Okay, so I bought some hair stick blanks, and some beads and stuff. Now what? The head pins I bought are a little loose in the drilled holes, should I use glue to hold them in place? What kind of glue?

What about the top of the pin? It slides throught the biggish hole on my glass bead - can I use a little seed bead right at the very top to keep the big, pretty bead from falling off? Do I need glue between the beads?

Can you tell I've never done any beading? :lol:

Any advice appreciated - thanks!

I often use glue in between my beads.. just for the sake of a perfectionist trait. Using a small bead at the end is ideal for keeping a bigger one on.
Find a nice, thick superglue.. I've been using epoxy or a hot glue gun, but it got a bit messy. The epoxy takes forever to dry, and the glue gun leaves too much spiderweb.

Have fun!
Anais

Wow, that was a quick reply! Thank you. I can't wait to make my own sticks!

I think that making your own hair sticks is a very cool hobby. The lady from Longlocks.com makes all her hair sticks, and she charges a lot for them! Maybe you could look at the photos on her site to see how she does them. :flower:

Rapunzel's such a sweetheart.. you could probably email her for advice too.

We just use superglue to hold the pins in. If the holes are nice and small, they won't come out easily, anyway.

You don't really need to glue the beads together. Plus it would take a really clear, small amount of glue so it wouldn't look gunky. If you have wire on a spool, you could make spirials at the end instead of getting premade headpins.

Where do you find the blank hair sticks? And the beads and stuff? I think it would be cool to make myself a set of hair sticks.

I'm curious about where to get the stuff too... Please let us know how they turn out Seabear! :flower:

Thanks for all the advice. I'll definitely keep you updated - the sticks are almost ready to decorate. My DH is an expert at wood finishing, and he is teaching me how to get a flawlessly smooth finish!

I purchased the blanks on ebay, and I've gotten some beads and findings at the local craft stores, Michael's and Joann Etc. I found a darling pair of glass beads shaped like turtles! How cute will they be on hair sticks? :grin:

I'll try to post pics when I have some finished. Thanks again - :flowers:

Don't forget www.firemountaingems.com. They have lots of hairstick blank and adhesives etc.
Daneille

Thanks for the link, Daneielle, and the idea, all ... I never thought they sold actual hairstick blanks to make my own hairsticks. Neat :grin:

Seabear--are they finished yet? :smile: I'm anxious to know... I've been looking at blanks and beads online! :wink: I'm excited to see how they turned out. :flower:

I finished one pair, they have little turtles on them. I'll try to post a pic later. But I'm not satisfied with the glue I used, it's too flexible, so I'm testing two different adhesives right now - ModPodge and good ol' Elmer's white glue. I'm hoping one of them will offer a better bond than the one I used.

Sigh. The turtles are sooooo cute, but I'm not sure this glue will hold them for long, I may even disassemble this pair and re-do them when I find a better glue. For what it's worth, don't use Elmer's Craft Bond Stix All. :shake:

However, the finish on the sticks is fabulously smmoooooth, DH taught me to sand with very fine emery cloth (320 grit), then superfine steel wool (I think it's 000 or 0000). Applied stain at this point. (Note: Let the stain dry completely!) I put small wire brads through a piece of heavy cardboard and used them to stand the sticks upright so DH could spray with polyurethane for me and they could dry upright. I then applied paste wax with superfine steel wool and buffed smooth with a soft cloth. The sticks themselves are really marvy!

So - trial and error still, but once I get it right, I have lots of ideas for sticks. And I'm having fun doing it! Please share what you've learned, if you try making some sticks - we can all learn from each other. :flower:

Okay, here are my first attempts. Forgive the bad photos, my digicam doesn't have very good resolution. Plain ol' Elmers white glue ended up working the best - strongest bond and dries clear. I know it won't hold up in water, but I don't think that will be a problem. As I said, the Stix-All is too flexible and makes the toppers wobbly; ModPodge is waterproof, but the bond wasn't as strong as the Elmer's. SuperGlue bonds too quickly and I wasn't able to adjust the beads once I stuck them together.

To put the toppers on, I put uncooked rice in a short, stable drinking glass, like an on-the-rocks type glass, and stuck the sticks in the rice to hold them up vertically - worked great! A mug would work well, also.

So, I am working on the finish of two more sets of sticks to play with, and planning to order more. What fun!

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20049207482776772176772.jpg
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/20049203578760009193658.jpg

Cute!

My problem with making hairsticks was that my wires were of too high a gauge, so they wobbled and bent with handling.

I moved on to making metal hairsticks. Much easier! And the hammering releaves frustration and anger! :)

Those are humdinger cute - I'm constantly looking for glues and ways to varnish myself so if I come up with anything good I'll honk in ...g

They turned out great!! Thanks for sharing... :grin: Sooner or later I'm going to order blanks... they're not in this month's hair budget though! :rolleyes: I'm thinking of making them for Xmas gifts? I'll let you know. I'm so inspired right now... :flowers:

I would Love to see a picture of your home made hairsticks...
Sounds like so much fun!

Seabear, those sticks are beautiful! I love both pairs.

I had the same experience with super glue, I much prefer glues that take a couple of hours to set. I use Pattex Transparent (might be a European thing). I also sharply bend the head pin back for a mm or two before I glue it in if the hole in the stick blank is big enough, I figure that makes it easier for the glue to hold on to.

Hmmm, you make me want to play ... I still have material for another couple of pairs sitting here.

Mare, I wish I could find steel headpins that are thin and long enough. The sterling pins from FMG that I use are okay, but I'd prefer something more stable, too.
Your metal hair sticks sound interesting, do you happen to have a pic?

I also sharply bend the head pin back for a mm or two before I glue it in if the hole in the stick blank is big enough, I figure that makes it easier for the glue to hold on to.



OOh, good idea, Madeleine, I'll try that on my next pair of sticks. (and thank you for complimenting my efforts!)

And Mare - yes, pics please of your metal sticks, if you can! We want to see!

I'm looking for a source for stronger headpins, too. When I wore my black/white pair on Tuesday, I banged them on the car door frame getting in and bent the headpin... :rolleyes: What a klutz.

Mare of Earth, I'm also interested in how you are making metal hairsticks. What kind of metal do you work with, and where can I find a supplier?

Please do post a pic!

I love your sticks, Seabear! I've made a few pair but need to polish up my skills. Need a better glue too. Thanks for sharing how you prepare your sticks. I have a feeling that now that my hair is longer it will be bunned more often.

They look great - I especially like the turtle ones. ^^

That makes me want to make a pair or two or a hundred... But do you have to order the blanks online? (Parents would never go for that)

I shop frequently at our local "Thrift Stores" and have found many stunning Chech Crystal necklaces, pearl necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc. I take them apart and for years have recreated my own looks. Now that I have been making my own hair sticks, I purchased them from a "store" on eBay called Many Horses, (I think). (There are many to choose from, just type in 'hair sticks'.) The owner of the store wrote to me and told me she uses Bond 6000 glue which I found at Wal-Mart (craft aisle) and also at Hobby Lobby. I have used it and it's OK, better than anything else I've tried. You will get a much better buy on jewelry findings and all sorts of beads / parts just by shopping at your local thrift stores and yard sales too. Sometimes I'll by a necklace just because it has one or two unique beads, or the clasp is wonderful. To buy the whole necklace just for one or two parts is often less expensive than ordering something with S & H attached to the fee. I have decorated probably 100 head bands, vintage hair combs, barrettes, and now onto hair sticks, which I have made 10 pair and I see no end in sight. But that's me, I never do anything in moderation! :silly: Be consistant and regulary stop by your thrift stores. It's the wierdest thing, whenever I've really wanted just about anything , it invariably shows up within 6 months time, and it could be the most unusual item you could imagine. Good Luck rummaging through your local troves of 'treasure chests'.

Silverlady, I just want to say I think your hair is GORGEOUS! I love that color, and aspire to it someday. :) Just STUNNING!

I’m barely beginning to dabble in hairstick making, and have some beads, spacers, findings set aside for toppers, but am curious as to the blanks. I really want to try to make durable metal sticks. Any clue where I could find those blanks (for cheeep)? I know some ladies use knitting needles, which is fine with me, but . . . exactly how would the toppers be attached? Would glue be strong enough? And which glue, exactly? I’m looking for a water-resistant, extremely durable stick, from blank to glue to findings. Any clues?

I’m barely beginning to dabble in hairstick making, and have some beads, spacers, findings set aside for toppers, but am curious as to the blanks. I really want to try to make durable metal sticks. Any clue where I could find those blanks (for cheeep)? I know some ladies use knitting needles, which is fine with me, but . . . exactly how would the toppers be attached? Would glue be strong enough? And which glue, exactly? I’m looking for a water-resistant, extremely durable stick, from blank to glue to findings. Any clues?

I would suggest looking into stainless steel chopsticks for metal blanks. Though most of them are 9 inches long, and many are hollow. Look for solid ones that you can grind down.

I plan on buying a set of SS Chopsticks myself, but am going to use them as is on my hair. I also plan on making a bunch of wood hairsticks with different beaded decorations, from items gotten from Fire Mountain Gems.

Just FYI, I have used FMG for Years and they are a wonderfully respectable company. They have an AWESOME HUGE Catalog you can order for free...in case folks didn't know that. ;)

i've done hairsticks too. there is a glue...got it at walmart back in the crafting section....E5000...i think...something like that anyway....
as for the blanks...ebay....beads...everywhere...dont forget to look at old necklaces, bracelets..found at thrift stores...antique stores..yardsales.....do you post these on here for sale? if so....i might do that..

I am very new to this sight and until now my hair has been nothing but frustrations. Now that I found out all kinds of ways to take care of it and style it "I am hooked" I luv hair sticks but I still am having trouble getting them to stay in. I would love to make some of my own. How do you start and how do you attach everything?

That's great.. making your own hairsticks :)

Hi!! I read thru the posts and the glue that I have used is E6000. Probably about the best glue I have found so far. Fire Mountain Gems carries it, and I think it was Hobby Lobby that had it as well. My computer bit the dust a little while ago and still trying to get things back to normal, so I wasn't able to see Seabear's pics. waaa!! I love looking at other people's creations and say go for it!! I make my own hairsticks now, but have used the wood blanks and also the giant porcupine quills (also in Fire Mountain Gems). If you are using the wood blanks, since they have already been sanded a little (I like a smooth satin glass-like finish) you could probably start with a grit of 150 and then move to a 220 grit after that. The higher the number, the finer the grit, the smoother the finished product will be. Then you could spray it with a polyurethane, lacquer, etc. I know that they do have the polyurethane in a spray can at Lowe's or Home Depot. I have a spray gun/air compressor set up for finishing my pieces. I used to hit the flea markets and yard sales as well, to get inexpensive unique beads, or the hobby shops. Then I took a class and started to make my own beads (lampworking). You can find hand lampworked beads on Ebay, I sell mine there as well. I don't glue my beads into my hairsticks, I drill a tiny hole thru the stick and use gold-filled or sterling silver head pins to attach my beads, but that is the way I have designed my sticks. I hope this gives you a start. I wish you much luck in making your pieces.

Hi!! I read thru the posts and the glue that I have used is E6000. Probably about the best glue I have found so far. Fire Mountain Gems carries it, and I think it was Hobby Lobby that had it as well. My computer bit the dust a little while ago and still trying to get things back to normal, so I wasn't able to see Seabear's pics. waaa!! I love looking at other people's creations and say go for it!! I make my own hairsticks now, but have used the wood blanks and also the giant porcupine quills (also in Fire Mountain Gems). If you are using the wood blanks, since they have already been sanded a little (I like a smooth satin glass-like finish) you could probably start with a grit of 150 and then move to a 220 grit after that. The higher the number, the finer the grit, the smoother the finished product will be. Then you could spray it with a polyurethane, lacquer, etc. I know that they do have the polyurethane in a spray can at Lowe's or Home Depot. I have a spray gun/air compressor set up for finishing my pieces. I used to hit the flea markets and yard sales as well, to get inexpensive unique beads, or the hobby shops. Then I took a class and started to make my own beads (lampworking). You can find hand lampworked beads on Ebay, I sell mine there as well. I don't glue my beads into my hairsticks, I drill a tiny hole thru the stick and use gold-filled or sterling silver head pins to attach my beads, but that is the way I have designed my sticks. I hope this gives you a start. I wish you much luck in making your pieces.


that is so great... I can't wait to try to make some... I did buy some stuff on fire mountain gems. but I wanted to make some dangle ones and I am unsure how to do that? what do I use and how to do it?

that is so great... I can't wait to try to make some... I did buy some stuff on fire mountain gems. but I wanted to make some dangle ones and I am unsure how to do that? what do I use and how to do it?

Go to their website and look under the free projects section. There are tons of how tos there, and the earring and necklace techniques apply to making dangly thingys on hair sticks.

Good luck and Have Fun!
:D

For glue I use a gemsetting epoxy (2 tubes, you mix it) that I had for silversmithing. I figure if it's meant for fine jewelry it should work for hairsticks. lol

My boyfriend recently made me hairsticks out of old wood we had lying around the house. First he sawed the thin round wood down to stick size, and then he used a stanley knife on them to taper the ends down. Then he sanded them down with very rough sanding paper, and treated them with some wood varnish, and this is the result :inlove: :smooch:

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1306/stokjesbehandeld1we.th.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stokjesbehandeld1we.jpg)

I'd love to find an easier way to do these, though...

I tested them, and they sit surprisingly well in my hair. They don't slide out easily and are thicker than most sticks. :thumbsup:

Hello all :) I have a question.
I also plan to do my own sticks, and I have been looking online.
This is probably a moronic question, but, hmh, in http://www.firemountaingems.com they sell these sticks and say: Hair stick, dark stained wood, 6 inches long, sold per package of 10. $2.30 Are they really $2.30 per 10 pieces?? That seems too cheap :silly:

Also, does anyone know if they ship to Europe?
Thank you :D

My hubby is going to hate me...I always have a new thing to try or buy from here...LOL I know I like it, and he gets enjooyment also from it. But sometimes when I head forthe hair stuff I see it in his eyes, "She has gone crazy" . And maybe I have, but I like it. Finally I am spending some money on me.

Hair stick, dark stained wood, 6 inches long, sold per package of 10. $2.30

Ok I'm gonna answer myself, hehe. So I asked them about it and yes, they are $2.30 for a package of 10 pieces. SO cheap! :cloud9: