Local News
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Ink dries on plan to open tattoo shopStaff Writer
Machinist turned tattoo artist.
That’s how needlemaster Robert Frary describes his passion for tattooing evolving into a budding career.
Having dabbled in alternative artform for approximately 13 years and after finishing his apprenticeship at Cameran’s Elite Ink in Findlay, Frary is now branching out on his own and has set up shop at 134 E. Tiffin St.
Side Show Ink opened its doors Monday and Frary, a Fostoria resident, has big plans for the little shop.
He said he found inspiration for his aesthetic while learning the trade at Cameran’s, which emanates in his work he describes as realistic and life-like.
“Working for Cameran’s opened my eyes to realism, instead of simple, dorky tattoos,” he said. “I enjoy the art in tattooing, and this is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while.”
While adorning skin with his artwork is what he feels he was meant to do in life, and he himself wears a plethora of tattoos on his forearms, he doesn’t take the decision of getting a tattoo lightly.
He said he feels every tattoo should be meaningful to the person and decided upon before arriving at the shop.
“I don’t like when people come up to get a tattoo and say they don’t know what they want — that’s going to be the worst tattoo you could ever get,” said Frary.
Opening the shop wasn’t an on-the-whim decision either, as Frary had to obtain several health, safety and environmental certifications to even flip the open sign on his door.
Among the hoops he had to jump through was getting certified by the health department in blood-borne pathogens and CPR, building and fire code inspections, final approval from the health department and approval from the EPA concerning proper disposal of needles.
The shop must also follow strict guidelines for tattooing minors, something Frary said he completely supports.
“The way I see it is I have kids at home and they all have the same opportunities as everyone else,” he said. “I wouldn’t want them to have something on them for life if they’re not mature enough to think it through.”
His policy is that minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and, even then, that wouldn’t guarantee they could get ink.
Frary said he maintains the right to refuse a tattoo to a teen he feels isn’t mature enough to make the decision responsibly, a distinction he would make after meeting them.
“If someone brings in their 14-year-old kid, I’m not going to shoot (tattoo) them,” he said. “I’ll possibly do 16-17 year olds, but it depends on the maturity of the kid when I meet them.”
While the economy is faltering, Frary feels confident enough in the demand for tattoos to turn these potential customers away.
“Tattoos have been around for a million years and aren’t going anywhere,” he said. “There’s still a pretty good demand for them.”
Pricing for tattoos at the shop varies, depending on the amount of ink and man hours required, but they start at a base price of $25.
While the shop accepts appointments during its Monday through Saturday noon to 10 p.m. hours, walk-ins are always welcome. Photo ID is required for any tattoos as dictated by state law.
For more information on pricing or appointments, call Side Show Ink at 567-220-9515.
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Ph: (419) 435-6641 • Fax: (419) 435-9073
113 E. Center St. • P.O. Box 947
Fostoria, OH 44830
The Findlay Publishing Company
P.O. Box 609
Findlay, OH 45839-0609
Phone: (419) 422-5151
www.findlaypublishing.com
Please read our privacy guidelines
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