Abstract: The fingernail polish protector includes an adjustable ring portion along with a ventilated protective shield which snaps into the adjustable ring portion. The adjustable ring portion is designed to fit over the distal end of the finger of a wearer whose fingernail has been recently polished such that the ventilated protective portion overlies the fingernail thereby protecting the polish from being damaged while it dries and cures. Ventilation openings allow airflow and can be formed to be both functional and decorative. A positive stop prevents the ventilated protective shield from tilting downward onto a wet nail, while downward curved sides of the shield limit side-to-side movement which also helps prevent damaging newly polished fingernails. A plastic injection molding process allows the two interlocking portions to be formed in various sizes and colors.

Abstract: Various application-centric user interface techniques are described. A user can easily launch, add, or update applications. An application-centric activity center can be presented as part of a user interface for an operating system shell. A file defining metadata for an application can be defined. The techniques can be applied to game-related software.

Abstract: An artificial fingernail has an outer layer made of silicone allowing the nail to maintain its form when not in contact with objects but permitting the nail to flex upon contact with objects and bend back to its original shape after contact. Accordingly, the wearer can simultaneously look attractive and engage in vigorous exercise or other vigorous activities such as scrubbing, cleaning, cooking etc. The artificial fingernail may also be combined with jewelry and may be molded with cut-out designs.

Abstract: A clasp for an ornamental material, such as knitwear, has two portions. One end of a clasp portion serves as a mating face, while the other end of a clasp portion has an aperture. The mating faces have complementary registration structures, such as a bump and well, peg and hole, and so on. The apertures receive and conceal the ends of the ornamental material. Thus, a wearable item, such as a necklace, belt, anklet, shawl, sweater, shrug, cape or bracelet, and so on, can be readily formed from knitwear or other ornamental material.

Abstract: An artificial nail having a three dimensional feature. The three dimensional feature may be a three dimensional representation of any known or imagined person, place or thing. The three dimensional feature may have a protrusion that is graspable. The protrusion may be used to assist in placing the artificial nail onto a fingernail or toenail. The artificial nail may include a tool or writing implement that may be extendible/retractable, movable and/or rotatable. The artificial nail may include removably attached three dimensional features. The three dimensional feature may include hair. The three dimensional feature may include a sound emitter or be designed to emit sound. The three dimensional feature may be plush or made from fabric. The artificial nail may include a power source and a light emitter to emit light from a portion of the three dimensional feature.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is formed of an elongated wire which is being bendable between a straight shape and an arcuate shape, a length of cord-like material braided circumferentially about the wire. The article of manufacture may be made of different lengths so as to serve different purposed such as a bracelet, a ring, or a hair band.