We love it when we find nail techs who truly put the art into “nail art,” and Fumic Sueyoshi is a true gem in this arena. She coined herself a “jewelry nailist,” and we think her nail creations rival those of any jewelry-maker out there. Her nail art combines color, texture, and movement to create edgy yet elegant designs that incorporate Swarovski crystals, feathers, charms, and the occasional real gemstone. She runs a private salon in New York City, and you can see more of her work at www.jewelrynailist.com.

Q: Where did you get the bulk of your nail art training?
A: Mostly in my native Japan. Nail art is extremely popular there, and clients always want extra fancy embellishments. Japanese and U.S. nail art are very different, so I created a fusion style.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your mentor, Yukako Tanimura?
A: Yukako Tanimura is a bonsai artist. She is the best I’ve ever seen. I met her in New York City while we were both traveling, and later I visited her in Tokyo. Her talent is manifold: She makes jewelry and nail art too. At her place, she let me try to create nail art with her Swarovski crystal collection. I made some pieces and loved it.

Q: Can you tell us about how developed your signature nail art style?
A: My designs are based on what I love: combining materials and being creative. I’m always on the look-out for materials that can be used in my art. Even while traveling, I get pieces for my new creations. I love good quality pieces. It’s very important to me how expensive my nails look.

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