Working with horsehair is a very time consuming.
*  The hair is prepared by hand washing and conditioning.
* The horsehair Strings used for braiding are made up by twisting individual hairs together.  Each string is made up of  8 - 20 hairs, or more depending on the thickness of the individual hairs, and the braid type and thickness you want.
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The 8 strand flat , weave and round braid are used to create a variety of braided items.

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* Larger braided pieces are sewn together, by hand, with clear or dark jewelry line or fishing line to create hat bands and other items.  Finishing knots out of horsehair, leather or cord are made to cover splices and complete items.  The ring knot is a sliding knot used on items so they can be adjusted.
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* Horsehair has a slippery surface and is very lightweight.  Hat bands should, therefore, be secured to a hat by a couple of stitches with fishing line through the inside of the hat.
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* Care Tips *

High quality work in a horsehair piece is reflected in attention to the details. A smooth surface is essential to quality - no stray hairs sticking up anywhere.  However, with wear and tear, it is possible that a hair may pop up on the piece.  If this should happen, using nail clippers, or small sewing scissors carefully snip the hair off as close to the surface as possible.  This will maintain the smooth surface and will not harm/weaken the piece.

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*As horsehair is a natural fiber, it will take and retain the shape of whatever it may be lying against/on.  If you wish to reshape a piece, this is easily done by wetting the piece with warm water, shaping it to the desired shape, and letting it dry that way.

*Horse hair is strong fiber but  its  main enemy is abrasion, heat or chemicals. 
So try to avoid wearing your item if you will be doing anything that could harm your piece.
I  really don't recommend showering with it on,  Some soaps could break down the glue that is used to secure the ends. I use a strong jewelers glue kinda like a super glue.
You want to be careful. 
but
If you forget and get it wet  or shower with it won't matter
that much.

To clean horsehair pieces, just hand-wash with  mild soap and water something that you would  use on your own hair,  it's the ends that you have to be careful with some soaps that could possibly cause the glue to weaken.  Most mild shampoos are fine

*  Repair Guarantee * I take pride and care in my work, so will Repair/Replace the beads & or clasps, If they break or come loose.  Since  the clay Beads are Handmade (by me) and unique - I will match as close as possible to what you had before at my cost for a period of up to 8 months - after this time I will still do this for a small fee of $5.oo. The glue used is industrial strength jewelers glue so should hold up under normal conditions of wear and use.

*It has taken me alot study and care to learn this skill, so if it looks like a item has been taken apart and tampered with to try to figure out my technique you void my guarentee.
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* Difference between mane hair and tail hair? *
Mane hair is finer than tail hair and of course, much shorter.  Because of its shortness, mane hair is usually used only for tassels or bracelets.  Tail hair is coarser than mane hair and of course, much longer.  Because of its length, tail hair can be used to make many types of items.
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All discussions on custom-made pieces will be done between you and myself via email, or by phone. To work out all the details, questions you may have, placing a order and pricing. Once we decide and you are ready to mail the hair to me, I will then send you my address.
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* How much hair will I need to have an item made? *

This depends on which item and how many items you would want made.
Before any braiding can be done, strings must be made from the hair - a very time consuming process.  
Strands are made up of 8-20+ individual hairs.  The number of hairs in each is determined by the density of the hair and how heavy you want the braid.  Once this process is complete, I  begin work on your item's.   

I  use Approx:
15 - 20+ hairs per Strand in a  4 strand Round Braid
18+ hairs per strand in an 8 strand or weaved braid for bracelets
15-20+ hairs per strand in an 8 strand braid for a hat band.