Abstract: First and second retaining elements extend from a hinge to lie adjacent one another, one of the retaining elements being formed to be reorientatable between first and second bowed positions of stability. A detent is spaced from the hinge and arranged hold captive respective portions of the first and second retaining elements. The apparatus is suitable for use particularly as a hair clip, clasp, or slide, but can be used for securing other material or items.

Abstract: A lock of hair displayed in a vertical orientation that is attached to a string-like depending component of an earring using a slipknot in the string to engage the lock of hair, wherein the knot both holds the lock of hair in place and also compresses its girth so that the non-compressed girth above the knot prevents inadvertent disengaging descending movement through the knot.

Abstract: A hair clip has two curved arms connected in parallel and a clamping strip extending from a connecting area between the curved arms. Each curved arm has a pair of horizontally outwardly arched sections, a horizontally inwardly curved section connected between the horizontally outwardly arched sections, and a coupling tip at a free end. The clamping strip has a retainer portion at its free end for securing the coupling tips of the curved arms together. The clamping strip also has a plurality of downwardly curved sections and upwardly curved sections alternatively connected in a line between the clamping strip fixed end and free end. The width of the clamping strip is broader than the gap between the horizontally inwardly arched sections of the curved arms.