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Making My Own Copper Ponytail Holder



I am rather fond of a ponytail. I put my hair in a ponytail a lot - when I'm making jewellery, swimming or just need it out of the way. I usually just grab a covered elastic band but sometimes I fancy something a bit nicer to adorn my barnet {"barnet fair" - Cockney rhyming slang for hair}.

I have a decorative, plastic ponytail holder with a now very tired and stretched bit of elastic attached to it which I've been trying to replace for ages but haven't managed to find anything when I've been out and about. But through the power of Pinterest and the random journey I embarked on one day - I think it started with me looking at enamel stuff then seeing something pretty and veering way off track until I found myself staring at a page of hair accessories - that I saw an idea for making your own ponytail holder and decided I just had to have a go.


I started by straightening the edges on a piece of textured copper I've had hanging around for a couple of years. It was just about the right size for the ponytail holder too which was lucky.


I then annealed and shaped the copper piece into a curve.



The next step was to make the loop that would hold the elastic band. I flattened a piece of 14g copper wire and made a loop then bent the ends of the wire to make some "feet" which is where the loop would be glued to the piece of copper.


Ready for oxidizing.


This is after I'd cleaned up the oxidized copper and glued the loop into position. I dithered a bit trying to get it centered then still managed to get it nearer one side than the other but once that Gorilla glue came into contact with the copper the loop wasn't moving anywhere :D 

I left it for the glue to dry for a couple of hours then decided to model it...


Welcome to the back of my head! A slightly messy ponytail but you get the idea.

I'm now planning on making another copper version but I think I'll curve it slightly more than this one and make the feet part of the loop flatter so there's a larger area for the glue. I think an enamelled version would be very nice too :D






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Comments

  1. This is so cute, I wear my hair in a ponytail everyday with scrunchies of different colors to match my clothes but a metal band would be so cool

    ReplyDelete
  2. You've been busy I see. :D Love the pony tail holder.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It came out great! It must feel good to treat yourself, especially when it is something so useful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I don't feel guilty for making this for myself as I did need one!

      Delete
  4. This was truly a great, great idea! Will definitely try it out!

    ReplyDelete

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