Ah nail polish. It seems a million years ago that I used to paint my nails. I think the last time I used to paint my fingernails was when I was working in an archery shop setting up bows and cutting arrows. I used to get looks and comments, being the only girl working in a male-dominated shop, ranging from "is there a guy that can cut these for me" to blank stares as I adjusted sights and draw weights. I painted my fingernails in bright red and Chanel Vamp to play up the fact that I was female, and to confound the boys who doubted my abilities. I mean come on, I was a girl! How could I know anything about bows and arrows? Don't get me started.
Anyway, nail polish doesn't suit my lifestyle now, I mean I don't even have normal shaped nails from all that work on the belt sander! I was feeling a little conflicted when I stopped at the dollar store (which is probably my least favorite store ever) to buy some. I wanted some enamel paint to code my felting needles and figured some outdated nailpolish would do. The dollar store delivered and I walked out with 4 bottles for $2.
I couldn't help but think that if I were to paint my nails, that it would definitely be that greenish blue color. Midnight forest? Perfect!
So now I have nail polish to use up. I have a feeling I'll be coding every tool in this place in order to use it up. Do you have any uses for nail polish you can share?
20 comments:
ah ! you're awesome !! I have no tip to share because I haven't worn nail polish for many many years now. I have the stuff, it stinks & is awfully chemical. But you found a fab use for it ! :D xoxo
Hi Lisa,
My dad was a hunter and he used nail polish to mark the sights on his guns.
Okay, I actually use that lime green for my toes in the summer. And my fingernails are usually hot pink. I may have to send you back to the dollar store.
I used to be a "girl" once too! :) Dark polish on long nails. Never a chip or smudge...even had a special "pen" that helped remove those little bits that get on the cuticle....now.....the polish I have is probably dry and separated and the husband asks, once in a while, if I have some so he can code his belongings...tools, wire and the such. Oh the memories!!!
I've never tried filing my nails on a belt sander....how's that working out?
:) :) :)
Wow, you have a lot more needles than me. :D I'll consider color coding mine like this if I ever have enough to need to. :)
I occasionally paint my toenails in the summer, since I go barefoot so much in the garden. Black or turquoise. :)
Other than that.....We have two ford trucks. I paint one key on the keychain so I know which is which.
THANKS for the idea :)
If you need more (or anyone else wants some) i have some 10 eco nail polish (in lots of pretty colors) that i'd be happy to pass on for shipping cost :)
xo Nicole
brizel4TheAnimals.etsy.com
I've been putting cherry red polish on my #40 needles to keep track of them. Will have to look for some blue and green. Who knew. Only other practical use I know is that it will keep a run in your nylon stockings from getting bigger in an emergency! Don't wear those much either. ;)
Wow, Lisa! I love how you deftly wove in so much detail about your life and your craft in this post just around nail polish, of all things. Did all of those connections occur to you as you were color-coding the needles? Thank you for the wonderful imagery and details to take me through the weekend.
i don't wear polish on my fingernails - haven't in many years - but i have to admit, i quite enjoy putting it on my toes in the summer. makes my feet feel fun when i am wearing sandals. however, i have also used polish to mark my climbing gear as mine (most people use coloured tape, but i had it on hand, so...).
I love the forest green the best, too. Gorgeous lights in it.
Since I have bad cats that scratch up everything in the house (even the spines of books on the lowest shelf of the bookcase-errg!) I use nail polish sparingly on the places on my couch that they ruin. I cut the long threads they've caused and polish the ends so they don't ravel any more. The upholstry is a complex pattern (good camouflage kind) and I match it the best I can with the available polish colors. If one doesn't look too closely, it isn't too bad.
I think I have the same Chanel polish. Probably in a bottle that no longer opens, circa 1990.
Keep little Erin in mind. My Gracie isn't the girliest girl but she's always liked painting my nails even more than having her own painted, but she only gets to do the toes occasionally. It's one of those good rainy day or grumpy day activities that make little girls happy - maybe even your boys too ;)
Jx
I love all those felting needles! My collection is 4. I think! But I will keep that tip in mind in case they start multiplying.
One thing I've done with nail polish is to do paper marbling with it. On a small scale, in an old margarine tub. Fill about half way with water, drop some polish on and swirl! Then lay paper on top (I've also done it with one of those paper mache craft boxes).
I always put a purple turtle on things that I make.
I use pens and lately sequins, but on knitting or sewn projects I paint a turtle button's shell with purple nail polishes.
I am also thinking of using the nail polishes to paint turtles on some of my "new" vintage buttons!! 8*)
I only used clear nail polish way back in my pantyhose days... 8*)
You could use those colors for details on crafty projects...just use very fine-line paint brushes.
That's all I came up with. Good luck!!
Melissa 8*)
LOVING the fact that you worked in an archery shop! I shoot a traditional recurve bow with my dad, nephew, hubby, and a few other fellas at 3-D courses at our local fish and game. What have a lot of fun. My bow is pretty light-weight (only 29#), but works just perfectly for me. One of my favorite things to do is when I'm making my arrows is to paint them real girly-girl colors! rose pink....periwinkle....butter yellow..... :)
Ah, what memories! My dad used red nail polish (which my mother painted her toenails with) to paint our names on stuff including his fishing tackle box which later has become a paint box for me. Thanks for a happy flash back.
I thought of one more thing that you southerners may already know. People put clear nail polish on chigger bites. I guess you could use colored, but it would 'show'. I've tried it. It works.
WHOA!! look at all those needles!!! and i don't see any blood at all on any of them! ;-)
i have done some ikea hacks involving nail polish - flicking it onto plain glass lamps - it stays and stays, is easy to clean and looks way cool!
I use it to paint little washers, cheap little wooden cut outs, like circles and hearts,etc. and put rub-on letters, etc. on them to use when scrapbooking. I teach school and paint these little wooden squares add dots or stickers and use them for dice and different games. We also can use the little wooden circles, etc. for counters,sorting, and game markers.
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