hardware

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There are a lot of options for how to mount kanzashi. Traditionally they were mounted on sticks or wire prongs, but that doesn't work for everyone's hair and aesthetic preferences, so I offer options for many hair types and lengths, as well as jewelry and other accessories, in the hopes of having a little something for everybody. If there is an item you are interested in that isn't listed here, please don't hesitate to send me a message, and I'll try and add it to the lineup!

Please pardon my dust as I work on updating and polishing these photos.

Hair Accessories

The bobby pin is a tried and true user friendly hair accessory, great for short, coarse, or curly hair, or for keeping your bangs out of your face. They can also be slid onto lapels, hats, scarves, or even purse straps and lanyards. I have two varieties of bobby pin: the standard, and the ringed. Ringed bobbies are intended for those that have dangling attachments, as the pieces can be hung from any of the loops around the glue pad. These bobbies can be made in singles or pairs, and are very snug and shouldn't slide around at all.

Not just for the kids anymore, the snap clip is a quick and easy piece of hardware that can hold your hair out of your face, accent a ponytail, or even just add some flair to your lapel. These little clips can be snapped onto just about anything, and they're perfect for small sections of very thick or wiry hair. These come in singles or pairs.

A sorely underutilized accessory is the comb. Combs were very common hardware for traditional kanzashi, often made of tortoiseshell, but i find metal is easier to come by, so I can keep my prices lower. Best used to accent a bun or similar twisted sort of up'do, I can offer combs in silver or gold. These can be made in singles or pairs.

Who doesn't love a ponytail, am I right? Classic, simple, even elegant with the right accessory, you just can't go wrong with the ponytail, and a kanzashi will make this style all the more stylish. I use thick, sturdy elastic bands and seal the decoration over the seam to prevent any fraying. The glue pad is leather, so it won't crack or break, and will rest comfortably against your hair. The best way to use a kanzashi elastic is to loop the band around the flower (demonstrated top left), sort of like those bands we all used as kids with the two balls on the ends. All of my kanzashi bands are meant to be wrapped this way, to keep the flower part right where you want it, and so the flowers are attached 'sideways' for this purpose. Available in black or brown.

Sort of a halfway point between the bobby pin and the snap clip is the alligator or jaw clip. With a surprisingly strong spring hinge, these can grip your hair nice and neat, and are great for long bangs. Available in two sizes: average, and super-teeny. Super-teeny is perfect for very fine hair or clipping into small braids, dreads, or cornrows, and they're also the perfect size for doll kanzashi! I have a few without the teeth as well, which are excellent for babies or extra delicate scalps.

The spring barrette is versatile and easy to use, making it a favorite. It is well suited to all hair types, and is available in three sizes. The large clip is about 3" long and could theoretically hold all of your hair in a low pony, if your hair isn't super thick, but half-ponies are also a great look! The small and medium clips are great for pulling back sections of hair, and work nicely for asymmetrical styles as well. These barrettes can be used for lots of other things, too, including clipping them onto backpack straps and shirt tails, or even to gather small or thin curtains.

The most classic of kanzashi hardware is the bun pin. Simple and elegant, it is meant to be inserted into coils of hair, such as a bun or a gathered ponytail, and can be worn at nearly any angle. It is especially easy to add wire accents to this hardware, as demonstrated on the bottom left; the topmost flower is mounted on the actual pin, and the other two are on a bendable wire that can be (gently) bent to whatever shape and direction the wearer pleases.

If you're anything like me, when you forget to bring a ponytail band, your next stop is to find a ballpoint pen and just twist it up into your hair to get it out of the way. Time to retire the pen and get yourself a bunstick! These simple, versatile accessories can twist up just about any amount of hair long enough to put into a bun, and one stick can hold even very thick hair snugly. The metal sticks are better for thinner hair, as they are slightly bendable and may not be able to withstand the weight of Lady Godiva's locks, but the wooden ones are incredibly sturdy, and just one stick should suffice for most lengths and breadths of hair. The wooden sticks are available in three colors: cherry, chestnut, and boxwood (pictured from left to right); they are lacquered and very smooth, so they slide right into your 'do and there won't be any splinters to worry about.

Last but not least is the humble headband. Whether used to keep your bangs in line or simply as a vestigial cranial accessory, these stealth tiaras can add a dash of royalty to your everyday outfit. Classic headband styles are available in thin, brass-colored metal, or in wider, fabric-colored plastic; these bands can be decorated anywhere across the band--in just one area, or all the way across. Alternatively, for those with pinchy-headache woes, a soft elastic lace headband might solve your problems. They're not just for babies anymore!

Jewelry

Many jewelry options are also available! In the top left you'll see a bracelet; the flower is mounted on a metal glue pad and secured on a satin cord with an adjustable length. Elastic lace corsages are also available. Bottom left there are earrings, both pierced and clip-on. Pierced earrings are available in post or wire, and stainless or sterling options are available for those with metal sensitivities. On the right are necklaces--pendants come with a wire to be worn on, and brass, silver, or gold chains are available for an additional cost. Rings are also something I can make, I just haven't made one as of yet, so I don't have a photo at this time.

Most petal and flower shapes can be adapted for jewelry items, however there are a few restrictions, given the small size of these pieces.

Pins

If jewelry isn't your style, may I offer you a nice brooch in these trying times? I have three different options for a bit of flair for your peacoat, blazer, or even your hat or purse. The lapel pin is small with a clutch back, excellent for petite understated pieces. The bar or brooch pin has a safety latch on the clasp, making it an excellent secure choice for bag bling, and there are two sizes available. Lastly, the austere boutonniere is always a classy choice, whether you're going to the prom, headed to a swanky dinner party, or just reporting for your office job; the latch has a safety catch, so you'll never have to worry about it falling off your lapel, or accidentally stabbing anyone. Deliberate stabbing is discouraged unless they really deserve it.

Miscellaneous

To round out our options, we have a few less common pieces here. For the masculine-leaning folks, or if you're just feeling like rocking a three-piece suit, cufflinks come in pairs, and are available on brass or silver colored hardware.

Shoe clips are also available, though they're not necessarily just for shoes. Single clips can be used to decorate a purse or tote bag, or snapped onto a shawl or scarf. Pairs can be clipped onto shoes--or anything, really--to add some color to your wardrobe. Need something small and sturdy to clip a cosplay accessory to a wig? Wanna snap some flair on a lanyard? Unconventional BFF charms? The sky is the limit!

Last but not least is the phone charm/keychain. These can be made to just about any size and configuration, and I even have tiny jingly bells to make them a proper phone charm. Straps are available in two styles and many colors, and i can also supply split rings or dust plugs, just to cover all the bases!

Other options are also available, including magnets, purse-hooks, bookmarks, and various others. If you have your heart set on something that is not listed, please don't hesitate to ask about it!