Roots and Remembrance: An Evening of Hair Art History (Murfreesboro, TN)
Roots and Remembrance: An Evening of Hair Art History at Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro, TN
Day 1 Hairwork: Beginning Table Braiding Workshop (Murfreesboro, TN)
📍 Oaklands Mansion, 901 North Maney Ave. Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130
📅 Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9 AM – 4 PM (with a break for lunch)
Day 1: Beginning Table Braiding
Join Zen Hansen of Hair Anthropology (from Idaho) and our local hostess and hair artist, Jody Johnson, for an enchanting weekend of hairworking in a picturesque, historic setting. Thanks to the generous hospitality of Oaklands Mansion, we will work inside their beautiful, naturally lit Cottage—a warm, intimate environment that enhances the experience from the moment you arrive.
This immersive course blends craftsmanship with history as participants explore the endangered art of table-braided hairwork. Through a guided, hands-on experience, you will learn the fundamentals of the craft by creating a bracelet using provided hair. Working on custom-built braiding tables, Zen will lead you step by step through bundle preparation, foundation knots, and classic braid patterns. By the end of the workshop, you will leave with a finished piece and a strong understanding of the rhythm, movement, and structure that give this historic technique its enduring beauty.
Class Size: Limited to 10 participants.
Prerequisites: Age 16+, all skill levels welcome!
Materials: All the required tools and materials, including ethically donated and pre-washed hair, will be provided for use during class. If you wish to bring your own hair to work with, it must be at least 12 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. Registered students will have an opportunity to purchase tables, weights, and other hairwork supplies for personal use at a discount.
Food/Drink: Our location is just one mile from the city square, with plenty of options available nearby, or you’re welcome to bring your own and dine in.
Save $50 when booking both Sat/Sun workshop days with code: OAKLANDS
Register for Day 2: https://www.hairanthropology.com/shop/p/oaklandshairwork2
Day 2 Hairwork: Wire Hair Flowers + Intermediate Table Braiding Workshop (Murfreesboro, TN)
📍 Oaklands Mansion, 901 North Maney Ave. Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130
📅 Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 9 AM – 4 PM (with a break for lunch)
Day 2: Wire Hair Flowers + Intermediate Table Braiding Workshop
Join Zen Hansen of Hair Anthropology (from Idaho) and our local hostess and hair artist, Jody Johnson, for an enchanting weekend of hairworking in a picturesque, historic setting. Thanks to the generous hospitality of Oaklands Mansion, we will work inside their beautiful, naturally lit Cottage—a warm, intimate environment that enhances the experience from the moment you arrive.
Sunday begins with a gentle, hands-on introduction to wirework hair flowers led by Jody Johnson. From 9–10:30 am, you’ll learn how to twist, shape, and secure a simple hair flower, then take a closer look at the historic hair wreaths displayed in the mansion for a burst of real-life inspiration.
Afterward, the day flows into intermediate table braiding with Zen. You’ll explore open lace and elastic patterns, deepening your understanding of structure, tension, and the airy spring-like qualities these braids can create. This relaxed session offers plenty of time for questions, refinement, and playful experimentation. Perfect for anyone who attended Saturday’s workshop or who already has a basic grasp of table braiding.
Class Size: Limited to 10 participants.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge. The beginning class or previous experience in table braiding with hair is required to attend this session.
Materials: All the required tools and materials, including ethically donated and pre-washed hair, will be provided for use during class. If you wish to bring your own hair to work with, it must be at least 12 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. Registered students will have an opportunity to purchase tables, weights, and other hairwork supplies for personal use at a discount.
Food/Drink: Our location is just one mile from the city square, with plenty of options available nearby, or you’re welcome to bring your own and dine in.
Save $50 when booking both Sat/Sun workshop days with code: OAKLANDS
Workshop & Tour at Leila's Hair Museum
I'm teaching a hairwork table braiding workshop inside the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to hair art—and for the first time since Leila Cohoon’s passing last year, we’ll gather in her incredible space to honor the craft she preserved.
Day Two: Intermediate Braiding + Special Guest Demo
Take your braiding skills further in an intimate, hands-on workshop to build confidence, refine your technique, and explore new creative possibilities with Zen Hansen in Pacific City, Oregon, on June 23.
Workshop: Table-Made Hair Jewelry with Zen Hansen
For centuries, hairwork jewelry was a cherished way to honor loved ones. You can learn this rare craft with Zen Hansen in a hands-on workshop at PC Pour in Pacific City, Oregon, on June 22. Create a hair bracelet using historic braiding techniques on a custom hairwork table—no experience needed.
ADULT ART CLASS | HAIR JEWELRY WITH ZEN HANSEN
When: Sunday August 11 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art - Hartford, Connecticut
For centuries, artists have used human hair to make adornments to commemorate love, endearment, and loss. In this class, hair artist Zen Hansen of Hair Anthropology introduces the tools and techniques of rarely taught table braiding, guiding you to fashion human hair into your own piece of jewelry.
Open to adults of all levels of artistic ability. Lunch, supplies, and same-day museum admission included. Space is limited. $150; $125 members, Hartford residents, and college students with ID.
Demonstration | Table Braiding Hair Jewelry with Zen Hansen
When: Saturday August 10 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art - Hartford, Connecticut
Meet us in Styling Identities: Hair’s Tangled Histories for a drop-in hair jewelry demonstration with Zen Hansen of Hair Anthropology. Hansen preserves the historic practice of table braiding, turning human hair into treasured pieces of jewelry worn as symbols of love, endearment, or loss.
Free admission all day during Second Saturdays for Families.
Website: thewadsworth.org/hair
Hairwork Classes in Chicago Sept 29-Oct 1, 2023
Chicago Hairwork Classes. Discover the fascinating world of hairwork with engaging hands-on classes led by expert instructor Zen Hansen. Explore this traditional art form's historical significance and various techniques such as gimp work and table braiding as you learn to create beautiful mementos with hair.
Friday, Sept 29, 3 pm: Story Time at Mark Campbell’s Grave
Saturday, Sept 30, 2 pm-6 pm: Beginning Table Braiding
Sunday, Oct 1, 10 am-3 pm: Advanced Table Braiding
Click on the links to learn more and purchase tickets!
Historical Overview of Hairwork & Table Braiding Workshop w/Zen Hansen
Saturday, May 20th, 2023 from 10 am-1 pm
Hosted by Mickey Alice Kwapis in her lovely studio in Pilsen, Chicago!
This one-day workshop taught by guest teacher Zen Hansen will begin with a journey through the tradition of Victorian-era hairwork jewelry with a focus on its roots in Chicago. The workshop will combine demonstration with hands-on work as students watch and then practice using a specially made hair-braiding table to try their hand at braiding patterns translated from original texts written by renowned hair jeweler Mark Campbell. No experience is necessary. Students will gain a deep understanding of this historic and now endangered craft.
Idaho's Hairy History
Idaho’s Hairy History: What can artifacts made of human hair teach us about the past, present, and future? Part 1.
Click the picture for more info and a link to tickets.