I've been procrastinating about taking pictures, but here are my LL hairsticks:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll239/callisto_hair/PB020005.jpg
This is my semi-successful self crown braid attempt.  Unfortunately, my braid is only long enough to wrap around part of the crown so it feels really asymmetrical when I wear it.  Kinda looks that way in the picture, too:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll239/callisto_hair/PB020004.jpg
I hope those don't end up being huge again...

oooh very pretty! :)

Very nice!

Nice! :)

Ooh, pretty. :) I especially like the braided bun thing.

I love the braided bun, and the color of your hair makes the hairsticks really stand out!

Did you start it with a french braid?  Is it a whole french braid that you bunned?

The bun is a style I do a lot.  Normally I just use a nape braid but I had french braided it in that picture so I just coiled the braid.  

All it is:
Braid hair all the way to the ends (no unbraided last 2 inches)
Wrap it loosely and tuck the end of the braid under
Catch the edge of the coil with the hairstick facing away from the bun, then reverse it and slide it through to the other side, repeat with other stick if you like.

I like using it because it keeps the braid out of my way and doesn't pull tightly on some hairs like cinnamon buns can.  So it's really comfortable but it holds well- I can wear it for PE and run a half-mile and it's fine.

Wait... were you talking about the top one or the bottom one?

The bottom one is my attempt as a crown braid.  It started out normally but ended up.... kinda small.  ;D

I was talking about the first pic.  Thanks for the details.

very pretty!  :D