Terin Dickerson, a tattoo artist known as J.D. at Cereal City Tattoo & Piercing, recently spent three days working on his sheet of Friday the 13th tattoos. This sheet included various designs from Star Trek and Star Wars, including his personal favorite BB-8, as well as miscellaneous iconography ranging from a cactus to flags from different countries. On Fridays the 13th, Cereal City Tattoo sees a significant increase in customers. On regular days, they receive between 10 and 15 customers, but on Friday the 13th, they serve over 200. During these events, they focus solely on the pre-designed tattoos drawn up specifically for the occasion. Hannah Correa, an apprentice piercer at Cereal City Tattoo, states that these events bring new customers who appreciate their tattoos and not just their lower prices.
Friday the 13th events have become a cultural phenomenon in the tattoo industry, attracting many tattoo shops worldwide. Cereal City Tattoo is one such establishment that participates in these events. Tracy Smith, one of the owners, says they enjoy being part of the larger tattoo community and engaging with other artists and shops. The Smiths opened their tattoo parlor in November 2015 and held their first Friday the 13th event the following May.
Tracy Smith loves painting and art, and this passion seamlessly translates into her tattooing. She finds joy in seeing clients fall in love with her work and get excited about their new tattoos, something she experiences numerous times a day. On Friday the 13th events, this joy multiplies exponentially, due in part to the $31 pre-designed tattoos they offer.
However, these events can be overwhelming. During an October event, one customer fainted in front of a crowd of approximately 30 people waiting for their turn at the tattoo specials. Fortunately, the situation was quickly resolved, and the friendly atmosphere in the shop returned. Tom Smith, the other owner of Cereal City Tattoo, mentions that they now keep glucose tablets in the store to ensure such incidents are handled calmly.
Cereal City Tattoo aims to create a relaxed and welcoming environment, working to eliminate the stigma often associated with tattoo shops. The shop has also organized similar events on holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and is considering hosting themed days such as a Harry Potter event. By finding different ways to engage people and create new experiences, Tom Smith believes they can dispel the intimidation that some people feel when walking into a tattoo shop.
To make the tattoo process more enjoyable for potential customers, Cereal City Tattoo has come up with various gimmicks. For instance, they have a capsule vending machine near the main counter, offering tattoos worth $100 or more. Customers pay $50 to receive a capsule containing a completely random tattoo design. While getting the tattoo is not mandatory, Tracy Smith mentions that customers who have tried it were pleased with the designs they received.
Participating in events like these allows the tattoo artists at Cereal City Tattoo to showcase their style and creativity. Tom Smith explains that while a name is not sufficient to express an artist’s talent, events like these provide an opportunity for them to exhibit their unique style and attract new clients. Morgan Moore, who has attended Friday the 13th events at various stores, praises the variety and superior quality of Cereal City Tattoo’s work. Moore appreciates the opportunity to choose from a range of tattoos rather than having to create her own design.
Anastasia Lambert was the first customer in line at Cereal City Tattoo, arriving an hour before the shop opened. She mentions that the event brings the community together in a social manner. Cereal City Tattoo often gains a few new regular customers from these events, as people get a chance to become acquainted with the artists and feel comfortable in the shop.
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Conclusion
Cereal City Tattoo & Piercing, located in Battle Creek, Michigan, is a tattoo shop that actively participates in Friday the 13th events, offering pre-designed tattoos at affordable prices. These events have become a cultural phenomenon within the tattoo industry, attracting a large number of customers. The owners, Tracy and Tom Smith, strive to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere in their shop, dispelling the intimidation often associated with tattoo studios. They also provide unique experiences for potential customers, such as a capsule vending machine containing random tattoo designs. By participating in such events, the talented tattoo artists at Cereal City Tattoo can showcase their artistic styles and attract a broad range of clients.
For more information about Cereal City Tattoo & Piercing and their events, visit the TKTX Numbing Cream Store.
Contact Natasha Blakely at (269) 223-0114 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @blakelynat.
