Over half way through the year already. It’s been a busy month as everyone is getting their nails holiday ready. I started the month attending a class in Bodmin with the amazing Keiko Venner learning One Stroke. We all learned a lot and I love the Orgasmic Paints, they are so creamy and lovely to work with Keiko is such a patient teacher and her work is out of this world. I learned a lot and now just need some spare time to practice!

The last week of the month was so hectic as I was getting prepared for my trip to Stoke On Trent for my TNG Stage 2 Course with Kirsty Meakin.

Hotels are all busy this time of year so I booked myself an Airbnb near to the training venue which was luxury! 3 bedrooms all to myself, my own patio area (which I didn’t get to use as it rained but it was useful each night while I e-filed my day’s nails off ready for new nails every morning!). I figured self catering would be the way to go as I could get my own shopping in and do my own thing rather than eat in a hotel and be stuck in a little room. The house had every amenity you could wish for and there was a huge welcome pack waiting for my arrival. Bread, fruit, cereals, croissants, fruit juice, butter, milk, pasta and rice, condiments… everything I could need. The start of a great week away… more in the previous blog. Definitely the way to stay!

6 hour return journey and Satnav brought me via Stonehenge again, it’s like a magnet. 45 minutes crawling along while people take pictures of an underwhelming bunch of rocks! Will go a different route next time!

Here are some of the nails I created in July. I’m gradually catching up… just Feb, March, April, May and June to do!

Purple gel with diamond glitter design

This design started life as a lovely Sharm effect. Dark and light purple roses blending beautifully on my colour pops. Looked fabulous! Alison was really keen so we started on the nails… as you see no roses! Total failure. The leaves would not blend, they looked terrible. This is Plan B!

One stroke flowers

These are Ann’s natural nails with an acrylic overlay. Using techniques learned from Keiko and Orgasmic paints I painted 4 nails with onestroke.

Honeymoon nails

Cat eye Caramel with gold foil swirls

Watermelon with diamond glitter and chevron design

One stroke Tulips over black gel polish burnished with blue

Pale pink wit shimmer pigment and silver chunky glitter over

Prom Nails for Chloe

Chrome pigment overlay

Practicing Paua shell for client’s party

The finished Paua shell nail.

Paua shell Nails

Emily’s designed her own necklace for her 40th birthday party and asked if I could design something to go with the paua shells she had used. I used a mixture of foil, sheer gels, handmixed gels and detailed lines to achieve this effect.

Encapsulated pink and iridescent glitter in acrylic

Sharm effect roses

French acrylic with a little 3d

Matching Pink and white toes

Pink, grey and glitter with bling

Lilac gel with french glitter

Classic colour over acrylic

A variation of plums