Purple Poinsettia

  

Karen Thresher is a talented nail technician based in Chard, Somerset, running a busy salon Fresh Image Hair & Nail studio.  I first met Karen some 3 years ago when she attended one of my Fantasy workshops, (actually she is on the video on my website advertising the class). Since then we have done a lot of training together and Karen regularly attends my workshops.

 I was delighted to receive this step by step from her, and wanted to share it with you. To make life easier I now supply the material Karen has used within this design, please visit my website at www.sambiddle.co.uk to purchase your pack. There is more information at the end of this step by step.

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION

This is a beautiful Christmas design nail, which actually looks fabulous all year round, and to celebrate Christmas I have a fantastic competition for you. To win a fantastic price worth £27.50 all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. The two best comments, Judged by Karen and me will win this fantastic Christmas prize. You will get some arabella forms, Colour drops and 3 packs of the Tulle, citrus, berry and classic.

So what’s the competition….we want to know how this step by step inspired you. Why are you inspired and what will you be doing about it. Let me give you a little example;

“ Karen inspired me with this simple and very effective way to create a stunning nail using Tulle. So I wanted to share it all with you, and create for you three great little Tulle collections.” Sam Biddle

So take a look at this step by step, have a go and then leave us your comments. We will be judging thiese comments in January. Closing date for this competition is Decemeber 31^st 2010. Entry to this completion can only be made via this blog, do not email me your comments, you MUST COMMENT ON THIS POST to enter. Please click on the comment link at the bottom of the post to leave your comment.

Purple Poinsettia by Karen Thresher

I have used these tools and materials to create this deign nail…

Arabella nail forms (available from Sam Biddle www.sambiddle.co.uk)

Purple tulle (available from Sam Biddle www.sambiddle.co.uk)

NSI 3D white gel (good thick gel)

Artistic red & blue colour drops (Grafton International 01827280080)

Scissors

Tweezers

Nail art -  Nfu.oh

Nail art pen – star nails

Artistic gel brushes,(Grafton International 01827280080)

Clear Gel from IBD (Grafton International 01827280080)

Gel Top coat

Step1, Using an Arabella nail form, sculpt out a stiletto shape in clear acrylic or gel. I've used acrylic as I found the material sticks to it better. You can also add a couple of drops of the Colour drops, to create added depth to your design.

Step 2,  Cut a piece of tulle just a bit larger than the sculpted nail. Brush resin onto the nail being careful not to get it on the form. Place the material onto the nail and pull it gently round onto the sides so it sticks flat. Hold until dry.

Step 3, Using a small amount of thick white gel & artistic red & blue colour drops mix 1 drop of each of the colours with the white gel to make a nice purple, you can adjust the amounts of colour to get your desired shade.

Using another sculpting form place a very small line of purple gel on the form then with a small gel brush gently tease the gel into the petal shape .. You can make all 5 petals with this gel before curing if you wish.

When you are happy with the petals cure for  2-3 minutes.

Making the petals on the form will give them a lovely curve to fit on to the nail.

 

Step 4, Draw the veins on the petals with a silver / black nail art pen, do this very fine & thin so that it adds definition to the petals. Let this dry.

Step 5. Place a small amount of clear gel on the nail where the petals are going to be placed. Using tweezers pick up a petal from the form & place it on the material & nail.

You should be able to move this around easily on the clear gel to get the perfect placement. Do this with all 5 petals until you are happy with the flower shape then cure for 2 minutes.

Step 6.  With a tiny amount of clear gel on your gel brush pick up some tiny silver balls or glitter & place in the centre of the flower, flash cure for 10 seconds.

Place a small amount of gel down the centre of the nail & add more glitter and Mylar flakes to make it sparkle, don’t over do it!

 When happy cure for 2 minutes.

 Step 7. Trim the material round the design then cap the nail in clear builder gel to magnify the design. Cure for 2 minutes. Check the shape of the nail & add more gel if required , cure a further 2 minutes. Wipe off the tacky dispersion layer.

Peel the nail off the arabella form & file into shape.

Finish the nail with a shiny top coat sealant to see your design pop out, cure for a final 2 minutes &  there you have your finished nail!

BERRY

This is the Berry Tulle collection, a rich and Vibrant Purple teamed with a Bright Pink, balanced with a royal blue. These three colours will bring be perfect as a back drop to any flower embellishments.

All tulle packs are just £2.50, to purchase these collections visit www.sambiddle.co.uk

  CLASSIC

These three colours are a must for the base of any nail design, black, white and this beautiful slightly glittery champagne, you can incorporate these easily within any background colour blend or use with glitter and shimmer powders. Try overlaying the black Tulle over a white free edge of your French tips for that Classic party look!

 CITRUS

I love these colours, not normally the first ones to be chosen, they actually highlight your designs, bringing out the colour of the acrylic or gel. Ideal for summer designs, they can't help but add some zing to your art, with this Zesty yellow, the juicy orange is also perfect teamed over yellow colour drops and use this gorgeous green as a lattice for your blooms to grow up.





There will be a short video posted on the website along with some more great ideas, top tips and steps using Tulle, so watch this space, but in the mean time to Win these three collections along with a bottle of colour drops curtsey of Grafton's international and a sample pack of the Arabella forms.

So don't delay......leave your comments to this post today.