Esther Chang
Wooden Barrette
Prompt: Objective/s: Practice measurements and planning to create a 3D object/s. Practice using wood as a material to create a 3D object/s. Using woodshop & hand tools to create a small wood object-accessory from plywood or hardwood.
To fit the description of the wood accessory assignment, I created a wooden hair barrette cut and carved from basswood as a small, functional 3D object. Along with meeting the course objectives of using woodshop and hand tools, I wanted to challenge myself by making a doubly curved form that would follow both the length and width of the object. From shape and material research, I chose a solid block of basswood because it allowed for smoother carving and shaping.
My creative intention was to design a two-piece hair accessory that would be both visually refined and practical for everyday wear. Rather than approaching the assignment as a purely open-ended design exercise, I treated it as a problem-solving process: create an accessory that could hold whatever amount of hair comfortably, without the bulk or heaviness of the hair clips I already owned.
The final design uses a light carved wood structure and a matching hair stick that passes through the curved form to secure the hair.