A Day in the Life: Envy Ink Tattoo and Piercing creates welcoming environment
CHILLICOTHE— The buzzing of tattoo guns running is a nearly constant background noise at the Envy Ink Tattoo and Piercing shop in Chillicothe. Customers come in looking for creative designs and beautiful body jewelry that the Chillicothe shop has offered for the last five years.
The shop has a laid-back atmosphere that is welcoming to everyone, whether you are getting your first tattoo or your hundredth. Shop manager Cassie Roberts said that feeling comes naturally as everyone in the shop gets along inside and outside of work and likes to have fun. In between clients, workers can be found hanging out, talking about life and telling jokes.
"We like to have fun here," said Roberts.
This energy helps the work days go by, as the artists are often fully booked. While there are times that get busier, like tax return season or Halloween, artist Nick Roush said the shop stays consistently busy with clients coming in for tattoos and piercings all day.
Roush has been a tattoo artist for almost seven years, while he can do all styles of tattoos he prefers ones that are in black and white. Another artist at the shop, Aris LaBello grew up around a shop as his dad is also a tattoo artist. LaBello said he loves that he is able to draw for a living.
When working with a client the artists will look at any references and listen to any ideas they have. They will also give ideas they have, about size and placement, that would make the design look better. At the shop the artist won't directly copy another artist's work so they try to get to a design that is similar that the client will love without copying anything. LaBello said designing a tattoo that is feasible and that the customer will love is a challenge he is always up for.
One thing about being a tattoo artist that people might not realize is that you have to be a good listener. Roush compares himself to a hairstylist as people often come in and talk throughout the appointments. While some people have a regular conversation others tell him secrets or about the drama in their life.
The shop also offers a variety of piercings done by resident piercer Alix Clover, who has been doing this for almost three years. Originally Clover started in the shop thinking about being a tattoo artist but quickly discovered she enjoyed piercings.
One of her favorite things is seeing a client's confidence grow after they get a new piece. She said oftentimes people are nervous when they sit in the chair but by the time they look in the mirror to see the finished product they are relaxed and confident.
She also recognizes that people can be nervous while in the shop so she tries to relax them as best as possible. The friendly atmosphere of the shop helps ease some fears, but Clover also makes sure to be nice and answer any questions people have to help them relax.
"You have to be really easy," said Clover.
The shop also takes great efforts to be clean not only to pass health department standards but also to lessen the risk of infection in new tattoos and piercings. This includes cleaning surfaces between customers and using fresh needles every time.
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A day in the life of is a series shadowing those with unique and interesting jobs. If you or someone you know has a job that fits this description let us know by emailing SReeves@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: A Day in the Life: Envy Ink Tattoo and Piercing creates welcoming environment
