Lightweight decorative barrette

Abstract

A barrette having a decorative attachment affixed along the arching outer surface of the top support member of a barrette base, and the folded ends of the attachment are tucked and attached beneath the ends of the top support member. The decorative attachment is affixed to the top support member of the base, using tape, hot-glue, thread, rivets, or any suitable fastener. The decorative attachment comprises layers of cotton webbing, plastic mesh, and grosgrain ribbon. Decorative material is applied atop the decorative attachment for added aesthetic appeal. Fray blocking agent is applied to the edges of the decorative material. Zigzag stitches may be sewn into the decorative material.

1 . A decorative barrette for holding bundles of hair, comprising: 
 a barrette base comprising: 
 a top support member having protruding ends comprising eyelets;  
 a spring arm protruding inward from said top support member;  
 a latch attached adjacent one protruding end of said support member, said latch comprising retaining tabs;  
 a yoke attached adjacent another protruding end of said support member, said yoke comprises retaining tabs;  
 a clamping arm pivotally attached to the yoke, said clamping arm comprising distal prongs pivotally connected to the retaining tabs of said yoke, and said clamping arm extending to an opposing clasp for releasably locking into the retaining tabs of said latch to catch a user's hair between said spring arm and clamping arm; and  
 a decorative attachment comprising a plastic mesh layer sandwiched between a cotton webbing layer and a grosgrain ribbon layer, said decorative attachment being fixedly attached to an outer surface of said top support member and covering both ends of said top support member, said decorative attachment being fixedly attached to said top support member.  
   
   
   
       2 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 1 , further comprising a decorative material attached atop said decorative attachment, thereby providing added aesthetic appeal.  
   
   
       3 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners for fixedly attaching said decorative attachment to an outer surface of said top support member.  
   
   
       4 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of fasteners comprise a plurality of rivets passing through said eyelets of said base.  
   
   
       5 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 1 , further comprising length of tape for fixedly attaching said decorative attachment to an outer surface of said top support member.  
   
   
       6 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 1 , further comprising hot-melt glue for fixedly attaching said decorative attachment to an outer surface of said top support member.  
   
   
       7 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 3 , wherein said fasteners comprise thread passing through said eyelets of said base.  
   
   
       8 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 1 , wherein said decorative material is any one from among a group including satin, silk, grosgrain ribbon, woven fabric, cotton, and nylon.  
   
   
       9 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 1 , wherein said decorative material further comprises zigzag stitches.  
   
   
       10 . A decorative barrette according to  claim 1 , wherein a fray blocking agent is applied edgewise to said decorative material.  
   
   
       11 . A decorative barrette for holding bundles of hair, comprising: 
 a barrette base comprising:    a top support member having protruding ends comprising eyelets;    a spring arm protruding inward from said top support member;    a latch attached adjacent a protruding end of said support member, wherein said latch comprises retaining tabs;    a yoke attached adjacent opposing protruding end of said support member, wherein said yoke comprises retaining tabs;    a clamping arm comprising distal prongs pivotally connected to said retaining tabs of said yoke and an opposing clasp for locking into retaining tabs of said latch across said spring arm for catching a user's hair; and    a decorative attachment longer than said top support member, wherein said attachment comprises a plastic mesh layer sandwiched between a cotton webbing layer and a grosgrain ribbon layer;    a plurality of rivets for passing said eyelets and said decorative attachment to fixedly attach said decorative attachment to outer surface of said top support member; and    a decorative material attached to top surface of said decorative attachment, thereby providing added aesthetic appeal.    
   
   
       12 . A method of making a decorative barrette comprising the steps of: 
 creating a decorative attachment; 
 cutting said decorative attachment into a shape that fits shape of top support member of a barrette base;  
 folding ends of said decorative attachment over ends of said top support member;  
 affixing said decorative attachment along outer surface of said top support member of said barrette base; and  
 affixing a decorative material atop said decorative attachment.  
   
   
   
       13 . A method of making a decorative barrette according to  claim 12 , wherein said step of creating a decorative attachment further comprises the substeps of: 
 cutting layers of plastic mesh, cotton webbing, and grosgrain ribbon such that plastic mesh layer is longer than said ribbon and said webbing;    applying glue to a plastic mesh layer;    attaching a cotton webbing layer to one surface of said plastic mesh layer;    attaching a grosgrain ribbon layer to opposite surface of said plastic mesh layer; and    folding ends of said cotton webbing layer over said grosgrain ribbon layer.    
   
   
       14 . A method of making a decorative barrette according to  claim 12 , further comprising the step of fray-blocking said decorative material.