tutorials

NAILED IT!

photos/post/design: Kristin Ess

In a world where everything feels so new, I always like to take a step back, reach into my pocket of childhood memories and see if there’s something to bring back to the table. Who didn’t LOVE needlepoint as a kid? It’s classic folk art! In memory of an era when most things were handmade, I thought it could be fun to do needlepoint nails and I’m pretty obsessed with the way they turned out. If you have the patience and time, it’s a super cute mani…

Here’s the pattern I made. You can follow the same one or make up your own. Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Once you lay down a lot of little x’s, it tends to come together. To see the polish colors I used, click the links I’ve added in the steps below.

1. Start with a base color. I chose black so that the colors would pop. White would also be a great fit for spring!
2. Follow the pattern I illustrated above. Start with GOLD x’s.
3. Next one WHITE x to help the center “pop” .
4. LIGHT PINK for the inner petals.
5. DARK PINK for the outer petals.
6. DARK GREEN for the darker leaves.
7. Next, you’ll carry the dark green petals over to the middle finger.
8. Add some additional LIGHT/BRIGHT GREEN x’s for the lighter leaves.
9. Same colors will be used on the pinky.
10. Add a quick drying topcoat once your x’s have dried!