Sam Biddle

Ballerina film

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:34:00 +0000

I hope you enjoy my new Fantasy nail design, on this film I show how I create a dancing ballerina. I hope you find it useful. I have created this film to support the Pure fantasy double disc DVD now available at www.sambiddle.co.uk.

BALLERINA PART 1

BALLERINA PART 2

If you would like me to send you your own copy of this DVD email me at info@sambiddle.co.uk

From Cyprus to Manchester......

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:03:00 +0000

I am home now, after a marathon of workshops, demonstrations, judging and college classes, not just in the UK, I even fitted in a trip to Sunny Cyprus.

It has been a wonderful and inspiring couple of weeks, and although I miss being at home, I did have John with me for some of it.

A couple of weeks ago, I jumped on a plane and visited Helen Keating in Limossol Cyprus, who, with her impressive CV, has managed to take Cyprus by storm over the past few years. Working with nail technicians, SPA’s and Hotels and salons all over the island, she has taken the small nail industry out there and turned it on its head.

Bringing in a need for further education and inspiring nail technicians by bringing in people like me from the UK, who has a different way of working with acrylic and gel. Although Helen is a CND sub distributor, she is keen to bring a variety of skills from a wide range of technicians, regardless of brand, to help the industry grow on this small Island.

'I want to show nail technicians what's available to them, and give them an opportunity to learn from other nail professionals' say’s Helen. I spent a couple of days with Helen and her team, and we provided two amazing days;

Day 1 - Gel...working with gel colours, we came up with four great new idea's and applications to help techs use this medium effectively in their salons, and on their clients. Covering marbling, feathering, flowers and encapsulation, we managed to fill the day with some great new skills.
Day 2 - Fantasy and designs...we took the rose and started working with our acrylic, creating a 3D fantasy flower, then translated this into design nails. This is a great way to break down a 3D subject, like a rose, and create a 2D master piece on the nails.

Yes...I have to admit, we did eat and drink loads....I love the Cypriot food, I should I was born there, it must be in my blood! Of course I couldn’t leave before re-connecting with the Mediterranean and dipping my toes into the sea..... It's thanks to Helen and Pete (and of course Pumpkin) who made me very welcome...I do plan to return to Cyprus in 2010.

Arriving back to a wet and cold England, I only had three days to get organized for my week in the North;

First I was spending two days at G’mex in Manchester, which is always a treat, it is an opportunity to catch up with some of you and check out what’s new in the world of nails…but I had something else to look forward to….I was working with the girls from IBD.

It’s confusing isn’t it…. most of you know me through Ez Flow, and although I still work closely with Ez Flow in the UK, I am very honoured to be asked to work with other exceptional brands.

I love gel……I think it is under estimated…there is room to work this product, which is why I got a sticky with IBD at Gmex. Thank you Kerry…who was my voice for the two days…hurling abuse at me with her mic (ooooops…sorry did I say that aloud) and Louise…who I managed to steal from ( I have your acrylic brush…sorry).

Demoing nonstop on the stand, I went all out with the designs…working to create some new idea’s which you can use in the salon….and to top it off…there was some amazing offers; but the best one is yet to come… training day with me…for just….£25.

Held in Tamworth on the 3rd December, you’re invited to join me and receive some greaten new recipes for your IBD soak off gels, and learn a couple of new techniques to include on your design nails Using IBD’s Soak of gels and find out how you can work smart with this great medium. If your not yet signed up….join my mailing list now and you will be the first to get more info on this fabulous offer. email me on info@sambiddle.co.uk ( mark subject; mailing list please)

I was also asked to Judge ….wow…how amazing was some of the work….I want to especially

mention Vicki Taylor Dodds, who did a superb job on the fantasy competition….finally bringing together everything she has learnt to produce a winning combination.

Also Keiko….who produced the boxed nails which were my favourite…..the

detail on the hands and faces where brilliant… she is certainly one to watch in the future. Michelle Brookes also produces three great images for the photographic competition, but my favourite was strawberry fields, a great image to have in your salon.

Monday came, and I wasn’t going to heading home, instead I pointed my car further North and headed to Harrogate. The rest of the week was filled with design workshops, fantasy days and finally finishing on Friday in Stockport for an advanced design class. Thank you everyone who attended.

What’s next; well I am happy to say I am closer to home for the next few weeks, with a few one to one’s training in my diary, a day in the IOW and then I am then heading to Cornwall for my design class in Truro. November; I am flying up to Affinti nails and beauty in Glasgow and working with Derek where I am offering you a day of gel and acrylic designs for Christmas.

Until next time…Sx

Take a Break to ask your self.

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:07:00 +0000

Have you got a minute? Well five actually, to spend over coffee, or in between clients, and to ask yourself some very important questions. Why? you ask. Well let me ask you this question first….do you realise your own potential? do you have any idea what is available out there for you?

You must have seen the range of different opportunities available in this industry to help make your business grow and prosper. I am sure your well aware of the many experts who can help you find the missing piece to that business building puzzle, and I know that you fully appreciate what a difference using design within your business can make.

But then it comes to making that important deceision, wondering if you should or shouldn't utilize these opportunities. Well I have come up with a little questionaire, to help you ask the right questions, instead of asking the same old ones, which don't give you the answers like;

Is this workshop right for me? How will this class benefit me? How can I improve myself and my business?

Try asking yourself these few questions to pin point just what might suit you and why. Pick the answer which best sums you up. Oh yes, and try to be honest.

1. How often do you work with colour in the salon?

a. Is there colour acrylic and gel available

b. My clients never ask for it.

c. Always, every day at least one of my clients has a full set of design nails.

2. Do you know how to introduce colour and design to the clients?

a. I suppose they will come in and ask me for it.

b. There are magazines out on the table.

c. I wear design nails all the time and have examples on my walls.

3. Do you have a draw filled to over flowing with glitter, gems and foils?

a. I didn’t know you could add stuff to nails

b. I have seen these at the shows, but never know what to do with them.

c. Every time I open my “happy draw” to get inspiration, it’s full of shiny sparkly things.

4. When your clients arrive, and you ask them what they would like you to do for them today, what do they say?

a. “Oh the usual please”.

b. My client is so specific she even tells you which brush to use.

c. My clients say’s those two magic words “ you decide”

5. A new salon has just opened in the same town/street/around the corner from you, are you?

a. Worried, in case you lose some of your precious business.

b. No problem, competition is good, the more people that wear nails, the more popular it will get.

c. Not worried, they can’t provide the range of services, and designs you can give.

6. Further education within the nail industry can be great?

a. I don’t agree - I learnt all I need to on my foundation/beginners/college course. Why do I need to spend money learning extra stuff?

b. I want to go on extra workshops but I can never decide what is best for me, and if the stuff I learn on the class will be useful in my business.

c. I try and attend at least three different workshops a year, I try new brands, techniques and companies so I have a range. Every time I come back from a class, I introduce something new to my clients, and they always love it, they end up paying for the workshops and then some.

Mostly A

You might not know it yet, or even think it, but a workshop will help you! Especially the be inspired -‘designs for the salons’ It will help answer some of your questions and just give you an insight into an amazing opportunity you have at your finger tips. You might just be realizing now how hard it is to be self employed nail technicians, so let me help you turn your job into a career and exploit the passion which is just sitting beneath the service. Remember you’re drawn to this creative career for a reason, let your inner child out to play for a while, you might like the game.

Mostly B

You are well on your way; you have plenty of passion and drive to introduce colour and design effectively into your work. But like me you probably have a few unanswered questions, which any of these workshops might just help you with. You have seen what you need to do, let me show you how to do it.

Mostly C

You have a balance of creativity and passion, and I am sure I must have seen your work already. In fact you have probably already attended one of my classes. But you probably already know that the thing this workshop will give you is more inspiration, some extra little tips and tricks that might be new to you, and of course an wealth of new experiences which you can use in your designs. Looking forward to working with you!

If you have found this helpful, please pass it on. It is amazing how something this simple can help change someone's future. Don't let your competition benefit from the advantages of knowing the right decisions to make, and which choices to take.

for more information on how I can help you email me on info@sambiddle.co.uk

Does your imagination earn you a great income?

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:24:00 +0000

I wonder does your creativity stands out from the crowd……. would you like to know how to get the best from your products?

Let me show how colour can help you beat the competition and how a few tips and tricks can make design nails sell!

Karen Thresher desperately wanted to move into doing more exciting nails and offer her clients something different to the competition on the corner. Last year after attending a class, she has opened her salon Nr Chard, Somerset which is a massive success. She says “ the be inspired classes are amazing, you look at things around you in a different light, and draw inspiration from them, the whole day gave me much more confidence. Sam makes you believe you can achieve anything and is so down to earth”

Kim Engley works as a college tutor and owns a successful business in Cornwall, she attended the new Design for the Salon workshop in July “ I have actually learnt new techniques in the application of both gel and acrylic which has inspired me to be more adventurous, I would defiantly recommend this class to help boost confidence in putting new methods and designs into practice”

Do you think you have more to learn in this industry? Is there something else you could offer your clients to beat the competition?

I wrote and article for Scratch magazine about Independent Education, which was inspired by Yvonne Cockerill an extremely talented nail tech of 6 years from Coventry; she says about continuing your education “it keeps you stimulated and inspires you to think of different things”. About the workshops “ I have been on many courses over the years but I have to say the last couple of days have given me a wealth of knowledge” learning new skills which has helped business grow.

Now you can have the confidence to work with gel and acrylic and produce some stunning design nails.

Designs for the Salon is a day covering design nails in both gel and acrylic. Take away a dozen new idea’s, learn amazing new application techniques to make your nails come alive, and find out how to produce design nails which are suitable for the salon. A wealth of tips, tricks and latest trends so you don’t fall behind the competition and learn how to earn a great income.

Now is your chance to become a master of design.

You can join us in London next week, on Sunday 27^th September and only has three places left. Book today. Email me on info@sambiddle.co.uk or call on 07841656898

Deadline for bookings is Wednesday 23^rd 5.00pm

NEW DATES - Book today...limted places

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:55:00 +0000

I thought I would pop this list of my workshop dates for September, October and November. Places are limited, so if you haven't yet, please book today by emailing me on info@sambiddle.co.uk.

London- I only have three places left on this class, and I will need your confirmations by the end of the week, please email me for more information.
Leeds & Sheffield - these two dates are very popular, and since it is my first time so far North, I didn't want you to miss out on booking your seat. Next workshops in this area are likely to be in October 2010
Stockport - is officially full, but I could squeeze one more in, as I won't be returning till 2010
Peterborough - back by popular demand, this advanced design class is a perfect way to take a leap up the 'nail ladder', and make your business stand out.
Cornwall - I know you have all been waiting for some decent dates, I am putting one two fantastic classes, please don't delay, and confirm your place today.
Scotland - has not been forgotten, working with Affiniti nails and beauty, we are providing you with a Christmas workshop you will remember

My Brush top ten tips!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Just take a moment right now…and think…..do you know where your brush is?

As you close your eyes do you see it safe and sound or does it lie neglected. If you have ever had me in your class room you will know what I am like when it comes to brush care, Oh yes……I can get all hot and bothered when I see crimes against brushes, especially when I see bristles bound and gagged with chunks of dried acrylic.

This little guide is for you…… not to learn something new…. but to remind you of what you already know. If this list doesn’t apply to you and you deserve a gold star from me then pass it on to your students, or colleagues at work,

I give you my 10 commandments to treat your brush with respect, you never know it might just pay dividends later.

· Acrylic sticks to acrylic they are drawn together like ships in the night, so make sure that your brush doesn’t have a speck of acrylic on it, even during the application.

· Don’t touch your brush; the oil from your finger tips isn’t helpful.

· When applying your bead, make sure you have enough monomer in your bristles, it is no good starting your car journey without a full tank, think of the liquid as your fuel during application.

· Before you put the brush away, and at this stage it should be before your spread file dust all over it, make sure you clean it, with monomer, and leave enough monomer in the bristles to keep it conditioned. You are looking at repeating the same cleaning process when you re start your next acrylic application.

· If you find you have any product within the bristles don’t pick then out with tools or cut them with scissors, dissolve them in monomer first and then a brush cleaner if this doesn’t work.

· Your brush is the most important part of your kit; you will never be able to create a good set without a good brush. Invest in one which will make your job easier.

· Use the correct brush for the correct job. If you’re looking at producing a clean sharp smile line or delicate flowers it is better to use an oval brush with a point, rather than a flat or round end.

· Don’t be afraid to use the barrel of your brush the thickest part in the middle of the bristles, to press your acrylic out. The tip is too flexible, and the pressure is more evenly distributed through the barrel of your brush, also you will find it will make a more even application.

· When applying an acrylic bead, twist it off the brush, in other words twist the brush to leave a bead on the surface of the nail, remove any excess acrylic left on the bristles and then start pressing it out. Don’t wipe too much monomer from your brush; remember you need this as fuel.

· If you find that the acrylic is too sticky, your brush has either acrylic on it or it is too wet. Dab it a little on your bed roll.

Ten Top Tips for Gel!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:51:00 +0000

If you could give your gel application a score from 1-10, where 1 is a disaster and 10 is remarkably good, what score would you give yourself? If you gave yourself a 9 or a 10, don’t read this post.

These are ten of my own top tips to make your gel application great.

If you have any questions you can email me on info@sambiddle.co.uk or if you wuld like me to email you a PDF copy.

1. Preparation is the key, make sure that the natural nails are completely dehydrated. All the non living tissue is removed and you have a rough surface to apply your gel to.

2. If you are using a tip, you need to take off the shiny surface, otherwise the gel will not be able to cling to the tip, and this will leave you with little shiny mirror pockets. This applies to white tips and clear or natural ones.

3. To prevent lifting; When you apply gel for the first time, apply a very very thin layer over the whole surface of your nail, ‘rub’ or ‘brush’ this into the surface of your nail.. when I say thin I am talking thinner than polish…..then you will need to freeze cure this for a few seconds, this first layer will shrink onto the nail and leave you with a tight hold, now continue to apply your gel as normal.

4. Have you got the correct strength lamp bulbs, remember the bulbs have a shelf life, and if they are old they won’t be as effective. You won’t get your gel to cure at the right speed, and this may cause lifting.

5. Be gentle with gel, you have to guide it…not shove it with your brush, you should be able to apply gel using just a tooth pick……use your brush to ‘show your gel the way’. Your gel (assuming it is a god quality, self levelling building gel) is intelligent enough to do most of your job for you….let it!

6. The more you play with your gel, the thinner the viscosity….in other words it will get runnier and less controllable.

7. After applying your final gel layer, place the finger into the lamp up side down for the first few seconds, gel will ‘relax’ when it goes under the light, and by drawing it down, it won’t settle on either side of the nails…making the nails look heavy and fat.

8. When doing pink and whites, or creating detail with colour, it is easier if you have a second clean gel brush. Wipe along the applied gel to give you a clean sharp line. It sometimes helps to dip this brush in some cleaner.

9. Apply the brakes! If you don’t want your gel to go in a certain place on the nail, for example; the free edge if creating a reverse smile line, then don’t apply that first thin layer in this area. The rough surface, will act like a natural stop sign for the gel.

10. You can add anything to gel to colour it, bling it up or even tint it, from polish, pigments, acrylics, glass paints, glitter and foils. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Are you incomparably unique?

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:37:00 +0000

Do you find yourself comparing your skills and talents with others around you, as technicians we find this habit very hard to break, looking at what other people are doing and judging their talents against our own.

We just have to face it there is always going to be someone else more talented than you, it might be that they seem to be creative than you feel, or display a unique talent that you covet. But equally there will always be those who are less than you in all these ways.

The way to find out who you are is not by comparing yourself with others, but by looking at fulfilling your own potential the best way you know how.

Greetings from Greece

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:43:00 +0000

Last Month, I was invited to Greece, working with AME, I wanted to bring you a taste of what I got up to.....I am not sure why I have an affinity with Greece perhaps it is because I was born in Cyprus and can connection with their laid back easy nature, their friendliness and willingness to help is refreshing. Perhaps it was because I met my husband under the Greek sun or is it the food which I have fond memories of eating, spending most of my teenage years eating maze’s, and pita’s filled with Greek salads and humus. Whatever it is, I am always thrilled to be invited back to Greece, and help Anna Almbanis, one of Greece’s top nail technicians and her team at AME. This was my third visit and this time at the beginning of the summer, so I certainly experienced a little of how hot it can get in Athens.

Booked to demonstrate at Athens beauty show, I spent the first two days working on the impressive Ez Flow booth. Anna and Angelo Almbanis of AME are the distributors for Ez Flow, Jessica and a whole host of other products in Greece, along with running an extremely successful franchise of Nyxi Nyxi salons. This dynamic husband and wife team, have superb offices in the best part of town, with a shop and training rooms.

But this is not where my journey starts, early on Saturday morning, Anna and I head off to the Television studios, where we are scheduled to appear on their version of GMT. After waiting for make up and hair, and meeting a

whole host of exciting ‘names’ in the green room we finally were live on air, Anna showed off the new Minx wraps, while I did some 3D lilies on her finger tips.

The show in Athens is a one which includes nails and beauty, hair and makeup.

Packed together there is a range of different booths both large and small, zig zagging down the aisles. As the visitors make their way down the hall, rising up in front of them is the large and very shiny Ez Flow stand. With an imposing magenta wall at one end, the booth housed polishes from the Jessica range, shelves and shelves jammed packed with Ez flow colours and products, on a back drop of mat and gloss white. Large white shiny tiles lined the floor with its clean lines giving this stand a polished and professional feel.

There were three plasma screens all showing my Pure fantasy and new Pure design DVD’s, and a long one wall, a long white table for me to demonstrate. Wow!

Saturday I concentrated on design nails, showing visitors to the stand, just how far we could push the acrylic, and give them some inspiration and ideas of what they could achieve in the salon and on their clients. I even produced some pink and whites, but renowned now for my fantasy nails, was asked time and again to make something elaborate on the end of their finger tips. Sunday was a fun day, completely dedicated to fantasy. Nothing was held back producing, parrots and peacocks, lilies and roses, butterflies and bling, from the abstract to the bizarre, I spent the day producing Fantasy creations to show nail technicians just what can be achieved with acrylic and gel.

I have met some amazing people at the show, and had the opportunity to work alongside Aggelikh Sidiropoulou from Urkraine, one of Anna’s educators, she produced some sublime Russian inspired designs over the weekend, adding her own particular brand of style to long and pointed stilettos.

I didn’t attend the show on Monday as we had two exciting seminars planned. With only 20 places available on each, we ran both workshop until 9.00 at night. The idea was to show a range of idea’s using both coloured acrylic and gel which can be used within the salon. I showed 2 gel nails, incorporating the brand new celestial bodies range from Ez Flow, and another utilizing three different application techniques using a Varity of colours. These design are exclusive ‘Sam Biddle’ designs available only through ‘Be inspired’ workshops, where I have the freedom to push the bounders and show something unique to nail technicians all over the globe. Using acrylic, we covered a range of different application skills including the now very popular stiletto shape, finally finishing the day with a fantasy rose. Everyone had an opportunity to try out these new application techniques and work on some of their own nails.

Another very early start on Tuesday morning, when I took a flight up to the north part of Greece, and visited the sub distributor in Thessaloniki; Elena Tapra. She had also organized another two seminars, where I worked with both gel and acrylic, to present some new ideas and designs for their salons and customers to enjoy, and showing them how best to market these and increase business. Making a mad dash back to the airport, I was to fly back to Athens, and my hotel, with a few hours sleep and with only a few hours before I was to catch a flight home to the UK with plans to return in November, I was able to catch a well earned rest on plane.

Last chance for June offer!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:44:00 +0000

I wanted to let you know about the fantastic offer we have running.

For only £55 you can attend a “Be Inspired” workshop. The London class is now fully booked, and we only have one more date left at this special June price.

Come and join us in Coventry at Ellison’s for this great class which won’t fail to help you bring something different to your business and show your clients an alternative look to their nails.

Using both Gel and Acrylic, we are working on design application only and not structure…giving those of you not used to working with coloured gel or acrylic an ideal opportunity to dip your toes into an alternative for your service menu.

How can you let this opportunity slip through your fingers. With only a few days left and places limited. Email me on info@sambiddle.co.uk

CHANGES!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:13:00 +0000

I am thrilled to announce some changes within my business and a new working relationship with Grafton’s international. Until recently I have predominantly been working with just the EzFlow Nail Systems and their education team, but in my new independent relationship, I will be working with all of the Grafton brands including Ez Flow and IBD which allow me to provide an all round Education experience for Nail Technicians wishing to take the next step into colour and design. It gives me the freedom to build on the un bias workshops and classes provided by ‘be inspired’, as well as working within the whole of the industry independently.

I started the ‘be inspired’ classes in 2008 because of the growing demand for advanced Education. It is not a replacement for Education with the larger Nail companies, brands and through college, but it is a tool that will complement the training that is currently offered and to further enrich the students and Nail Technicians learning. Building on their skills and showing them new areas to develop.

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:42:00 +0000

I have some exciting news!

Even though we are all struggling in this economic downturn, many of you still understand that the importance of learning new skills and keeping up to date with trends, will only help to improve our businesses.

Therefore I offer you over 50% discount on all of my “designs for the salon” workshops running throughout June 2009.

Normally £115

Now only

£55

DESIGNS FOR THE SALON

Brings you ideas and concepts which are outside the box, work smart with your materials and produce amazing results, which are quick to apply in salon viable nails. With four exciting new designs, you will cover a range of techniques.

7th June - Nr Southampton * 14th June - London * 22nd June - Coventry

Limited places available; book today by emailing info@ sambiddle.co.uk

Reference; designs@50 and the date

Times 10.00-4.00

Say Goodbye to being Shy.

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Do you have a bout of the bashful? Even the most brazen of us still feel self conscious now and again. Shyness is one of those uncomfortable feelings you would rather not have, sneaking up on you and making you feel insecure, alone and scared.

Can you agree with any of the following statements?

I find it very difficult to talk to new people
I lack confidence with people
I feel tense and nervous when I try to initiate a conversation
At work I have difficultly talking to other people
I often tense up and forget what I was about to say when I am talking to some one new.
I am especially nervous when talking to someone I fancy
I often replay entire conversations in my head and wish I had said something different
People see me as quite when really I don’t want to be.

Touching the lives of around half of the population shyness has been a subject for much research and can even be scientifically measured. Varying from person to person it can strike out in any kind of social situation affecting your feelings, thoughts and behaviour. How self conscious do you feel? Are you scared or nervous around new people? Are you insecure and hold back saying or doing something because you’re concerned about how others might respond? The key to being a successful and sought after nail technician is to communicate with your clients, providing a relaxing atmosphere and allowing them to enjoy the experience they have with you. Beat your self consciousness and see your clients come back for more.

Eye contact

It is hard when you’re shy to look some one in the eye, some one who is self conscious may feel that allowing others to see into their eyes is allowing them to see their thoughts. Get out of this habit by practicing with a friend, sit opposite them and gaze into their eyes. You will probably end up rolling around on the floor in a fit of giggles but it will teach you how easy it is to catch some ones eye and be confident not to look away.

Get to know you’re self; Ask your self….

· ‘What is important for me today’?
· ‘What does success mean to me?
· ‘If I had a spare £1000 which charity would I donate it to?’
· ‘What would I do if I had a year left to live?’
· ‘What three things would I take to a desert island’?
· ‘What three things do I admire about me?’

Self awareness is intrinsic to changing your behaviour and beating shyness. Knowing what is integral to how you feel and developing a sense of humour will go along way to finding your self. Do this by asking your self a profound question each day, you may be amazed by the answers. Learn to discover how interesting you are and develop a passion for life and a purpose for your day. When you brush your teeth in the morning, look at your self in the mirror, smile and give your self a compliment. Tell your self something you would only express to some one you love and deeply care about. Once you feel comfortable telling yourself you look nice, you will be able to practice this on someone else.

Stop labelling yourself

Don’t create a self fulfilling prophecy by telling others how shy you are. Fake it till you make it by saying ‘I am fine at meeting new people’. If you find you’re self in a social situation and start to recognise those feelings of insecurity, try acting as if you’re not shy. Image some one you admire and respect, and put yourself in that person’s shoes. Don’t judge your self, accept all your imperfections, would you criticize your best friend the same way you criticize your self. Give your self a chance to shine become your own best friend.

FORM

F – family
O - occupation
R - relationships
M - moneyPractice small talk
While your working on your clients nails it is not enough to answer ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘fine’ when some one asks you a question. You need to keep your clients interested and at ease while they are having their treatment, keep the conversation flowing by telling them something of your day, and then ask them a question in return. Worried about what to ask? That’s easy just remember F.O.R.M. Ask plenty of questions and others will think you’re fascinating, letting them talk about them selves will make them feel good.
“How much was your holiday to the USA, we are thinking of going?”
“Are you enjoying your new job, what is your new boss like?
“Has Mike been busy in the garden now the weather has turned out well?”
“How is your family? Did Katie do well at her sports day?”

Fake it

Did you know you only have 10 seconds to impress a stranger, not to mention a prospective new client, in order to instil confidence and faith in your abilities you need to project a calm and assertive attitude to your work. There are some great ways to look self assured both within and out of the salon.
· In the salon your nail station should sit facing the door, this also works at a restaurant or in a meeting, facing the door is generally the power position.
· Make large fluid movements with your hands, confident people will gesture and occupy more physical space.
· When you walk into a room walk straight through the middle, keep you back straight and face forwards, when you approach a new client extend your arm first to shake hands. Initiate contact.
· Keep your hands away from your face and don’t fidget or fiddle with anything.
· Avoid looking down, and keep your neck straight.
· Express how you think or feel about subject; don’t keep your opinions to yourself.

It is important to continue to re educate yourself in this industry developing new techniques to use on our clients. However improving social skills can go along way to boosting your confidence, motivation and develop business. It is safe to say we are all worried about how our business will survive in these hard times, but now is the time to play dirty, and find a unique selling point to your business, becoming a better person while your at it. Check out these books to help you on your self help journey. Make it work for you with these challenges. Each day try a new way to improve your life, by doing the simplest of things.
What to Say When You Talk to Your Self by Shad Helmstetter ISBN-10: 0722525117, ISBN-13: 978-0722525111.
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers ISBN-10: 0091907071 ISBN-13: 978-0091907075

Say goodbye to being shy with these Dare by day challenges.

Monday – ask three strangers on the street then time.
Tuesday – make small talk with some one you don’t know.
Wednesday – smile today at three strangers, remember smiling is infectious.
Thursday – tell your client a funny story about your childhood
Friday – complement three clients and make their day
Saturday – ask a client a question which may help you solve a problem.
Sunday – look in the mirror and smile at yourself, see your reflection as a confident, self assured person with a fantastic future ahead.

This Article was written for SCRATCH magazine March 2009 by Sam Biddle

Picture with a Difference

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:00:00 +0000

A CLASS WITH A DIFFERENCE DEVELOPED TO GROW YOUR BUSSINESS AND BOOST YOUR PROFILE.

I know you can produce amazing nails but wouldn’t you love to know how to;

· Create the winning photo?

· Produce images for our own portfolio?

· Advertise your own work in your salon?

· Create a magazine cover shots?

You can learn how best to show off your work on the 7^th June. You will learn;

· the importance of developing a concept

· how to style your shot.

· Learn about the functions on your compact

· make the most of your lighting and the macro functions.

This class is not about photography, but about utilizing this medium within your business.

SO IF YOU’RE READY TO START PROMOTING YOURSELF WITHIN YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND THE INDUSTRY, THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU.

There will be no application of nails on the day and you will require a model. This class covers the final shot only. This workshop is available to you for just £95 per head, and with only a few places left you need to book your place today. email me on info@sambiddle.co.uk for your booking form. Timings 10.00am – 4.00pm. Holiday Inn, Fareham -7th June 2009

Be Inspired in Greece

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Fri, 08 May 2009 06:12:00 +0000

Sam Biddle “be inspired” will be visiting Greece and working with Anna Almbanis to bring a little colour to your clients.

On the 19th May Sam will be holding one of her special workshops created to help you get the best out of your colour acrylics and gel to use in the salon. This master class will cover 4 simple and effective design nails ideal for you to use with your salon.

The work shop will run all day with opportunities for you to practise these new techniques under the watchful eye of Sam.Learn how to blend with gels, marbling, utilizing gel and acrylic to maximize control, incorporate foils and create 3D art work quickly. Sam will show you a Brand New

method of application to achieve depth to your design

nails, and you will cover different shapes and styles, as well as much more.

Sam will also be at the show in Athens on the 16th to the 18th May, so come and see some great demonstrations of design and fantasy nails at the Ez Flow Booth. Watch sam work her magic with acrylic, and inspire your inner creativity.For more information on the workshop or the show in Athens email sam on info@sambiddle.co.uk.

To book your place on the workshop email nailsgreece@yahoo.com or email sam on info@sambiddle.co.uk

Calling all Tech's

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:26:00 +0000

Do you have something to say?

I am writing a feature for a consumer fashion magazine about…… yes you guessed it

nails!

It will be a four part article aimed at our clients and I would like to feature the best from our industry, who have something to say about this industry. It’s important to remember this feature is designed to target the clients (not other nail technicians), if you can answer any one of the following questions, please send them to me at; sambiddleis@googlemail.com. Please include your full name, address of salon and telephone number.

1. How do you help your clients to stop biting their nails! – I am looking for hints and tips that a client can do at home, which doesn’t including throwing on a set of acrylics. What would you say to the clients, can they use a magic product, do you know any alternative therapies that work.

2. Looking after your hands this winter – what are your favourite products to sell to your clients, for them to maintain their manicures. (remember this is for a consumer magazine, so the clients need to find them in the high street, or through the net, can you include these details.)

3. The funniest questions/weirdest you have been asked by a client – can you include your answers too.

4. How do you explain the difference between gel and acrylic to a new client.

5. I am looking for clients, who are your best clients and what have they got to say about the industry and nails. Can you forward this email to them?

I will credit every quote I use, and will let you know when the feature is published. The feature should start in September, but my deadline is June. If your unable to help me and know someone who can please forward this email on. I really appreciate all your input.

any idea's ......quotes....and anecdotes.....welcome!

Be inspired in Sweden

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:09:00 +0000

Are you interested in nail art?

Have you considered developing your skills in hand-painting, colour gels or fantasy, but were unsure which technique would be most interesting for you?

Does the price of 1 or 2 days training seem too much in these economic times?

Now introducing Sam and Iryna’s Nail Art Smörgåsbord!

This is a totally new concept in nail art education that’s offers you the chance to choose one or more workshops in the different nail art techniques and receive training by two of the best nail artists in Europe.

Instead of a days training in only one nail art technique, we will be running three different workshops every day.

Gel is a fantastic medium which if used correctly can produce stunning results. Sam will show you how to create a stylish look in the same time it would take you to make French.

Next Iryna will teach you some simple but elegant hand-painting designs that you can sell to your salon customers. These designs have been especially created for Scandinavian customers and are part of Iryna’s new Scandinavian Series that we will sell as a separate training later in the year.

Then Sam gives you the chance to experiment with Fantasy and release your creativity! Learn some brush control techniques that you can also apply in your every day work.It’s a wonderful opportunity to dip your toe in the water of this exciting world, develop some new skillsthat other salons don’t offer and have terrific fun with other nail techs.

Each workshop lasts 3 hours and includes one hour of instruction and 2 hours of hands-on practice. You create the design examples under the watchful expert eyes of Sam and Iryna who will gently guide you and offer advice. We provide all materials, so all you need to bring is yourself, some brushes, a real interest to learn and an enthusiasm to have fun making beautiful nails!Impress your customers and friends when they see the designs that you have created!

Competition - money prizes!Every day we will award a 1000:- prize to the person who creates the best nail design and who has shown the most development. In addition, we will award a top prize of 2500:- to the best nail design of the week. Naglar i Norden will publish the winning designs in the summer issue.

Sam Biddle and Iryna Giblett are internationally recognized as two of Europe’s leading nail artists. Sam Biddle is an international competition winner and Judge. With her successful brand ‘Be inspired’, Sam produces front cover looks and contributes to the industry as a whole with a wealth of knowledge in art and design. Helping techs get inspired, Sam produces DVD’s and step by steps to bring back the colour and creativity into technicians work. Sam’s cover images have appeared in Scratch and NAILS.Iryna is best known to Swedish nail techs for her regular nail art contributions to Naglar i Norden. As a Judge, Iryna has worked on national competitions in Kiev and Moscow. As a nail artist, Iryna has become recognized internationally as a rising nail art star through her amazing nail designs that have been published now in five countries and with covers in Sweden, UK, Ukraine and Russia.

Booking information Dates for this creative nail adventure are:

* 22nd May (Götebörg)

* 23rd May (Malmö)

* 24th May (Norrköping)

* 25th May (Stockholm)

Workshop times on each day are as follows:

* Working with coloured gels: 08.30 to 11.30

* Hand painted designs for salon customers : 12.30 to 15.30

* Introduction to fantasy and acrylic sculpting : 16.00 to 21.00

Prices:* 600 kr plus moms for one workshop* 1500 kr plus moms for all three workshops Language:* English. However, Iryna can translate into Swedish if there are special questions

Materials:* We provide all materials but please bring your own brushes. Brushes will also be available for purchase.Places are limited and this training may never be repeated, so please book early. We already have nail techs coming from Estonia and Finland for this, so the word is spreading fast!

To book your place please send an email to: iryna@irynagiblett.com with the following information:1. which date and place of the training you are booking:22nd May - Göteborg23rd May - Malmö24th May - Norrköping25th May - Stockholm2. which workshop(s):Working with coloured gels: 08.30 to 11.30Hand painted designs for salon customers : 12.30 to 15.30Introduction to fantasy and acrylic sculpting : 16.00 to 21.003. how many places you want to book4. your names, personal numbers, email, mobile phone and address for faktura

Effortless Gel

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Using gel, I bring you four effortless salon viable design nails, easy to apply and will help bring a little colour to your clients finger tips. With some new iridescent colours, blending, dragging and marbling techniques, you will see how these design bring depth to your work. Also working with multimedia, these designs have been developed to bring a fresh look, which is quick and simple to apply.

This PDF will have 3 different designs, plus a bonus fourth alternative. all the PDF's available through http://www.sambiddle.co.uk/ are comprehensive and detailed. with each copy you will receive free an additional step by step which includes my recipe of an extended nail bed.

What type of shoe are you? Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:44:00 +0000

In my last newsletter I set you all a little challenge, which was to send in a description of yourself as a shoe. This is a great exercise, to show you a way to relate what we see to what we feel, and then dilute it into something which we can incorporate into our own designs.

I have been overwhelmed with your replies, and I have to say had a little giggle at some of your wonderful descriptions. As promised, here is the second part to the challenge.
You now need to re-look at your description, and then take a moment to list some key points; for example;

I, Della Lavers, am a magical pair of shoes. I change shape and colour every
hour of every day. Not due to indecision but to my renewed love of spontaneity
and non-conformity .The one constant theme is the colour red, whether the
whole shoe or merely accented with diamante, ribbons or buckles. This shows my
impulsiveness whilst maintaining set boundaries.
Michelle Perry writes; "I am my wedding shoes, hand made sole for extra comfort made of suede, beautiful swarovski alabaster crystals attached for that added glam and sparkle factor catching all the lights and colours surrounding them. My toes beautifully lye under the crystals where they sparkle all the time, they are silver to incorporate the shoes. They are comfort made in silver extra soft leather. They are 6 inches high and are extra comfortable "

Della could list the words; red, ribbons, buckles, diamante, multi coloured, structure
Michelle Perry's words could be; swarovski crystals, sparkle, silver, suede, 6 inch heels (Sharpe points)
Once you have made a list of some key points you can use these points to create a design nail.

The point of this exercise is to make a salon viable design from your inspiration, to tap it your imagination and then use the key points of your thoughts to create a design nail. this nail shouldn't represent you, we have only used an easy subject ...'US'...! to glean our inspiration, from their we use the words in our personal statement to build on our design.

Let me show you further.......below is my original description, and i have added an image on my salon viable design nail using only some of the points from this description. what is fantastic is that i can reuse my shoe description to produce another completely different look.

I, Sam Biddle, am a flip flop, a beautifully colourful crafted comfortable
sole for my painted toe nails with bright nail art to lye into, the thongs
are adorned with jewels and ribbon. My flip flop allows me to be close to
the earth, and free to express my creativity, the colour is only partially on view unless I kick them off and allow others to see the real me inside.

My list would contain; multi coloured, glittery, flip flop, thong, colours on a bed of black.
So i am now going to create a nail, which has a smile line to represent the thong of my flip flop, the colours which are sparkly, and have a shimmer are lying on a bed of black. The marbling could represent my creativity.

Now once you have done this nail, send me your pictures along with the description to info@sambiddle.co.uk I will feature these on my blog later in the year, and with your permission use some of the best examples one in my New workbook.

Pure Design - brand new DVD by Sam Biddle

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Finally, it is here, and I am so excited. My second DVD in the 'be inspired' collection has finally be released, and with the first two batches of DVD's dispatched out to those who have pre ordered their copies, I am starting to get some feedback.....and it all sounds good. phewwwwww!

It is always a relief to hear that people are able to gain something from these DVD's, and I hope it continues to fulfil peoples expectations. ‘Pure Design' is a follow on to my successful ‘Pure Fantasy' Double disc DVD. which was released last March, This second DVD will show you how you can pushing the boundaries of design nails. A single disc giving you 60 minutes of jam packed information, creativity and my secrets to success; this DVD will cover 6 designs and I will show you how to layer your acrylic to give depth to your design, create shape, style the nails and add definition with the clever use of colour. You can expect that little extra from when you watch as I show you how to make magical masterpieces each and every time. Featuring in depth steps easy to follow using coloured acrylic powders.

To give you a little taster check out this short video.

If you want to order your copy of Pure Design now for only £20 (P&P will be added) click here. You will be taken to my website, where you can purchase through paypal. Alternatively email me on info@sambiddle.co.uk, for other payment options.

Nail Art

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:25:00 +0000

Is nail art becoming lost within the wealth of acrylic and gel colours now available to us today? Are overcomplicated design nails what we need to bring in additional income? I started my love affair with colour through nail art, painting on everything and anything I used nails as mini canvases which brought me an enjoyable income and helped me perfect my skills for design.
It is normal, when we first start out in this industry, to use nail art when we want to bring a lift to our tips, adding colour and something different to our craft which allows us a natural release to our creativity. As a new technician we learn a lot about how we should apply acrylic, create the perfect smile line and file the nails in to the correct shape, but nothing brings us more pleasure then adding a bit of tint and sparkle to the nails. Just a few moments of fun with your striping brush and a bright colour will help us remember why we try so hard to perfect our skills. There are some that say nail art is over rated and shouldn’t play a part within the industry, but it is not the industry which is important. It is your clients and what they want, that will pay your rent and put food on the table. Think about how your clients perceive you, and what your business can offer them. By showing them a range of decorated tips, you show your clients a range of skills, letting them have a choice gives them power to decide you’re the best tech for them. We ultimately want to help these clients remember us as a nail professional with an edge over the competition. This of course can be done with a range of different gels and acrylics in a rainbow of colours ready for use to use in neat little pots and tubes. But we don’t want to disregard nail art and hand painted designs, what you must always remember, is that the simple solutions is sometimes the most effective.

Perhaps we should start thinking of nail art not as a creative medium but instead as a marketing tool, which will increase profitability to your business. With a little swipe of paint we can change the look of a nail which costs us next to nothing. Imagine for example you have just rebalanced Mrs Smith with pearly white tips and a blush pink to make her nail beds healthy, now you turn to her and say, “would you like me to enhance your nails to match your outfit for that wedding, this weekend”? “oh” she replies “what did you have in mind”? “ well with a thin brush I will run a small stripe of gold and copper along your smile line, this will go perfectly with your dress, and after the wedding you can remove this if you like, giving you the best of two looks”! “well, now that sounds like a grand idea” Mrs Smith smiles and looks at your shiny new nails “how much will it cost me”? “oh not much at all” you reply, “it is very simple” and as you start to get the paints out you tell her it will only take a few moment and cost just an extra £5.
Strips, circles, flicks and flowers, little snow men and holly bunches, hearts and kisses or just a simple pattern over the tips, whatever you do think about incorporating the nails your clients are already wearing within your nail art. Making the most of their shape and style, and bring the best out of them with colour and design. For example; dotting different size spots in three shades of the same colour over one corner of the nail is fun for your younger clients. Using block colours and highlighting them with paler shades will add depth to your art. Whatever takes your fancy, don’t be afraid to offer it to the Mrs Smith’s of today. You need to do all you can to help your business survive, and by offering a quick and cost effective service with a high profit margin, then you can be one step closer to staying open.

By adding nail art to your menu of services, and making it common practice throughout the day, you will develop your skills, learning how to draw your inspiration from things around you. In time your designs will develop into true masterpieces which you should then think about showing other nail professionals. Utilizing the competition circuit will not only help you grow as a technician, the rewards also extend to your business. With trophy’s littering your shelves and certificates against the walls, your clients can have faith they are paying for a winner. Word soon spreads and your abilities will be sort after, your confidence will be boosted.
Don’t dismiss nails art as something too simple, boring or un inspiring, it might just be that added extra which turns your business around, inspiring you to develop your craft and moving you in a new, exciting and colourful direction.

This article, written by Sam Biddle was featured in an article published in SCRATCH magazine March 2009, titled NAIL ART IN THE NOUGHTIES.

Something Interesting!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Some of my work has featured on TREND HUNTER a popular on line Magazine. I was asked to present 10 of my most favorite designs by Jodie Anderson, free lance writer for Trend Hunter. In just 24 hours, the feature had received 1700 hits.
TrendHunter.com is the world's largest, most popular trend community with 6-8 million monthly views. Routinely sourced by the media, Trend Hunter is a source of inspiration for industry professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs and the insatiably curious. TrendHunter.com was launched in 2005 by Jeremy Gutsche,
To find out more, and see the feature visit;

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freaky-fantasy-finger-nail-art-creations

What type of shoe are you?

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:11:00 +0000

I was reading Dawn French’s brilliant autobiography last night Dear Fatty…and she came up with a great way to describe her two grandmothers by the type of shoes she imagined them to wear. Dawn wrote, “a pink teeny tiny sparkly perfect pointy ballroom-dancing satin shoe” and then described another as “colourful, loud, high and clacky ankle strappy saucy strumpet of a shoe, too roomy for me and therefore inherently perilous”

I loved the fact that she used shoes to describe how she felt about someone, and it got me thinking, this is a great exercise to help us understand how to relate what we see to what we feel, and then dilute it into something we can incorporate into our own designs.

Therefore I have a challenge for you – I want you to describe yourself, what type of shoe are you? email me your short description at info@sambiddle.co.uk or post it on my facebook group, you will find the details on the discussion board.

There is two parts to this challenge….I will let you know the second next month!

So let me go first;

I, Sam Biddle, am a flip flop, a beautifully colourful crafted comfortable sole
for my painted toe nails with bright nail art to lye into, the thongs are
adorned with jewels and ribbon. My flip flop allows me to be close to the
earth, and free to express my creativity, the colour is only partially on view
unless I kick them off and allow others to see the real me inside.

NEW - 2009 workshops & dates

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:49:00 +0000

I am excited to bring you 'BE INSPIRED' new classes for 2009!
visit www.sambiddle.co.uk - for a full list of all the new classes and dates available around the UK. I have altered the wrkshops slightly to suit the needs for today, they still centre on my first love colour and design, but I wanted to bring you a series of workshops that wrk for you, that you can use within your own business and develop skills and new applications.

INSPIRED- is a class which takes you on a journey, working with both Fantasy and design application, learn how to master your acrylic, develop your creativity and individual style. Dilute fantasy concepts into design nails and find out alternative earning potentials. This workshop gives you the confidence and knowledge that anything is possible.

ADVANCED TASTERS - is perfect for those wanting to build on their fantasy skills and learn some new and innovative ways of building and manipulating acrylic. With a series of 3 mini workshops to choose from; an ideal way to add new skills and develop as a technician.

DESIGNS - IN GEL & ACRYLIC - a workshop not meant to replace design classes already available, but instead takes your work to the next level, bringing you new ideas and concepts which are 'outside' the box.

PHOTOGRAPHIC – this exciting workshop is ideal if you want to produce a winning photo or utilize your skills to promote your business.

VISIT - http://www.sambiddle.co.uk/ for a full list of workshops and dates!

EXCEL - Professional Beauty show in London

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Biddle) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:13:00 +0000

I have just returned from spending two days at the Professional Beauty show in London’s Docklands and I thought I would fill you in on my time there.

Attending the show now is not so much about the work that needs to be done on the stands and seminars, but meeting up with everyone. I love it when people come over and say Hi, the show becomes a place to put names to the cyber faces. The Internet has this strong community of nail technicians all working and talking together on line, it is only at the show when we can meet face to face. So to all those that said Hi.......hi back!

I spent my Sunday working with Ez flow nail systems, demonstrating Gel and the new Master it lamp on the stand. On Monday I held a master class on gel design, creating 3 different looks, using coloured gels, foils and combining acrylic with gel to create different effects. I wanted to show techs that there are no limits to what can be achieved. Thank you to Georgie Smedley for coming along and helping me out.
After which I spent the rest of the day Judging, in photographic category, encased nail art and fantasy. What stood out the most was the superb encased nail art by Zolton from Kinetics, truly stunning. The favourite image for me came second place – Jo Coates managed to produce a succinct shot which ticked all my boxes, colours worked, nails worked with the prop, and you knew what the message was. The fantasy category was extremely difficult and we three Judges all had a tough time deciding. I would have given them all 1st the clincher however was the step by steps…so all future competitors….remember!
At the end of the day I was asked to take the place of Kirsty Meakin who has recently had a little baby, and had the honour of presenting the nail artist award of the year to Jo Coates. A proud moment for me, I admire Jo's work and have seen her grow over the past year.
All in all a fantastic few days.