Comments on: Is It Possible to Keep Long Fingernails Nice When You Make Jewelry?

By: Catherine Depasquale

Catherine Depasquale — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 04:28:18 +0000

I love these posts! I am laughing out loud. I have been beading and metal working for about 12 years and
never have mastered having lovely nails. I will try all ideas.

By: Rene

Rene — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 19:48:16 +0000

My nails are a total wreck! But when they are, I reframe it and remember: when my nails look super nice, it’s a sign that I haven’t been making enough sales 🙂

By: Margaret

Margaret — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 15:46:41 +0000

Thanks for all the suggestions, my thumb nails are also super short and constantly grooved from working with wires.

By: Claudia Kellenberger

Claudia Kellenberger — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:30:15 +0000

I have been taking an extra Biotin vitamin in hopes to grow better nails. It is too early to tell if this is working for me, yet. I also bought an item at Fire Mt. Gems called the “Vintaj 1-Step Looper” that trims and loops head pins. Somehow, the way I was doing it before, I was nicking my thumb nails. My nails are almost always down to the skin, which makes it hard for me to pick up beads. I have also been using a hand mask that I picked up in the Sephora store. They are plastic gloves filled with moisturizers that you need to wear at least 15 minutes. I get about 3 uses out of them. One pair is about $5.00.

By: Hazel Pepper

Hazel Pepper — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 12:59:55 +0000

I love my long nails, but I do so much wire working ,I was wearing grooves in my thumb nail. So I now stick a cheap false nail on my thumb, sticking over the edge and don’t use too much glue, and let that get worn through, then at the end of the day pop it off and your nails are groove free.
I do have tough nails, so I can just pop them off, but my friend soaks them off.
I find this is most useful when I’m doing a full day or weekend on a wire weave heavy project, so I can leave them on until I’m done.

By: Linda Russio

Linda Russio — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 04:31:22 +0000

Gel polish is much stronger than regular polish.

By: Melody

Melody — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 02:36:22 +0000

You guys are amazing! Thank you for all your great tips. I will be trying out all the methods you mentioned. So glad I asked, and so glad you answered.

By: Jo

Jo — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 22:49:48 +0000

I don’t use colored polish, but I love long nails. I’ve discovered that a thin layer of Loctite’s super glue applied with a toothpick UNDER the nail tip makes them strong and usable. I use a clear topcoat of polish and have even spread a very thin layer on top of the nail at the tip. Gives great protection and lasts and lasts.

By: Karen Watson

Karen Watson — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:34:42 +0000

I use athletic self sticking tape to protect my fingers. It sticks to itself without leaving a sticky residue. I have also seen some finger protectors at Fire Mountain Gems.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 00:07:34 +0000

Melody, I too enjoy my long manicured nails… and my jewelry making. To minimize damage to my nails I try to use tools to do EVERYTHING in jewelyr making. I make sure not to use my nails for any part of jewelry making, not even picking up small beads and components. After awhile, it feels natural to use your tools to pick things up and to do things other jewelers might do with their fingers.