craftgrrl | ribbon barrette how-to

Since a couple people asked for a how-to, and because I couldn't find one online when I was looking, I shall now post behind a cut...

How I made these 80s style ribbon barrettes

Supplies:

1/8" ribbon in various colors
metal snap barrettes (triangular shape, however apparently you can do it with the straight bar ones too)
beads w/ holes big enough to fit ribbon, i.e. pony beads
scissors
lighter or candle flame
patience!

Steps:

Cut two lengths of ribbon, approx 1.5 - 2 feet long (can trim off excess later if too long).
Tie the two ribbons together at one end in a small knot. I held them together to tie the knot, slipping it tightest towards an end and then clip off extra, if any.
Hold the snap barrette with the thinnest end pointing up, and snap it open. It may be possible to start from the thickest end and work your way down to the tip, but I was having trouble with that at first. I might try that next time though, as that way the trailing ribbons would be more towards the back of your clipped hair, if you clip it away from your face the same way I would.
Feed the knotted end of the ribbon through slit of the barrette facing you (from front to back), and push it up until it is snug up at the back of the tip.
With the knot behind the tip of the barrette, pull the left ribbon across the bar on the left, and the right ribbon across the bar on the right.
Hold in place with one hand (thumb and index finger). With other hand wrap the left ribbon around/up through the slit. Do the same with the ribbon on the right. I found it helpful to keep all previous lacings held and pulled up towards the top with my one hand, doing the wrapping of the ribbon with the other. Also, it was easier to feed the end of the ribbon through the slit and pull tight, rather than pushing a loop through from below, as it gets tight towards the lower part of the barrette.
Now both ribbons should be coming up through the slit again, and criss-crossing each other, like shoe laces, falling to either side of the bars.
Wrap each ribbon across the opposite bar, so that they come up through the slit and criss-cross each other again.
Repeat this lacing/weave process until desired coverage. Lace right up to the bottom of the slit, still pushing up on the other lacings until no more room.
With the ribbons coming up through the slit, let go of your hold at the top and push/even out the lacings across the barrette.
You can add beads here at the bottom of the barrette, lacing the ribbon behind and anchoring through the connection underneath (where bottom bar of clip meets top), or knotting somehow.
You could add shorter pieces of ribbon here as well, lacing/knotting through the back connection point also.
With remaining length of ribbon, add beads knotting at end or at various levels, large enough knots to keep them on.
Clip short the loose ends at knots.
Carefully push cut ends into a candle or lighter flame just for a second to melt/fuse the ends or knot together. Do this at the very first knot under the tip of the barrette also (helps to flatten it).
Put them in your hair and go roller-skating, or call a friend on a rotary phone, or wear a shaker sweater vest over an oxford shirt and get your school pictures taken, or write your penpal on PacMan stationary, etc.