Tattoo Studios

[HDP]

Can anyone recommend a good (and clean) tattoo studio near Deal's Gap (surrounding area)? I'm itching for another one...

[sk8world]

Don, I am some what familar with that area and I think you are going to have to go to one of the other towns like brasstown, bryson city, Murphy... Just a thought. I am sure there has to be a tattoo site that shows all shops..

BTW..Doesnt look good for me to go now..

[HDP]

BTW..Doesnt look good for me to go now..

Oh man, that's terrible... any way you can close shop for just this weekend and say for like inventory or something?

[bop_rocco]

you can always drive to gatlinburg or pigeon forge. its a good hour to hour and a half though

[sk8world]

Oh man, that's terrible... any way you can close shop for just this weekend and say for like inventory or something?


not too sure on that. We have a pretty big Saturday going on and most will show up on Friday. I think my only chance is too drive up early Saturday, very early like a 4am leave time..

[HDP]

not too sure on that. We have a pretty big Saturday going on and most will show up on Friday. I think my only chance is too drive up early Saturday, very early like a 4am leave time..

Well,you will still be able to hangout and meet everyone. If nothing else, come up Saturday.

[HDP]

you can always drive to gatlinburg or pigeon forge. its a good hour to hour and a half though

Probably drive to Asheville. Larger city, more selection.

[sk8world]

Well see. If the weather is rainy I dont think I am driving 6+ hours in it.

[HDP]

Well see. If the weather is rainy I dont think I am driving 6+ hours in it.

It's only 3 1/2 hours up there nonstop... factor in gas stop and food, maybe 4 1/2 at the most.

[dankru]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=tattoo+near+deal's+gap&sll=35.466822,-83.918037&sspn=0.013964,0.019312&ie=UTF8&ll=36.057426,-83.960266&spn=0.887051,1.235962&z=10

That should be fairly complete. If you decide to have it done keep in mind some places are by appointment only.

If I can make a recommendation, a tattoo is forever and you may want to reconsider getting work done impulsively. find a shop and artist with a great reputation who does the sort of work you like. If you were in Chicago or Ontario I could recommend a few people.

It's worth the wait and the work to get a great piece of art you will enjoy forever. In general wherever you go MUST be hygenic at the very least. Tattoo studios are held to standards similar to a doctor's office, but keep in mind inspections are only once a year. When you walk in you should see each and every artist wearing gloves whenever working on a client, all chairs/armrests/tables should have waxpaper or saran wrap on any part that touches the working area on the client, the artists should be using fresh needles for each client and an autoclave should be visible. If you're not familiar with what that looks like most tattoo shops use smaller models that look like fireproof safes with a few additional knobs on them. also look around at the general cleanliness, there should be no food or drink other than maybe a waterbottle anywhere in the working area. the tables, chairs and workspaces should be clean and clutter free.

it's imperative that you talk to the artist to get a feel for what sort of work they do. every artist will have a portfolio or at least a few pictures to show you and be able to tell you what sort of work they specialize in. some people are really good at bio-mech, some people realism, some people portraits, some people freehand. if the artist doesn't want to talk to you or seems flustered or asks for a 'consulting fee' they're scum and don't deserve your business. you can find some great people doing great work in almost any large city.

of course this all goes out the window if you just want "mom" or "born to kill" on your arm. not denigrating people with simpler tattoos, even most good artists do 75% flash or direct transfers from a photo or drawing. just saying that if that's what you want just look for a clean place and someone who has experience and seems straightforward to you. there are many tattoo artists that are very technically proficient but artistically not great. if you know what you want they'll do right by you.

[sk8world]

good advice. I have 2 I want but need a artist to draw them up so I can aprove.