Non Stop Work Week

I finally got a chance to take a break. Sort of. I have been painting for what seems like forever, but I am not complaining! I have been working on some carnival games designs for a Halloween Bootacular Fair that is taking place this weekend! I have done a total of 3 projects and I have had so much fun painting these because they were specifically for Blacklight!

First, I had the Clown Face Mini Golf Design, then the Dead Man’s Skee Ball Design and then, at last minute I was asked to add a few more spooky details to a Haunted House Seeking Game.

When I delivered the House prop, I was able to see the Skee ball game put together in one piece and it came out amazing! I cant wait to see it at night!

When I haven’t been painting, I have been trying to squeeze in some sleep, its been hard to get solid sleep thanks to my puppy, who is just like having a newborn sometimes, waking up in the middle of the night to go outside. I have had a few other freelance jobs here and there. I finally received all my tools I ordered to do microlink extensions and I did my first client with them yesterday!

It took me a few minutes to get into the groove of applying the hair extensions, but once I got the hang of it, I was on a roll! I will be ordering more hair and will start to offer custom hair extensions. This is probably going to happen after the new year. I have ordered some fusion hair extensions so I can play around with those too. I cant wait to become so good with them, that it is second nature. If any of my clients are interested in this hair service, I will be offering this for 50% off until the new year. For inquiries, please email me at: cecilia@sweetsurrenderart.com

I made a few shopping trips to the craft and fabric stores and I had some really good deals! I know, I am such a geek, but I get excited about stuff like this. I have been keeping an eye out for a good desk lamp, a sturdy one that wont fall apart or something that isn’t cheaply made. I came across this lamp at Jo-Ann Fabrics, and I knew I had to jump on the sale. This lamp, by Ottlite was originally $69, and went on sale for $20! I checked Jo-Ann Fabrics website, and it is no longer even on there, but I did see one on sale on ebay. The main thing I wanted this for was also for filming my youtube videos, because I am always complaining about my lighting! hahaha

At Michaels, I scored this plaster skull that was on sale for $8. I have been wanting to get one of these so I can paint it sugar skull style! I LOVE CANDLES!!! I go through candles all the time because I always have one lit when I am awake and at home. I usually go for Hazelnut smells, but I wanted to try some new ones! These were on sale 3 for $10!

Before I make this blog post longer than it should be, I am going to go, because I have a new project I need to work on.

As always, thanks for stopping by and see you in the next post!

Trending: Fusion and Micro Link Extensions

I have noticed more and more lately that micro link and fusion extensions are becoming more popular in this area of Virginia Beach. Many stylists I know have paid a fortune to become certified in this technique of extensions, and I’m talking about hundreds of dollars (which is completely ridiculous). I also know of many salons (mostly upscale) that perform these extensions and charge an insane amount for their clients in the range of anywhere from $1500 to $3000. Like, for real????? Sometimes, more often than not, the extensions are not properly applied and it ended badly for the client. I have taken out some pretty jacked up extensions. I have been wanting to learn how to do this, so I did some research.

Technically, you don’t have to be certified to do these type of extensions but as a licensed hairstylist, I think in order to do this service, a stylist should be certified and have the certificate posted in the salon or at the station so that the client can have peace of mind and be reassured that the stylist is trained properly.  This technique does not have to be limited to the wealthy and that it can be affordable to become certified and to have these services offered at a decent price for your clients.

There are many different companies that offer this certification from Cinderella, Pure Extensions, just to name a few. There are so many to choose from. I want to talk about Donna Bella Hair, because so far it is the best certification program that is affordable.

Donna Bella Hair offers online education and certification is not just one technique but 3:  I-Link (MicroLink), Kera-link (fusion) and Tape-In. Each course is $99, but when you enroll in all 3 the price is only $229. This is a killer deal. The only thing is that tools are not included, but of course Donna Bella Hair has various kits to help get you started.

This kit is only $175 and you have everything you need to get started to include fusion heat tool, color swatch ring, and other fun goodies. Now that I am the manager of a salon, I want to help the staff at Layla Glam Squad get certified so that we can offer this to our clients. I didn’t want to keep this info to myself, so of course, what better way to let the world know than to blog about it?

I hope this was inspiring for any of the hair stylists out there reading this to inspire them to learn a new technique to help expand their skills and services.

Thanks for stopping by and see you in the next post!

Xoxox, Cecilia Marie