Karrah Blackman’s custom claws inspired by her cat, Betty

BY BROOKLYN MCKINNEY

Feature Editor

Karrah Blackman grew up with a love for art and animals. When she wasn’t spending time with her mom or their three dalmatians — Rainy, Baby and Maisie — and four cats — Mr. Honey, Lily, Big Mama and Raven — she was usually sketching, crocheting or begging for a cat of her own to dote on.

“When I was little, I always, always, always wanted a cat. I begged my mom. She told me if I would go find a cat, I could keep it. Guess what I did?” Blackman said. “I went and found a cat. She didn’t let me keep it.”

But everything changed during her senior year of high school, when a coworker from Pappadeaux was trying to find a safe home for a tuxedo kitten, Betty. She asked Blackman to take her in because she knew that she would be the perfect fit.

As it turns out, Betty and Blackman are both just as sweet and sassy as her homemade brownies with pink sprinkles.

“She just lets me pick her up,” Emmaleigh Shipman, Blackman’s friend and loyal client, said.

Betty’s claws, although she doesn’t seem to use them, partially inspired the name of Blackman’s growing custom press-on and nail-tech business, “Claws by Tina.” Her parents lovingly gave her the nickname Tina, which is short for her middle name, Christina.

Two years ago, Blackman rediscovered her love for gel-x nail art while taking animal science courses at Tarleton State University. Initially creating her designs on press-ons, she eventually graduated to practicing on human hands.

“At the beginning, I was quiet about it, and I just did my friend’s nails for free, and now I’m open. I’m more outgoing now. I was outgoing before, but college really broke me out of my shell,” Blackman said.

As a self-taught nail-tech with plenty of practice, she is confident in how far her skills have come since then.

“I became bold, and I was going around like, ‘I should do your nails. You should let me do your nails,’” Blackman said.

Posting content on her Instagram page, @claws_by_tina, quickly opened the door to more clients.

“I didn’t have a busy schedule with doing nails until a couple months ago, honestly. I wasn’t popular,” Blackman said. “But then I started doing model sets, which is discounted.”

Her schedule can get hectic at times as an animal science major, line cook at Buffalo Wild Wings and fully-booked nail tech, but she wouldn’t change it for the world.

“I like to be challenged,” Blackman said.

One client who challenges her at every appointment is Shipman, who enjoys intricate nail art and appreciates Blackman’s attention to detail.

“She’s not break-the-bank kind of expensive, and she does really good work, better work than I’ve seen at a lot of salons where I paid double what she charges,” Shipman said.

Having been to several salon appointments before, Shipman prefers the cozy environment of Blackman’s apartment.

“With Karrah, she makes the experience more personable,” Shipman said. “She talks to you. At salons, people just sit there, and then nail techs will talk to each other sometimes, but they don’t really talk to you much.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be an appointment with Blackman without her adding her own artistic flair.

“With any nails I do, I have to put gemstones on them, because if there’s no sparkle, that’s not my set,” Blackman said.

One of Blackman’s future clients is already her biggest fan.

“My grandma loves it. She said I’d have to do her nails when I come back [home]; like it’s a must,” Blackman said. “I haven’t done her nails yet. I’m excited to do them.”

Blackman is always looking to help someone be confident in their claws, whether it’s a person or a furry friend. When she’s not in class studying animal anatomy, she’s designing the perfect nail sets for her clients. 

After graduating from Tarleton State University with her bachelor’s in animal science, Blackman wants to rehabilitate pets or wildlife.

“I think that’s why a lot of people choose animal science as a job, because they get the satisfaction of healing an animal, or helping an animal when they can’t help themselves,” Blackman said.

Blackman not only has a passion for art and animals, but also a heart for people. She would never let anyone leave her chair without a smile on their face.

“She’s someone I love to hang out with outside of getting my nails done, too,” Shipman said. “When I’m having a rough day, I love to talk to her. When I’m having a good day, I like to talk to her. She makes my day better.”

Most who know her would agree that the personalities of Blackman and her beloved cat, Betty, provide exactly the kind of sparkle a college campus needs.