Konad. Or, Nail Stamping Art.

The Konad is one of my favorite things to use on my nails. Ever since I first learned about it, I wanted it. And it didn't take me long to get it. Well, not to much it, as components to it. I now have 19 of the image plates, and I hope to be able to get more soon. I have yet to try their special polish, because I've found that metallic polishes, and often neons as well, work quite well with stamping, and I don't want to spend money I don't HAVE to. Either way, I just adore playing with my stamping stuff, and I get plenty of compliments when I do.

When I first got stamping art, it was not the Konad, but a small set from Hot Topic. This was the first time I did a full manicure with stamps.

Once I got the Konad plates, I started trying all sorts of different things.

Metallic polishes usually seem to work really well for stamping.

Sometimes using colors that are similar makes for an interesting manicure.

Holographic polishes are fun to stamp with, because you get that rainbow effect.

I'm really fond of stripes and swirls. With the stripes, I like placing them at different orientations.

Of course, it can be fun to make all of the stripes line up too, and something like this can be pretty subtle.

I think this look like a rich fabric.

When my nails are really short, an allover pattern seems to be easiest.

I enjoy mixing patterns as well.

Using a matte top coat can change the way it looks as well. This looks velvety to me.

Sometimes I play with using themed stamps, but different ones for each nail.

Combining different patterns and different finishes makes it show up even more.

Using darker and lighter hues of the same color for stamping keeps it from screaming, "LOOK AT ME!" Of course, I often want my nails to scream, so that's okay too.

As you can see, there are basically limitless combinations of color and patterns to deal with, and I do enjoy playing with them a lot. The Konad does take some practice to get good at, but it isn't terribly complicated, and it's a lot of fun. I'd certainly never be able to do such intricate and detailed designs on my nails myself, especially on my right hand, because I'm not all that ambidextrous. I manage at times, but I'm pretty much right-handed.