Wow..Covid aside posting here really got away from us. It is pretty amazing that we have been doing this for over 15 years and such a bummer that our big 1-5 happened during lockdown. In any case, you guys (our clients) have been incredibly supportive and have kept us going strong for a decade and a half. Sincerely, thank you.

If you haven't been to the shop recently, we have totally reno'd our piercing room (now there are 2!) Come check it out.

Finally, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and a Happy Festivus for the Rest of us. Love GR.

AUGUST 5th - 2018
Join the Gypsy Rose Tattoo and Piercing family for a fun filled charitable day! As in years past, we will offer pre-drawn tattoo designs as well as a set list of standard piercings (including jewelry) for $50 (tattoos) and $20 (piercings) and 15 non-perishable food/personal care items. All items donated and 100% of funds raised will be donated directly to the Veterans Food Bank of Calgary. Designs will be posted on our social media pages in the weeks leading up to the event.
 
It is in-excusable that in a country where so much food goes to waste, people in our own backyard go to bed hungry and without the basic comforts we take for granted. For some Canadian vets, a difficult return from duty combined with a struggling local economy has proven too much to overcome. It is our simple goal to help make life better for these people.
 
We hope to be able to do 80-100 tattoos and as many piercings as humanly possible! We will do our best to work through as many pieces as we can. That said, your help with this cause is desperately needed, so we ask that even if we aren't able to tattoo or pierce you, please still consider donating anything you can to help. 
 
How it works:

• Line up early! Knowing what design you like ahead of time will speed things up 😉
• We will post the sheets and designs available in the weeks closer to the event date
• The list of available piercings will be posted in the weeks closer the the event date
• We will take 6 people into the studio at a time. You will select your design, present your ID, fill out a waiver, pay and give your donations.
• You will get a bracelet and an aftercare sheet.
• Sit back and wait to get tattooed/pierced!
• Pat yourself on the back..you did something nice! Tag us on IG @gypsyrosetattoo/#50dollartattooday

 
The Rules:

• One tattoo OR one piercing per person
• There can be no changes to the design/size. Only color can be altered.
• No custom designs
• You must meet Gypsy Rose age and ID requirements

As with real estate, same with tattooing… LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.
You’re about to spend some of your hard earned money to beautify your meat suit. We want to ensure you’re going to get the best result and most bang for your buck. So, when you’re thinking about a new tattoo, or even your first one, please keep these images and suggestions in mind.
In most cases, finger tattoos will wind up fading within 6-8 months.
Foot/Toe tattoos are more vulnerable to infection, than any other part of the body.
Yes, it’s going to hurt

• There’s not a lot of fleshy bits on the feet and hands, this not only changes the way the ink deposits, but also the amount of sensation you’ll experience.

It will not last

• The skin on your fingers/hands/feet/toes take tattoo ink differently than other commonly tattooed parts of your body. Think about all the things you do with your fingers/hands/feet/toes  - the frequency of washing your hands, shoes, socks, the nature of the skin—which is as thick as all of your skin but not backed by much fat and has a lot of movement over the joints, and for those of us that wear jewelry, those pieces can rub and create an extra complication for the healing of these tattoos.

Not the location for perfection

• The hand/foot tattoo may not be the right place to put that elaborate design you've been dreaming of. Because of the inconsistent nature of hand/foot skin we notice that black ink doesn't always stay black, colors aren't always as bright, and lines tend to not be as crisp (long term).

Tattoos are commitment

• If you want your hand/finger tattoo to look good in the long run, you need to get it touched up regularly. This could be a month after you initially get it, or yearly or every 6 months, you’ll know based on how you want it to look. Many shops will offer your first touch up as a complimentary service, but that will not cover any subsequent (this can be annually or more frequently) visits for upkeep.

The one ring…

• Traditional diamond rings are so 2017, we totally get why you want to get a personalized image/tribute.  The most successful ring type tattoos are the simple styles that keep to the tops or sides of the finger. Diamond shapes, runes, initials, and dates are all examples of clean-lined tattoos that sit on the top of the finger.
• Bands that circle the finger have an abundance of problems. Often, when the band begins to heal, this means that the color doesn't stay and you end up with a patchy shadow of tattoo where your ring used to be.               

Prejudice

• There is still a large portion of our society that looks down on visible tattoos. Many employers will not even consider a potential employee (no matter how qualified) if they have tattoos that are not easily covered. If you have any doubt about whether your job will allow it, ask. Also, make sure that you are in a career which will allow it. It is one thing to have a job in a record store with a hand tattoo but if you want more eventually, think long and hard about it. While they are more common in more blue-collar jobs, most people would not want to see a hand tattoo on their surgeon, attorney or clergyman. If your future plans include a mainstream upscale career, they probably won’t include a hand tattoo.

The question of tattoo ink and veganism!

Here at Gypsy Rose Tattoo and Piercing, we’re very vegan friendly!  You’re making an ethical and informed choice about the inks used in your newest piece of art, and we want to set your mind at ease!

Don't worry, little vegans. Gypsy Rose Artists (primarily) use the World Famous line of Vegan Inks, Killer Silver Line, and Kuro Sumi Tattoo Ink as well. There are incidence of inks containing non-vegan additives in the shop, and if you prefer only vegan ink being used, please talk with your artist and they will ensure your wishes are followed.
 
You can read more about the tattoo inks that we have at the shop, here:
WORLD FAMOUS - TATTOO INK
KILLER SILVER - TATTOO INK 
KURO SUMI - TATTOO INK

Pregnancy is a time where one should be taking care of mom (and baby) first, which means getting a tattoo or piercing while pregnant isn’t the best idea. Expecting moms already have compromised immune systems, which makes modifications during pregnancy a no-go.

If a shop is readily willing to tattoo or pierce an expecting mom, they aren’t acting reputably, which is a risk that shouldn’t be taken. Any open wound is a risk to a pregnant woman, so why would someone want to expose a soon to be mother to any additional risks or stress?

​Allowing yourself to recover fully from pregnancy will mean your body is better able to heal from the tattoo or piercing, which means better results that are worth the wait. It is advisable to refrain from undergoing any and all body art procedures during a pregnancy, even just an ear lobe stretch. It is best to let your body focus on the important, complex and demanding task that it is handling already.

Respectfully, please wait. There are several concerns about tattoos and piercings, so it's probably best to wait until after delivery and weaning to get either pierced or tattooed. Here are some things to consider:

• Many diseases can be passed along through bodily fluids. This means you can be vulnerable to these diseases if you get a tattoo or piercing from someone who uses improperly sterilized equipment. It's possible for you to pass these diseases along to your baby while you're pregnant. Always feel welcome to ask any questions about shop sterilization procedures, the staff should be able to comfortably answer any and all questions to your satisfaction. All of the Gypsy Rose Pathogen testing and Alberta Health Services Information is displayed at our front counter and we're happy to answer any questions you might have.
• Most anesthesiologists will administer an epidural if you have a tattoo on your lower back, but they may decide not to if the tattoo is recent and still fresh. There's no clear evidence for or against giving epidurals near tattoos. If you do have a tattoo on your back and are considering having an epidural for pain relief during childbirth, find out what the hospital's policy is when you are creating your birth plan.
• Because of skin changes during pregnancy, a tattoo that you get while you're pregnant might not look the same after you deliver your baby.

One thing we know, it's that when once the summer sun comes out, your tattoo could be in for a beating. 

We wanted to just give everyone a friendly reminder this summer to take care of your tattoos by using proper protection. As we all know, sun and water exposure is dangerous as it is, let alone to the beautiful piece your artist created, and your body has spent healing from the process. 

We suggest you cover up as much as you can to keep your tattoo from fading. Or, at the very least, make sure you are wearing sunscreen of SPF 60, on any exposed tattoos.  Also, be mindful of entering water with a fresh tattoo or piercing. We have explained the reasons behind not soaking or submerging a fresh tattoo in water- of any kind! Your tattoo is an open wound. You must protect it from the elements while it is healing. Water can inhibit the healing process and cause a faded, poorly healed tattoo. We have seen it too often and are familiar with the outcome. 

Protecting your tattoo or piercing is not only for the sake of your  investment , it is for your health. 

Remember to read your aftercare forms thoroughly, and if you have any questions regarding your tattoo or piercing, please feel free to contact us with your inquiries.

Have an awesome and safe summer!

Thanks!

​- GR

Gypsy Rose is up and running after moving a few walls around, and a fresh coat of paint. 
​
Thank you for all your patience while our doors were closed.
We are back to regular Gypsy Rose hours. 
Look forward to seeing you!