Nails this week...

Nails this week. I got shorties because they are recovering from a bunch of stuff, but shorties can be pretty, too!

I'm listing the Spiderweb Nails on Etsy tonight. I almost chickened out, but Shaun is encouraging me. I needed it.

Press-On Update for the No Natural Apex Gang:

Press-On Update for the No Natural Apex Gang:

I've found a thick glue that's working.

It fills in the gap.

It's less messy.

It comes with a remover.

I can't send this out with the nails, unfortunately, but if you're definitely going to wear press-on nails, then I would say to try it out. It will last through several sets and will likely be worth it.

My nails will come with glue and a small application kit, but it's not thick glue like this.

Curvlife Quick Drying Semi Solid Nail Glue

My flat ass pancake nail beds...

So this is one of the Natural-style press-ons against one of my bare nails. The Natural style of press-on has a lower apex than the Sculpted, and I think that any apex at all is too much for me, as evidenced by all of the space between my nail and the bottom of the press-on.

If I wanted to wear these, I think I'd need to fill in that gap with a hard gel and then glue it on. But that's a lot of trouble.

What I did when applying these was apply glue, then jam them down to my flat nail bed until they dried. Jamming them down flat caused them to push under my cuticle. Also, when I released them, of course they returned to the rounded shape, pulling my flat ass pancake nail beds with them.

Needless to say, it was not a good time. 0/10 stars, do NOT recommend. My nail beds and cuticles are still sore and I removed them on Friday.

This is why a sizing kit is super important. Be better than me. Don't hurt yourself over nails. Make sure you order a good fit and don't force anything that's not working.

For comparison, this is Shaun's nail bed.  He has a very strong apex. He'd probably fit perfectly into one of these nails.

I got the nails off.

I got the nails off. It's the first thing I did when I got home today.

I soaked them for almost an hour in hot, soapy water.

I might try them again in a few months, but in a different shape, or maybe I'll try the techniques that Robin and Jilanee mentioned on my last post.

And maybe I'll use sticky tabs instead of glue.

We'll see. 😂

My nails are too flat for my own press-on nails...

My nails are too flat for my own press-on nails, which I found out after lopping my nails off in preparation to put a set on. 🙁

I persevered regardless, got glue everywhere, ripped off a couple of fingerprints, messed up a pair of scissors, and now my nail beds are aching. I think I'm about to soak these off. Thankfully, I only applied them to one hand before realizing that this was a terrible idea. 😂

I'm a dang mess. I love doing nail art, but I have the worst luck with enhancements because of how flat my nails are. I have a decent c-curve, but no natural apex/arch at all when you view my nails from the side.

I still try enhancements out every few years, anyway. I guess just to make sure nothing has changed. 😂😂😂

Got these today! I'm so happy.

Got these today! I'm so happy.

I'm planning to mail the sizing kits tomorrow. If you want one and haven't let me know, now would be a good time! ❤️

These are the first 2 sets I wanted to sell, but...

These are the first 2 sets I wanted to sell, but the mood nails are a mess. That pigment would be better suited to nail art rather than a whole set. It peels and flakes easily, and I can't sell that to anyone. They do look amazing, though. There will definitely be new sets featuring it encapsulated in gel so it won't budge. 😉

I found out that my shipping cards and sizing kits should arrive Monday, so I'm super excited about that. I've got a few friends who want a sizing kit, so I should be able to mail those out on Tuesday. I'm getting ready to send shape and length choices over to those who have previously inquired. I might need to add some measurements to the charts, though, so expect that later tonight. I'm trying my best to make sure this is an easy process.

I'm super thankful to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. If y'all scroll back about 12 years, the difference between where I started and where I am now is night and day. ❤️❤️❤️

I'm not-so-patiently waiting...

I'm not-so-patiently waiting for my mailing cards to come in so I can start listing nails.

I did these tonight. It's been forever since I've done nail art, and I miss it.

Pardon my own grown-out mess. I'll get to them. 😂

Making my TikTok debut...

Making my TikTok debut. Please follow me. I'm so late to the game. 😂😂😂😭😭😭

Where my friends at?

https://www.tiktok.com/@polish_all_thethings/video/7545951730043817246?_t=ZP-8zQY3bG6QW7&_r=1

Feedback request:

Feedback request:

I am working hard to get set up to make and sell high-quality press-on nails.  I have been doing a lot of research on tip brands, sizing, application kits, etc.

I am going to post 3 photos with captions.  Please let me know if anything is unclear or that you don't like about them.

Thank you in advance!

Press-On Kit - front

This is what I would send out ordered nails on. They would be attached in the white areas with double-sided tape.

Should this card be labeled with left and right? Is there anything else I should add? Is it too busy? Should I add or remove anything?

Press-On Kit - back

Is this easy to understand? For those who already wear press-on nails, does this sound accurate?

Sizing Kit

This would be sent to a potential buyer ahead of ordering a set of nails. I would write in the shape they requested in the first bubble, then attach 14 nail sizes to the card for them to try out and find their size if they don't already know it. They can fill in the bubbles on the card to see if they match any standard sizes, or need custom sizing.

Is this easy to understand? Should I add or remove anything? I know it's plain, but I'm open to ideas if it needs anything.

I've been doing my pre-work...

I've been doing my pre-work for the Web Development bootcamp and I've already learned a lot. I'm excited to get started next month. I think I do much better with structure than I do without because I'm just flailing about, trying my best and not getting far. That's probably why I love lists so much. They give me a small amount of structure and purpose. So it will be nice to have something concrete and productive to do again soon. Having this pre-work and deadlines is also pretty nice.

My brain is all over the place and it's not super fun. I'm still sure I want to make press-on nails to sell. I have considered off and on doing the nail-tech thing, but the ANXIETY that comes with it is killer. Even when I do nails for friends and family FOR FREE, I'm always like "I could've done that better." The perfectionist in me will never see it as good enough, even when people assure me that they are happy. So at least if I make press-ons and they're already done, people can like them and buy them, or not. It seems like it would take a lot of the pressure off.

I have never in my life wanted to make nail polish and I still don't, but I'm getting pretty worked up over nail powder (the kind you buff into a sticky gel). I'm over here like "How big is a micron?" and going down the rabbit hole. I have a few powders with gorgeous effects, but I'd like to be able to mix something similar so I don't run through my prized favorite 4 by putting them on press-ons for someone else.

I did some mood nails the other day and they look pretty nice. But after doing some research ON THAT (I wasn't kidding when I said I was all over the place), I found that it's probably best to use that pigment in nail art instead of doing a full mani. The mood stuff isn't polish and needs to be sealed in. It would be better to encapsulate it somewhere than paint all the way to the edge and have it flake off. I'd be mortified if I sent out some nails and that happened.

My sweet Shaun has been nursing a butterfly with a torn wing since yesterday. He has been keeping it in the greenhouse and bringing it flowers and nectar. He went out earlier and it was gone into a bush and he was a bit upset until he found it. He knows the wings don't heal and that it will die eventually, but he's doing what he can to make sure it's comfortable, I guess. He knows we could leave it out and let it be part of the food chain, but for whatever reason, he seems kind of attached to this one. He looked her up and told me what her species was, but I can't remember what he said. He also told me she was a female.

I love how sweet his heart is. Anytime we've ever had a dying animal, he's wanted to be there - for them. I remember a time he held an injured gerbil for hours so that she wouldn't die alone. I don't really know where I was going with that; I guess I'm just expressing my appreciation for him and that he cares, even for the small creatures, too. ❤️

Anyway, I'm off to shower and get some sleep. I need to start working my schedule back towards "early" since the bootcamp/classes will be starting at 8 am and they're a bit of a drive from home.

I hope y'all are doing well. I'm kind of just... Scattered, but I'll pull myself together again. For a while, anyway. 😂😂😂 I never stay feeling like I'm on top of things for too long. Such is life, I suppose.

To do list for today:

To do list for today:

1.  Ramble in written form (it feels more solid than talking)

2.  Do my nails

3.  Water my plants

Taking care of #1 right now.  😆

So the Labubu market last night was pretty great.  We didn't make a lot of money, but we did recover our booth fee several times over, so we aren't complaining.  Also, the guy who runs it came by to meet us and thank us for coming, and he also checked that we made our money back.  If we hadn't, he was going to return our booth fee.  That wouldn't have been necessary to us regardless, but  we were appreciative that he checked.

Shaun walked around a bit to scope out what all was going on.  He said that there was a good bit of 3D printed merch, some larger items like tumblers and backpacks, and also some other smaller handmade things, but we were the only jewelry.  I think there were other stickers (we'd printed a few), but we were also the only temporary tattoos and nail decals.

We have some things left over, and we'll work on photographing it and putting it on Etsy this week.

Our setup was around the corner from the DJ area, which would have been a sensory nightmare for me if I hadn't had my Loop earplugs with me, which I almost always do now.  Yay for preparedness and learning to manage myself!

It actually ended up being quite fun being right near the DJ area.  Instead of a band, they had a karaoke setup... and I can't really explain why, but that made a huge difference to me.  No hate to anyone in bands, but it felt more wholesome? welcoming? endearing? (y'all help me with words; I'm not quite nailing it) having members of the community botch songs real bad while we all danced and cheered for them.  😆❤  I especially loved it when the kids would sing and get really into it.  It was so cute.

The market was held at the ABQ Food Park, and not all of the food trucks were open, but HOLY SHIT I got the best Torta of my life from one there that I can't even find the name of.  I got chicken in mine, and if you know me, I'm a picker (of food, skin, nails, stickers, edges, etc.) and I could barely find a thing to pick on my chicken.  It was SO GOOD.  And hot and fresh and flavorful.  I'm going to have to find the name of that place and go back.

The weather here in New Mexico is by default beautiful, but yesterday evening it was cloudy (so nice and cool) and then rainbows.  We had doubles, we had a big long one, we had one that looked like it repeated ROYGBIV a few times.  One thing to also know (I'm not sure if the whole state is like this, or just near the mountains), but it's BREEZY here.  And by that, I mean people's tents were flying away.  😆  Our displays were blowing over.  People were chasing after dropped things.  But that's just how it is.

We don't have a tent (yet), but if we had, it would've been more trouble than it was worth to put up.  Since it was afternoon/evening and cloudy, we weren't in direct sun and didn't need it.  Many people took theirs down once the breeze picked up.  We do plan to have one eventually, but we'll have to find a way to really secure it.  We also need to find a way to help keep our displays standing.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that it was a great time.  The vibes were immaculate, the people were so chill, the music was amazing, the food... omg, I haven't stopped thinking about that Torta.  😆  13/10 experience, I will definitely find reasons to go back, whether I'm selling Polish All the Things or just seeing what they've got going on.

Also, NM locals:  I need more friends here.  Please feel free to introduce me (IRL or virtually) to anyone you think I'd get along with.  ❤

I've got Labubu decals available in the shop.

I've got Labubu decals available in the shop.  These are super easy to apply.  Just cut them out, wet them, and slide them (face up!) onto your nail.  You can adjust the placement as long as they are wet.  Dab with something absorbent when you're satisfied with placement.  Cover with a topcoat to ensure adhesion, and you're good to go.

Custom images and sizes are available!

(I will definitely be doing more varieties of these, but I'm focused on Labubu for the Labubu event on Saturday.)

I've been so busy trying to get ready for the show next weekend...

I've been so busy trying to get ready for the show next weekend. We got a Silhouette cutter so I could make vinyls and decals. This ghost was my first print and I think he's cute! If y'all have suggestions for me, I'm open. I want nail art to be easy, accessible, and fun!

Vinyls are super easy to apply, as are waterslide decals. I also plan to make vinyls that you paint over and remove, leaving an image behind. I'm finally making the shop into everything I always wanted it to be. Slowly, but surely!

Pardon my grown-out concert nails. My next set will be Labubu for the show. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some press-ons created over the next few days!

Road trip snacks...

Road trip snacks (spicy for to stay awake), featuring concert nails. So shiny! 😍

I've been working on updating my Etsy...

I've been working on updating my Etsy (unfortunately not the photos or videos, yet) and that's pretty much all for today.

I did take a break and watch Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso live at Coachella on Hulu. They were great. I can't believe I get to see them live next Friday! I'm so excited!

I made -$71 today...

I made -$71 today (booth fee + a couple of purchases), but I met a lot of great people and had fun, so I'm not upset.

I think my stuff would sell better to a younger crowd, and that's ok. I was also tucked in the back, so I don't think we had the traffic that some of the other vendors might have.

But I still had a good time and no regrets. ❤️

Etsy wants new photos, added videos, etc.

Etsy wants new photos, added videos, etc. I will start on that next week. Getting ready for the show tomorrow, then I'll update whatever I bring back home next week before starting on new stuff.

I still need to update my Polish All the Things page. It's linked to Etsy, but currently only has my nail art on there. I have so much to do! 😬

It's been one of those...

It's been one of those "tried my best, but accomplished very little" type of days.

I spent too much time trying to integrate my Etsy shop with my Polish All the Things page, and in the end it didn't even work. Apparently, you could do that last year, but not anymore. I also had to get my Square account switched over to my current last name and bank.

I jumped in with both feet and signed up to do a craft show this weekend. Info on that will be on the page linked above ^ here shortly. I know very few people where I live now, but I'm still gonna put up the event. 😂

I also submitted the scholarship application for the program I'm trying to get into.

I watered a few plants. Made a plant Insta.

That's pretty much all I managed to do today.

Etsy says I need more photos and videos of my stuff. I agree. I have new jewelry displays, so maybe I can make things look fancy and get some new media up this weekend. We'll see.

Currently working on reopening Polish All the Things...

Currently working on reopening Polish All the Things on Etsy.  I need to get some fresher pics, as well as some videos to show the sparkle (not to mention I need to get creating!), but I gotta start somewhere.