Kids maybe a small part of Vicki Yankeey’s business, but they are by no means ignored. Yankee, a nail artist at JC Penney Styling Salon in Owosso, Mich., says she has clients 5-10 years old coming in for manicures.

“If kids is going to be a flower girl in a wedding, she’ll have her nails done,” says Yankee. “I had one lady who was trying to get her granddaughter to stop sucking her thumb, so she asked me to paint Barney on it.” Working with kids is no problem for Yankee, who says she loves it.           

“I have 17 nieces and nephews who gave me the idea to do nail art for kids,” she says. Between Yankee’s young relatives and their coloring books, she says she gets excellent ideas for children’s nail art design.

“My nephews came up with sports logos and spider design for boys,” Yankee says. She also does ribbon designs, Snoopy, and Mickey Mouse designs for girls.

Yankee has approximately 175 designs showcased in the salon. “I have a different display made up for Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day, Wedding, and St. Patrick’s Day.” She says.

A nail artist for one and a half years, Yankee can’t seem to get enough of her craft. Yankee, who began her nail career at age 28, says she only wishes she’d started sooner.