South Shields mum-of-three opens new tattoo studio on Fowler Street after career change
A South Shields mum is set to open her own tattoo studio on Fowler Street after securing an apprenticeship and retraining as a tattoo artist.
A mum from South Shields has embarked on opening her own tattoo studio in the town centre after being spurred on to start her own business on her 40th birthday.
Laura Black is the owner of Dead Happy Tattoo on Fowler Street in South Shields, due to open on Saturday, September 19.
The mum-of-three was a graphic designer but retrained as a tattoo artist after she secured an apprenticeship at the age of 33.
She then worked in another studio but after turning 40 in February this year decided to take the plunge and start hunting for her own studio space.
Laura said: “I had always been really arty. I did Fine Art, Graphics and Textiles at A-Level.
“I love being hands on and wanted less time at a computer.
“I think I didn’t have the confidence when I was younger.”
It was really important to her the studio, that also sells t-shirts and other merchandise, was located in her hometown.
“I’m really excited about South Shields.”
She said: “The town centre has gone downhill a bit really, but I’m really excited about South Shields.”
Laura said she aims to create a studio where “all are welcome” and specifically chose a ground floor space with wheelchair access because her daughter, aged nine, is a wheelchair user, so she understands how necessary accessible spaces are.
At the moment all of the team working at Dead Happy Studio are female and Laura said the industry used to be pretty male dominated.
A six-week transformation
She only got the keys on August 3 and worked tirelessly with her colleagues and mum to transform the studio, even taking the time to create a hand painted sign that took weeks.
Laura said: “I cut every single letter by hand. It was such a massive labour of love.”
A variety of artists will be working at the studio, each with their own styles, and there is a design studio in the back of the shop selling art work created by members of staff.
In the future ‘flash tattoo’ days will be held where customers can choose from a set of small designs for a cheaper price.
Laura said she likes “big, bold, colourful” tattoos but others on the team specialise in dainty fine line artwork.
The studio will be officially open for business on Saturday and Laura encourages anybody in the local area to pop in and have a look around.