A PERFECT BRAIDING ORGANIZER AND BAG FOR SHOWS

How do I organize my braiding tools and supplies so that I can braid a mane in less time? Learn how I designed a mane braiding organizer and bag with unique features.  It keeps my tools and supplies clean and ready for good, fast braiding at a moment’s notice. 

I admit it. I’m not the most organized person.  For years, I braided my own horse and hundreds of others without a mane braiding organizer. I just threw all my braiding tools in a fanny pack.  But I have learned the benefits of being organized from several home projects that I’ve completed.  Here’s what I notice about being organized:

• You can find what you need right away.
• It helps identify the items you need to buy.
• It saves money because you only buy what you need.
• You work faster with everything visible or at your fingertips.
• You experience less stress because you know exactly where to find items.
• Life is easier when you’re organized.

If you’ve ever sorted through your clothes and donated those that you don’t wear or fit in to, then you know what I’m talking about.  After purging these items, all the remaining clothes in your closet are flattering and fit well.  Suddenly getting dressed in the morning is a breeze.

MISHAP THAT LED TO THE MANE BRAIDING ORGANIZER

So what does this have to do with braiding?  Well, one day while I was braiding professionally at a hunter show, the flip latch on my latch hook tool broke. But I wasn’t worried because I always carry a spare since having no latch hook tool would seriously slow me down.  With a latch hook tool I can pull up 40 braids in minutes.  

I reached into my fanny pack and began to search for that extra latch hook tool.  Even though I was sure it was in there, it was nowhere to be found.  Since I still had many horses left to braid on my list and I use that tool to pull up every braid, I was starting to feel panicked.  Finding another braider with an extra latch hook tool to loan me wasn’t going to be easy.  I knew that I never wanted to be in this position again. That’s the moment I decided to create a mane braiding organizer so I could keep all my tools visible and at hand when needed.

FUNCTION FIRST

I had some big expectations when I set out designing a mane braiding organizer. I made a list of what a braiding organizer would have to do in order to function well.  An effective braiding organizer would have to:

• Hold all of my tools in a convenient way.
• Be a well-constructed and durable.
• Store my spare tools, an extra clip and latch hook tool, in a visible way.
• Store my extra braiding supplies like cut yarn, waxed thread, and bands. It seems like there’s no good place to put these items.
• Keep everything dust free.
• Have an eye-appealing design so I would look forward to using it.

BEHIND THE DESIGN 

I have determination and sewing skills thanks to my mother.  Which both came in handy as I designed, tested, and redesigned a braiding organizer many times over the next couple of years.

I selected a cotton duck (canvas) for the material because it’s both durable and washable.   I settled on a final design that was super functional. And it slides right onto my belt, which I love.  My next task was to add some equestrian style to the organizer so it would be lovely to look at and use.

EYE APPEALING ELEMENTS

Why do braiding kits have to be boring?   I added some eye-appealing elements.  After an extensive search, I found just the right contrasting fabric to create inspiring dressage and hunt seat designs.  And I have an obsession with piping, so I added it to the pockets.   The results were thrilling!

WHAT’S UP WITH THE BAG

After finalizing the organizer design, I still needed a way to keep everything dust free and a place to put my extra supplies.  My solution had to be something I could hang in my grooming bag when heading to a show with my own horse.  I played around with a couple of ideas, but chose a matching storage bag with a loop for hanging.  And after you open the bag, it returns to a closed position on its own. Which I found helpful and convenient.

ALL-IN-ONE BRAIDING SOLUTION

Now I was able to fold my braiding organizer and slide it into the bag along with some extra cut yarn, waxed thread, or elastic bands. After putting in some hard work and completing many revisions, I had finally created a brilliant mane braiding organizer and bag that not only met all my expectations, it blew me away!

13 REASONS WHY I LOVE IT

I’ve tested my mane braiding organizer and bag extensively and here’s what I love about it:

✔ It holds all my favorite braiding tools, including my forelock tool*.  

✔  It holds my spare tools so they’re visible and easy to find.

✔  I can easily see what I need to purchase when something is missing.

✔  It slides right on my belt and can be positioned at my hip.

✔  The organizer folds and slides into a matching storage bag.

✔  The storage bag keeps everything clean.

✔  The storage bag snaps back to a closed position on its own.

✔  The storage bag holds my extra supplies, such as cut yarn, so nothing goes to waste.

✔  The organizer and bag are well-constructed and durable.

✔  The bag’s loop enables me to hang it in my grooming bag or stall.

✔  The organizer and bag are washable.

✔  The fun design is easy to spot among my grooming items.

✔  The eye-appealing design makes braiding more enjoyable.

* The forelock tool makes it easy to pull the forelock braid up. I have a video in my Free Resource Library on how to DIY a forelock tool in minutes using materials you probably already have at home. You can sign up for my braiding tips newsletter and exclusive offers and get instant access to the Free Resource Library.

YOUR BRAIDING ORGANIZER AND BAG

Recently, my long-time friend and fellow rider came to visit me.  When she saw my braiding organizer and bag design, she urged me to make it available to other riders. Although I never set out to create a physical product, I had a blast designing this organizer and bag.  So I decided to take on that challenge.  Currently, the following three designs are available to my fellow equestrians in limited quantities:

 

 

Click here to learn more about this Brilliant Mane Braiding Organizer and Bag.

WHAT RIDERS SAY ABOUT THE BRAIDING ORGANIZER & BAG

Here’s what fellow equestrians are saying about the Brilliant Mane Braiding Organizer and Bag:

 

“Great Idea.”  Kris Wanggaard Raven

 

“Looks like a great bag.   20 something years ago I had a friend make one for me…had multiple pockets very durable.  But yours looks very much more polished and I love the material.”   Mary Sue Lusk

 

“Love this!!”  Equine Cents & Sensibility