Tuesday 29 July 2008

Be Inspired......


We had a great day at the recent 'inspired' workshop in Fareham last Sunday, and I thought I would post some pictures of the beautifully talented ladies and their work.



Kick starting the day with a demonstration the girls got their hands on their acrylic and produced some fantastic flowers. Utilizing a simple fantasy technique shown in the Demo, they can now dilute it and produce some amazing design nails.

Vanessa is just adding the finishing touches to her first master piece. Vanessa says....

" I found a big difference in product control and gained in confidence, I did think it would be hard to do the 3D flower Sam showed us, but it was easier than I thought, Sam is easy going and doesn't tell you if you make
a mistake only if you need some direction."

We filmed the class in full, as I am working with Blue Light productions to create some new DVD's and mini workshops which will be available in the Autumn, of course we nail techs are not afraid of the lime light, and here Della, Karen and Anna are all super stars...might be the Cornish air! Anna Curtis says......

" this class does help with product control but also how to focus on one idea and develop it properly. It opens your mind to new ideas and gives me confidence in my own abilities, the only negative thing I can say about my experience is that I didn't have Sam to my self."

During the class everyone gets a one to one with me, and we go over how you can improve your techniques. During the afternoon session, your creative juices are unleashed and this is where extra techniques and skills are shown on a one to one. Here I am working with Katy Woods to create something romantic.

Pat Dennis was lost in the creative process, developing her Mood Board, sticking and cutting, she makes an amazing desert island, with palm trees and hammocks.

Amanda Carey disappeared for a while and we all wondered where she had gone...finding her crouched under the table I did wonder if the day had got to much..... "I need more room!" she cried. Here she worked on the best mood board I have seen yet full of texture and colour, she made a mermaid splashing in the sea.

The star of the day though was Wendy Thornburn, having never touched acrylic before she stunned us all with her creativity. Producing some amazing work, this flower goes to show anyone can do it. Here is what she had to sayabout her experience.....

" I had no product knowledge before hand and had never used acrylic, Sam made the instructions clear and concise making me feel confident and capable of producing something I am quite proud of. I found this class useful because I learnt how to use my creativity in a different way and using the moods board helps me consolidate my ideas. This class is ideal for anyone whether they did nails or not. Sam is great at inspiring others and what she says makes alot of sense, helping you think of thing in a whole new way, her approach to teaching is brilliant....very interesting!"

It was a great day, and we all achieved alot, the next 'Inspire' class is on the 8th Sept in Tamworth, and then I will be in London on the 10th for more info on the classes or to find out when the roadshow is coming to your area, visit my website http://www.sambiddle.co.uk/.

Friday 18 July 2008

Jo Says....

North East Nail Competition & Road Show Hellaby Hall Hotel, Old Hellaby Lane, Nr Rotherham, S66 8SN

Hosted by Jo Shirley & Sponsored by Ez Flow Nail Systems

Jo Shirley from Red 10 in Doncaster would like to invite you to the second annual North East Competition & Road show on 30th November 2008. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donate to Breast Cancer research.


This Road show is ticket only to book call 01302 340550 or email joshirley@live.co.uk.


Starting at 12.30 the road show will have a selection of stands and demonstrations from international and global master artists, there are forums held by Sam Biddle from ‘be inspired’ who will be holding a master class in fantasy, and Anthony Buckley giving you an amazing demonstration of a competition nail. Supported by Skin Techniques, Georgie Smedley bringing you Lash be Long, and Rebecca Orme from Creative Ten.
It will run in conjunction with our annual competition, with three categories open to all technicians. Dip your toe in the competition circuit and enter in the Pink and White category, don’t be shy and go wild with the Fantasy category this year’s theme is Christmas and show your stuff by entering the Design Nail catagory.


Competition Competition registration 9.00 – 9.30

Pink and White category 10.00am - 12.00pm

Fantasy - theme Christmas wonder 1.00pm - 3.30pm

Design nails – theme Christmas – 1.00pm – 3.30pm

Thursday 10 July 2008

Nail Professional of the Year 2008

I have just received a letter announcing the finalist for this years Nail Professional of the Year. The British Beauty and SPA awards are being held in London on the 7th September.....guess what! I am one of those finalist.

Tuesday 8 July 2008

Catch up......July already?

I have been very remiss lately, and haven’t written anything for my blog in ages, most of you have seen my website and received my newsletters, so you know where my time has been spent, I have also been working with a great new photographer, Stuart Dibben of SJD Photography, you have to visit his site http://sjdphotography.photium.com/ and check out some of his amazing work.
We have been creating some really lovely shots, some you might catch on my downloads and others I am saving for later on in the year….lol.


Here is one shot I did with him, using a pair of beautiful shoes I just couldn’t resist buying in this pretty little shoe shop in town called Shoe Envy, of cause when I got home I had a raised eye brow from John along with the comment “another pair?” “but honey” I replied “they are for a photo shoot” when he thoughtfully reminded me that I did nails and not leather, quick as a flash I came back with “my darling, these will enhance my nails”.


Susan Loasby attended one of my Inspire classes in London the other month, and she had beautifully decorated the heels of her shoes with pretty white flowers, which goes to show we are not limited to nails, lighters, phones and brush ends. So I would like to thanks Susan for saving my bacon, not only do I have a great new pair of shoes…on the business, but a fantastic look for a photo shoot. Download my step by step on the website to find out how I created these simple and elegant roses.



I am working with my production company at the moment for my second DVD; we are filming a complete look, and breaking it down into elements, it is so exciting. I am also doing some filming to produce a completely new concept of learning, which is available for anyone, everywhere…..just watch this space; I can’t wait to show you what I have planned.


In June I asked is anyone was interested in my workshop in the states, I have been inundated with emails about this workshop, I need a certain number of names before I can visit. Even if you’re not sure now, just let me have a quick email and I will get back to you with more details when I have them.
There has also been much interest in the road show and have limited spaces left on some of the dates, I can’t tell you what an amazing journey it is going to be. Bringing you a new way of learning and showing you how to play with your creative inner child, take home some great new techniques which help your salon nails. Let me send you more info on a workshop in your area and feedback for students who have seen how this class benefitted them; visit http://www.sambiddle.co.uk/ and enter your email address into the front page.
The next date is at the end of the month in Fareham, so all you southern belles, this one is for you. Just off the M27, it is as central as I can get it. Not to be missed you have 3 weeks to get booked. We will also be filming at this event, which will be included in my new DVD and another project.

I have the pleasure of spending two days in Cornwall, with Anna Curtis, who has organized a conversion day with both Gel and Acrylic, contact her on 01566781564 or mail her for more info at nifty-nails@hotmail.com.

As summer is here and the kids are about to grace us with their company for 5 long weeks, I plan to spend my lazy days writing and bring you many more mini lessons to enrich your learning, step by steps to wet your creative juices, and exciting concepts to stimulate and motivate. I want to build a fire and inspire your imagination, feeding you with new and exciting ways of developing your craft, so that throughout the winter this fire will burn hot and keep you warm.

For more information on Stuart Dibben contact him on Tel: 01747 835893 or mail; sjdphotography@hotmail.com