These examples of ‘hair jewelry’ represent a favorite pastime for women from about 1850 to the beginning of the 20th century. The hair jewelry is featured in the Clement Library’s current exhibition, ‘From the Cradle to the Grave: Sources for Women’s History,’ on display through Dec. 9. ‘Godey’s Lady’s Book’ offered hair jewelry for sale and provided patterns, but the process of making the jewelry was not simple. First the cut hair had to be boiled, then sorted, divided, braided onto bobbins and molded. The finished product was then boiled again, dried and removed from the mold. The final step of mounting was done by a jeweler. Photo by Bill Wood, U-M Photo Services
