1) Designing
The artisans start from designing each hana kanzashi hair stick. It can be difficult discovering new ideas for designs. But at the same time it is fun and challenging part of Kanzashi making.
2) Dying
Dying the fabrics called "HABUTAE". They would use very vivid colors for Shichigosan ("seven-five-three" festival: It is a custom of taking three-or seven-year-old girls and three- or five-year-old boys to the local Shinto shrine to give thanks for their good health and pray for future blessings) and slightly more subtle colors for adults.
3) Gluing
Applying glue (mixed w/ water) on the habutae materials using a "Hake" brush. Then leave it for drying. This process is called "Norihiki" and will make the materials ready for kanzashi making, otherwise the material will not stay in the perfect shapes. It takes about 1~2 hours to dry the materials. They can only do this when the weather is just right (Not to hot or cold). Severe sun light may cause the discoloration of the materials.