How To: Make a Roach Feather Hair Clip

To make a hippie-style, roach feather hair clip, you will need to gather the following supplies.

1. Craft feathers
2. Leather cord
3. Wooden beads with large center hole
4. Floral tape
5. Alligator clip with opening on end
6. Scissors
7. Pliers
8. Hot glue gun

To begin, cut your leather cord into two desired lengths. I will go through the process of attaching the feathers and beads to one cord, and you will repeat for the second cord.

Step 1 Hold the ends of the feathers at one end of the cord

Just like in the photo below. Be sure the cord is hanging out from the ends of the feathers.

Step 2 Apply a small drop of hot glue

Once it cools slightly, pinch it together to hold the feathers and leather in place. Although this step is not necessary, it will provide additional hold for your feathers.

Warning

• Hot glue can burn! If you feel unsafe using the hot glue, you can skip this step and move on to Step 3.

Step 3 Wrap the feather ends with a 1½" long strip of floral tape

As you are wrapping the floral tape around the ends of your feathers, allow it to wind down the leather in a spiral fashion. Try not to get it too thick around your feathers or your beads will not slide on all the way.

Step 4 Slide 2 colored beads onto the leather cord to the feather ends

Push your beads over the floral tape as far as they will go—be careful not to break your feathers. If they do not completely cover the floral tape, it's okay.

Secure the beads, by adding a small drop of hot glue between them.

Step 5 Tie a knot in the leather cord

Gently tie a knot in the leather cord, but do not pull too hard or you may break your cord.

Now you have finished your first cord.

Step 6 Repeat Steps 1-5 for the second cord

Your two finished pieces should look something like this. Now it's time to move on to the final step!

Step 7 Place the 2 cord ends into the alligator clip and crimp

Hold the two ends together in your fingers and slide them into the opening on the end of the alligator clip. I slid the cord through just far enough to see it sticking out the other side.

Next, simply crimp shut with the pliers, squeezing as hard as you can, and you are finished! You now have an awesome feather clip to hang in your hair. You can always use more feathers or beads to create an awesome piece. Play around with it and have fun!

Check out the video below for a demonstration.

In Native American culture, roach feathers usually were comprised of a single golden eagle feather, to represent a warrior's first war honor (coup). But in the rest of the world, roach feathers are usually made of imitation feathers—they were perfect for Woodstock hippies, but now are used by everyone for roach clips, hair clips, earrings and any other handy, decorative uses that require an alligator clip's usefullness.