Men's watch chain done in spiral weave with original findings.  When providing hair, length of the chain will be half of the original length of hair. Prices vary according to length of hair and whether original findings are requested.

Bracelets:  Bottom left is a  bead covered open weave.  In the middle is a blonde open weave teardrop bracelet and the double-open weave bracelet can be woven w/two, three or more bands in a variety of colors. Price depends upon number of bands requested and gold/silver closure.

One-of-a-kind jewelry.Tri-colored bow, white horse hair, brown human and blonde human hair.  Hair colors will vary according to availability of hair also findings/locket will vary according to availability. Price rangedepending upon findings

These are called Open weave ball earrings with Gold filled beads (brown hair pictured).  Hair can be supplied by designer or donated (at least 8 inches long).

The origin of Victorian jewelry can be traced back to the 1500's. These early pieces were worn to remind others of their mortality.  After Charles I's death in 1649, many of his followers commemorated his legacy by wearing a ring with a single flat braid of Charles's hair.

A painting from Sweden dated around 1832 shows a child holding a steel wire loop which holds horsehair rings.  The hairwork technique was passed down from generation to generation to supplement the artisans' meager income.  Over time, women would travel from their Swedish villages throughout Europe and Russia selling mainly to the wealthy.

After the French Revolution, wigs had gone out of fashion, wig makers were forced to find alternative means.  The processing of human hair was not a new phenomenon.  Saving a lock of hair was a sentiment of love.

Upon the death of her beloved Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria was consumed with grief.  She mandated that only mourning jewelry and hair jewelry be worn at court.  With the onset of the Civil War in 1861, the popularity of hair jewelry grew.  Women would wear lockets and brooches with locks of their husband's hair.  Soldiers would often carry with them a watch chain made from their loved one's hair close to their heart.

Lucy Cadwallader has been a Civil War reenactor since 1992.  She has taken her hobby to schools, conducted seminars, fashion shows, and is now specializing in the Art of Victorian Hair Jewelry.  The painstaking process begins with sorting the hair, counting out the hairs, tying them in strands, setting up the hair table, weaving the pattern, processing/setting the form, and lastly, applying the findings.

Most pieces take an average of 8 to 10 hours to complete.  Pieces in the display case can be purchased or ordered to your specification (you can supply your own hair, the hair of a loved one, or horse hair).

Thank you for your interest

Lucy Cadwallader
Lucyshairwork
 

To Contact Lucy:     E-mail her at  lucyshairwork@aol.com