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HAND MADE BOUTIQUE
HAIR BOWS
There are numerous guides on how to buy hair bow instructions, but there is a need here for a guide about the hand made bows themselves. So I decided to write one to help others who are shopping for hand made hair accessories, on EBay or elsewhere. Since I design and make hair bows, this guide is written specifically about the bows, but a lot of the points presented here could be helpful when shopping for other hand made hair accessories as well. Looking around EBay and websites that sell hand made hair bows and other accessories, you will find a wide range of styles, quality and price.
First, some EBay LINGO.......
EBay rules state you cannot use the name brand of an item in the title if the item doesn't belong to that brand. So, many people use M2MG to signal the item has been made to match a Gymboree line. The name of the fabric line is also not to be used in the titles, but many do it anyway. I mention that here because if you search by "M2MG Peruvian Princess hair bow", you may miss many bows that didn't use the fabric name in the title but would still make a lovely match and you may get a better price on a similar item. "M2MG" is a great search to use when trying to match the newest lines since the items currently up will usually match the most current lines anyway – no need to type the name of the fabric!!
Some other abbreviations commonly used include OOAK (one of a kind) and M2M (could be made to match any item). NWT means new with tags (item comes on a bow card) and NWOT, meaning new without tags (item does not come on a bow card) are also commonly used.
Some EBay sellers also use additional abbreviations to make searching for their products and matching products easier. For example, all my auctions have ANNA in the title so my customers can easily search for my bows!
Now evaluate your hair bow needs.........
Age of the child
Hand made hair bows are available in many sizes, for babies to pre-teens. Babies without hair can wear a bow-band, which is an elastic fabric headband with a strap that you can clip any bow onto. These are nice since you can use the bows later when the child has hair! For toddlers and older children, the bows are usually larger (from 2" to 6" across) and they can be plain or fancy, or very fancy (boutique-style). Bows meant for older children often have embellishments sewn or glued on. These types of items are not meant for anyone who puts things in their mouth since they pose a choking hazard. All hair accessories should only be used with an adult's supervision (hand-made or store-bought).
Size, color and style
You can get plain bows in any color of the rainbow easily on EBay, so you could match any outfit your child has. Sizes rane from 2" to 6" (and bigger!). Styles range from simple 2 or 4 loop bows to giant fancy boutique and pageant bows!
Clip design See pictures of clips here
Most bows come on alligator clips or French clips. The alligator clips come in one or two prong styles and with or without teeth styles. The teeth help to grip the hair tighter, but all the alligator clips hold the hair well if the hair is thin and you don't try to put too much of it in the clip. They are meant to hold a light bow in a small amount of hair. They do come in a few sizes, but 1 3/4" is a popular size. Sometimes the alligator clips are covered with ribbon to make them prettier.
The french clips also come in a varity of sizes, but the size used depends on the size of the bow (2" is a popular size). These clips hold very well - they have a pinch clamp closure that locks closed and holds very tightly. They are good for larger, heavier bows and they hold a large amount of hair very well. These clips are usually not covered as there is not 'nice' way to do so and the bows are usually larger so it covers the clip anyway.
Extra embellishments
Many fancy bows have additional embellishments sewn or glued on to make them extra special or unique. These types of items are not meant for anyone who puts things in their moouth since they pose a choking hazard if the items were to come loose. Embellishments include buttons, flat-backs, gems, flowers, beads, yarn and other small decorations.
Made-to-match a special outfit Custom Bow Orders
If you cannot find what you are looking for anywhere, you can always ask a bow-maker about a custom order. Some sellers have this option built into their store inventory, so you can make a purchase and start designing your bow right away. The amount of input you put into the bow depends on you and the bow maker. Some are more willing than others to work with you. Be very specific about the type of custom order you are looking for and send color swatches and pictures if possible so the bow-maker has a good idea of what you want! Before you decide on a custom order, look at the seller’s feedback and many pictures of their bows. If they are all the same style your custom bow will look similar. Look for a bow maker with a wide variety of bow styles and great feedback from customers. Also recognize that this option is not usually very fast, since the bow has to be designed, ribbon and embellishments purchased and the bow constructed before it can ship.
When you need the item
Some bow auctions are for ready-made bows, while some bows are made at the end of the auction. These factors may affect how quickly you can expect to receive you bow!
Let's see what is available....
You can search websites on the internet for more stores, but there is already a wide variety of bow-makers with open stores on EBay. This is a great place to look around and get familiar with what is available right away. The bows available at auction change frequently – with the season, upcoming holidays, big name fashion line launches and with hand-made designer clothing launches. If you shop for a Christmas theme bow at peak time 4-6 weeks before Christmas there will be a lot to choose from but the auction prices on the best items will be higher. If you look to buy a special pastel hair bow at the same time, there will be less to chose from but the bows will be a bit cheaper by auction. Often the best M2MG (made to match Gymboree) bows come out when the new fashion lines are available and the prices will be higher then too. There are some fabulous boutique-style designer hair bows available for older Gymboree lines for a fair price if you look around for them. Everything on EBay is about the timing, and hair bow purchases are no exception. And since auctions close every 7 days, look often to find the exact bow to suit your needs (or look to a custom order).
Part of finding what is available is knowing how to look around for what you want. Your search will depend on what you are hoping to find, but here are some examples:
If you want to match a Gymboree line you can search “M2MG hair bow”. If you want a fancier, “boutique” style bow, search with 'boutique hair bow' or 'boutique hair bow M2MG'. You will get very few results if you search a fabric name (like Peruvian Princess or Best Friends) or color names (for the reasons I mention in the EBay lingo section). If you are looking for a specific hair bow designer, try to search their name (or catch-phrase) in the search box. Or you can find the designer in the ‘community’ section on EBay and look at their current listings or look around their store.
Quality......
When buying on the internet, it is hard to see the quality of the item from the pictures. This is where feedback and reputation are so important to EBay buyers and sellers. Happy customers return to the same sellers again and again and this is a mark of the seller's commitment to the buyer and the sign that the seller has a quality product. Look for a seller that has good, long-term feedback, a variety of bow styles to choose from and a unique design!
Once you have purchased the bow, you can inspect it for workmanship. Handmade items are not always 'perfect', they may have slight imperfections that add to the quality and uniqueness of the hand-made item, without making it look messy.
The ribbons used for hair bows range from cheap, low quality ribbon to high quality name brand ribbon. The name isn't important, but it is important for the ribbon to be cut from a perfect piece - there should be no snags, crimps, folds or marks on the ribbon. It should be sealed at all cut ends. There are two methods of sealing - one is heat sealing and the other is a chemical method. They both work well, but the second is not recommended for bows that may end up in a child's mouth (would be fine for older kids).
The clips - both the alligator clip and French clip are great choices, but make sure the clip chosen suits the bow it is attached to. A small alligator clip on a 5" bow is not likely to stay in place very well. And a 3" French clip on a 2" bow is going to look ugly. Also make sure the clip is in good condition and closes well. If the alligator clip is covered with fabric, look to see it is well done with no extra glue along the edges, the ribbon is the appropriate size and the color coordinates well with the bow.
The nicest bows are sewn togther tightly and hot glue is used sparingly. The embellishements ahould be tightly glued or sewn onto the ribbons. The bow should be well-formed, with no extra glue visible. Some bows come sprayed with fabric stiffener - this will keep the bow from falling flat but it is not recommended for children who put things in their mouth! The boutique bows should have many colors and solids and prints mixed together to make a festive, active bow - not boring! A mix of fabric widths and types with embellishments will also make a more interesting and high quality bow.
About Bow Sellers and Designers
Some sellers have very fancy auctions and lovely pictures. This is a sign that they are an experienced seller which can be a sign of their longevity on EBay and commitment to the customer. It does not mean the bows will be of higher quality, so don’t assume the sellers with simpler auctions also have simple bows. That is definitely not true! Also look at how they ship the items – you want the bow to be packed neatly in tissue paper and shipped in a new, clean, sturdy, appropriately sized shipping box. Look for a seller that has good, long-term feedback, a variety of bow styles to choose from and a unique design.
Once you have found a seller you like, check out their newest items first when looking for a new bow. Be sure to leave good feedback so others can learn from your happy experience. You can also sign up for store newsletters and learn about the designer’s newest bow styles, latest M2M projects, and even get free shipping and discount offers! And check out their affiliates for more great products which might even match the bows!
After reading this, if you still have questions about the bows, please contact me! I love working with people and would be happy to answer your questions!
~Anna
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