麻豆视频

Crystal Begin has always had a knack for art. Over the years her love developed of both art and animals, which originally led her into wood burning but has since developed a new love, tattooing.

For the past year Crystal has been working as a tattoo artist out of Stoughton, SK, and has recently relocated from 227 Main St. to 309 Main St., a building which used to house Crystal's pet store.

"I used to wood burn plaques and send them all over the world," Crystal explained. "I've done one for Kat Von D, Kevin Smith, Shannon Tweed and Gene Simmons, she even tweeted the plaque I made after she donated $10,000 to the Saskatoon SPCA because my friend works there and wanted to give her something to say thank you and she just loved it."

Her love for art was then encouraged by her sister and Crystal's husband who both told her to start pursuing tattooing.

This led Crystal to Fort Myers, Florida. Here she would attend the Tattoo Learning Centre and find instruction from well known tattoo artist Caleb Morgan.

"I know all tattoo artists hate the words 'tattoo school,'" Crystal explained, but further stated that she just didn't have the time to put into learning from a studio where starting means sweeping floors.

So, how did the pet store owner transform herself into a tattoo artist?

"The pet store was really never a full time thing of mine, I was supposed to get the pet store started because my daughter graduated from high school with all honours, but didn't want to go to college so I thought I'll start it for her because she loves animals too and just kind of hand it over to her but she eventually didn't want to do the pet store anymore" Crystal explained. "When I was doing the pet store I didn't really have time for that [art] anymore."

Following her stint in Florida, Crystal came back to begin tattooing and has been going strong for the last year only recently moving into 309 Main St. having converted the pet store into a tattoo studio, though they do still sell fish out of the front where a small boutique is also set up.

"I'm doing something I love, it's more laid back, and I don't have to lug dog food anymore for $2 a bag," Crystal stated.

"My big goal, I just want to keep the tattoos to one or two a day, I don't want to end up hating it. It's just a love of the art and a hobby, I want the retail to really take off so it pays for the business and I get to do what I love back here."

The two tattoo stations in the back room, which Crystal and her "right-hand woman" Sarah Dixon-Wright, Crystal's apprentice, work out of are sterile and exceed regular standards upon health inspections.

"We also invest in quality inks, equipment and furniture, to ensure our customers safety and comfort," Crystal stated.

Knowing that tattoos are a life-long commitment Crystal and Sarah take their time in ensuring the drawing is just right before starting and take their time during the process.

"[I]t's stressful on the mind because you're putting something permanent on somebody right, you don't want to screw it up. Especially when you're doing lettering and you're dealing with a twitchy leg or a twitchy back, it's stressful because if you screw up people don't take into account that there was a twitch there so you've got to make sure you're on your game all the time."

Honesty in their work is also something they are continually aware of as they post every piece to their Facebook, Vivid Crystal Studio, to ensure people know what they're getting when going to them.

"I think the big thing is that with us, everything we do we put it on the page, where as a lot of artists they pick and choose what they put on the page," Crystal explained. "I believe you know what is going on your skin, this is what we do, take it or leave it. You either like our work or you don't. I'm not going to pick my favourite pieces as the best pieces and put them up because what happens when an artist has a really, really good day and knocks out a beautiful piece? But not all their pieces turn out like that, so I just believe in laying it all out for people to decide."

Ultimately the feedback from the community and as far away as Edmonton has been positive.

"I find a lot of people like us because one we're female tattoo artists and two we're low key, just relaxed, I'm not in a rush that way I can spend my time with the client," Crystal stated. "I only charge once you get in that chair but if it takes an hour before you get in that chair to get that piece perfect we're going to do it."

Though this time before the tattoo is essential, Crystal also emails clients continuously before they even have to step into the studio.

"A lot is done over the internet," Crystal said. "Say you have an idea [but it needs to be clarified] because your idea and my idea might be two completely different things. If you can draw me a picture, it can be stick figures, but if you can draw something or can find ideas off the internet, even if it's 100 ideas, send them to me and then that way I know where you're coming from and I can do the piece that way. Then it also saves people the trip."

Crystal's son, Mikey, though he works in sand blasting, helps around the shop in varying capacities, which Crystal and Sarah are thankful for.

Vivid Crystal Tattoo Studio and Shoppe is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and can be contacted by calling (306)457-2442 or emailing them at [email protected].