Cterling Hopkins Brings Nail Art to Olney
Cterling Hopkins is equally at home with cowgirl grit and “girly girl” glamour. One day, she may be thundering around barrels or throwing a breakaway rope. The next, she is creating delicate flowers, tiny designs, and sparkling finishes on a customer’s fingernails at her place of business in Olney.
Ms. Hopkins, who grew up on her family’s ranch in Loving, recently opened Nails By Cterling inside Fringe hair salon at 207 S. Grand Ave. Her corner of the salon is a feminine retreat, complete with a massage chair and rows of gorgeous nail-polish bottles beckoning like candy.
Opening a new business would be enough to keep most recent high school graduates busy, but Ms. Hopkins has plenty more on her plate. She barrel races and competes in breakaway roping at the Fort Worth Stockyards and local rodeos. She also works as a professional photographer and is planning her Oct. 3 wedding to Julian Jimenez, an associate youth pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Wichita Falls.
Ms. Hopkins operates Photography by Cterling, specializing in senior and family portraits. She and her sister-in-law also run Rockin’ Double H Photography, shooting weddings, community celebrations, and large events.
Her newest venture at Fringe grew from a longtime fascination with nails.
“I’ve always been really interested in nails, and I always loved getting my nails done,” Ms. Hopkins said. “Then I decided that I didn’t want to have to go to the nail salon anymore.”
She taught herself nail art and began practicing on friends and family. Fringe owner Abby Hughes, who had long styled Ms. Hopkins’ hair, encouraged her to earn her professional license and join the salon.
After graduating from high school, Ms. Hopkins completed her licensing tests and opened Nails By Sterl in early May.
“It’s been really good,” she said. “I’ve been super busy. I’ve met so many nice people and really started building my clientele.”
Ms. Hopkins offers basic and deluxe pedicures, regular and gel manicures, builder-gel manicures and Gel X extensions. Her specialty is nail art — especially “any kind of crazy nail designs.”
She generally works Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays for teachers. Her schedule may vary, and nail services require an appointment.
Customers can book through the link on the Nails By Cterling Facebook or Instagram pages, message her through either platform or stop by Fringe to arrange an appointment.
Ms. Hopkins, who is also a licensed esthetician, hopes eventually to add waxing, facials, brow services, and lash lifts. For now, she is happily trading reins for rhinestones — sometimes in the very same week.