Cleveland's Nail Artists Turn Ten Fingers Into a Portfolio

Nail art has grown from an add-on into a discipline of its own, and Cleveland has a crop of technicians treating ten fingers as a portfolio. Intricate hand-painted designs, tiny three-dimensional details, and seasonal collections have turned some local artists into names clients seek out specifically.

Social media has been the accelerant. A striking set photographs beautifully and travels far, and a distinctive style can build a following that fills a book weeks out. For the artists, the platform is both storefront and gallery.

The craft rewards patience and a steady hand; a single elaborate set can take hours. Practitioners say the appeal for clients is a small, affordable piece of art they carry with them for a couple of weeks.