How to Make Your Own Flower Headbands and Hair Accessories For Girls and Teens - 2

Yesterday, I had to break free from the hum-drum of life and do something creative. Those of you who are artisic too, know exactly what I mean. The need to create (and it is a NEED) begins to tap the shoulder...tug on the apron skirt, at first politely interrupting then increasingly becoming more intent--more and more insistent--until there is no other choice but to concede, ignore other life demands, and give in to the flow of creative imagination.

I've always been fascinated with fashion and style with its ever-changing trends. So, instead of beginning another painting, I decided to explore all the different scrap materials I had in search for something to work with, some things that could become another headband or two. Many hours later, the creative energies waning, I ended up with 4 headbands and 5 decorative flower pens.

Now, I share some of the process with you. So, here goes....

• Some kind of crisp, shimmery material(s). I chose a yellow piece and a light green, iridescent scrap. Neither piece was a heavy material. This is important so that your flower doesn't wind up being droopy.
• A few beads
• Floral wire
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Needle and thread
• Scissors
• A plastic headband, preferably one with "teeth."
• A lighter and candle
• Craft wire tool

1. To make each flower petal, I started cutting the yellow material in circles, each progressively smaller. The first one being about 3.5 inches and the 5th one being about 2 inches.
2. Next, I used a lighter to gently burn and crinkle the edges of each "petal." (Sometime while making several of these flower headbands I realized I was burning my thumb. :o) So, I switched to using a lit candle. You may want to save your thumb and skip using a lighter.) Also, you may wish to have a couple of practice pieces of material, as you learn how to singe the edges. I don't think there's necessarily a wrong way to do it--you just need to learn your own technique and to be consistent. I really liked how the flame not only seared the edges, removing the need to sew them, but also it crinkled the edges, mimicking real flower petals.
3. Optional: I decided to add one green petal that complimented my yellow material. It was slightly larger than the biggest yellow petal. I also singed the edges.
4. Next, I arranged all the petals and took a needle and thread, stitching them all together in the center.
5. I stitched in several beads in the center.
6. I took a piece of floral wire--about 6" long. While it was still flat, I sewed it to the back of the flower, making several quick loops around the wire.
7. Next, I wrapped the wire around the headband between several of the headband's teeth. Be sure to use your wire tool to wrap the ends of each wire into a small circle so that the wire doesn't poke into your head when you wear the headband.
8. I finished by adding about 3 dots of hot glue in a line between the headband and last layer of the flower to further secure it in place.

I encourage you to do a google search -- a google image search-- on headbands to see the latest styles and fashion. Headbands are not only worn by girls and teens, but also by women; many actresses lately are shown donning feather headbands (hopefully my next attempt) flower headbands, and big bow headbands (another future plan of mine).

You'll also see that headbands aren't just for long hairstyles--long, short; straight and curly! I've seen some of the cutest short, razored hair styles sporting headbands!

I hope you're inspired into making your own headbands. This one alone can be adapted into other headbands, hair pins, hair combs, hair accessories, hair clips, head wraps, wedding hair accessories, and hair jewelry.