This handcrafted hair pin is made from Oak, Sapele, Purpleheart and Beech wood with a brass pin for added strength. The Oak top has a clear rippled cross grain contrasted by a deep reddish Sapele. A band of dark Purpleheart separates the flecked Beech wood length. This is a very sturdy pin.

The mighty Oak is widespread throughout the British Isles and part of the ‘Sacred Triad’ of Oak, Ash and Thorn, and the Irish ‘Seven Noble Trees’.  It has long been thought of as the King of the Woods. The tree of endurance, strength and triumph. The adjective 'durable' comes from the ancient celtic name for the oak - Duir.  As the month of Duir has the summer solstice in it, the Oak is a powerful symbol and deeply connected to the summer solstice.  The word "Duir" comes from the Sanskrit "Dwr" which means "Door". It is the door to the three worlds of the Shaman.

Sapele Mahogany comes from West, Central and East Africa.  It is often used in furniture and cabinet making and as a veneer for marquetry. It is also used in the construction of musical instruments, for building boats and as a flooring material. This piece arrived in its previous life as offcuts of flooring that would have otherwise been thrown away or burnt.

Purpleheart is a very strong wood from south America.  This piece was left over from a local carpentry workshop. It is one of my favourite woods to work with.

European Beech is commonly found across Europe and western Asia. It has been used for centuries in furniture making and for building musical instruments. This piece was left over from reclaimed planks that I used to build my workshop bench. Research has revealed that Beech trees prefer the company of other beech trees and often fuse their root systems together to equalise their photosynthesis. In this way the trees can share immunity and strength.
Measurements:

15.0 cm Long

1.7 cm Wide

This pin is finished with Nutshell wax.  The product is eco friendly and non toxic, blending selected beeswax, Larch oil and essential oils to give your hairpin years of protection.  It also uses no VOC's, formaldehyde or petrochemicals.

We are always striving to improve our processes environmentally.  Hand tools are used over power tools where possible and sanding etc. is kept to a minimum.