The Inspired online learning

So it has happened...

The launch of the first on line video workshop happened last Sunday, and I have to say the response in the members forum and the nails they have been producing have been amazing.

Looking for creative input in today's on line culture,  nail professionals can be found visiting you tube for a quick fix,  trying to figure out how someone has created the latest look or nail application.  Peering at their screen waiting for the  outcome of some complicated nail, without fully learning the basics or the detail on the application, is this you, do you get frustrated with the limited information available.

Let me ask you a couple of questions first...

Are you looking to up date your nail art skills?
How much would pay for a days training?
Do you see the benefit in in-depth training and feedback?

The most common problem I have found when people are trying to book  workshop is the issue of;

• Time

• Money

• Schedules

• Travel

What if you could; 

• attend a workshop in the comfort of your own home

• watch and re watch the weeks lesson in your own time

• tutorials which are supported with additional materials and steps

• 24 on line lessons, and as the member ship grows so does the amount of lessons 

• to have access to me to give you feedback and pointers on your application and designs

• Benefit from additional discounts and offers through the year.

How much would you be prepared to pay for this...??

 Be inspired On line with me Sam Biddle will cost you just

£96

this is NOT per month or even per sessionthis is for the 12 months of tutorials and access to the members page, plus a whole lot more.

Seems like a good deal...maybe too good a deal?

Yes it is an affordable subscription, just the cost of 1 days workshop with me, however my aim is to provide affordable on line learning which is accessible to everyone, This cost will give you the very best learning at your own pace.

Interested?

then visit the website now and sign up for the next tutorial - scheduled alternate Sundays at 4pm

CLICK ME TO VISIT WEBSITE

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN IN THE 12 MONTHS?

The workshops over the course of 12 months will cover most areas of nail art and design. The difficulty levels of each workshop will vary, but the aim of this program is to develop your creativity and skill set and push your limits. I will guide you every step of the way and the aim is for you to learn the new applications. Each film will vary in depth and will have all the information you need. Plus with the on line group for feedback we can iron out any issues you may have.

Not quite ready to sign up - no problem.

If you want to register your interest but don't want to sign up today - then please add your name to the list, and we will keep you updated as the year progresses. 

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 PAY AS YOU GO VIDEO TUTORIALS

Currently we do not accept monthly payments, the cost of this on line membership is just £96 as a one off payment. If you prefer to pay monthly we do have an option to purchase each tutorial on an individual basis here: -

http://www.sambiddle.co.uk/beinspired/video-tutorials.html

These video's will cost between £8-£12 depending on content. You will not be able to access the online members group or benefit from the discounts and offers.

The uncomfortable truth about independent education.

can't keep my mouth shut any longer

I have had a couple of days to think about what I am about to write, and be warned it may ruffle a few feathers.  After spending a day with a lovely lady on a one to one, I felt I should address some flaws I am noticing in industry education.  Previously spending a few thousand on training through independent education and private colleges, my new student had come away from them with very little knowledge and confidence in her application.  Great for me you say, well no not really, my job is to bring someone on from the basics, not to re teach them and I am not only appalled but dishearten that the industry has developed a ‘side line’ and short cut to becoming a nail technician. 

It has become an uncomfortable truth about independent education, and something I feel should be addressed. I am not alone in this opinion…..but wonder if this is the future of the industry or can we do anything to police it. 

So what does the term ‘independent educator’ actually mean. In my opinion It means that independent education is not supported by a brand, a core line of products like gel or acrylic, nor is it accredited by any insuring body. Independent education provides further education in the form of workshops to existing nail professionals only and not to beginners. 

I wonder if the title of ‘independent education’ has been taken by some and used as a licence to print money. New technicians like my student  have booked onto a workshop which does not have a governing body, no guidelines or even proper teaching training. The structure of a class is as important as the content, and the content needs to be assessed and balanced. Who does check out these independent educators offering their own certification to training the future of our industry. Who cares enough to  police and protect the new technicians  against those nail techs who think because they can provide a good salon service they can teach a good nail. 

Of course we have organisations such as The Guild, who for a fee will accredit your courses assuming you have a recognised teaching qualification, but this relies on the education provider to investing, and does this actually mean anything to that new nail tech about to venture into the world of nails. 

My journey within the industry started 15 years ago and has not been without its highs and lows, I have gone through the ranks, from starting out as a mobile tech to running a salon and then owning one. I have educated for brands, travelled for brands and even educated in colleges, in fact I still do, but with a different hat on. I have done my teacher training, completed my NVQ twice and added to my CPD portfolio (continued personnel development) each year.  I did carved my own job role as it is today in nails, as there wasn’t one already in place, and this role many aspire  to have also, of course why not it is a great job.  It took all of those 15 years and a lot of hard work and training to get here.  Where I am today was not a quick fix!  Being in the position of an educator and offering Independent training was not done so on a whim, or without planning.  It was not something I did right from college or because I can’t be arsed to do nails anymore. 

As a mentor and ambassador I get many emails and messages from techs who have just qualified asking me how to get into education and looking for different avenues within the industry;  my response to them, is why do you want to educate, why do you want to run before you can walk? Surely you need to pay your dues as a nail tech first, isn’t that why you joined this profession in the first place? Why is it that men and women do not want to perfect their craft before sharing it with others, why are we hell bent on getting to the top, without building and honing our own skills. 

There are many different roles within this industry from session technicians like Michelle Class and Marion Newman to college lecturers like Shelly Lee at South Devon College. Then you have educators which work in the private sector with brands which hold a core line, like CND, IBD and Crystal nails.  You work for your self  when you work with these brands and build your own education academy under the umbrella of a brands logo or name. But they give you the in-depth training, skill building and application advise you could never receive without being part of a great education team. These brands have a vested interest in making you the best you can be, and they encourage ambition and drive.   The different directions nail professionals take within the industry requires hard work, effort, new learning and investment, it is not easy, certainly harder than doing nails all day, just an FYI if you think otherwise. 

In my humble opinion the label of 'Independent educator' should go to those nail technicians with a specific skill set which will take those nail professionals with some experience and who have learnt the basics to the next level. Independent educators fill a gap in the market to improve skills and develop.

Independent or private education, unless accredited should not provide education to new nail professionals, beginners in their field who do not have the proper understanding of application.  How can one educate a beginner without any formal training in education, have the experience in working for various brands and even have the backing of a core line, I mean what on earth are they going to be teaching with. Another point to realise is that they are basing the education they providing on that which they learnt. The questions should be; where was this, when was this and by whom?  How many bad habits are passed on to the unsuspecting newbie. 

I am generalising here, and will probably get some back lash from this blog post, I am not talking about those nail professionals who have done their time teaching professionally for brands or within colleges, who have got they're teaching certificates and have a wide range of experience in all areas of nail application. Nor am I including those private colleges and private educators who have launched their own academies and training solutions on the back of their time as a brand educator or college lecturer.  Who have taken the steps to educate themselves and create a business with the correct qualifications to teach. 

I am warning those out there, to check who is training you, if you are starting on the nail road, who has given them the licence to teach you.  We talk about non standard salons every day, what about non standard education? 

Step by Step

Leah Light

I have been asked to teach and recreate this look time and time again, these optical illusion nails seem to capture the imagination of so many, so I thought I would re post the steps I created  a while ago incase you missed them.  These nails I created on celebrity manicurist and nail artist from New Zealand Leah Light....we simply updated her tired gel polish with a combination of Party Pigments; I used 'did you know' and 'gossip'. Combining white, gold and black is a favourite look for Leah and I have to agree, it certainly looks chic. 

Party Pigments from Be Creative

Creating various colour fades using the glitter pigment pressed into the inhibition (sticky) layer, I then used a base coat to seal it. I wanted to use the nail art pen over the glitter without disturbing it, and by dry wiping the inhibition layer from the base coat, I was able to achieve the pattern with little problem. 

Using your nail art pen and the be creative black paint, add dots down the length of the nail, make sure these dots are in line with each other. 

Join each of the dots together starting at the top and sweeping the nail art pen down in a 'S" formation. 

Now add another 'S' shape horizontally joining the dots to make the small tiles. 

These steps are created on a white back ground to make it easier for you to see the shapes made with the nail art pen, if your having issues using the pen, check out my blog post HERE. 

Find out more about the Nail Art Pen HERE

I have created this look on various back grounds, but non as simple and effective as pigments, by adding a colour fade in a clever way you can make your optical illusion nails even more powerful. 

Diary of an International Nail Artist - Pt 2 Australia 2014

Sat here at my desk in good old Blighty, it is time for me to recount the highs and lows of the second part of my trip....it is a far cry from Sydney and the land 'down under' and already I've been home a week! The trees are green and the promise of sunshine reminds me it is still summer here....I can never get my head around the seasonal difference and, of course, the time change.  Just a little over a week ago I was saying goodbye to the nail family I had played, laughed and even tutted with.

Each year I take a trip to Australia and each year I think this will be my last, but it seems I am pulled back by the passion and enthusiasm of the nail technicians over there. This last trip was divided into two parts, with the 3 day break in between, (much needed and very appreciated) it was all too soon before Tracey and I where packing up our suitcases and heading into the city. I say suitcases, because Tracey took me shopping on our break, which meant I had to purchase another bag in order to carry home the new wardrobe!

The two day Be Inspired workshop kicks off with a packed class, another new lesson plan to work from and for me wondering if I have either made it too easy or way to hard. When you come up with a lesson plan for any workshop, it is not a case of pulling ideas and designs from the cloud of inspiration, but each nail covers a range of applications and techniques, and they take you on a journey through the day to the final ultimate look. It does take me a little time to develop and come up with something different and totally awesome to wow those who have invested on the workshop, and with that effort comes the nerves; Have I chosen right?

But as normal those concerns where unfounded....naughty I know, but I love the fact that you get the stunned looked on faces around the class, and the gasps of 'oh no what have I got to do now'  when they realise  they  have to  do the nail you just demoed...and then as they develop  they achieve the most wonderful things. From feathers to hand painted parrots, we finished the day with some 3D fantasy tropical flowers ready for the ultimate nail day tomorrow.

Of course finding new friends on these trips is a bonus but hooking up with hold ones is a delight. Leah Light from New Zealand ended up crashing at our Sydney apartment...mix up with rooms and so forth meant we had a very lucky upgrade and view of the Sydney harbour bridge.  Leah turns out to have a matching wicked side to my own, and I felt like a kid again, with mummy Tracey wagging her finger at us, because we were late or just down right rude! I do miss you Leah.

Day two of the workshop and today we aim to complete the rabbit everyone is so keen to do....this is not an easy job and my time management skills were on over drive; Each part of the day was planned to military precision.
Oh my goodness what a joy the day was! and yes for those who know me, I did get the giggles looking at some of these fellows being born. Cute and weird and for some totally Alien like.  Is it wrong to say I have the best job ever?

Thrill of the day though wasn't seeing these cute and cuddly bunnies,  but for Alex Fox editor of Scratch Magazine to turned up, totally nerve racking.
I was on my best behaviour, although I didn't need to be and the facade totally wore off after our 3rd glass of wine, and right now I am proud to have found another 'fresh friend' and like minded guru of life.  This woman totally rocked my world and I had my own 'light bulb moments' in the wee hours.

The last of the workshops come to an end and I removed my educators hat and donned on the head judge hat... tomorrow it's Show time!

This is where I am in a whole knew world,  my job is to facilitate and make sure the judging is fair, every one sticks to the rules and each nail is scrutinised for ultimate perfection....in other words that translates to Tracey holds me captive in the judges box with a ball and chain around my ankle and I am hidden from view. Did I say already I love my job...?

This is the third year I have worked with Tracey as head judge for the Australian nail awards, this year was super exciting as they had partnered up with Alex Fox and her team from the Nailympics. Each year I have seen this competition and the competitors grow, the quality of the entries and the standards have increased. It is so rewarding to see. I never do this job alone, and without others from the industry giving back and investing in the future we couldn't hold competitions like this. This year my team consisted of MaeLing Parrish from USA, Leah Light from new Zealand, Alisha Rimando from USA, Mindy Hamilton from Australia, Jai Harvey Lei from Australia. There are so many other names who also helped with the floor judging and nail judging, counting and marshaling, Rebecca Manz, Coleen Hindmarsh and Desiree Dowling. Thank you ladies for your support and dedication. Finally we must not forget Tracey Boyle who actually brings us the whole competition, with her persistence and devotion to running this event, she is instrumental in giving us an great competition.

I did get a chance to leave my judging cave and did a small seminar on the main stage showing of three simple and quick salon viable gel polish designs. I got a chance to try out some eye brow extensions...yes I didn't type that wrong: EYEBROW extensions.....totally awesome.

Tell me 5 years ago I would be presenting awards and hosting on a main stage and I would have laughed in your face (a nervous laugh at that), but there I find myself presenting to a sea of hopeful faces, congratulating winners as I call them onto the stage and dashing those who expected so much more. It is a bitter sweet job, and for everyone who entered having won or not you are all to be congratulated, the nerves and expectations alone is enough to put you off, but I hope to see everyone back for another go next year... and thank you everyone for laughing at my lame jokes.

Monday is the day I have been waiting for, it is time to head home to my family....I have a whole 24 hours before I get to hug them all...but it is a start.  Now some of you might have seen on my way over to Australia there was an unfortunate situation on the aeroplane and someone died mid flight, with delays and mechanical issues during this whole trip I thought to myself what else could possible go wrong. Yet again on the flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi....just a few seats from me a rather elderly lady collapsed, this time I am very thankful she survived and with a little sweet tea and her diabetic meds she was sat back in her seat enjoying 'saving mr banks' within a couple of hours. But boy oh boy it is enough to put you off flying for a while.

Well.. until October at least.

NAIL ART TRENDS FOR 2014

Last year we had an abundance of nail art and expected a down turn to the popularity of this self expression in 2014. Looking at  Pinterest, We Heart it and Instagram awash with images of nails in the media, on celebrities and  ‘nail selfies’,  it seems we are in luck this year as the nails are still set to be #trending. 

The trending nail fashions right now vary from a nude with minimal fuss and artistic flair, to the brights and golds. But hey. Don't let that stop you filling those finger tips with what ever takes your fancy. 

NUDES

From simple slivers of colour on nude nails (as a nudge in the direction of a french manicure) and the half moon manicure are still around, each year we see a variation; using colour, eliminating colour or adding texture and sparkle in the luna. But a simple white half moon on a nude base is another great look seen on New York fashion week for spring 2014. 

EMBELLISHMENTS

Embellishment is the new black for 2014, with more elaborate designs and adornments, from skulls, Swarovski covered hello kitty faces, bows, bows and more bows, and lest we forget crowns and tiaras. Watch this space as we take texture to the next level. 

MINIMAL CHIC

As a direct contrast to the above Minimalist chic is what we can except from this years nail art, taking the nail art pen and drawing horizontal line straight down the middle of a block colour, adding optical illusions to the nail with shapes and angles. Working with black and white and separating the designs with block colour. 

OMBRA & GLITTER

Subtle ombre blends and fades, using two shades of the same colour is another re worked look to suit this seasons colours and set the trend. Adding a fine glitter and shimmer as a subtle go to for a evening out is in high demand.

Adding a metallic effect with silver foil over the tips of the nails, over a shimmer nude or pink gives you a less tacky look.

MATTE VS GLOSS

The battle between high gloss, sheer nails and Matte still rages and I think there is still fuel in nail art looks that are rocking the Matte effect. Yet it seems a collaboration between the two have formed and working a look using both shows us a great effect. 

A clever look is to add shimmer to a dark colour and then finish with a Matt top coat, creating depth and dimensions. 

Colours are far from understated, bright, bold and a 'hey look at me' attitude. Pastel's have grown up and become muted natural shades and if your looking for nails to work with those clean white fabrics then dark nails will do it; forest greens, blacks and rich blues are a perfect companion, as long as they are perfect and chip free. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog post  I would love to hear from you, please leave a comment below.
Sam

Diary of an international nail artist - China

Friday 7th March  Bristol - Paris

phew! 

With slight trepidation I agreed to head over to China for 4 days and work with Orly! Well who could say no to Jeff Pink. It is a place I have never been to, although when he asked I did reply with "I would prefer Barbados"

It is a busy time for me with Jealous cow, and the up and coming scratch awards, I try not to travel much at this time of year, but as I said who can refuse a call from the man who invented the French a manicure.

With numerous anxious moments getting a visa organised and agendas arranged, I am now sat on the plane of the first leg of this very long journey starting my blog.

Stopping off at Paris for a few hours before I hop on board the long haul leg of the trip. I wonder if they have some where in airport which can offer me a pedicure or massage! Just to kill the time of course!

So my journey begins and I shall be updating this post as I go! With pictures and everything, you lucky lot!

Sat 8th - Land in china

Arrived at a reasonable time and had an hour car journey to the hotel! So I can give you the romantic version or get down and gritty with the actual. Coming through the gate I am promised there will be a driver with a sign.....OK great. If not there is wifi so to just contact my hosts. No driver no wifi. It didn't take long to realise that I needed to get onto the internet, so finding the information desk I hand over my phone and they log in for me. Driver will be there shortly I am informed! He was at the wrong terminal....No issues all sorted within an hour.

thank you for Starbucks and Anthony

The hotel has a Starbucks!! smiling right now…slight relief that at least i can enjoy a decent coffee in the morning. Heading up to my room, I didn't find out until I got to Paris that I would in actual fact be sharing. Damit no PJ'S in my case. I open the door I see luggage and clothes in the closet and a Double bed! there is no way I would subject anyone to sharing a room let alone a bed with me. so we can’t do anything about the room….but I can sort out the bed situation. Quick call to reception and my room mate informed…Diva I am not, well maybe a little! but efficient and decisive I certainly am! 

Oh the trials of traveling, all  this is mild in comparison, and to be honest in the scheme of things not worth complaining about. Don't get me wrong I appreciate every opportunity to travel and count my self lucky.  I get a lot of messages asking me what is it like to do my job, and wishing they traveled as much. I thought as a change I would throw in some bare all facts and a behind the scenes look at things. So I am baring all and telling you everything!

Big sigh as I flop into bed, I have literally been traveling for days! 

Sunday 9th - Day 1 of the show.

So I found out yesterday that not only was Alison,Terry and Virginia from IBD and Ez flow going to be here,  but I would be spending the weekend with Anthony Buckley. It has seriously has been years and years since I last worked with him, and I was super stoked to spend time with all of them. In a different land you can share the highs and lows, and sometimes your trip is not so lonely. Another highlight at breakfast when all the girls arrived on mass, was in amongst them Jessica.....The Jessica. Now I have to admit at first I didn't realise it was the Jessica, it was only at dinner later that the penny dropped. For those who know me personally that read this, will know I am totally useless with the whole matching names with faces. You are who you are at that moment, and I am always pleased to meet you. 

Now Asian food is not my favourite, and breakfast was another one of those delightful experiences, without offending anyone, all I wanted was my usual omelette with mushrooms and spinach. But settled for 2 boiled eggs and coffee.

Heading to the show, it is our first taste of the Chinese culture, and arriving at the show. The stand was enormous, with individual booths within it, each with their own brand. I was working for Orly.  That is all I can really say about the place, I had my head down from morning to night, only stopping to sit on stage and demo some more.  I would like to mention the toilets, but fear you may stop reading at that point, so I shall just say, very little was drunk during the day and no pee stops made until i got back to the hotel. 

The girls that came to have their nails done took many many photos with me their enthusiasm should be infectious. Culturally there is a contrast and something to fully embrace and to experience it without judgement. But I found their hearts to be good and in the right place, which I suppose is the main thing.

Dinner with the whole team, we head to a very Chinese banquet and enjoy some weird and some wonderful delights. Pictures say it all.

Hot chocolate and face time home, then it is bed for me. Oh the high life of an international traveler! 

Monday 10th- Day 2 of the show

'hurry up, we don't have much time to shop' Allison Ross

I don't know what it is about 4 am and traveling, but no matter what the country, I am up and awake at 4... I spend the next hour willing my mind to be still and quiet so I can relax and rest. Only to wake again with the alarm at 6.30 feeling like I have a hangover arghhhhhh.

we begin day 2 with some shopping, spending a small part of the morning checking out the other stands!  We are in China, this is where most of the stuff we buy in the UK is made and comes from and yes VERY inexpensive. The thing about traveling to these shows, and those that do this as a job with passion for the creative side would agree I am sure, you buy, and buy, and buy....All the things you will end up putting in the draw. The Chinese love their nails adorned with bling, embellished with massive shapes, rising from the surface of the nail like icebergs in the Atlantic. Perching these various collections of embellishments is contagious, in the back of my mind as I am buying these thing I am thinking Mrs Jones is not going to be wearing this in Dorset when she heads over to Waitress to do her weekly shop, but I am still adding more and more bags of 500 bows, hearts, cats, squares and more to my basket, with the Chinese girls saying "lady you want more, you no like?" With a heavy accent. When I write this I can hear the accent in my head a clear as a bell, I hope you are too, if not check out this link... 

hmmmmm

Back to work, and today Amber our host, instructed us....More embellishments, more gems, more glitter no painting! That's good, cause I have a stack here under the table, this is the only place who would appreciate it. Now this is the thing, I know this trend is arriving to the west, and in the USA And the UK we are seeing more people want it and wear it beautifully. But with 8 very talented and Creative nail techs from, Ukraine, America, Spain, Holland, Argentina where most of the skills Set is hand painting, 3d acrylic art and gel painting you would want to show this off and I suppose attract new trends and techniques to your home market. It is easy to place a gel on a nail, and choose a big enough one that flatters the base colour, quick and efficient in the salon. My question I suppose is why not utilise us since you have such variety and show case what the rest of the world are up. The Chinese don't have face book! Shock horror…and with nail techs every where use this type of social media to get the inspiration they need to expand their range of designs and learn new techniques.

Dinner?????

Asking a creative person to dial it back is like blind folding them and asking them to drive. It is incredibly hard to find your mojo. I was glad today I didn't need to go on stage.

That said I was happy to learn this new art, by default, and try out some new ideas I shall be bringing home and adapting to the UK market. Watch this space for some step by steps.

So day is over, and we get to do some more shopping! Yay.....Seriously...Yay! China is the land of nock offs and imitation, I thought yes let's go find some bargains and sort out Christmas shopping! Josh is our guide, the Malaysian distributor of Kevin and Amber, and very happy to escort 9 very excitable ladies, he might just change his mind by the end of the evening.

Getting loaded off the bus, we walk a mere 100 yards when a rather tall scruffy man comes up and shows us laminated area with an array of designer gear, great just what we are looking for...Show us where your shop is?......Leading us into a lobby of a building he wants to usher us into a lift....Alarm bells! We all stop dead and looks to each other, Josh is already mad cause we just went ahead and followed a stranger! Oooooops. He tells us to wait down stairs and he will go up and check it out. This is what we do........ We waiting, and speculated and then ping the elevator opens with he scruffy chap ushering us in saying your friend he says come up! Hmmmmmmm ok, it must be fine. 21 floors and the 8 of us giggling nervously, giving each other the look, we meet Josh coming back the other way.......Saying you didn't wait! WHAT....The dude tricked us, and ran back To get us whilst Josh was checking it out. We'll whilst we where here we might as well look, going through another door, under a curtain (I know, I know, as I write this now on he plane, I am thinking, really Sam.....What would you say to Devon! If she asked you if it was wise) but you know sometimes you have to take risks.....And sometimes your led astray by Alison Ross.

Josh our guide

The room was filled with designer bags, belts, watches you name it, and it had quite a few Chinese men smoking and making deals. Hard sell is an understatement. I could have walked away with a Micheal Korrs watch for 15.00. But after 5 mins Josh said we are leaving, and this we did....Ushered out like sheep he was muttering I don't like this. I am giggling at it all now, as he must of been having kittens...He is entrusted with these western women by our host, to show us a good time, can you imagine the head lines! The scruffy guy follows us too....Lady you forgot your watch, just 100 yuan for you, you no like?

Out side in the fresh air we walk for another few yards and blow me down with a feather there's another dude with cards telling us follow him! This is going to get tiresome, like a gambler in Las vagus, we shall be tempted at every turn. I suppose we do look like tourist, I am snapping away and taking pictures......!

just to be clear, we didi not buy anything illegal, we shopped in the small shops up and down the high street and shopped well. 

Dinner in a very traditional and local cafe......You had to rise above any health and safety, OCD issues and ignore the lack of UK standards,   just roll with it, and try everything. if it looks alive then pass!  I  had a great time and did enjoy the experience very much.

dinner after shopping. 

??

Tuesday 11th - Last day

It's day 3 and home time......It's going to be a long one, and spending half the night last night trying I check in online to no avail I end up crashing out around 3am. Meeting Terry and Jessica at breakfast I enjoy my boiled eggs and a coconut cake of some sort.....mmmmmmmm! Thank goodness Starbucks is downstairs for my Dailey fix of a soya cappuccino with a shot of sugar free caramel! Just in case your offering!

Terry

At the show, I provide a quick lesson to the orly educators here and start demoing. Today we are allowed to hand paint, happy me! Another on stage moment knocking out 6 designs and race around for an hour to go shopping for more goodies, my draw is going to be so grateful!

The show finishes at 3pm, so I do have a choice more shopping or chill out with Anthony in Starbuck, shower and change before our 11 hour flight at midnight. My feet are killing me and I don't have any more money left. So coffee and a sausage roll it is. Ahhhhhh the shower was bliss and the gossip and catch up even better. We live in he same country and only ever manage a catch up overseas once very three years. New resolution......Must text him more!

Airport, flight home! That is basically it, although I did snag myself a upgrade, extra leg room and a window seat, sleeping for 8 hours, I thought I would finish off this journal, and maybe I might just end up posting this the same week it happened.

Bibi my room mate, both waiting for our flight home. 

Paris to Bristol - uh oh…..divert to Cardiff. 

The last thing I need, captain telling us we have been diverted to Cardiff, as he can’t land in Bristol due to FOG. that means a wait, a coach journey back to bristol and not able to get home until this afternoon. bummer! 

Home

So the end, I have to say, I was not looking onward to this trip, but it ended up being one of the best, mainly due to my fellow travellers, Yulia from Entity and new friend, Wendy from La chat, Bibi my room mate, and amazing artist from Holland and educator for Artistic. Alison, Terry and Virginia from Aii, working with Ezflow and ibd. Anthony of course with Harmony and Jessica from Jessica.

I would revisit China again, there was highs and lows, like we very trip, no Facebook limited wifi, toilets, health, hygiene and safety being the lows but the highs far out weight those little inconsistencies. Without the laughs and company maybe harder to tolerate, but the experiences and new learning is the ultimate reason why I do this job, and meeting new like minded people!

Yulia 

Clearing the decks for 2013

So I am taking a few moments to do some long awaited, and I might add much enjoyable, jobs on my to do list (which I might have to carry over into 2013) and I wanted to do a last post on my blog for 2012 and perhaps just sit and review just what we have achieved over the last 12 months...

Then I took a look at what I had actually have done over the last 12 months, and realised new years eve is tomorrow and I doubt I would get in done in time......! Phew I have been a busy girl!

So I thought I am going to try and do it in brief.....see how far that gets me!

2012

JANUARY

Be Inspired in USA - Long Beach workshop.

Nail Pro front cover shoot

Butterfly Effect Front Cover created with nail art pen and gel paints

FEBRUARY

Judging nail professional of the year awards

Filming for Nailgasm documentary

Professional Beauty show - Excel

Judges for Excel Competition

MARCH

Filming for Gel Paint DVD - find your inner artist

Daily mail interview

Gel Paint DVD cover

APRIL

Facilitate the enrichment program for EzFlow

Operation

Launch the Velvet manicure

MAY

Spain - Malaga educator training

Training for Original Sugar at Urban Retreat Harrods

Ann Summers press launch - velvet manicure

Mercedes & me in Spain

JUNE

Be Inspired USA, Orlando, Vegas and LA

Became an Orly Ambassador and met Jeff pink

Was on nail Talk radio with Naja

Nail Talk Radio interview with Naja

JULY

Malaysia Be Creative educator training and show

Introduce Be Creative distributor in Asia

Changed my hair colour

Demoing in Kuala Lumpur

AUGUST

Australia - Be inspired workshop and introducing new Be Distributor distributor

Slovenia - be creative launch

Launch New gel lamps

Rihanna wears our Velvet manicure

Breakfast in Sydney with Tracey Boyle our new Be Creative distributor

SEPTEMBER

Family Holiday

Nail Olympics - judging and seminar ( which I couldn't attend)

Rushed into Hospital for a week

Be creative educator training

Pink Wears our Velvet manicure in her new music video

Scratch front cover

Hot Tubs, Games and long walks .....perfect

OCTOBER

Launch new website

Be Inspired in Belgium

Launch Chameleon pigments and Arabella forms

NOVEMBER

Launch Original Sugar Pro

Be Creative launch in Lithuania

Be Creative refresher training

Original Pro Kit is released

DECEMBER

Harrods urban retreat press launch

College Enrichment showcase day at Graftons

Creating a Velvet manicure for Sky Living in harrods Urban Retreat, Original Sugar press launch

All this fitted around a lot of Be Inspired workshops, one to one's and many many photo shoots, filming and some phenomenal press.  I would like to wish everyone whom I have worked with this year a very happy New year and I hope I can work with your again in 2013. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR