Diane Faulks
Horse hair weaver and braider - jewellery
Contact
About
I weave and braid horse hair using ancient techniques to create fine jewellery in platinum, gold and sterling silver.
For as long as we’ve co-existed with horses we’ve made use of horse hair: spinning rope and fishing line, plastering walls, stringing pearls and making violin bows, crinoline for stiffening garments, sieves, brushes, wigs and upholstery fabric.
Using a method which probably dates back to the 4th century BC, I weave narrow bands, juxtaposing the hues and tones of natural horse hair to produce extraordinary patterns. For inspiration I draw on British tailoring cloths: intricate tweeds, stripes, and tiny repeating motifs. I add a flash of gold or silver thread or wire or sometimes coloured kimono silk thread to add contrast to plain horse hair.
Inspired by the “crin” butterfly weavers of Rari, Chile, I take single strands of horse tail hair and fashion woven flowers which I adorn with precious metal.
My braided horse hair pieces echo patterns first constructed by Japanese silk braiders. The Victorians made “lovers” jewellery in these same patterns out of human hair and much of my jewellery is sentimental in nature because I often use the tail hair of my customers’ own horses.
Under the name The Burnished Horse, I marry my woven and braided horse hair pieces with burnished precious metals and gemstones. My collections include bangles, bracelets, pendants, earrings, cufflinks and rings and I enjoy working with customers to realise bespoke designs.
Mini craft gallery
