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"Art Gallery" showcases the nail art of some of the best artists in the industry. Every month, the column features four to six nail art designs created by one or more of our readers with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. The nail art usually follows a theme for an upcoming holiday or season and depicts that theme in creative, easy-to-replicate designs. The column also provides promotional tips to help readers make the most of their nail art businesses.
Nailpro is actively seeking nail art submissions, so send in your best examples today. If your art is chosen, we'll pay you $25 per nail and you'll be featured in an upcoming issue. Package nails securely, using bubble wrap, a padded box or cotton, and send by snail mail to: Nailpro, 7628 Densmore Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406, Attn.: "Art Gallery." Don't forget to include your name, address and phone number! |
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Deck out your clients’ nails with lust-worthy nail jewelry.
By Pam Minch
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 Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but precious stones might just qualify as a member of the family! Women love beautiful jewelry, so why not incorporate the sparkle of your clients’ favorite baubles into their nail art to make your clients all googly-eyed whenever they admire their hands?
Perhaps your client can’t afford that Cartier canary diamond bracelet she’s had her eye on. So nail tech Audrey Watabe suggests that you answer her lust for expensive sparklers with nail designs that incorporate rhinestones, gemstones and bullion. These fabulous nail art designs not only double as fashion accessories, but can also be customized and color-coordinated with a client’s special outfit or to accent her rings, earrings, bracelets or necklaces.
No woman with a penchant for twinkling jewels will be able to resist these eye-catching designs, and nail techs who are reluctant to try handpainted nail art will find that these designs only require a little bit of glue and a whole lot of imagination!
Don’t use only flat-backed round rhinestones; experiment with different gemstone shapes, colors and sizes to create nail jewelry that will have your clients clamoring for more.
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 Step 1. Polish the entire nail black. Create a heart shape with gold glitter paint.
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 Step 2. Glue a green rhinestone in the center of the heart. Surround the green rhinestone with gold bullion.
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 Step 3. Glue light green rhinestones around the gold heart.
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 Step 4. Using gold bullion, add a rectangular shape at the top of the heart. Create a chain using gold bullion that runs through the rectangle. Accent the rhinestones with bullion along the edge of the heart.
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 Step 5. Add gold dots and seal with top coat.
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Average Time: 10 to 15 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $10 to $15 per nail.
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 Step 1. Polish the entire nail pearly pink. Glue one green rhinestone slightly off-center on the nail bed.
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 Step 2. Following the diagram, glue gold bullion onto the nail to form the shape of petals.
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 Step 3. Create a zigzag pattern using light green and clear rhinestones on the free edge. Alternate between the two colors.
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 Step 4. Glue bullion between the rhinestones. Apply top coat.
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Average Time: 10 to 15 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $10 per nail.
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Bejeweled
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 Step 1. Polish the entire nail beige. Glue a large oval turquoise stone in the center of the nail bed.
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 Step 2. Bend four silver leaf-shaped stones down the middle. Glue them to the four corners of the large turquoise stone.
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 Step 3. Surround the large turquoise stone with light green rhinestones. Glue one of the light green rhinestones onto the large stone as an accent.
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 Step 4. Glue three silver bullion to the outer edge of each light green rhinestone.
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 Step 5. Place two thin pieces of silver striping tape on the free edge. Apply top coat.
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Average Time: 10 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $10 per nail.
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Golden Era
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 Step 1. Polish the entire nail light gold. Glue one light green rhinestone in the center of the nail bed. Glue four teardrop-shaped crystal stones around the light green rhinestone.
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 Step 2. Glue gold bullion between each teardrop stone.
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 Step 3. Moving outward from the center, glue a light green rhinestone on top of each gold bullion.
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 Step 4. Glue gold bullion where the light green rhinestones and crystal teardrop stones meet. Add one gold rhinestone and two light yellow rhinestones outside of each light green stone.
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 Step 5. Apply three gold bullion at the tip of each teardrop-shaped stone. Glue two diagonal lines of light green rhinestones across the top and base of the nail. Border each line with gold bullion. Apply top coat.
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Average Time: 10 to 15 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $10 to $15 per nail.
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Peridot Medallion
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 Step 1. Polish the entire nail pearly white. Glue six light green rhinestones in a triangular shape slightly off-center on the nail bed. Glue gold bullion between each light green rhinestone.
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 Step 2. Add three light yellow rhinestones on the left side of the triangle, six clear rhinestones on the bottom half of the triangle and four light yellow rhinestones on the upper right side of the triangle.
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 Step 3. Add six topaz rhinestones to the top of the triangle.
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 Step 4. Surround the entire triangular shape with two rows of gold bullion. Add a third line of bullion on left side of the triangle.
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 Step 5. Use gold bullion to create a connector atop the triangle, and add a chain in gold bullion that runs through the connector. Glue four light green rhinestones on top of the three rows of bullion on the triangle’s left side. Finish with top coat.
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Average Time: 10 to 15 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $10 to $15 per nail.
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Working with bullion can be tricky. Here are a few tips to make your job easier:
• Bullion tends to bleed when it comes into contact with polish and vice versa. Add top coat over polish to prevent the color from bleeding onto the bullion.
• Rather than simply sticking bullion onto a damp top coat, glue it on. This helps prevent any from coming loose from wear.
• Pour a few at a time onto a paper towel and pick up each one with a damp toothpick.
• Use a magnifier when applying bullion; this helps prevent eye strain.
Celebrating her 25th year as a nail tech this year, Pam Minch specializes in nail art at Elysium Day Spa in Parker, Colorado. Her art has been featured in Sports Illustrated and several other publications. She has been a top nail art competitor, a competition judge and an educator for a major manufacturer.
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