NEWS — Tattoo Shop

We are still in the first half of 2024, but we are already seeing some crazy tattoo trends this year.  And I am not talking about all those trendy micro mini hearts and updated tribal 90s tattoos we have been seeing on repeat.  I am talking about the crazy trends we have been seeing all over Social Media like Magic Ink, Semi Permanent Ink, Tattoo Sedation, and Automatic Tattooing.  Don't know what they are… no problem.  I am here to give you a quick run down on the insanity that has taken over the industry!

Magic Ink has been around for a few years, but thanks to a few viral videos, 2024 seems to be the year we have all learned about this trend!  Magic Ink claims to be activating and deactivating ink.  Essentially it is UV reactive ink, so when you want it to appear just wave your UV wand and “poof” you have a tattoo.  And when you want it to disappear just wave your UV wand with a different wavelength and say goodbye to your ink.  So this sounds great for those areas you want a tattoo, but don't want those conservative family members or employers to see.  Or what a great way to get crazy creative with your tattoo designs.  Think a dragon that you always see, then wave your magic UV wand and red fire shoots out of the dragon's mouth.  So this idea is kinda growing on me now!  There are a few cons - as of right now the Magic Ink is only available in red ink.  And their website claims you can activate and deactivate it 1000s of times, but how long does it really last?  The ink is also pricey and tattoo artists that offer it are limited.

Next up, Semi Permanent Ink… also known as Ephemeral Tattoos.  These vegan semi permanent tattoos claim our bodies naturally remove ephemeral tattoo ink over time.  The ink contains medical grade bio-absorbable ingredients that shrink over time and eventually fade away.  This can take 1-3 years.   SOOOOO  originally they claimed their tattoos only lasted 9-15 months and I guess 3 years later some of those tattoos are a little more semi permanent than expected.  Also when these fade, they don't have a nice even fade like the website digital example shows.  Most ephemeral tattoos I googled have an uneven fade.  But if you have commitment issues, this sounds like the perfect tattoo for you!

Tattoo Sedation, yup you heard that right, skip all the pain and get tattooed under anesthesia.  Show up to your tattoo appointment with a clean slate and in just a few hours and with the help of a few tattoo artists, an anesthesiologist, a medical team and $$$ you can be heavily tattooed!  What happened to the days of sitting for hours on end and feeling the pain for the reward of your new ink? And what about building your tattoo collection over many years?   Well considering estimates for Tattoo Sedation start at around $40,000+  I think the old fashion way of getting tattooed is gonna be around for a while.   

Automatic tattooing is our final crazy tattoo trend.  You might be asking yourself, what is automatic tattooing…basically you are getting tattooed from a machine.  This highly precise robot first analyzes your skin type, then based on that data determines the puncture and puncture depth to create a precise and personalized tattoo.  At the moment, it seems these robots can only do fine-line minimalism, dot work, and realism tattoos.  So if you are in the Austin, TX area and are looking for a futuristic way to get tattooed, this might be your thing.  

So what are your thoughts on these tattoo trends?  Leave a comment on which is a Ya or Nay for you.

~Staysi 

Spooky Tattoos: Embrace Halloween at Studio 21 Tattoo “Spooky Tattoo” Event starting Friday the 13th.
Are you a fan of Halloween? Most of us have been waiting for Halloween since last Halloween! Do you love the thrill of spine-chilling tales and the mysterious allure of the occult? If so, you might find the perfect way to express your spooky spirit through tattoos. Tattoos featuring Halloween and spooky imagery are more popular than ever, and they offer a unique opportunity to keep the Halloween vibe alive all year round in your heart and on your skin.

Halloween is a time when we revel in the supernatural, the macabre, and the eerie. It’s a time when our imaginations run wild with tales of ghosts, witches, vampires, and other ghoulish creatures. For many, the fascination with Halloween doesn’t end on November 1st. Instead, it continues throughout the year, and what better way to keep that spirit alive than with a spooky tattoo? Come by and see our studio. All artists will be tattooing their own tattoo flash and prebook appointments are available for the event.

So, if you’re a Halloween enthusiast who can’t get enough of the eerie and the supernatural, consider embracing Halloween all year round through spooky tattoos. These tattoos not only serve as a unique form of self-expression but also as a reminder that the allure of Halloween is never truly out of season.

“Where there is no imagination…there is no horror.”

Hello Studio 21 family! Here we are in April welcoming the warm Las Vegas sun to show it’s face. April just happens to be Autism Awareness/Acceptance month. Our studio has had numerous opportunities to help our clients symbolize that someone special who has been diagnosed with Autism in the form of a tattoo. Some popular images, but not limited to, include a “puzzle piece” or a “rainbow infinity symbol”.

Just a few facts about Autism. Autism affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across the life span. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. Autism can affect the whole body and is more prominent in boys than girls. Usually diagnosis is common around 3-4 years of age.

Our artists here at Studio 21 are experienced at consulting with clients regarding tattoos with deep, emotional meanings. Sometimes it’s been a drawing that was created by the child. Maybe a signature? We once had a client represent his atypical children with “Lego Superhero”. Whatever you come up with to represent the journey, our studio has capable artists available to make it happen. Call the studio or set up a free consultation to go over your thoughts and ideas to make your personal and meaningful tattoo.

Helpful links:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8855-autism
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd
https://nationalautismassociation.org/
https://autismsociety.org/

As we embark on Studio 21 Tattoo’s 21st year, let’s take a look back and talk about how this tattoo shop paved the way for a new “look” for tattoo shops around the country. The studio combines family, artists with a variety of skills, and tattooers all rolled up into one. 
Among those who have visited Studio 21 Tattoo, many that have entered our studio have been mesmerized by the elliptical design you will notice as soon as you walk through the doors. Every artist has their own personalized booth displayed with art, some art they have created, some art from their favorite creators or things that they love and inspire them. This was something that the Spencer’s really wanted, a better environment for their artists and artists being able to communicate with each other during their sessions if they desired. The Spencers hired an architect who observed them work in their previous shop and often chatted on how they wanted the shop to function. When they were finally shown a rough draft of the shop design, the Spencers were blown away with what he had created for them, something better than what they imagined. At that time, the center ellipse is what made things different, typically shops had pony walls or rows of chairs, but Studio 21 tattoo came up with something better, something more creative for clients and artists. At that time in the early 2000’s not only did it have one of the most unique layouts in the country for a tattoo shop, it was also the largest shop in the great state of Nevada. 
After discussing an endless amount of names, Austin Spencer said, “Let’s just call it Studio 21”, and since it was the beginning of the 21st century, 21 resonates with the city of Las Vegas too well, created by a team of artists, not just tattooers, but painters, illustrators, sculptors and creators, they agreed upon “Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery.”

-Written by Vanessa Torres

Hey there, it’s V! I sometimes write the blog here at Studio 21, just reflecting on the year I’ve had since entering the world of “Tattoo Shop Life” as a gatekeeper. It has definitely been a very interesting year, full of exciting new experiences, meeting new people and seeing wonderful work done by all of the artists here at the shop!
Being around artistic individuals on a regular basis really inspires me to continue to create new things, and it is pretty awesome being in an environment where you are always learning something new.
As someone who comes from a family where I am the oldest, I didn’t realize all of my big brothers were going to show up in my life at a tattoo shop! That’s what it feels like working at Studio 21, from the dad jokes, fart jokes and nerf gun wars etc. They sure keep me on my toes! And I can’t forget about my other teammates Staysi and Ashley who are great people to work with, they are fun, reliable, intelligent individuals and together we make a pretty good team!
I think I can speak for everyone at the shop. We are thankful for the friendships we have created here, the connections we have made with people that extend beyond the shop.
We are thankful for each other and our clients especially, the new and old who give us purpose and something to strive for. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us!!!

-Written by Vanessa Torres