Guest Artist, Josh Goor

For the month of June we welcome local artist, Josh Goor.  Josh has worked as a tattooer in Missouri and Illinois since 2007.  To see more of his work, or to contact him visit his instagram.

Guest Piercer, Cat

---

We are excited to welcome Cat Zapata from LA Tattoo to our shop this month!  Cat will be visiting us until May 13th, so please stop by the shop and get that piercing you have been wanting before she leaves!  As a thank you for your patronage, we'd love to offer you $10 off your next piercing!

---

Cat will be in the shop offering full service piercings
Tuesday thru Saturday 5/3 to 5/13.
Just mention this offer to get $10 off a piercing
Walk-ins Welcome!

Riverfront Times Cover!

RFT Nov 2016 Issue 

I am honored to have been featured in one of St. Louis's most widely distributed magazines this month!  I am grateful to have so much support and recognition in Saint Louis and was featured along side some of the best artists in the area. There are so many more talented folks in town that deserve to be recognized as well!  You can read the article here.  Thank you for the love and support Saint Louis and RFT <3

-Chelsea

How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Getting Your First Tattoo

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and book your first tattoo—congratulations! It’s an exciting moment, but before you dive in, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. Many first-time tattoo collectors make some common mistakes that could affect both their experience and the outcome of their tattoo. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s how to avoid those common errors and set yourself up for success.

Mistake #1: Thinking Smaller Tattoos Always Look Better

Is it an arrowhead?  An elephant? I bet she wants you to come over and get a good look at her body up close to figure it out!  (Not really.  Seriously.  Women do not want that.  Ever.)

Image Credit: http://www.allcooltattoos.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Small-Diamond-Back-Tattoo.jpg

"Small tattoos will look perfect on me!" This is one of the most common misconceptions. While small tattoos may seem like a good idea at first, they can lack the visual impact you expect once they’ve healed.

Here’s why: tattoo size matters. Your skin is the largest organ on your body, and when you get a tiny tattoo, it can lose clarity and definition over time. Smaller tattoos are more prone to fading, blurring, and losing detail. That tiny micro tattoo you saw on Pinterest may look great up close, but once it's on your skin, it could appear more like a random dot or a mole to anyone more than two feet away. It’s important to choose a tattoo size that’s suited to your body and design for lasting results.

Just right!  One subject, one area of the body, and a few supporting elements.

Image Credit: www.TeresaSharpeArt.com

Mistake #2: Trying to Fit Too Many Ideas Into One Tattoo

“I want to include all of these meaningful ideas into my one tattoo!” While it’s understandable to want to honor multiple aspects of your life, cramming too many elements into a single tattoo often leads to crowded designs that lose impact.

Here’s the problem: The more subjects you include in your tattoo, the smaller each element has to be to fit within the space you want. When the design gets too small, it can end up looking blurry or distorted once healed.

For larger pieces like sleeves, consider focusing on one main subject and a few supporting elements. A sleeve tattoo with 10 characters, symbols, or meanings will just look overstuffed and lose the beauty of each individual element. Instead, try creating several tattoos to express different ideas, and let each one breathe. For example, a large, detailed image taking up half your arm will look more impressive than a tattoo crammed with too many symbols.

Mistake #3: Choosing the Wrong Placement for Your Tattoo

Tattoo placement can make or break the design. While it’s tempting to get a tattoo on a unique or unexpected spot, some areas of the body just aren’t ideal for tattoos, especially for first-timers.

Image Credit: http://www.flaxrootstattoo.co.nz/blog-is-your-friend/tattoos-on-fingers-into-the-nitty-gritty

The most common mistake is choosing areas like fingers, toes, or the side of your foot. These areas don’t hold pigment well because the skin is tougher and denser, which makes it harder for the tattoo to heal properly. While your tattoo may look cute when it's fresh, the healing process often causes ink to fade or blur.

If you’re not sure where to place your tattoo, consult with your artist. They’ll help you find the best location that works for your design and your body.

Mistake #4: Expecting the Tattoo to Look Exactly Like the Picture

It’s easy to get attached to a tattoo design from a picture you saw online or in a portfolio. However, it's essential to understand that your tattoo may need to be adjusted to suit your unique body, the tattoo's location, and your artist's style.

Tattoo artists will often make slight adjustments to ensure the design fits perfectly on your body. The angle, size, and flow of the tattoo are all important factors in ensuring it looks great once it’s inked. Don’t expect your tattoo to look exactly like a flat, digital image. Be open to your artist’s suggestions to ensure it will look amazing in real life.

Mistake #5: Ignoring the Tattoo Aftercare Process

Tattoo aftercare is just as important as the tattoo itself. Many first-timers overlook the importance of proper healing, which can lead to faded ink, infections, or an uneven tattoo.

Your artist will give you aftercare instructions, which typically include cleaning the tattoo, moisturizing, and protecting it from the sun and water for a few weeks. Following these instructions carefully will ensure that your tattoo heals well and stays vibrant. Remember, healing takes time, and how you care for your tattoo in the first few weeks will affect how it looks in the years to come.

Be Prepared and Enjoy the Process

Getting your first tattoo is an exciting experience, but preparation is key to ensuring the process goes smoothly and your tattoo looks amazing for years to come. By avoiding these common mistakes—like underestimating tattoo size, ignoring proper placement, or overlooking aftercare—you can set yourself up for success.

Remember, your tattoo should be a reflection of your personality and style, and with the right planning and advice, you'll walk away with a beautiful piece of art that you're proud to wear. Don’t hesitate to ask your artist questions and be open to their expert advice—they’re there to help bring your vision to life!

Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment with one of our talented artists and start your tattoo journey today.

-Aaron Wall has joined your party! Jake Bailey has left your party-

Jake Bailey has relocated to Three Fates Tattoo in Pensacola, Florida, but we look forward to welcoming him back for guest spots. We will let everyone know when we have official dates for his guest spots.

In other news, Aaron Wall has joined our team! Aaron has come to work this side of the river from Alton, Illinois. He formerly worked at Body Treasures. He enjoys doing larger scale pieces, so he's ready for your full back piece or leg sleeves. His work is now viewable here, on our Facebook, or on Instagram. If you are a Snapchat user, add him at awall217. He posts a lot of behind the scenes photos and videos. His Snapchat friends also get first dibs on unclaimed designs and open spots.

Jessie Langs is going to be starting to offer tattoos at the apprentice rate ($30/hr)! More information will be posted soon, but you are welcome to request an appointment in the mean time via our Appointment page.

Win a FREE tattoo fade!

Have a tattoo you really want covered, but it needs some fading first?
Invisible Ink Tattoo Remove is currently running a contest to win a free tattoo fade (not complete removal)! Simply follow the instructions on their attached advertisement to enter. Winner will be chose on July 2nd!

Earth Alchemy Tattoo is not affiliated with Invisible Ink and have no bearing on the contest. 

River Front Times feature & the hunt for a new team member.

The River Front Times recently featured several of our resident artists in their article 10 St. Louis Tattoo Artists You Should Be Following on Instagram. We are very grateful for the support of the St. Louis community!

We are looking for a new team member!

If you are interested, click HERE for our submission form. 

Artist Spotlight: Valencia, Cammeron, and Susie

We are excited to welcome Valencia Miller and Cammeron Donnelly to Earth Alchemy Tattoo!

Valencia Miller is a fine artist and tattooist that formerly owned and operated The Ink Gallery in St. Louis and has traveled the United States tattooing at both shops and conventions. Her favorite subject matter to tattoo is black and grey portraits. She has taken off running at our shop, starting out with portraits of Edgar Allen Poe and Albert Einstein.

Cammeron Donnelly is a strong traditional artist with his own flair. He enjoys traveling and has done guest spots and conventions around the world. He previously tattooed in Seattle and New Orleans before moving to St. Louis two years ago. 

We are also please to share that Susie Balloni has finished her apprenticeship and is now an officially licensed artist! She will running a special soon, so stay tuned for some fun designs! 

To schedule an appointment with any of our artists, you can contact us online or by phone at (314)899-0891.

We have done some major remodeling on the website and have some handy new features and some lovely new photos by Virginia Harold Photography. You can now pay deposits on the site (after you talk to your artist, of course). It is also easier to find past blog entries, which will be a good thing after some of our new blogs roll out. We are working on subjects such as "Preparing for your Consultation" that will address a lot of the questions we get on a daily basis.

Until next time,

Jessie.