Hairwork

Hairwork is jewelry made of hair. By a technique reminding of lace-making the hairs are braided together in fine patterns. The jewelry is sewed together from the different small braids.
Every piece of hairwork is unique. The length, thickness, color and quality of the hair all affect the final result. For such a natural, vivid material as hair, each piece becomes most individual. If the hair originates from a relative or a close friend - of course it becomes still more personal.

The history of hairwork goes back at least to the 17th century. From this time, pieces of jewelry have been preserved, e. g. in England and Denmark. The period of greatness of hair-art fell in the 19th century. At this time the handicraft was practiced all over Europe and North America. It was modern to combine hair with gold and stones at this time.
In Sweden the art mainly is associated to the village of Våmhus in Dalecarlia. From the beginning of the 19th century many women from Våmhus traveled all over Europe to produce and market their hairwork. These journeys became one of the most important sources of income in this poor village. The tradition has been kept alive and today there are about 100 descendants of Våmhus who know the art of hairwork.