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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 SansSouciStudios.com for the hairing of their high quality papier-mache masks. Please help support Numenor by visiting them.

Questions about this procedure should be addressed to The Numenorean.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Check your progress, and repeat as necessary until the hair is a just a little curlier than you like.
4. Repeat for the rest of the lock of hair.

5. 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")

1. 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.
2. Cut a piece of gauze or nylon the shape of the latex. Press it in plan.
3. Brush a second layer of latex over the gauze or nylon.

Laying the Hair

1. Cut a lock a little longer than the desired length.
2. To evenly distribute the hair, and soften cut edges, hold the lock by either end and gently pull apart. Lay the two pieces on top of each other and repeat several times until is looks soft.
3. Take a small portion of this lock, hold it flat, hold it firmly between thumb and forefinger of one hand, and cut straight across with sharp scissors, leaving about 1/4" above your fingers. This gives you the hard edge to lay on your foot. Do not let go!
4. Brush a line of latex on your foot, and press the cut edge of hair into it. Hold for a few secons.
5. Repeat these steps over and over until done!

Tips for laying hair

• Work from the bottom up.
• Avoid touching the hair below as you add more. The latex is tacky, and if you touch it, it will stick to your fingers and pull hair off.
• Pay attention to the direction you are laying the hair. Paint the line of latex perpendicular to the direction of the hair.
• Work in small quantities. An inch of width is probably too much.
• The most common error of the novice in building false hair is making it too thick. Hair, at the roots, is very thin--this is why you can see the scalp through buzz-cut hair. The length and layers will give the thickness. Take a lock that is thin enough you can see through it. Put half back. This is what you want.

Styling

1. Wait 10-20 minutes for the latex to cure.
2. Very gently brush out the hair. Do not touch the latex with brush.
3. Trim to desire shape and length.

Removal and Reuse

1. Scrape carefully at one corner with a fingernail until it lifts up.
2. Very gently rub a finger between the hair piece and the foot until they are separated.
3. To reapply, spread spirit gum on the foot, wait a minute, and press in place.

Any questions with this procedure, please ask The Numenorean.