First Photography Project (Light & Shadow)

Hemp Ball Accents: how-to

I was inspired by the excess of hemp that I somehow seemed to possess. And since my ego just wouldn't let me use it for bracelets or the like, I needed to find another solution. These decorative accents are what I came up with. The project was extremely simple and quick. So I'd definitely recommend trying it if you guys have a lonely basket or bowl lying around that you'd like to show off.

Materials

styrofoam balls (whichever size you like best, or you can get an assortment like I did)

hemp

glue gun

hot glue (definitely stock up on these)

decorative basket/bowl to place them in once finished

spray paint (optional)

Step One

Take the hemp and gently press a small section (approximately 1 inch in length) into the styrofoam ball.

Step Two

Make sure that the string is pressed far enough in so that it's even and flush with the surface of the ball. (See image below) Then glue into place.

Step Three

Wrap the hemp around itself, like so, in a full circle. Glue as you go.

Step Four

Keep wrapping and gluing.

Step Five

More wrapping and gluing. Make sure you're winding everything very tightly so that there are no spaces between the rows of hemp.

Step Six

Wind up the last bit without glue (leaving a little excess so you can tuck it under) then cut the hemp.

Step Seven

Wind the remaining hemp. Tuck the last little bit under, like so.

Step Eight

Glue everything down. Voila!

Step Nine

Gather all of your hemp ball decorative accents and place them in a bowl or basket of your choice. As you can see from the image below, I decided to spray paint some dark brown and some blue. This step is optional. I like the look of the natural hemp as well as color added to it, that's why I chose to do both. However, I would definitely be careful with the color of spray paint you choose. The dark brown went on effortlessly. The blue was another story. I experimented with a few different shades before I actually got it right. But I think they turned out pretty well overall:)

beautiful people // natalie portman

Dior's latest campaign for Miss Dior Cherie.

Another (Fall/Winter 2009)

(among Kate Moss, Katie Holmes, and Vanessa Paradis as a fourth covergirl)

Interview (September 2009)

Elle UK (February 2010)

Isn't she just the prettiest little ballerina on the block? My personal favorites are the third shot from Interview and this very last shot from Elle UK pictured above. Darren Aronofsky couldn't have had a better leading lady for Black Swan.

sneak peak//hemp ball accents

Are you intrigued? I finished up most of these puppies yesterday and spray painted a few. I wanted to stick with the natural look of the hemp, a dark brown, and a light blue. The dark brown was a success. But, the light blue was not so much. It looked terrible. Now I have to decide what my third color will be, find a little basket for these guys...then I will post the full how-to. Any suggestions on colors would be greatly appreciated!

had to do it.

mr. man wedges

Copy me and get them at Edge of Urge.

Earring Holder: how-to

I was going through my car the other day when I came across this lonely picture frame. While I didn't have any photographs this particular size to fill it with, I had another idea up my sleeve. An earring holder.

Materials

picture frame

paint

extra screen door netting/fabric (whatever it's called)

staple gun

earrings, of course!

Step One

Choose your frame. Make sure it's big enough to serve your purpose. So depending on how many earrings you have, the size may vary. Then set your surface up for painting.

Step Two

PAINT. I sanded mine before and after painting to roughen it up a bit. I decided to mix a little black paint with white to create a very light grey. Although, it looks a little blue here which is weird. I assure you it is, in fact, grey.

Step Three

The fun part. Or judging from my experience...the scary part. I'm no stranger to staple guns. I have one of my own at my place in Wilmington. However, I made this when I was out of town visiting my grandparents. And I probably should have listened to my grandpa when he told me his electric one was dangerous. The staple gun went crazy when I was using it. Everytime I tried to staple the netting down, atleast 3 staples shot out. It was unpredictable but I got the job done. Here is a picture of my shotty staple job.

Here's the whole thing with the netting attached. Unfortunately the photograph sucks.

Step Four

Add earrings and enjoy what you've just made! :)

Lipstick...finally!

So, I posted a how-to on making your own lipstick awhile ago and I've finally gotten the chance to try it out! It was so incredibly easy. Anyone could do this. Below I added a photo of all my supplies before I started. The bottle on the left is vitamin oil and the white beeswax on the bottom is just a sheet of beeswax. I couldn't find any candles:( So far, I've only been able to collect three mini containers. All three of which are empty makeup containers.

After I got all of my supplies together and seperated, I began taking all of the paper off of the crayons. Then I cut the beeswax, boiled the water, and added the crayons and beeswax plus the vitamin oil. It seriously only took 30 seconds to melt everything and pour the mixture into the container. My containers were actually way too small for what my how-to called for, so next time I will probably just half everything. But I guess it really just depends on how big your containers are.

Below are my three containers of lipstick:) I chose to make RED, blood red (a shade similar to Urban Decay's Gash), and black (to layer under other shades).

Overall, I'm really excited with how they all turned out. However, I'm more surprised at just how easy they were to make. I encourage anyone interested to DO IT. I can't wait to try out other colors after I get my hands on some more containers:)

beautiful people // lily donaldson

Vogue Nippon (October 2007)

Numéro (September 2008)

Images

Nikon D80--I still don't know how to use it.

As I am not so friendly towards technology, I am sitting at my apartment waiting for my new phone to arrive via FedEx. [It mysteriously broke a week ago.] And seeing as how I have an uncanny tendency to somehow consistently break my phones, cameras, etc...I was surprised to receive this little gem for Christmas.

[This is what I've been doing while waiting.]

This is a disgusting wine glass that I left in Wilmington over Christmas break. The wine stained the glass purple. But...it's still art, right?

Close-up of a project I finished months ago that I still need to hang up.

The infamous downtown roses. Despite the subject matter, I can see why photographers like shooting with black backgrounds. This first one is my fave.

I need practice! So if anyone would like to partake in some recreational photo taking, let me know.