Hmmmmm.....

Well I didn't compete at Birmingham, I got way too busy before the comp and practice went out the window. I feel a little left out after seeing some of the pictures from the comp. A little green with envy if I might add. I suppose not knowing what would have been possible if I did compete.

I am over it now as I know I had no other choice but to miss the comp. I will be looking forward to Olympia.

Sold Out!!!

What is up with everything that I want being sold out. Now the shiner buffer is sold out. Arghhhhh!!!!! Vent over, I practiced today. Wow!!! I am proud of me. Bring on complete sets this weekend.

Been having a good think of my design for salon nail art category and I think I just might have it. I am going to have a go at it and see if it could work.

The power of the subconscious mind

I have now discovered why subconsciously I have not felt the urge to practice. Thats cos
I don't have a complete set of files i.e. 150 grit and higher. A valid excuse if I can say so myself. So much for preparation huh!!!!

Well I have put in an order and a supply of files and buffers to last me till Olympia should be arriving on Thursday morning. All I can say is watch me churn out sets of nails in the next few weeks.

100%

I have been ill for a week, plagued with sea food poisoning, chest and an ear infection. Well in my sorry state I have had time to reflect and also look through tons of sites for inspiration and a few conversations with my nail friends. I have honestly had to look back at how much effort I have put in with regards to my skill and somehow come to the conclusion that I haven't put in 100%.

I suppose being hard on myself is what I do best but I am determined. So from now on 100% and nothing less. I want to create nails that I am happy with 100% of the time.

I have now designed 6 styles for my custom made tunics, cant wait to get them made.... oh and fabric shopping.

Now I am not an artist but hope someone out there can make sense of my sketches. I feel like a make believe Dior, its great!. Not sure if I should post my sketches, I might scare off the few readers I have, So I shall take pictures of the finished designs. Might even get my name stitched on.... ????

This is exciting stuff. Wooo hoooo!!!

Hmmmpffff!!!

I got a call yesterday and guess what they have run out of tunics in my size. So back to square one. How ridiculous!!!!!! Might end up having one made after all. Still not practiced but as I have a few girls that are happy to model for me I am somewhat hopeful. I am considering entering 3 categories this time. Photographic( I better start putting that camera to use), Salon nail art(Errr might be fun) and good old sculpting(now this, I have to conquer as it is the test of all tests in my eyes that is).

I still have not gotten round to doing my own nails, terrible I know. I have decided not to discuss it till I have actually done them and posted a picture. Wont get the time now till mid next week.

Oh also I have decided to do my first product review and that would be my next blog, still thinking about why and what product to review but I suppose this is a great exercise cos it actually gets me looking at the products I use in a critical way and enabling me evaluate how much value for money I am actually getting.

Until then I shall mourn the loss of my nonrefundable £6.95 in postage for tunics that are too small.

Tunics

My tunics arrived today but one problem..... they are too small so back they go and a cheque for postage too. Not so much of a bargain now. Note to self! get the size right first time around!

I still haven't practiced or done my nails. I was really looking forward to getting the chance to customize my tunic and turn it into a fashionable item of clothing. Oh well.... patience is a virtue.

Didn't manage to make it to the post office today to post the girls their goodies, will do it tomorrow. I am sure they must be eagerly anticipating the arrival of their post. Saying that I am still waiting on some techy bits to arrive for my laptop cos if it does I think I might do the photographic category at Birmingham, the theme is wedding belles and I think I have a concept already. Sort of..... Ish......

Off to have some lunch and I will get a fix of www.sambiddle.blogspot.com for some inspiration and the hopefully get my nails done with the addition of a picture, hopefully. Wish me luck!!!!!

Procrastinanting

Birmingham is 4 weeks away and I know I need to get practicing but keep procrastinating. Not sure what categories I am going to enter. Keep meaning to give myself a set of design nails but keep procrastinating. Forum has a comp for the end of the month keep...(you know it) procrastinating.

Worse thing is I have this design in my head of how I want my nails and it seems to haunt me all day every time I look at my bare fingers but the thought of my right hand and the time... Oh dear.

I think tonight is the night. I am going to pick my brush up and get cracking. On a positive note, I finally cleared my things out and I am giving the stuff away that I don't use to two people who need it more than I do.

I also have 3 potential models for Birmingham so more prepared this time. I have bought a tunic and booked hotel for the weekend.(Check me out!) Maybe I haven't been that bad after all.

Decided to review my score sheet while I was typing this out and points to work on:

• Side Walls- Parallel and getting them straight
• Consistent length
• Consistent C curve
  
• Watch out for the bubbles
• Consistent Smile
• Sharper Smile line
• Form fitting
  
• Smoother finish- Sand Shark and Pro shiner all the way
• Polish Application on the side edges
• Dust Dust Dust

Hmmm.... Ok after looking at this I think I am done procrastinating. I need to Iron all this out if I am ever going to place.

9th Place

So Sunday came round and I came 9th. Met my model on the day(no prep before the competition, ideal I know, not!!), she is in a wheelchair so we got placed away from everyone doing the sculpting competition. Sat down and finally got the chance to see what my model's nails looked like and Ohhhh dear the prep!!!! and time lost.

Had to work in an awkward position for the 2 and a half hours leaning over the table to reach her hands so I am now in pain, my back my shoulders ohhhh dear I hurt.

So I guess you have figured out that I came 9th, yes 9th. I lost a nail with 2 mins to go, second round of buffing to high shine and plick! there went the free edge of the middle pink and white finger. SHOCK HORROR!!!! My heart sank. That was the one nail, Consistency was right, finishing etc. I wanted to scream, after my 30 second pause and I thought go on... you can fix this, I place my bead, start to press it into place and then the floor judge turns the microphone on and then all I hear is "5...4....3...2...1. End of competition!"

So my model went round to the judges with a form on. I lost points for not wearing a Tunic, not having a bin etc.

3 points between me and 7th place. Tut!!!

Well I did it and I feel great!! Bring on the next comp and my trophy.

Down Path?

Ok! Comp practice... I'll tell you about the good stuff first.

Had a great day. I am utterly grateful to have such great friends. We had lunch, nibbles and a lovely day.

Only got to do one hand after all the yapping. I finished and I was.... need I say DISAPPOINTED!!! Ok I wasn't expecting a miracle. I worked on the points I was given from the forum and what I ended up with wasn't great. Ok I know I am my own worst critique but competition nails are about extravagant and flawless nails.

Now mine are flaw full and I finished knowing this. I didnt even rinse hands before taking pics as I didn't even feel they were worthy of being critiqued. Although I shared the pics with a few of my nail tech friends and got some more advice.

I only see it fit that I post the photos as a reminder for me and for you of todays mountain and when I overcome it.

Although I am down and still modeless I can say this journey by no means is easy. Not that I thought it would be but emotionally it is trying. Questioning every creative vein in my body and ability.(This isnt a mission to the moon.. I know but hey it means something to me).

I shared some of my ideas re:product discovery with my friends and got a positive reception so far.

Had a not so nice comment about enhancements that I shall choose to ignore as not everyone will see what you do and realise that what Bob does doesn't mean Steve will do the same( Although it got me mad, mad enough to upset my chi for the day).

To close positive day with positive outcomes with a few sprinkles of doubt and negativity thrown in.

I love my mates and thank you so much for today.xx (Assuming y'all will log on to my blog)

There is something up my sleeve

Wow! Ok I had a Eureka moment today and I am going for it. Another step for me, another step closer to my dreams. Wowsa!!!!!! How exciting is this???? (Like you know what I am on about....)

Lets say I am about to embark on the journey to discovering Maleh products a lil sooner than I thought but I have a feeling I am going to love it. All organic and great for me and the world.

I posted my thumb practice pic on the forum, I have had some good pointers only 2 comments and 40+ views. I am chuffed though at least someone replied. Hopefully I can put it into practice tomorrow when my willing hands turn up.

I just hope that 2 hands wouldn't tire me out in one day. All that concentration on perfection. Expect new photos if I dare share my attempts.

I have to drive to Sallys in the morning to get glossing buffers, I have run out and would need some for practice and for comp (Ok I am still keeping the faith still not got a model).

I am inspired- First Pics of my work

Thanks to a really good friend sharing their aspirations and goals for the future. I was really inspired to send off that competition entry form and continue to dream and work towards achieving Maleh products and House of Maleh.

I still have one problem though, NO MODEL!!!! for the 2nd. Which means I might do one category and one category only. I really want to do 2 though. I am keeping the faith.

Oh last night, I couldn't sleep so I gave myself a classic red gel overlay. Me thinks I have fab fingers at the mo.

Got 2 practice models coming over on Thursday. I cant wait. Only problem, I hope they allow me to create long enough enhancements on them to practice my finishing and filing.

I did a practise comp nail on my thumb, almost dramatic smile line but was a lil off center . I'll let you know what the verdict is on them cos I am going to post on a forum and see what comments I get.

I have progress

Small progress I know but it is still something worth making a little noise about. The date for the entries for the competition has been extended to the 22nd. Great! cos that will give me time to find a model for the 2nd. If I cant find one then I will only enter one category at excel.

Got an email from Zed eye with the pictures of the dress. Nice! simple but nice. So need to get my thinking cap on and figure out a concept for the shoot, location, colours, design for the nails, hair, makeup, the works.

Met up with some friends on friday and they have volunteered their hands for my competition practice. They should be coming over this week. Might post for critiques on the geek site so I know where I am going wrong. Saying that, I need to get files and buffers.

Got a possible model for the 2nd but will find out this week for definite if she can make it.

Starting to get a lil excited but know I need to get my skates on cos time is of the essence.

I think I am insane

Like a wounded soldier since my last attempt, I have been too scared to pick up my brush and practice.

What on earth am I thinking???????

Anyhooo, I am still competing even though I might not be much competition to anyone I am going to compete. Hopefully the competition will make me sit up and get my back side into gear and be ready for the next comp.

Bring it on!!!!! I am spartan just with no balls to practise.

I have some work to do!

Day one of Competition challenge
Ok so now I have set my mind to this challenge of mine. I bravely picked up my nail brush today. After a 4 month break from nails its a wonder I still know what to do.

Armed with a brush on my right hand and a willing thumb on my left, I set to work. I struggled with the mix ratio, then my eye for judging the right bead for a nail seems to have gone out the window too. And then I realised that in my head I could play a clear tape of creating the perfect enhancement but my my hands and eyes felt uncomfortable judging and patting the product into place. (This is what lack of practice does)

I get onto the smile line and woopy it smiles but no where near as dramatic or as crisp as I was creating before my break.

Then I start to finish(filing). I go for the standard square and then i realise hmmmm maybe a stiletto is in order(Didn't get enough product on the left free edge anyway), So i file away.

Buffed to a shine, topcoat and then my verdict???? (I have just created an average nail. SHOCK HORROR!! and I am on a challenge to compete in less than 2 months)

So I spy my Pastel flower collection out the corner of my eye and I think Genius! Some 3 d flowers will do.... My control of the bead is way off so I go for simple and simple is what I could create.

Consistency! Consistency! Consistency! + Practice! Practice! Practice!

I will be reading my notes from courses to refresh my mind and back to basics tomorrow. Ratio practice, Smile line practise, Form fitting and Bead placement in short I am back to practising like my life depended on it. The hunt for fingers begins tomorrow.

THIS IS WARRR!!!!!

P.s I just realised how much junk I have in all my boxes so I will be doing a good clear out of unwanted stuff tomorrow.

And the reason for yet another blogger is?

I started my nail journey in the summer of 2006, with nothing to do and a creative mind and fingers that obey, I thought; why don't I go and learn a skill, nothing too difficult or mind numbing. Certainly painting nails or nail enhancements cant be such a difficult thing to do?

Considering I spend a nice chunk of my money on it and I am never happy.....( I can do this!)

So I did just that! I went scouting for a course, I really didn't know what I was looking for but just a course in nail extensions.

After the course I soon found myself wanting more (why?) cos I knew that there was so much more to the pie that I has just had a bite of and I wanted it all.

So I went searching........

Forums, more courses, product reviews, what's hot, what's not. You name it I sourced it.

Now being an internet and Google heifer didn't help because I became a slave to the game of nails (like that could ever happen right?).

10 Courses later a trunk full of a variety of brands as a result of wanting to try it all

I have now reached a level of contentment with what I know and what is marketing
and reality in the nail world (For me that is!)

(So.....?)

A serial self challenge setter... I am on a journey to develop my skill, compete and see where that puts me on the national and international are you one of the best platform, explore art and fashion with enhancements (Cos I love all things nice and would like to create some nice things too) and one day develop and offer my own products (Maleh) and an experience (House of Maleh) for nailists and luxury loving people.