the early years
I am the artist behind Talons Nail Art, Jennifer Rickert. I was raised in a small town in northwestern Pennsylvania during the 70s and 80s. I began drawing and hand sewing clothes as early as age five. My father taught me to use a sewing machine, and my mother encouraged me to embroider, knit and crochet. I also drew prolifically as a teenager. In high school I won many awards for my surrealism, portraits and photography. I sold my first surrealistic drawing to a museum. Drawing and sewing continued into my early 20’s as I attended Clarion University and studied art history, design basics, drawing, and sculpture. I loved the feeling that other people were enjoying what came so naturally to me. I eventually moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I worked as an Optician to make ends meet but never strayed from my artistic roots always drawing, painting, creating, and selling my work.
finding my footing
I joined the Embroiderer’s Guild of America to further my knowledge of fiber art. I learned the art of tatted lacemaking during one of our meetings around 2001. It took me several years to become comfortably skilled in making tatted lace, which is designed by tying small knots over and over to form rings, loops and chains. I began designing my own lace patterns around 2006. Starting with a simple trim, I created a bracelet. Next, I designed butterflies that were 3-dimensional. Soon I was wearing pendants, chokers and collars, cuffs and creating small works of fiber art.
working as an artist
In 2009, I opened my first online Etsy shop, Snappy Tatter, to present my work as a fiber artist and lace jewelry designer. I already had a background in business and enjoyed the marketing, bookkeeping, and inventory aspects of running a business, which can be rare for an artist. Integrating all of my various skills to create original art, I sold through my online shop and privately to people all over the world. Lace designs were turned into bracelet cuffs, statement necklaces, brooches, earrings, watchbands and such. Lace butterflies, "Tatterpillars", leaves, and flowers became detailed 3-dimensional gardens full of flowers, insects, and plant life that were embroidered with crewelwork, Blackwork and freehand styles. I added beads and crystals to most of my designs. Whether framed or adorning small boxes, my work has been sold for over 35 years now. I sol d my lacework at the Blue Heron Art Gallery from 2009 up until it's closing in 2011. Many other exciting things came my way during this time. I am featured in the October 2012 issue of Country Living magazine. My work has been showcased by various lace organizations at conferences, in brochures and newsletters. I have worked for many bridal parties, non-profit organizations, and interior decorators. I put down my tatting shuttles in 2024 to move on to a new venture. My original designs were available as patterns as I now shift my focus to nails.
on to new things-Nails!
I have been taking care of my nails and skin since I was a teenager. And I have always been the one in my family to strike out on my own and learn how to do things from scratch. It was no different when it came to my nails. I have always loved long elegant nails on my hands. And so, I began to learn acrylic application with help from a friend to get the professional supplies that worked best. It was difficult at first. There was no YouTube or Tik Tok to help me. I learned how to effectively and cleanly create extensions that were strong as well as safe removal. When polygel and forms came out much later, I began to create my nails that way which eventually led to hard gel for my extensions. I discovered stamping, decals and how to make a clean French tip. Practice, practice, practice! When nail trends got fancier and more expensive mine did too. I decided to turn this passion of mine into my new artistic expression. Color study and design basics became essential tools along with knowledge of various genres of art. Lately I began to study other people's nail art designs to develop design skills just like I did when I was learning how to create lace. This has led to where I am today.
About the Artist
Talons Nail Art
Being an artist brings me a satisfying sense of peace. I have so many ideas of how to interpret my art on a canvas of nails. And now that I have established my business, my imagination has had time to take over and go into overdrive. I will have a blog soon where I will be posting works in progress, my ideas and showcase new work. I will also have a gallery of past and present designs. I hope to push the boundaries with my nail art. I want to bring you nail experiences that you will want to wear at cultural and sophisticated events around the globe. It's a new extension of fashion...Original Art on your nails.
I hope what I create is beautiful and refreshing to you. It is truly an invigorating experience for me.
~Jennifer Rickert
email me! talonsnailart1@gmail.com
