TipTop Tattoo

Today was to be my last day at AWR.

However, my client woke up with a fever and had to reschedule.
After packing up the last of my things from the shop and bringing them home.
I put my energy into reorganizing my garage. I thought I had managed to set everything up so I could find things when I needed them.
But, we had an emergency deadline thrown into the mix this winter with PGE demanding a service upgrade out of the blue.
Which meant moving bikes out and shifting boxes and shop furniture to make way for Bruce to do his magic.
It’s been a couple of months. And today apparently was the day to dig in and reshuffle the mixed up puzzle pieces.
Happy to say I cleared the way so I can get my turn key out when I have the need now. She had become a saddle stand and was packed tightly into her spot with furniture from Fortune.
She’s free again.

Which leads me to my leaving AWR and finding my way to the new comforts of TipTop Tattoo.
Adam Craven the owner and Quan are the talented resident artists there.

It’s a motorcycle friendly shop.
Adam parks his bike out front. And from my last couple days being there, quite a few motorcycle friendly folks stop through.
The shop is nestled into the vibrant street life off Milwaukie and Bybee.
Lot’s of folks walking by. Coffee shops, restaurants, bars, a theater and one of my favorite sushi joints sits right around the corner.

I am hoping this move will help re-stimulate my clientele base.
Being back in my own neighborhood and the SE area.

I wasn’t sure where I would end up after closing Fortune.
Jason gave me a soft landing spot to regroup and build back my composure.
I am deeply thankful for his friendship and support. He really is a magical wizard.
If there is a path ahead to work together again, I hope it happens in this life time.

Well, the Tattoo Gods kept making me drive past Adam’s place. Though it wasn’t on my normal route. It is close to home.
And when I decided to actively find another shop to work out of.
I took the chance and asked if I could come work with them.

I’ve been working a side job that takes up most of my time during the week to keep the ship afloat.
And Tattooing when clients are committed to their appointments.
I thought maybe I could manage working a couple shops to get back to being a full time tattooer.
It’s all I have ever done.

But I am too afraid to make the full jump back in at this time.
Still waiting to see if the economy fully implodes or starts onto something new and favorable for all of us.
Right now. Shit is scary for many folks I know. Myself included.

Thank you everyone who has given me the confidence to keep going and letting me do my ART.

It’s all I want to do to make a living.
It gives me a sense of purpose. And the satisfaction of constantly expanding my mind and heart.

Stop by TipTop Tattoo.
Come see the cool artwork on the walls. Pick some flash off the walls. Or bring your own ideas and we’ll make it happen.

Thank you. Mikki