Remember those rad newspaper nails I posted a few weeks back? Ever since then I find myself noticing nail art more and more… I’m terrible at the whole nail polish thing, because I bite my nails – it’s a habit I can’t seem to kick. But if I managed to get my nails to look like any of these, I don’t think I’d want to ruin them…
i’m so excited about today’s guest DIY! it comes from halligan norris smith, who i met through fp jemma and is an amazingly talented and crafty lady! we posted some photos from her beautiful wedding a little while back, and they definitely give you a taste of her creative aesthetic…so when she said she wanted to do a DIY for our blog i knew it would be awesome!
i’m sure you’ve all seen the foxtail trend that seemed to take over the blog world last summer… well in a spin on that trend, remember the phenomenon that was rabbits feet? i had a few of the so-called good luck charms when i was little. but thanks to the crafty genius of halligan, you can make your own faux rabbit’s foot in just a few easy steps and have an adorable keychain or accessory to wear this summer!
Tools:
needle and thread
glue – such as E6000
Materials:
faux fur
beads
wire or looped head pins
bead caps
chain
embroidery thread
tin foil
Instructions:
Step 1: Download and print out template from our flickr page. Cut out your outline.
Step 2: Trace paper template shape onto the back of two pieces of faux fur.
Step 3: Cut out both shapes.
Step 4: Place both fur sides together and do a simple blanket stitch around the outside, leaving about 1 1/4″ open for stuffing.
Step 5: Turn rabbit’s foot fur side out. Then take your tin foil, roll it up and squeeze enough to fit vertically inside the pouch. Then, use polyfill to fill any remaining open space.
Step 6: Slightly curl lips of opening, line with glue, and pinch closed with a clothespin.
Step 7: Trim extra fur from around tip of you rabbit’s foot form.
Step 8: Use embroidery thread to wrap tip of rabbits foot, tie off and glue string ends.
Step 9: Sew 3 bead “toenails” onto base of rabbit’s foot.
Step 10: Use a curled head pin or curl wire to form loop. Put loop through bead cap and put glue onto wire before inserting into top of rabbit’s foot.
Step 11: String chain into loop.
All done! Use them as keychains, hang from your car’s rearview mirror as a good luck charm, or clip them to your bag or belt loops for a super cute accessory :)
images by the talented jess roberts, and be sure to check out halligan’s website here. thank you so much ladies!
on a crystal clear thursday in january i took an early morning train up to new york city to meet up with our catalog team for the april shoot. anticipation and excitement were running through my veins as i listened to mellow tunes and thought about what the day ahead would hold – super model sasha pivovarova, one of my favorite photographers, guy aroch, exotic animals, and seeing our catalog team in action for the first time.
we shot at milk studios in NYC, an amazing space in the meatpacking district across from the chelsea market. studio three would be ours for the next couple of days, a large and inviting space flooded with light and located at the end of a quiet hallway.
when i arrived our team was setting up for the day. the set and the lighting have to be perfect, the outfits are all hung up and organized, and hair and makeup begins.
our catalog team chatted over coffee and breakfast as hair and makeup was underway. the team typically consists of our creative director, art director, producer, a stylist, hair and makeup artists, and the the photographer and photo/tech assistants.
sasha chilled with her laptop as she got her hair and nails done.
the clothes were separated into two racks to correspond with the catalog’s element theme – day one was air and earth, consisting of a soft color palette, natural makeup and all white animals. day two’s theme would be fire and water, with bright colors and tribal accents.
our stylist, creative director and art director looked over the outfits and made some last minute changes.
shoes were lined up and accessories carefully arranged on a table.
the day prior our team had done some prop shopping – the props above would be used day one.
guy aroch arrived and got set up, taking a couple test shots to make sure the lighting was just right. i was so nervous to meet him but he’s extremely laid back and cool.
guy and sasha talked for a few minutes and then it was time for shooting to begin!
i always feel like the best way to get to know someone is to see where they live – a home can tell so much about a person. we’re going to be exploring more homes of fp girls here on the blog and i thought i’d start with my own.
i’ve been living in old city, philadelphia for about a year now since moving back east from san francisco. old city is my favorite part of philly because its rather small and my closest friends live in about a two block radius – as well as my favorite coffee shop, record store and bar. i don’t spend much time at home but i view my place as a safe haven when i need to relax, listen to music and be alone with my thoughts.
this buddha is one of my most treasured possessions – i got it from my dad, who used to collect them. the beatles white album is my favorite record of all time, and i found this original copy at a thrift store in ocean beach san diego.
this is actually a lamp that is currently being used as a hat rack :)
more of my favorite things… jewelry box that holds some rings and trinkets that are very special to me. i still ask my eight ball for advice when i can’t make decisions. a lucky candle, favorite photo and drawing i did of jimi hendrix.
i needed a place to hang my necklaces so i put a few nails in the wall.
the majority of my closet is free people – not because i work here, it was always that way :)
i saw someone with this cardboard sign on haight street in san fran and i thought it was awesome.
photos of places i’ve been and my favorite grateful dead poster.
the majority of the artwork i have hanging right now is concert-related.
this little antique mirror table unfortunately does not belong to me, but i love it so much. i use it to store random little trinkets, photos and concert tickets. and i always have candles burning!
my fridge – my favorite quote of all time is in the center.
another quote i love, from a jimi hendrix song. the postcard at top right was sent to me when i got the job at free people and i thought it was the sweetest thing ever. and fun fact about me – i’m a certified bartender in san francisco :)
and last but certainly not least – this is my cat, jam <3
