My flat ass pancake nail beds...

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...

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.

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 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.

I still don't have a job.

I still don't have a job. I was laid off in April. The market has been terrible. I put in applications every week, and I'm getting rejection letters and no call-backs.

When I started college in 2015, my plan was to go for something well-paying and in-demand. I really took to Math and Computer Science, and I have no regrets about choosing those paths, although I never imagined that due to the economy and AI it would be so hard to find work. It definitely wasn't like this a few years ago.

Anyway, I've been looking around for a path forward and I think I have a plan. There's a program under one of the local colleges that offers a certificate for Web Design. I have some years of experience, but I also have some gaps in my knowledge since I am self-taught. I would feel much better applying for jobs doing that if I took this boot camp, so I'm about to apply.

I also didn't really think through the whole "moving to a new place where I knew no one and then working remotely so that I have no local network," but that's exactly what I did. I just didn't realize it until it bit me in the ass after my layoff. 😬 So going through this program would help me start the process of building a network here on top of honing my skills.

I'm still also really interested in learning Spanish, so I'm considering (perhaps next year, hopefully after I'm working) taking Spanish here. Living in New Mexico, it would be super useful to have more under my belt than what I can get from Duolingo. And if I have a major in it, I would feel confident in my competency.

I don't know. Spanish is more of a long-term goal than immediate, but what is clear to me is that I'm probably not finding a job soon, so I need to be improving myself. I will continue to apply for jobs, but I need to make myself more marketable while doing that. So I'm going to do my best.

Also, in the meantime, I will probably re-open my Etsy shop and list all of the jewelry I've made. I might also start making press-on nails since I have so many nail art supplies. I don't know how popular press-ons are, but I know you can buy unique and even custom sets on Etsy, so I might as well throw my designs in the ring, too.

I hope y'all are doing well. Aside from not having a job, I'm actually doing pretty ok. I've been doing a lot of self-care, which I needed.

Local friends, if y'all have time to hang out, please let me know! ❤️

I tested out using gel polish to make stones for jewelry.

I tested out using gel polish to make stones for jewelry. I'd say it worked. 😁

The stone on the left is just the holographic chrome powder Lust by JReine over black. I definitely need to make sure my sticky coat goes down smooth. You can see some brush strokes in that one. It was the first one I made so the second one came out smoother. 

The stone on the right was made using the same method as my dandelion nails, except that I didn't put the dandelions on it because it was just an experiment. It turned out so well that I kind of wish I had, but I'll know better next time.

Now that I know this works I will probably make some jewelry using these methods. I'm excited to have more to paint than just my nails. 😂 I am slowly but surely working towards re-opening my Etsy and I'm really excited about that. I definitely need a creative outlet in my life.

#TheresNoSuchThingAsTooMuchNailPolish #PolishAllTheThings

I've seen a lot of posts recently about supporting small and local businesses...

I've seen a lot of posts recently about supporting small and local businesses because of the pandemic and the supply chain issues so I thought it might be an appropriate time to renew my Etsy listings.  For anyone who didn't know me back when I was heavy into making jewelry:  I made it with nail polish.  Some of it came out pretty nice and I traveled (usually with my mom and brother) doing events and selling there.  It was a good time, but between some health issues and college I could no longer find time to make things or do events and well, then the pandemic and etc...  basically all of my supplies and already-made items ended up in the closet.

I'm gonna be honest and say that I don't know if I'll actually end up reviving Polish All the Things for really-realz... I'm kind of more health- and career- focused at this point in my life.  I would love to get back into nail art just for myself because it's a self-care thing.  I've already starting making time for keeping my claws polished so that's a step in the right direction.  I don't know if making jewelry will ever be a part of my life again, but if it does I can't imagine it being a MAJOR part.  I don't know.  It's fun and stress-relieving and I DO have a ton of polish...  But anyway, if you see something you want I'd say get it before it's gone.  I really can't make any guarantees at this point.

So without further blah blah, here's the link to my shop.  I've got a table full of jewelry that apparently never made it to Etsy so that'll hopefully get up there this weekend.  But yeah, that's all for now.

Thank you, friends.  ❤

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PolishAllTheThings

Apparently I am JUST NOW comprehending why I'd want to use Pinterest. 😂

Apparently I am JUST NOW comprehending why I'd want to use Pinterest.  😂  I put my jewelry up on it a million years ago and never really messed with it again aside from the occasional update.  WELL, that has changed!  I've been pinning and uploading most of the evening and apparently I've hit the daily limit.  😝

For a while now when I wanted to look at my stash of nail art photos that inspire me I just went [painstakingly] through my bookmarks.  I think I was bookmarking nail art on blogs before Pinterest was really a thing.  Needless to say - that was FRUSTRATING.  So is trying to organize a bunch of screen caps on my phone.  😳😒😒😒

I don't know why it took me up until a few days ago to realize that there was a better way to manage my pics because this has frustrated me for a while.  But now that I know what's up I'm excited to clean out my bookmarks and phone storage.  I've been working on it for a couple of days now so that's awesome.  I just kind of wish they hadn't stopped me today, though, because I was on a roll!  😛

I feel pretty accomplished.

I feel pretty accomplished.  Despite the fact that I am exhausted (woo, holidays!), I finished a necklace for one of my best friends.  Might not seem like much, but I made the stone in August of 2014... so it's been over a year that I've been "working on it."  LOL

One of the major hold-ups was the chain - metal bothers her skin, so I had to do something different from my usual for her.  I ended up grabbing several colors of these rubber cord things and she picked the purple / gray one.  I had gray, a blue / gray, and also black, but not surprisingly, she chose the more odd color.  This stone does include a purple / pink shimmery polish in it, but it doesn't show in every light.  The cording is also weird because the purple in it doesn't always show.  I got a few pics in different lighting to try to show that.

All in all I think it kind of oddly works together.  I probably would have put it on the gray or black if it was my choice, but I'm boring and Laurel is not, so that's ok.  As long as she likes it I'm totally happy, too.  😃

So that's one down - I have one more to go!  I'm hoping to finish Emily's in the next few days.  I'm trying to complete what projects I can before school starts back!  😃

Bittersweet day.

Bittersweet day.  Cookie Monster just found his home through Etsy.  This was from when I very first started making things.  I hope his new owner loves him!  😃❤

Just wanted to post up some of my latest water marbled rings.

Just wanted to post up some of my latest water marbled rings.

Dosh by Butter London;

unbranded plate QA40;

stamping technique