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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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In the spirit of the back-to-school season,
offer your clients nail designs with real “class.”
By Pam Minch
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 New notebooks, pressed school clothes and freshly sharpened pencils all signal that school is back in session. This month’s “Art Gallery” is dedicated to the people who make this time of the year so special.
Whether your client is a mother prepping her children for the new school year or a teacher who will spend the next few months in front of a chalkboard, she’ll love the nail art that tech Audrey Watabe has brainstormed for September. Even kids can wear miniature versions of these designs—they’re sure to be teacher’s pet on the first day of school.
We all remember school nametags and flash cards from our school years, so why not incorporate them into your nail art display? One of my favorite parts of the new school year was shopping for school supplies, and Watabe has patterned some of her designs around this annual ritual.
Remember those apples you used to bring for your teachers? Offering your clients these cute back-to-school nails will make you the apple of their eyes!
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 Step 1. File the nail’s free edge to a point and paint the entire nail with yellow polish.
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 Step 2. Using silver polish, paint a band at the base of the nail. Add accent details with gray and white polish.
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 Step 3. Add the eraser of the pencil with dark pink polish.
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 Step 4. Paint a zigzag design near the tip and fill it in with tan polish. Add two vertical lines up the nail to the silver band.
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 Step 5. Paint a black tip to create the lead of the pencil. Finish with top coat.
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Average Time: 5 to 7 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $5 per nail.
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 Step 1. Polish the nail black and allow it to dry.
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 Step 2. Using a sponge, randomly dab white paint in a marblelike pattern across the entire nail to create the cover of the journal.
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 Step 3. Paint a white rectangle with rounded edges in the center of the nail. Add black accent lines inside the rectangle.
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 Step 4. Using black, paint “ABC” in the center of the rectangle.
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 Step 5. Paint a thin strip of black down the left side of the design to give the effect of a book binding. Finish with top coat.
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Average Time: 5 to 7 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $5 per nail.
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Teacher’s Name Tag
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 Step 1. Polish the entire nail white.
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 Step 2. Paint wavy lines at the top of the nail using red, yellow and lime green polishes. Add white dots between the wavy lines.
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 Step 3. Using turquoise polish, paint all four edges of the nail.
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 Step 4. Write “My name is...” and your client’s name using black polish.
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 Step 5. Apply two small silver star spangles on the nail and add top coat.
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Average Time: 5 to 7 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $5 per nail.
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Flash Card
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 Step 1. Paint the entire nail with off-white polish.
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 Step 2. Using black, paint the math problem of your choice on the nail.
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 Step 3. Paint pink, blue, yellow and lime green dots down the left side of the nail.
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Step 4. Seal with top coat. |
Average Time: 3 to 5 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $3 per nail.
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Highlighter
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 Step 1. Polish the nail white. Paint three strips in a random pattern, using neon pink, neon yellow and neon green polishes.
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 Step 2. Using black paint, write the letters “abc” “def” and “ghi” in the neon color strips.
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Step 3. Add rhinestones as accents. Finish with top coat. |
Average Time: 3 to 5 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $3 per nail.
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Displaying your artwork in a clever way will be easy this month. Try gluing your display nails to the ends of new pencils, or attach them to the cover of a composition book.
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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