Etsy.com, the ever-growing online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of handmade goods, is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind items for your salon. Whether you’re looking for something fashionable to use during a service, to wear to accent your uniform, to retail to clients, or to gift to a fellow nail tech, the site’s community of craftsmen from all over the world is a great place to start your search.

And, in case you’re not the type who enjoys the thrill of the hunt, NAILS has compiled this list of some of the best Etsy finds (Type in www.etsy.com/shop/ then the seller name to be taken directly to each shop’s homepage):

Gingerkittydesigns (shown)

Taking "jewel-toned nail polish" to a whole new level, Tracey Barker of Warwick, R.I., spent months of trial and error developing the correct formula to encapsulate polish into jewelry. Once she created the formula for the necklaces, she moved on to rings and earrings and now creates them in a variety of different colors, shapes, sizes, and patterns — even complementing the trend of marbleized nail art with her new water marbled line. You can custom pick the colors from Barker’s collection of more than 300 polishes, which includes colors from OPI, China Glaze, and Shades by Barielle.

Sweetheartville

Holly Hall, a cosmetologist at The Kutty Shak in Nowata, Okla., shares her love of vintage beauty ephemera in her clever buttons and candles. Current items for sale include a "Manicurists Do It With Polish" button and a St. Ginger Manicurist Prayer Candle (whose prayer begins, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the nail beds I cannot change…").

Vrjinika

Inspired by Japanese nail magazines, Sherie Virgil pursued a hobby of creating 3-D nail art designs on full-coverage tips. She incorporates colored acrylics as well as fimo clay in her designs.

Scentfulindulgence

Anderson, S.C.-based nail tech Katinna Hill sells her line of body butters, sugar scrubs, and lotions, which are great for use during nail services or as retail items. (You can also sometimes catch her showcasing her line at professional beauty shows.)

Thebohemiangypsy

Hairstylist Patrice Sledd of Studio 210 in Scottsdale, Ariz., shows her colleague nail techs some love with her "I Am the Best Nail Tech" business card holder. Other items for sale in her shop include charm bracelets and necklaces with beauty themes and an "I’m Not Really a Hairstylist" business card holder.

Claychicks

Elaine Robitaille takes custom orders for fimo clay (including an order of flamingoes for a customer in Florida), but says her most popular designs are her stylized rose clay canes that are available in an array of colors. For nail artists, she suggests picking fimo canes with designs with small borders or background sections.

If an item mentioned above is sold out, just e-mail the seller directly via Etsy. Most will recreate it for you or create a similar item to your exact specifications. Also, be sure to ask about bulk order discounts, especially if you’re ordering for your salon’s retail boutique. — Eds.

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