PurplePerson1
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
I have a baggy with a lot of blonde, baby hair in it. How can that be preserved so that it stays as close as it can to original?
hair
- Thread starter PurplePerson1
- Start date
The Frame Lady
CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Scrapbook stores have lots of solutions for things like that. The easiest is a little clear envelope type thing. Probably not mylar-d, but something similar as srapbook gurus are all about acid free. You could probably get lots of ideas by calling one, or visiting if you want visuals.
PurplePerson1
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Ah ha! I have some of those envelopes. The hair is my daughters. I just found it this week. I assume it should be kept in the dark. What about it drying out and changing color over time. So far it seems in good shape. . . probably from the plastic baggie. My daughter is 24. The hair I found of myself, that is in a little cardboard box, has changed color and is brittle. I assume it is from the acid in the cardboard.
Framar
WOW Framer
Don't worry about hair too much!!! I found a lock of my grandfather's hair from when he was a little boy. And we're talking a long golden lock here, folks. It was in an envelope in a acid-laden scrapbook, and I framed it about 20 years ago with little thought to fading. I have since rematted with 100% rag matting, but the hair looks as good as it did the day I found it! And it is probably 100 years old now.
I tied it in a piece of antique ribbon and placed it on top of the mat with several old family photos. No problems so far, and it only has to last as long as I do cause I am the last of my line.
I tied it in a piece of antique ribbon and placed it on top of the mat with several old family photos. No problems so far, and it only has to last as long as I do cause I am the last of my line.
preservator
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Hair is protein and thus, is very attractive to
bugs. Enclosure in a sealed polyester envelope
should be useful in discouraging them.
Hugh
bugs. Enclosure in a sealed polyester envelope
should be useful in discouraging them.
Hugh
HannaFate
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Hair is actually keratin, a truly durable substance. Victorian hair jewelry has retained its original color and shape well under truly undesirable storage conditions. Bugs do not eat it.
One concern is brittleness, as the last traces of oils dry up. Once a piece of hair is mounted, so that it won't be flexing, that concern is dealt with.
Brittle hair will not break in response to vibrations or shocks, so there is no need to coat it with stabilizers.
The only other thing to worry about is color change. UV light will turn hair more blonde. Hairspray remnants will turn brown, or even black over the years. Dried hair will be less lustrous, and seem paler. (heat is the usual culprit) Dyed hair will react strongly with other chemicals around it, particularly acids, and there is no predicting how it will change. Bleached hair can absorb colors from oils or varnishes that touch it.
(naturally pale hair won't) Pubic hair is so oily it will stain matboard. (don't ask)
One concern is brittleness, as the last traces of oils dry up. Once a piece of hair is mounted, so that it won't be flexing, that concern is dealt with.
Brittle hair will not break in response to vibrations or shocks, so there is no need to coat it with stabilizers.
The only other thing to worry about is color change. UV light will turn hair more blonde. Hairspray remnants will turn brown, or even black over the years. Dried hair will be less lustrous, and seem paler. (heat is the usual culprit) Dyed hair will react strongly with other chemicals around it, particularly acids, and there is no predicting how it will change. Bleached hair can absorb colors from oils or varnishes that touch it.
(naturally pale hair won't) Pubic hair is so oily it will stain matboard. (don't ask)