Michiana Tattoo Shops Are ‘Non-Stop-Busy’
Isabella Volmert
South Bend Tribune
SOUTH BEND – The tattoo industry’s busiest time of the year is always spring when customers have extra cash from tax refunds. But this year, owners of tattoo studios in the South Bend area say they’re swamped continuing into summer.
“Right now we are averaging a month to two out,” 3 Shades of Black Tattoo Studio of Niles manager Sara Frushour said of the time it takes to get an appointment.
In fact, many area tattoo businesses have been slammed with business ever since they were able to reopen last summer after pandemic closures. Contributing factors include a backlog of appointments and clients being flush with stimulus money and extra cash from canceled plans. Plus, the coronavirus vaccine is now widely available and customers’ have a desire to express themselves in ink after being isolated for a year.
It all adds up to booming business for the industry.
Normally, Eric Wiesinger, owner of Bicycle Tattoo and Piercing in South Bend, can see his clients within a few weeks of booking. Now, he’s scheduled out until October.
“It’s been pretty much non-stop-busy since we opened up last year,” he said.
As they head back to tattoo shops, many people now want to be inked with the designs they thought about during the pandemic.
But the owner of The Body Art Gallery in Mishawaka, Haley Korpal, said her clients are putting little planning into tattoos and are getting inked for the sake of participating in an activity since many other forms of entertainment were closed for the past year.
“I hired a new artist and I had to hire two new secretaries,” Korpal said.
“Tattoos and piercings are a feel-good service,” she said. “People (say), ‘I need to feel good right now.’”
Ink inspired by the pandemic
Memorial tattoos, such as a handwritten line from an old birthday card, the image of a cardinal, or the signature of a loved one, have been some of the most popular designs at 3 Shades of Black since last June.
“A lot of people have lost loved ones over the past year,” Frushour said, and want to ink themselves in remembrance.
Everyone who comes into the shop and planned their tattoo during the pandemic is excited to share their stories Frushour said.
For some clients in the studios, it’s their first time. For others, they are finishing or starting big projects, such as full sleeves and back designs now that it’s safer to be in close proximity to the tattoo artist.
Current popular tattoo styles include red ink, designs such as flowers, dragons and butterflies made entirely of red, and black-out designs in which people cover large portions of their bodies with solid black ink.
Additionally, handwriting tattoos have become increasingly popular. Many customers commission them in memorial of a loved one, an act of remembrance that has become common in the past year.
Frushour’s husband and fellow manager John “Harm” Harman said it’s an honor to be able to help customers immortalize the memory of their loved ones. Harman is the lead artist at the shop and works closely with each of the customers to finalize and design their tattoos.
“It’s very draining in the moment, but it’s very rewarding in the end,” he said about the actual moment of tattooing a memorial design. “You can see instant release and happiness.”
Callan Okrzesik, 22, of Granger, got her third tattoo at 3 Shades of Black Wednesday. Her new ink is a quote from Selena Gomez that runs down her spine in cursive writing.
“I have money now,” she said. “I’m going to get a tattoo!”
Her other tattoos include a Celtic knot and heart, to represent her adoption, and an infinity sign with a halo and three hearts on her bicep, which she got along with her dad.
“For every person and animal I’ve ever loved that has passed,” she said. “Their love is infinite.”
Across the studio, Granger native and recently turned 18-year old Vyctoria Nuseaum was getting a large graceful moth tattooed on her sternum. Nuseaum said the image resonated with her because she has found butterflies have traditionally been held above moths as the epitome of beauty in the insect world.
“I’ve never been that picture-perfect beauty,” she said. “Moths are beautiful in their own way.”
A national trend
The tattoo business is a $1.2 billion market in the U.S. and employs about 30,000 people, according to IBISWorld, an industry research organization. It’s expected to grow 6.6% in 2021. Approximately 46% of Americans have at least one tattoo.
The tattoo removal business, as well, has skyrocketed.
At The Body Art Gallery, Korpal and part-time tattoo artist Victoria Kelley run the Ink Project, a nonprofit that offers free tattoo cover-ups of racist, profane or gang-related tattoos. They also work with those looking to cover up self-harm scars or scars from medical procedures.
The two started the project in 2018, and partner with area organizations and agencies such as Goodwill and the South Bend Center for the Homeless to help people transition back into the community.
“There’s a real need for tattoo cover-ups (for people) who have gang-related, racist tattoos or self-harm scars that are making it hard to get a job,” Korpal said.
As far as the future goes, Korpal said she’s not sure when or if all virus restrictions will be lifted and the business will return to exactly what it looked like pre-pandemic. “We are just riding the wave,” she said.
Bicycle Tattoo and Piercing no longer accepts walk-ins, but the artists will post about cancellations and openings on their individual Instagram pages. The shop employs four artists and one piercer, most of whom are booked out until late September or October.
This article was made available through Hoosier State Press Association.