complete the massage, until you are barely touching their head.

If you do not have a partner, these techniques can be adapted for use on yourself. Regular head massage should help you grow long, healthy hair!

DaWanda Summer Games Discounts!

We've decided to take part in DaWanda's 'Summer Games' - between August 8th and 24th, in honor of the European Football Championships, DaWanda is holding twice daily discounts. Every day, between noon and 3pm, and 8 and 11pm Central European Time, selected items from participating shops will be discounted by 11%. Our understanding is that it is random which days our hair sticks and forks will be discounted, but check out the DaWanda site from August 8th, and our DaWanda shop, to find out more.

DaWanda Front Pages!

Our hairsticks and forks made the front page of DaWanda today! DaWanda is a European-based marketplace for hand-crafted items and art, much like Etsy in the US. We have had a shop at DaWanda for a little over a month, and have a variety of hairsticks and forks listed there. When I went to DaWanda to check on our shop today, I was surprised and pleased to see our Red Flower Custom Length Hair Sticks as one of the featured items on the front page! Yay!


These hair sticks are hand-carved from poplar, and can be made to order in any length. They feature Czech glass red and flower beads, accented with silver-plated beads. They are a great summer hair accessory.

A while later, our Red Oak Curve Hair Fork was featured too. This is hand-carved to any length you choose, from the beautiful hardwood red oak.

Check out our DaWanda shop for more information!

Individual Dangles for our Interchangeable Dangle Hairsticks

These are some of the individual dangles that we've been working on for our new interchangeable dangle hairsticks. These hairsticks have a barrel screw-clasp which allows a dangle to be taken off and changed for a different one.


We already have hairsticks at our Etsy shop, which come with 2 interchangeable dangles, but these dangles will be available to purchase individually. Once you have a hairstick with this system, you will be able to buy more dangles individually, so creating an extremely versatile collection of dangles, without the expense of having to keep buying a whole new set of hairsticks each time you fancy a change. These dangles will be available at our Etsy shop very soon!

Hair Sticks with Interchangeable Dangles!

Another of our new ideas for unique and 'different' hair sticks is now available at our Etsy shop. We've had a line of dangle hairsticks for some time, but were looking for ways to improve. So, interchangeable dangle hairsticks were born. These hairsticks use a silver-plated barrel clasp (like that found on a bracelet or necklace) to allow the dangle to be removed and replaced with a different one. This makes the hairsticks very versatile, as different dangles can make them suitable for many different occasions. We will be selling sets of hairsticks with several dangles, and also separate dangles. This means that if you have already purchased a hairstick from us with our interchangeable system, you can collect a variety of dangles to attach to it.


We've just listed the first of our interchangeable dangle hairsticks at our Etsy shop. In future, these will also be available at our website, once we have completed our redesign. The first hair stick we've listed on Etsy is shown in these pictures, and is a 6 inch wooden hardwood stick topped with a pink faceted Czech glass bead and silver-plated round beads. One dangle features a vintage-style butterfly with black detailing and more pink faceted beads and silver-plated beads. The other dangle is shorter, and consists of jet-black faceted glass beads and silver-plated beads.


We'll be adding hair stick and dangle sets, and also individual dangles, so check back at our Etsy shop soon!

New Asymmetric Hair Sticks

Our latest additions to our Etsy and Dawanda shops are asymmetric hair sticks, like this pair of Green Jasper Asymmetric Hair Sticks.


I started by making the cascade stick with fancy jasper chips, but thought that a pair of them would be a little much. So, instead of a matching pair, I made a more simple, dangle-less stick to accompany it. I love this combination, as the sticks can be worn together, or else individually for great versatility. Of course, if you would like a pair of the cascaded sticks, we'd be happy to make them for you! Fancy Jasper is believed to have meta-physical properties, encouraging mental clarity and relieving worry and depression.


I also made a version using the semi-precious stone Tiger Eye:


These hair sticks are available at Etsy and Dawanda shops so far, we're working on a major website overhaul and will have a variety of asymmetric hairsticks on our website when the new version is up.

Dangle Chain Hairsticks now at Etsy!

We've just got a new supply order, and can finally work on a lot of new designs. We'll have a lot of new stuff at Etsy, Dawanda and our own website very soon!

First, we have these new chain dangle hairsticks. The decorative chain dangles from the top of the hairstick, and is attached to the other end of the hairstick with a small elastic ring. The chain can dangle under a hairstyle such as a cinnamon bun, or chinese bun (as in the pictures), or be wrapped around the hair.

They're a great addition to a hairtoy selection, whether to dress up for a formal event, look your best for a date or just for fun everyday.

Our first chain dangle hairsticks on Etsy are the Glass Flower Chain Hair Stick and the Turquoise and Jet Chain Dangle Hair Stick.

The Glass Flower Chain Hair Stick features green and blue Czech glass flowers and a beautiful green-blue fire-polished glass bead at the top. The stick is 6 inches long and the chain is approximately 7.25 inches long. The flower beads are beautiful light colors, which make it an ideal spring and summer stick. It would be great with a summer dress for those summer afternoon parties!

The Turquoise and Jet Chain Dangle Hair Stick features reconstituted turquoise beads, jet black faceted glass rondelle and coin beads and silver-plated beads. It would ideally complement a western-inspired outfit or would go well with blue or black outfits.

This stick would really pop on blonde or grey hair!

We'll have more new designs online soon, so check back soon!

Styles 4 - Half-Up Bun

This simple hairstyle is a variation of the cinnamon bun, but only half the hair is put up and the rest left down. It may be possible to create this style with hair that is not yet long enough to do a regular cinnamon bun. One or two hairsticks may be used.

First, hold your hair back in a regular half-up. With one hand on the base against your head, twist the hair so it forms a 'rope'. When it is fairly tight, coil the rope to form the bun. I find it easier to do this by twisting it around my finger.

Insert the hairstick into the outer coil, first horizontally 'into' your head, and the rotating so it is pointing the direction in which it will go through the bun. Make sure you 'weave' the hairstick in and out of the scalp and bun hair, so that the half-up bun is held against your head.

Art for Hair Joins DaWanda

So, since we have so many European buyers, we decided to join DaWanda and set up a new shop there. DaWanda is an online marketplace for hand-crafted goods, like Etsy, but aimed at the European market. We're still finding our way around, but so far it looks great, and has some really useful features for both sellers and buyers.

DaWanda has sites in English, French and German, and since Lindsey speaks all these languages, we'll have our items listed in all these languages soon. So far, we're still feeling our way around. We've listed some hair sticks and have forks to come.

The green flower, hand-carved red oak sticks shown here are available on DaWanda as custom length - choose what length you require, and we'll make them to your specification. The pearl dangle sticks have a 6 inch functional length and feature freshwater pearls in a beautiful dark peacock color.

A couple of differences from Etsy are how users can leave public comments for items, and set up 'pinboards' of their favorites... oh, and prices are in Euros, of course!

If you're in Europe, come visit us at Dawanda soon!

Customer Review - Butterfly Cascade Silver Hair Stick

One of our lovely customers made our day yesterday, when she sent us this review of her new Butterfly Cascade Hair Stick, bought from our Etsy shop. With her permission, here is her review:

Short Review:
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

Longer Review:
I fell in love with this hair stick when I saw the picture online. I’ve been looking for a 4 to 5 inch hair stick to put my hair (newly grown to waist length after years with shoulder length hair) into a cinnamon or Chinese bun. I’ve tried the traditional hair sticks sold at places like Claire’s, but they’re usually 8 to 9 inches long, and stick out so far on my tiny head (I’m 5’3”) that they look odd. Not only that, but large hair sticks mean it’s impossible to hug people (almost poked out some relatives’ eyes!) or even drive a car without leaning forward to avoid the stick(s) gouging into the headrest. So I was thrilled to find a dainty little stick that was still sturdy and ‘load-bearing’ enough to hold long hair in place.

I loved the delicate little fairy crystals that hang down from this stick (which is completely gorgeous in its own right even without the dangly sparkles). And when I saw the butterfly on the end I knew I had to have it – it was so beautiful!

It’s always nerve-wracking ordering online (or through a catalog), because you can never be sure that what arrives will be as nice as the picture. Well, I’ve never been more delighted with a purchase ordered sight unseen! The hair stick is at least ten times as beautiful as it was in the picture – the movement of the crystals, the play of light upon both the stick and the crystals, all contribute to its incredible beauty. I’m absolutely delighted.

And the earrings! What a lovely bonus! I usually have a hard time getting earrings to work for me (my small face and short neck means many earrings overpower my face) and so stick to simple teardrops. I thought these earrings, when I saw them, though gorgeous, would overpower my face. But they look wonderful, not too overpowering, but beautifully dramatic while still in perfect proportion. The hook on the wires to keep them fastened is wonderful, since the hook-less wires do sometimes work their way loose.

All in all, this is one of the best gifts I’ve ever bought myself! I’m absolutely thrilled!

I’m hoping to rope a relative with a camera into taking pictures of it in my hair sometime soon, since I don’t own one. But until then know that it’s absolute perfection – in and of itself, of course, but especially In My Hair!

Please accept my profound gratitude for such an exquisite piece of hair jewelry! It’s a true work of art!

Yay! We put a lot of care and effort into making our hair jewelry, so it is great to know that it is so appreciated.

Happy 4th of July!

Last day for FREE EARRINGS!

To celebrate our Etsy shop opening at the end of May, we have been having an Opening Special this month:

Free earrings with any hair stick or fork purchase!

However, this is only for orders made and paid for in the month of June - and June is quickly coming to an end! Visit our Etsy shop to make a purchase today to receive your free earrings!

Art for Hair joins the Squid-Etsy Street Team!

We are so happy to become a member of this street team!

Etsy (the online marketplace for hand-crafted goods where we have a shop) street teams are groups of Etsy artists united by a common interest, who band together to support and promote each other. The Squid-Etsy Team is a group of artists who use Squidoo to promote their shops and explore their other interests. Squidoo is site where anyone can create a page (known as a lens) for free, and others can view, rate and leave comments. It's great for networking and pretty addictive! Our Art for Hair lens includes the history of hair sticks and different ways to put hair up using hair sticks and forks, as well as a preview of the hair sticks and hand-carved hair forks currently available at our Etsy shop.

Don't forget to check out SquidEtsy Team lenses here! The SquidEtsy team has some very talented members, we'll be featuring other members here and on Squidoo very soon.

Styles 3 - Chinese Bun

A Chinese Bun is a another way to put long hair up that can be secured with a single hair stick. It's suitable for any occasion, from formal office wear to casual styles, just select a hair stick to coordinate with your outfit! You'll also need a hair elastic (preferably one without metal, which can snag and damage your hair), and bobby pins to help secure the ends of your hair, or shorter layers, are optional. Follow these instructions to create a Chinese Bun.

First, draw your hair back into a ponytail and secure with a hairband, preferably in a color matching your hair. Insert a hair stick horizontally, behind the hairband.

Separate the ponytail into 2 sections. Take each section and bring it up over the hair stick, and then down behind it.

Now, take each section diagonally to the other side (so you are now holding the section that was on the right in your left hand, and vice versa). Wrap each section up and down behind the hairstick, like you did before.

If your hair is long enough, continue to wrap both sections round behind the hair stick in a circle until you have used the whole length of your hair. Here, the hair was not long enough for this, so the ends were just tucked under. You can either tuck them into the hairband or use bobby pins the same color as your hair to secure them.


After a little practice (use a pencil if you like first), this style should hold all day!

More new creations for Etsy

We have more new creations listed today. First up are these hair sticks, hand-carved with a flower design and stunning glass beads:


Here's a preview of more of our hand-carved hair sticks, which will be up on Etsy soon:

Custom Length Hair Sticks!

New on Etsy - custom length hair sticks! We decided to offer something a little different from the other hair sticks we have - with these, when you buy, we will custom-carve the hair stick to the length that you specify. Now you can have this hair stick in the perfect length for your hair! The stick is jet-black, glossy hardwood, topped with a genuine silver and black 'Desert Sun' bead, jet-black faceted glass beads and a genuine freshwater Keishi pearl in a beautiful dark peacock color. The dangles are made up of more Keishi pearls and faceted jet-black glass beads. We'll be adding more custom-length hair sticks on Etsy soon!

So what *are* hair sticks?

Have you ever seen a woman with long hair apparently effortlessly up in an intricate style with a pencil, chopstick or more elegant stick? I always envied these women their ability to quickly create these styles, until I discovered hair sticks myself. Hair sticks are decorative pieces of art, which really do make these styles extremely easy for anyone with shoulder-length or longer hair to create, with a little practice.

Hair sticks have been used since ancient times, and there are records of them being used by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Of course, it is the Chinese and Japanese cultures which are best known for their use of hair sticks. In Japan, Geishas used elaborate hair sticks as part of their decorative styles. As a Geisha progressed in seniority, they wore different hair sticks to signify their rank. Different sticks, colors and flowers were also worn with different seasons and festivals. These hair sticks were called Kanzashi.

During the 1920s, hair sticks became more widely used in the West. Today, they remain a classic way to style long hair; they will never be out of fashion. Hair sticks today are made from wood, bone or metal, and choice of material is largely a personal preference. The tops may simply be carved into a design, or decorated with beads or dangles. There is a hair stick for every occasion, from designs suitable for casual, everyday wear to those for office wear, special occasions and formal events.

A major advantage of hair sticks is how little they damage long hair. When growing long hair, it is very important to minimize damage and breakage, and hair sticks are some of the least damaging hair accessories. Contrary to popular belief, long hair does not have to take a long time to style every morning. Compared to the blowdrying and styling products often needed to style short hair, putting up long hair with hair sticks takes no time at all! Also, you do not have to have superlong hair to use hair sticks. As long as your hair is shoulder-length or longer, you will be able to use hair sticks. Any hair stick purchase from Art for Hair includes fully illustrated instructions for several styles, so you will easily be able to create a variety of styles. We will also regularly post hair style instructions on this blog, so check back soon!