Thursday 4 December 2014

CANVAS x Keepsake

Hello!

These creative collabs are one-of-a-kind, come check them out!
There's a lot of Toronto love in these pieces.


-L

The Vintages Collection

Hello!

Our Vintages Collection is now available on Etsy.
If you're in the Toronto area come out to our Pop-Up event on Saturday and see these polishes paired with cool vintage one-of-a-kind rings!


Get yours here!
And here's a link to our event page!

See you soon.

-L

Friday 28 November 2014

TORONTO POP UP!

HEYO



We are so excited about this Pop Up! So many original, and one of a kind products, all by local artisans - and yes! a nail art bar!
Come through!

-L

Canadian Cottage Scene

Hello!

More wintry themes from me!

I started with a base of Quo by Orly Prepster for the sky, Canvas lacquer Polar Bear Dip for the frozen skating pond, Elevation Polish Alpine Heights (Carlit) for the trees, Nails Inc Oxford St for the cabin with just a hint of bondi nyc Chasing the Sun for the warm glow through the window, a combo of CoverGirl Silver Lining and Sally Hansen Whiteout for the all the snow and smoke out of the chimney, then topped everything off with Canvas' Winter of '99 for the snow falling. Konad Gold Black for added depth. Phew! All freehand.



Let me do your nails next Saturday! Come by 224 Wallace Ave, Unit 104 on Dec 6 for our Pop Up event!

-L

Wednesday 19 November 2014

WINTER HAS ARRIVED

Hello!

Wow. Winter has seriously walloped North America. I did this mani on Saturday, not realizing how fitting this would be today.


If you didn't already know, Polar Bear Dip is inspired by a frozen Lake Ontario, and here it is portrayed as a frozen Lake Ontario! Our Winter of '99 is inspired by the infamous year our mayor called in the national army to help us out of a storm - and here it is falling over the city skyline.

I started with a base of Colors by Llarowe Precious Metal, it has beautiful shimmer that didn't come through in my pix. The skyline and tree is freehanded with my Konad Gold Black. For a bit more silvery icy-ness I added a bit of CoverGirl Silver Lining on the lake and building up under the tree.
I'm so proud of this mani!

To be serious for a second though - our thoughts are with those in Buffalo right now. Please don't go out if you don't have to, keep your loved ones close and cuddle your fur buddies!

Stay safe!

-L

RECALL!!!

Hello!

First off, I'd like to say thank you. One always hopes that everything one creates is as perfect as it can be, but sometimes things don't always work out as planned, and I thank the people we work with for honest feedback so that we can improve - we're always striving to be better! Being an indie maker is a real learning experience!

As much as we love Nuit Blanche All Nighter, we've had reports that the large teal hexes have begun to curl. So sad. And we apologize.

We are pulling the rest of the stock from the store. If you bought Nuit Blanche All Nighter from us, and you've noticed curling in your bottle - please feel free to contact us directly for a discount on your next purchase - we want you to be happy with everything you receive from us!
That being said, we've been told that a good layer of top coat pretty much smooths it all out, but we understand curling is generally frowned upon.

We only have a handful of bottles left of this batch. At this point in time, we can't make any promises of when this will be restocked, but we definitely know what we need to do to fix this issue.

If you're in the Toronto area, we will be selling the last few bottles for only $5 at our holiday pop-up event. Come see us, get your nails did by 10/10, check out the other amazing local artisans, and have an awesome cup of hand blended organic cocoa.

Happy Holidays!

-L

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Killer Customs!

Hello!

Our incredibly supportive friend is turning the big three-oh!

To celebrate we decided to make some cheeky customs that highlight her sense of humour.
No Pants No Problem is an intensely sparkly raspberry loaded with gold holographic shimmer.
Swipe Right is a bright blue packed with gold glitter and more holo dust! 


We at CANVAS really do love to make polishes from things that inspire us, and making custom shades for someone can sometimes be challenging, but it's so rewarding to truly make something bespoke and special.

The holidays are coming so if you want to treat someone, or yourself (!), to a custom lacquer, please contact us sooner than later to ensure your order is on time. Anyone in the local area is welcome to pick up their purchases at our pop-up event on Dec 6 - you could even get your nails did with your custom that day by 10/10 Nail Design.

It's like win, win, win no matter what! (Didn't think you'd find T-Pain quotes on this blog, didja?!?)

See you soon!

-L

Meet Aunt Opal - Sneak Peek!

Hello!

Time for another preview of polish to come! The second installment to our Vintages collection is Aunt Opal - so classic!

Aunt Opal by CANVAS lacquer
This is a clear based topper that can turn almost any existing shade into an extraordinary opalescent gem for your nails! It's full of multi-coloured subtly shifting flakies, small iridescent hexes and a smidgeon of rainbow holographic shimmer.
I'm sure we all know someone that only wears sheer, mother of pearl type shades, so even the most conservative of lacquerists can wear this - might look actually kinda cool on a bare nail - not that I would know - can never go nekkie! ha!

This will be released with The Good Silver and one more shade (it's still under wraps right now!) in the coming weeks.

Don't forget about our pop-up event Dec 6 for all you local peeps!

-L

Friday 7 November 2014

Sneak Peek - The Good Silver (and winter is coming!)

Hello!

So many exciting things brewing at the CANVAS lacquer labs!

We'll be releasing a Vintages Collection made up of 3 shades that we will also be using in collaboration with Keepsake Jewellery!

The Good Silver by CANVAS lacquer

I just die! All the fashion blogs are calling grey the IT shade this season so naturally y'all NEED this perfect neutral. Our version is smokey and shimmery, cool yet cozy.
I'm wearing three thin coats, if you have shorter nails you may only need two. I'm wearing top coat on my RING FINGER ONLY so you can see it already has a lovely finish on its own, but like any other polish, you'll want to top coat to if you're trying to maximize wear time.

And since this is such a perfectly wintry shade, here's a bonus shot of The Good Silver as the base for one coat of Winter of '99.


It catches the light so beautifully! This is the only type of snow storm I can enjoy!

-L

Thursday 6 November 2014

Introducing One Of A Kind Section

Hello!

Today I'm introducing the One Of A Kind section of our Etsy store!

Sometimes when we're testing and creating new shades, we come up with something great that, for various reasons, can't be reproduced en mass.
We still think these are lovely lacquers that could use a forever home, so we'll be listing these one-of-a-kind bottles at the store and bringing them to our local events.

Here's a quick look at a couple of these shades:


Winter Green - very aptly named, this is a white crelly loaded with different sizes and shades of green glitters. This reminds us of a snow covered pine forest.


Lilac Luster - a beautiful pale purple full of icy blue shimmer and an ethereal soft holo glow.

More additions to come! Favorite our store on Etsy to stay updated - these are one of a kind so once they're gone, they're gone for good!

-L

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Bling It On

Hello!

We're getting into the spirit of things with the release of this super sparkly gold glitter topper.
The complexity and depth of this lacquer is impossible to capture in pictures, but the holo and metallic catch so much light you won't stop staring at your nails!

ALL.GOLD.EVERYTHING.


This is now available at our Etsy store!

-L

Happy Holidays and Thank You Sale!


If you're in the Toronto area we are having a holiday pop-up event on December 6th where we'll be showcasing tons of collaboration pieces with Keepsake and 10/10 as well as special promos.
If you can't make it, message us directly to get a shipping discount or discuss pick up options!

-L

Monday 27 October 2014

Triple CANVAS Gradient!

Hello!

This gradient uses all 3 of our soft holographic shades. It's beautiful and I am so proud to say that these are our lacquers!!

CANVAS x 3
This is Flaunt It! Hand of the King and Polar Bear Dip.


aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh! love it!
I was initially going for something more tribal print, and I think I may have possibly achieved that had I stamped with black. Obviously going with the white gives it a wintery holiday sweater/tights kinda vibe. Yes, a bit early - but I don't care cuz I luuurrvs it anywayzzz
This image is from BundleMonster 102 and I used Rica Whiteout. I'm finding this polish much easier to use than my Konad White!!!

These 3 shades are all available at our Etsy store right now!

-L

Thursday 23 October 2014

Facebook and Flea!

Hello!


I know, I know - we probably should have done it ages ago, but finally - CANVAS lacquer has a facebook page!
Please like us. We'll be your best friends.

And for those of you in the Toronto area, please come check us out at the Annex Flea on Sunday, October 26th at the CSI building at 720 Bathurst St (just south of Bloor). Not only will there be polish deals, but we'll also be showcasing our collabs with Keepsake Jewellery and 10/10 Nail Design. Here's a taste!

CANVAS x KEEPSAKE

CANVAS x KEEPSAKE
CANVAS x 10/10
CANVAS x 10/10
So in conclusion - come visit us on the interwebs on Facebook, and then IRL at the Annex Flea on Sunday Oct 26.

See you soon!

-L

Friday 17 October 2014

Winter of '99 - CANVAS the City

Hello!

Do you love sneak peeks as much as I do?!

Here's a look at a soon-to-be-released glitter topper we're working on.



Stay tuned!

-L

Polar Bear Dip - CANVAS the City

Hello!

Check out these awesome swatches of our just released POLAR BEAR DIP.
Available at our Etsy store now!

Direct light
Diffused light

Each photo is two easy coats, no top coat. I find topcoat (seche vite) does dull the holo glow a tiny bit, but it also deepens the shade and really makes the shimmer pop.

Obviously we love all our creations, but wow, I am so head over heels for this one!

-L

Thursday 16 October 2014

You CAN Keep It! Collab with Keepsake Jewellery

Hello!

Exciting news - we are collaborating again!
Not only are we available on acrylics for 10/10 Nail Design, we are also available on unique, handmade rings.

Keepsake x CANVAS Yorkville Splurge
We teamed up with our friend and colleague Deborah Kanfer from Keepsake Jewellery. She creates handmade pieces featuring her own fine art photography. We both find a lot of inspiration here in Toronto, so we make a perfect pairing.

Keepsake x CANVAS Winterfell & Caribana Parade
These one-of-a-kind pieces will soon be available at both of our Etsy stores. We will also be at the Annex Flea on October 26th for any of those who are in the Toronto area.

-L

Sunday 5 October 2014

Peacock Leadlight and Spooky Spiderweb

Hello!

Follow 1010naildesign on Instagram for the details on these manis!



-L

10/10 Nail Design X Mother of Dragons

Hello!

Do you love nail polish but can't grow long nails? Or maybe you're looking for that perfect something to add to your costume - or maybe you just wanna love the spirit of the season all month long...
Whatever your reason, you can now have a CANVAS lacquer Mother of Dragons almond manicure in minutes!



There is a set with silver scales and a set without scales available now at my bigcartel site.

I'll be adding tons more seasonal sets to the store soon - including some GLOW IN THE DARK set painted with CANVAS lacquer Beyond the Wall.

-L

Thursday 2 October 2014

31C2014 Day 23 - Inspired by a Movie

Hello!

yeah, yeah, yeah - not even close.
To be fair I did, and posted this on Instagram on the right day - it's just taken me awhile to get the details here - sorry guys!


OMG TOTORO!!! Seriously, if you can't find anything charming about Miyazaki or anything else from Studio Ghibli, you have no heart. My Neighbor Totoro is a fave of mine, but the dust sprites are also featured in my other fave Spirited Away. Yes people - two movies in one mani - can I collect extra points? Anyway...

I started with a base of OPI My Vampire Is Buff.


Next I freehanded the soot sprites with Essie Licorice (black) and Sally Hansen White On. Totoro is Misa Paint My Nails @Work, Licorice, White On and Sally Hansen In the Groove (green).
I stamped the stars using pieces of an image from VividLacquer 014 and used In the Groove, Sally Hansen Brisk Blue and Sally Hansen Presto Pink.

I was absolutely gleeful with the way this turned out! I don't do 'cutsie' very often, but I'll always make an exception for Totoro.

-L


CANVAS the City Fall/Winter Previews!

Hello!

We have been brainstorming/working like crazy and will be restocking sold out shades and releasing new shades very soon!

Here's a sneak peek at two shades for Fall/Winter.

Harbourfront Skate Night is our first black and our first flakie lacquer! There's a ton of subtly shifting flakies of all shades, and just a hint of white microglitter - like the reflection of stars on the black ice! We are so in love with this for winter.


Next we have an awesome glitter topper. This is Yorkville Splurge - a unique combination of matte white and blue hexes, copper hexes, rose gold squares and a good dose of holo dust. We've layered it over a smokey grey that we're working on (more on that to come!) and then over plain black.
Treat yo'self to this one!


Rather than releasing all 6 shades at once we will be trickling them out. Nuit Blanche All Nighter was the first release and is available here.

Look out for tons more stuff from us soon!

-L

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Introducing 10/10 Nail Design!

Hello!

A little something different today...
My nail art is now for sale! 10/10 Nail Design is my new start up that will be selling sets of hand painted acrylic nails. I will be offering a huge variety of looks, shapes and lengths... eventually!
The shop is live but still under constant construction - you can check out my first few offerings at 1010naildesign.bigcartel.com

This is also now the identity I will use as a nail artist. Yes, you can hire me to get yo nails did!!!
Contact me at 1010naildesign@gmail.com

There will definitely be plenty of CANVAS lacquer collabs, but I'll be using lots of different polishes, both and indie and major, and using lots of different nail art techniques and accessories.

Both CANVAS lacquer and 10/10 Nail Design will be at the Annex Flea, October 6th at the Centre for Social Innovation on Bathurst. Our collaborative collection with Keepsake Jewellery will be featured at our tables - such perfect gift ideas!  Further details to come soon!

Here's a galaxy set that's available for sale now:


If you follow CANVAS on Instagram for the nail art, please follow me @1010naildesign to keep seeing all the art details!

Thanks for everyone's support!!!

-L

Tuesday 23 September 2014

NEW! Nuit Blanche All Nighter

Now available on our Etsy page!



This is a purple jelly packed with turquoise holographic microglitter, tiny white hexes, a sprinkling of charcoal holographic and large ocean blue hexes.

AN ART PARTY FOR YOUR NAILS!

Stay tuned for more releases from our CANVAS the City Fall/Winter Collection, as well as a few seasonal duos!

-L

31DC2014 Day 22 - Inspired by a Song

yup - I started skipping again. I was very, very busy this weekend doing ALL kinds of nail art things, but you'll have to wait to hear about that later...

My song inspiration is I'm A Survivor by Destiny's Child.
My bf DJ's and I guarantee he will play a handful of Beyonce/Destiny's Child songs at EVERY. GIG. How can I not love him for that?!?


I remember in the video they were on the beach in these sexy camo outfits, so I turned to our very own CANVAS lacquer G.I.Jane for my base (available now at our Etsy shop).
With a detail brush I freehanded the camo splotches using Misa Paint My Nails @Work, Maybelline Color Show Bold Gold and a few black accents in Essie Licorice.


I originally intended to stamp a camo print in gold from a Vivid Lacquer plate, but my friend had borrowed it so I improvised instead. I think a gold stamped camo would have turned out very different, more GLAMO (get it, glamorous camo!) but I still like my rustic rando version. And it does mean another camo mani is to come in the future!

-L

31DC2014 Day 18 - Half Moons

ok, after that last fail I feel like this one has redeemed me...


Simple, yet oh-so-fancy! ooh la la!
I already did a half moon gradient on Day 10 so again I wanted to be a bit more innovative for this challenge. This 'waterfall mani' was coined by the Nailasaurus, but I did a mash up of that with the half moon.
I started with Zoya Dream, possibly one of my fave polishes EVA (and yes, I have every other version that Zoya has made, but I do wish the holographic particles were more visible in pics)! I used reinforcement stickers for the moons and then a detail brush for the lines.


I don't know what it is with me, but I am terrible with striping brushes! I started with that and they just looked like a hot mess, so I turned to a detail brush for better control. The lines are fatter, but straighter, and I like the fact that they taper. I used Konad Silver and OPI Love.Angel.Music.Baby.
The stickers prevented me from getting a crisp line so I redefined them after I was done with the detail brush. I love this look and want to experiment with more color combos!

-L

31DC2014 Day 17 - Glitter

Ok - most of these challenges I feel like I stepped up and did a good job...

To be perfectly honest I'm not so happy with this one, but I was too lazy to redo.


If you can't tell, they're fireworks. I started with a black base of Essie Licorice. To create definitive streaks I used OPI Love.Angel.Music.Baby and Konad Silver. For the glitter element I used a combination of microglitter polishes.


Girly Bits Razzle Dazzle is raspberry microglitter, Cique Queen Majesty is purple and blue and Cirque Stella is full of rose gold. This second picture shows it with Essie Matte About You, y'know, just cuz.

-L

31DC2014 Day 16 - Geometric

beep, boop, bleep!

When I think geometric I often think of modern, tech-y aesthetics so this prompt inspired me to do a circuit board theme.


I started with a base of Elevation Polish Carlit (Alpine Heights), the perfect shade of green for a circuit board. Using MoYou Sci-Fi 05 I stamped with Maybelline Color Show Bold Gold, an awesome stamping polish! So few things to list, but such an awesome impact these few ingredients have made!


 -L

31DC2014 Day 15 - Delicate Print

Yes I do know how to count, I was away from day 11 - day 14 for a wedding!

Trying this challenge is pretty hardcore, but I simply am not hardcore enough to do all the challenges beforehand to post while I was away - some people are that dedicated and for that I applaud you, but me? I just jump back on the bandwagon when I wanna!


Soft, sweet, girly - nothing like me at all! but otherwise I'm still very pleased with the look, it's just so not 'me'.
I started with OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around, then created a subtle gradient with Zoya Rue, Elevation Polish Colline du Charf and Zoya Brigitte.


The lacy, doilie-like print is from Pueen 28. I found this a bit tricky to stamp. At first I thought it might be the delicacy of the image, but the more I use my Konad White, the more I think it's the problem. I've just ordered Rica Whiteout and I'm hoping I have more luck with that. White is an essential stamping shade!!! To give this added vintage "dustiness" I added Essie Matte About You.

-L

My Grade-est Hit! 31DC2014, Day 10 - Gradients

Oh god, nail puns! hahahaha

I just had to.

Today I present to you my greatest Instagram hit - my newly dubbed "crossover gradient".  I do gradients ALL the time, so for this prompt in the challenge I really wanted to go above and beyond.

crossover gradient
Yay! This look got almost 250 likes, and one of them was the Nailasaurus! I def fan-girl squee'd when I saw that!

I started with a base of Zoya Brigitte. On my thumb, index and pinky I used a reinforcement sticker for my half moons, and a french manicure guide for the upper half. I've done and seen many half moon gradients before, and when I've seen double gradients Simply Nailogical has dubbed them 'scaled gradients', but those typically use craft tape to create a, well, scaled look with interesting shapes cut into the tape. I'm not sure this is a scaled gradient since it adheres to the half moon look.
The deepest purple in the gradient is Misa Sorry Just Can't Help It, then Zoya Odette and Zoya Rue.


The same gradient was used on my middle and ring finger over a french guide. When that was dry I went over it in the opposite direction, being sure to use a shade that would allow the previous gradient to be visible. This took a very light hand. I used OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around and Zoya Rue. Then for the hell of it I threw on Cirque Iris on my index and pinky for some shimmer.

I can't wait to try this technique again with different shades!!! Please let me know if you try a crossover gradient for yourself!

-L

Wednesday 10 September 2014

31DC2014, Day 9 - Rainbow

Hello!

Day 9 - Rainbow

If you haven't figured it out - I love colour! I didn't have a lot of time to go crazy and really think outside the box for this one, but I'm still pretty happy with how this turned out.


I thought I was being clever by using piCture pOlish Sparkle because it has a rainbow of micro glitter in it, but you can't tell in these photos! They look more like random specks. gah
So then I used the same Bundle Monster 021 image and stamped using Konad Red, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Snappy Sorbet, Lightening, In the Groove, Brisk Blue and OPI Funky Dunky.


I used 2 shades per stamp, hoping the colors would bleed together more to create a bit more of a gradient effect, but it didn't come out that way. It could have been the nature of the Insta-Dri polishes, they're quite thick and dry quickly - great for stamping, not so great for stamping gradient.

-L