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Hobbit Feet
Not quick and easy, this is a realistic, theatre-quality method for hairing feet. With practice, it will look genuinely like hair growing out of the feet to all but the closest inspection. While this method is designed for adding hair directly to the skin, it can be adapted to apply hair to a synthetic foot.
These instructions were developed by the staff at Sans Souci Studios
for the hairing of their high quality papier-mache masks. Please help support Numenor by visiting them.
Please bring your comments, questions, and difficulties with these projects to the Numenor Council.
Please Note
- This project involves using latex against the skin, and should not be done by persons with latex allergies
- Do not apply latex to hairy surfaces. If your feet are already slightly hobbitish, shave them first!
- This same procedure may be used to make beards or Gandalf's eyebrows. Observe the warning above, however!
- This project is easiest if done with two people: the hairier and the hairiee. It can be done by one flexible person, however. Try bending over your foot and imagine doing that for an hour.
Supplies
- Crepe Hair
- Latex
- Sharp Scissors
- Spirit Gum
- Gauze or nylon stocking
- overhead projector pen
- iron
- clean cloth
Most of these supplies are easily purchased in better costume shops.
Plan your Design
Using the overhead projector pen (which is washable and non-toxic) sketch on your foot how you want your hair to look. Pay attention to the direction the hair goes.
Prepare the crepe hair
- Crepe hair is sold in tight braids, giving it a kinky texture. Unless you want this, it will need to be ironed. Set the iron on "wool" and add water. Stretch out the hair, measure about a foot, and cut.
- Press a length of the hair, stetched taught, between thumb and forefinger of one hand. Cover with the clean cloth, and iron between the fingers.
- Check your progress, and repeat as necessary until the hair is a just a little curlier than you like.
- Repeat for the rest of the lock of hair.
- Now thin the hair by pulling apart the lock several times, until there are no noticable clumps of very dense hair. Do this even if you want your hair very thick and wooly.
Build the latex base
(This step is needed only you want a reusable hairpiece. If this is a one-time creation, proceed to "Laying the Hair")
- Brush a layer of latex on your foot according to your plan. Remember that you only need latex at the roots of the hair, not the tips.
- Cut a piece of gauze or nylon the shape of the latex. Press it in place.
- Brush a second layer of latex over the gauze or nylon.
