I really, really, want some 80's style ribbon barrettes- you know the kind i'm talking about.  Does anyone know how to make them?  thx tanya

I'd forgotten about those.  I could probably figure it out if I had barrettes and ribbon...I don't think I'd be able to explain it anyway!

Its a lot like lacing a shoe! Here's how you do it:
Buy some of the gold or silver metal goodie barrette with the opening down the middle. Also, get some very thin, colored ribbon and some beads.

Cut two pieces of ribbon, about 1 1/2 feet long each and tie them in a tight, small knot at one end. You now essentially have a three foot long piece of ribbon with a knot in the center.
Take a barrette and open it. Place the knot on the underside of the barrette, right where the latch that bends over to hold the barrette is. Now the ribbon is ready to weave.
Take the ribbon end on the right, loop it around the (right) outside of the barrette to the front and through the slit in the middle of the barrette.
Now take the ribbon end on the left, and loop it around the left side of the barrette, to the front and through the slit in the middle of the barrette.
Repeat the steps over until you get to the bottom of the barrette. Tie in a knot.
Trim the ends to the desired length. Add beads as you like, and knot the ribbon beneath the beads.
Does this help?
Hope so! Have fun,
Swatchdog