Super Easy Hair Clip Organizer

Is a two item project simple enough? ;)

As you've read, I've been really interested in hair clips recently. I don't wear them to work, but I do wear them every weekend and any other time off I have (have I mentioned I'm also growing my hair out?). Well, I ended up with hair clips on my nightstand, on the kitchen table, end table, coffee table, and bathroom counter. Really? How did that happen?

Anyway, I needed a quick and easy way to store them in one place, but not in a box, because then I'd forget about them. It had to be somewhere obvious, but couldn't take up a lot of space, because let's face it: space is sort of at a premium at my house.

After some thought, I came up with an easy solution. All I needed was some grosgrain ribbon (found in a drawer leftover from another project) and a suction cup (found at Ace Hardware for about $0.53). I decided on the larger suction cup, which was 3cm in diameter (a little over 1").

I cut about 2' of ribbon, tied it with a nice little bow to the suction cup, and put it on my bathroom mirror. If you're worried about humidity, a dresser bureau mirror would work, too, but since I don't do my hair in the bedroom, I opted for the bathroom.

How was that? What do you use to keep your hair accessories organized?

Leather Blossoms

Red Leather Rose

YES! All of these flowers are handcrafted out of leather by Julia of Leather Blossoms!

I originally ran across Leather Blossoms on Etsy almost two years ago, admired the leather flowers on headbands, wished I had somewhere to wear the beautiful creations, and filed the shop in the back of my head for a "someday" purchase. Well, fate put the shop in front of me again recently, and I absolutely love all the new styles! There's no question that anyone can find something in this shop to wear for daily use or a special occasion.

I warn you now, I couldn't choose just a few items, so be prepared for a leather photo extravaganza! (Sidebar: everything you see here comes in multiple colors, and I admit you are only being exposed to my color biases. Check out her shop to find something to match your favorite outfit! You can click the link under each photo to go directly to that item's shop page.)

Small Pink Flower Headband

Small Teal Flower Headband

I think these headbands are perfect for casual wear. They have a clean, fun look without grabbing all the attention. I also appreciate that many of the the photos are taken with both a blond and a brunette mannequin, because what looks good on a blond may NOT be what looks good on me!

Large Yellow Flower Headband

Large Periwinkle Flower Headba

I also think that any of these headbands would be perfect for bridesmaids, or even the bride. After all, who has bridesmaids who all have the same length hair to create the same up-do? This way, it doesn't matter what hair style they wear!

Leather Orange Flower on Alligator Clip

For those who aren't too interested in headbands but love the leather flower look, there are also hair clips and ponytail holders. I've been really into hair clips lately, so as soon as I saw these, I fell in love. The leather also adds a level of sophistication, which allows the clips to be worn in settings where silk flowers may not be appropriate.

Leather Poinsettia Bobby Pins

Leather Flower Ponytail Holder

I've focused on hair accessories today, but you should know that Julia has also made many of these flowers into pins (for your jacket, etc.) and jewelry. She also has leather purses and clutches and other leather accessories, in addition to a sale section of the store! If you're the kind of person who's always on the cutting edge of what's new in fashion, or if you just like to wear things that not everybody is, you must check out Leather Blossoms!

PS: If you're more of an "I could do that!" type of person, Julia has a second shop, Blossoms DIY, which offers unattached flowers and leather die cuts.

BESTeam: Lovely Orange

Danielle is another great stylist on Etsy - you may remember that I've featured some of her pillows and hair bows before through her shop Chicky D's. Today my theme feels like Creamsicle, as the days warm and I'm looking for a summer treat, which these accessories certainly are! These hair bows would be adorable in any little girl's hair or any grown up girl who feels like showing her quirky side.

A fun striped bow

A similar solid bow, with just an accent of white

A flower clip that would look great at the base of a ponytail

Of course, if orange isn't your color (you know who you are!), Danielle has all of these clips in many other colors. ;)

Are you enjoying reading my features? Would you like to write some of your own, and be included in similar stories? Consider joining the BESTeam on Etsy!

Flowers in My Hair

I recently got out the glue gun and tried my hand at making hair accessories out of silk flowers. I bought four different styles of flowers and experimented with the best way to glue. I couldn't believe when my first attempt fell off clip after about three wearings! I was also annoyed by how the flower covered the back of one of the clips, making it hard to open. I think this malfunction is what caused the glue to loosen. Back to the drawing board...

I came up with several different designs, some using ribbon as an added hold and some without, using three different bases: bobby pins and two types of alligator clips. My additional attempts have paid off so far - I've worn two of my creations multiple times with success!

I also really like the bobby pins for the smaller flowers I bought, which had looked funny on the larger alligator clips. I also like the bobby pins because they're less obvious and can be tucked in anywhere without disrupting your hair style. And of course, of the two alligator clips, the most comfortable is the more expensive one!

My favorite flower, though, is the one shown here. The color is actually more true to the color of the flower in my hand and upside down as opposed to the one down below shown in my hair. I had to use the flash for that picture, which washed the color out a bit, but doesn't my hair look nice and shiny? :)

On Tuesday I shipped of several versions to my niece, whom my sister has agreed to let test them! She has beautiful thick hair, so if the barrettes can stand up to her hair and high activity level, I know I have a winner! I think I'll encourage her to use them as true accessories, e.g. at the base of a ponytail, instead of to actually hold back all of her hair.

 These may make it into my shop, or I may just make them for family and friends because it's fun and because I always need more  clips for my hair! Have any of you ever made hair accessories? If so, to what success?

BESTeam Feature

Check out this fun and unique hand crafted sterling silver ring from Riorita on Etsy. This ring has a pomegranate design that you will not find elsewhere. Do you know what pomegranates remind me of? The myth of Hades and Persephone. If you don't know the one I mean, Google it!

I think I'll try to keep with the mythology theme, and while this isn't exact, it's pretty close! What does thread mean to you? This soap by Sandy Vern on Etsy has knitting needles and yarn, which may remind you of Grandma, but three other older ladies who played with string were the Fates.


Here's a pretty hair piece by Ms. Formaldehyde on Etsy. She has a variety of hair accessories, but this one reminds me of a tropical island, which reminds me of the ocean, which of course reminds me of Poseidon, God of the Sea.

I'm also supposed to feature Redemption Art on Etsy, but she's at an open studio sale today, so her shop is temporarily in Vacation mode! I'm so sorry I missed you, Connie! Please visit Connie's shop tomorrow when she'll be open again. I've featured items from Redemption Art in the past, and have found her to have a wonderful variety of Vintage, Hand-made, and Upcycled items.

Are you enjoying reading my features? Would you like to write some of your own, and be included in similar stories? Consider joining the BESTeam on Etsy!

Ms. Formaldehyde Feature

Today's feature is on Ms. Formaldehyde on Etsy, created by Kelly. This shop comes to us from San Diego, CA. As the shop name suggests, Kelly creates a lot of things with skulls and spiders, with a focus on earrings and hair accessories. She also has a lot of flowers and feathers to balance what may be a somewhat macabre look. These 3 inch matching orange hair clips are perfect for those looking to get a head start on October revelries.

I realize this white flower is neither skull nor spider inspired, but Kelly also specializes in classic wedding hair accessories. I'm a sucker for any pretty clippie for my hair! Just send her an email, and Kelly will be happy to customize accessories for wedding parties or any other special event needing a little extra panache.