And you thought a hair comb was just an old-fashioned beauty accessory!

When a friend told me she knew of a sculptor living in Brussels making work out of vintage hair combs I  really didn't know quite what to expect, but being utterly intrigued, I just had to check  out Jacqueline Lecarme. You won't find this incredible woman on blogs or websites because she keeps herself very much to herself. But to be honest, her name should be shouted from the rooftops - as what she's doing is so completely and utterly unique. 

Entering Jacqueline's home - a solid and spacious maison de maître - I immediately knew I was meeting someone special. Peering out from perches on every surface are brightly coloured sculptures resonating with personality. You'll find exotic birds bursting with colour, human likenesses both familiar and a little strange, and fantastical yet recognisable creatures.

Head to her studio up a dimly lit creaking staircase and there's even more to astonish and delight. A brocanteur's dream, you'll find draw upon drawer of vintage belt buckles, beads and buttons, combs of course, hair clips and dozens of other plastic domestic accessories - shoehorns, shaving brushes, anything and everything made from old plastics. Galalith (like bakelite but made of milk protein) is Jacqueline's favourite material, but it's getting harder to find, so she's always on the look out for other options. She generally needs lots of the same type of thing to make a sculpture as even a basic shape will require at least thirty combs as well as other bits and pieces.

Jacqueline used to paint and make jewellery until one day, something suddenly clicked as she was looking at a hair comb - yes really! She played with the shape, heating and cutting it - and lo and behold her new ideas started to emerge. Her work as a painter has ceased, but she still makes jewellery......vintage plastic buckles are key to these irresistible pieces.

That's all for now folks! You'll be hearing more about Jacqueline Lecarme if I have anything to do with it!