Bear with me, folks... this post involves some backstory. 😅 When I (Larkin's mum) was a teenager at Reed, I purchased this amazing hair clip at the Portland Saturday Market. It felt like a big splurge at the time, but quickly became the only thing I ever wore in my hair. The first picture is the only photo I know of where it is visible, but the hair hardware is understandably difficult to focus on since the eyes are naturally drawn to sweetly sleeping Larkin circa summer 2005. ;)
The wire was flat, not round, and super hard-- I was never able to find that vendor again (I looked!), and every other similar clip I tried was inferior. Most wires were round, and not suitably work-hardened so they would bend with use and slip in my hair. With mine, I put it in my hair with concave faces together, then twisted the stick to lock it into place.
After 20+ years of daily use, I misguidedly stowed my beloved hair clip in my pocket while my hair dried. It fell out while I was in town and I never saw it again. I truly hope it was found by someone who recognizes its value and wears it often.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't encourage Larkin's interest in jewelry making *just* in the hopes of eventually getting a replacement awesome hair piece... but who am I to stand in the way of destiny?! I was watching Larkin play with the metal roller and having to re-anneal the curved results as they were quickly work-hardened by the rolling process.
I think you see where this is going.
This piece is Larkin's first small prototype, and it has SO MUCH POTENTIAL!! The slight curve is perfect for fitting comfortably against the head, the pin twists to lock into place, and so far it is not bending loose and slipping. Would a slightly larger one that incorporated a bezel-set applegate jade cab and fit all my hair be even better? Yes. Yes, it would.
