Wonderland Tattoo

Why do we do it!?

2012-02-03T13:33:00.000-06:00

That is a great question, "why do we do it?". Tattoo that is, what really do we as Tattoo Artists get out of it?
I won't presume to know what others get out of it, Fame? Money? Maybe even to be "Cool"? Ha ha ha!

I know that Tracey and I do it because we love it, and I mean truly love it. Sure we both have our days where we don't want to be at work, but it's not because of the tattooing, it's usually because of the weather on a Saturday is so darned nice. Or maybe we just need a break from work. So what do we do.... We take it sometimes, or we just rock it out old school and stay at work and make the best of it.

I have had so many people tell me "I want to do tattoo's". I always ask why, and I get the usual answers.
"Because it's cool"
"You get to see boobs" (Trust me after a 1000 boobs they all look the same)
"Or the DOOOOOODE, look at all the hot chicks that come in here"
"I bet you make a lot of money" (Yep that is why I'm at work every day)

If you ask me ALL of those reasons are not why I Tattoo at all. If they were I would not have been doing for so long. It's love... Love for the work, the people that come through the door. All the laughter that happens. There have been times that we get so wrapped up in our work and with our customers that it is just a big laugh fest. People we don't even know become our friends, and laugh, and tell great stories of our lives.

That is why we do it, for the people really, to see a person get emotional about a tattoo that was done to remember a loved one, or to celebrate the joy of a new child in the family. To see a family come in and get matching tattoo's, mother and daughter, or father and son. And we all share a ton of laughs, some times some sorrow too. But in the end it is love for the work, we try and treat every one like they are our friends.... because they are really.

Some of our customers we see every week, some we only see once a month or even year and we usually pick up right where we left off. And on that rare occasion that we only see them one, we always hope that they left with a smile and a great experience. Because at least we owe it to our customers to have a great time, if only for an hour.

Rob, Artist and Owner at Wonderland Tattoo

2011-09-09T08:21:00.009-05:00

WT: So tell every one about yourself?

ROB: I have been tattooing since about 1986, and have been at Wonderland since the day it opened. So that has been about 20 some years now that I have been tattooing here at Wonderland.

WT: What has been your motivating point in staying at Wonderland?

ROB: Well I own Wonderland now so that it quite motivating, ha ha ha. Seriously When David asked me to work for him 20 some years ago I just could not refuse. The shop had a great vibe and we have always tried to be a bit more upscale. I know that sounds weird but it is true. We have always catered to a more family friendly environment.

WT: How so, it seems odd to hear "family friendly" and Tattoo's together?

ROB: Well for one we really do welcome children in the studio. We Have a TV and if parents have to bring their children they can, and we will ask the child if they want to watch a movie or play a game. It keeps the children occupied so they don't bug their parents all the time. It can get a little boring for children just watching their parents get tattooed you know.

WT: When did you buy Wonderland Tattoo, and why did you buy it. I'm sure you could have gone and worked some place else?

ROB: Well to be honest I almost was about to go work at a different studio, but... I was offered a good deal and I have a responsibility to all of our customers who supported us through out the years, and to the people that work here too. Sure it would have been easier and cheaper to just go work at a different studio, but I owe it to our loyal customers to keep Wonderland open. Add to the fact that I have been here for so long it would have been sad to see the ole girl go. You could say I'm married to the place really.

WT: So I take it you like coming to work?

ROB: Oh yes, like is not really a word that describes it enough. I enjoy it, I live for it. I have such a great time being here and thinking of all the things that I can do for the customers to make their experience here a great one. And I have developed a great working relationship with our customers as well. I know their families, what they do for work, we talk about their vacations. It's more like we are all family here.

WT: What kinds of tattooing do you like to do the most?

ROB: That is such a hard question to answer. I like to do it all really, well except for portraits. They freak me out a bit really. But luckily I have Tracey here to do those, she is awesome at them, so I Just let her do them.

WT: Where do you see Wonderland in the future?

ROB: Well I hope that we will always be here to take care of our customers needs. I only want to make Wonderland a fun place to get tattooed or pierced for every one who walks through the door. When a customer walks in we like to make them feel at home like we are all family.

WT: Well on that note Rob, thank you for taking the time to let everyone know how you feel.

TRACEY

2011-07-02T18:15:00.002-05:00

Tracey Has been with Wonderland Tattoo for 10 years now. She just has what it takes to be a great tattoo artist. Her range of tattoo ability is stunning and has been an asset to Wonderland since she started so long ago.

WT: Why did you want to be a Tattoo Artist?

Tracey: I tried to explore different avenues with my art, but I have always wanted to try tattooing. I really liked having tattoo's so why not apply my desire to create, in a permanent way.

WT: Why did you want to work here at Wonderland?

Tracey: I had friends that had been to Wonderland. I admired their tattoo's for the quality of the work. I got my first tattoo from an apprentice at another studio and well lets just say it was not great. I went to Wonderland to have that first tattoo fixed and to have a second applied. I was surprised by the difference, and decided then that if I wanted to start to tattoo for a living I had to do it here at wonderland.

WT: who did your first tattoo at wonderland?

Tracey: Robert did my first tattoo. He was a little gruff with me but we had fun. I thought he would be a good teacher.

WT: What do you want to accomplish with you tattooing.

Tracey: Well..hmmm.... I wish to make peoples ideas of tattoos to be positive, I want all of my clients to be happy when they leave with their new art work.

WT: Thank you for taking a few minutes out of you busy day for your customers.

To see Tracey's work... Tattoo's By Tracey

Cheap Tattoo's who wants them?

2011-06-01T18:48:00.001-05:00

So what do you get when you get a cheap tattoo? You get exactly that, A cheap ugly tattoo. We cover up or fix a lot of those kinds of tattoo's. Basement tattooers (I won't even call them artist's) are systematically ruining our business. They tattoo at parties and generally screw peoples skin all up with nasty tattoo's.

So when you want to get a new tattoo, get it done in a shop that has a good reputation. Like Ours.

So lets talk Tattoos

2011-05-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

Often we all think, "What should I get for my next, or even first Tattoo," "where should I put it?" Often I have customers ask me what they think would look nice, or if I have any ideas as to what they should get. I always tell every one that a Tattoo is a personal choice and that it should be thought about before any decision is made.

Yes we all know some one who got a Tattoo on a whim, we also know how it turned out as well... Ha ha ha, I fix a lot of those. So the next time you decide that you want a Tattoo, think long and hard as to what it will be, and who will do it for you. Ask your friends who have Tattoo's who they went to? Go in and check out the local shops, and don't be afraid to ask questions either. If an artist gets all cranky because you are asking too many questions, well that might not be the place to go. A good artist will be happy to assist you with any questions that you may have, and they should do so in a manner that is not imposing or threatening.

Take a good long look at their portfolio as well, not just the photos of the Tattoo's but the book it's self will tell you a lot about the artist or studio. Is the book all ragged? Are the photos blurry? Or, is the artist's portfolio really nice with clear photos. What if the artist has no portfolio? Well I will tell you that every Tattoo artist better have one, if they don't there is something wrong there.

Make sure you take a good look at the studio as well. Is it clean? If not well then I would go somewhere else, lived is is good but filthy is not. A true test is the bath room, dirty bath room.... well you get the picture.

Does the Tattoo Studio have a website? One of the first expenses to be cut is hosting service for a website when times are tough for some studios. A website is their online presence, it will have all the information that you will need to contact them, look at the artist's work, and generally let you know what you will need to have with you when you come in for you appointment if you have made one. Does the website look good? Or does it look like a buddy made it for them in their spare time? A studio website does not have to be all fancy with flash animation and all kinds of other distractions, but it should at least be professional in its appearance and easy to navigate as well. Facebook and Myspace are not a substitute for a professional looking website. Not to say that a Tattoo Studio should not have either of them, they should, it is a great way to stay in touch with customers and to let current customers as well as potential customers know what might be going on in the studio or point them to information that should be listed on the studio website.

How long have the Artists been tattooing, as well as the level of experience they have is subjective, I know some artist's that have been tattooing for 20 plus year and they suck, and then I know some who are just natural artist's and have become world class Tattoo Artist's in 5 years. I will say that the amount of years a Studio has been around is important, for the simple reason that longevity of the business is a good sign of a good Studio owner.

Just remember that getting a great tattoo is a combination of decisions, think hard and long and make the right choice of artist and style that you want to have done and you usually won't go wrong.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW, AND BRING WITH YOU.

2011-05-24T08:52:00.001-05:00

Appointments:

If you would like to make an appointment, we will require that you come into the shop to do so. If you have your design please bring that in with you as well. All appointments will require a deposit to be made, and that deposit is generally half the total cost of the tattoo that you will be getting. The deposit will be applied to the final price for your tattoo.

If you will need to have custom work drawn up, a deposit is required as well. The deposit is half the total cost and will be applied to the final price of your tattoo.

Please also be aware that the time to have custom work drawn will vary due to the volume of work that we do do for our customers, sometimes we may be able to get you in on the day you come in, other times there may be a wait of up to several weeks for your design to get drawn.

If you have a design that you want done please feel free to email it to us @ wonderlandtattooinfo@gmail.com Please make sure that the size of the image is large enough to make out the detail of the design. Also please note that if your design is on your phone we may not be able to see all of the detail in the image, so please print out your design before you come in to see us.

Pre Procedure Client Notification

Body art involves the introduction of ink/dye/pigment into the skin or the puncturing of the skin to create an opening to insert jewelry. Body art should be considered permanent.
The removal of tattoos and permanent cosmetics requires a medical procedure that can be costly, may result in scarring and likely will not restore the skin to its original appearance.
Possible side effects of body art include:
· Hypertrophic (red, raised) scarring.
· Adverse reaction to ink/dye/pigment or jewelry.
· Change in color of ink/dye/pigment over time.
· Decrease the ability of a physician to recognize skin melanoma in areas concealed by tattoos.
· Nerve damage.
· Receding gums or tooth enamel wear from oral piercings.
· Torn tissue or keloid (over growth or tissue) formation.

Complaints regarding non-compliance with applicable state and local regulations as they pertain to body art facilities can be made to the Macomb County Health Department.

IF YOUR CHILD IS UNDERAGE?

If you and your child have been thinking about getting a tattoo or piercing, remember that we will need either a drivers license or state identification card for both the parent and the child. If your child does not have a drivers license or state identification, a birth certificate will do also. Children under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by their parent and or legal guardian to be tattooed or pierced. If you have any further questions please feel free to call or e-mail us.

We will not tattoo or pierce any child under the age of 16.

Welcome to our new blog

2011-05-24T08:43:00.000-05:00

Since Wonderland Tattoo opened for business in 1989, we've gained a reputation as "THE" place to get unique, artistic body art in Metro Detroit. We have a wealth of experience in a vast variety of tattoos and body piercing that will play an important role in your tattoo experience. You'll be proud of our work for years to come. So if you're looking to get the exact tattoo that you want - look no further.

Hygiene and your safety are #1 when we create all tattoos in our shop. All of our tattoo artists have bloodborne pathogen as well as infection control, first aid and CPR training. Yearly medical checkups are also done for the artists, as is monthly third party spore testing of our autoclave, and all of our equipment is single use only, so you can rest assured that you are getting all the best care and safety that's available from us.

View our artists profiles to see examples of our work or to get tattoo ideas.

We're conveniently open 7 days a week, 1pm to 9 pm Monday to Saturday, 1pm to 7pm on Sunday, so come on by and consult with one of our tattoo professionals.Here's where our tattoo shop is located on a map. We'll be glad to see you, and are honored that you considered us.

Schedule a tattoo appointment or consultation with one of our artists today.

WONDERLAND TATTOO
23531 Little Mack
St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080

586-774-8288