Hello everyone and get ready for the 2012 competition year! I cannot believe that ISSE, Long Beach is about a month away and I also cannot believe that I have decided to enter my first Fantasy Nail Art competition in over ten years while I am at the show working for Nubar. I am all for setting goals and challenging myself to perform better year after year, but I must admit, I am starting to wonder if I bit off more that I can chew with this entry.

First, let me say that I have a whole new respect for anyone who has ever entered a Fantasy Nail Art competition. To say this is a lot of work would be the understatement of the year. Anyone reading this that has ever done Fantasy Nail Art, I applaud you and your efforts.  With that said, I have a question for you; when do you sleep?

I have been hard at work on my Fantasy design and I feel like I am running out of time to do anything else but the Fantasy Nail Art. I see so many competitors post on social networking sites about all the fun they are having over the holidays and all I can think is, “Are you crazy? STOP baking cookies, shopping, and spreading holiday cheer and get back to preparing for the 2012 competition year!”

When do my fellow competitors sleep? Are they robots or just100% naturally talented? I don’t know how they do it. They are true professionals and I feel so inadequate in their shadows, but once again I am preparing to step up my game and compete against the best nail artists the nail industry has to offer. 2012 is going to be an AWESOME year and I cannot wait to see everyone at the upcoming competitions.

Wish me Luck and Happy New Competition Year!

Photo: Mythology-themed Fantasy Nail Art by Catherine Wong at IBS Las Vegas 2011. Hand Model is Gina Silvestro.

— Shelly