For the first time ever, I went to a tattoo convention! I went to Tattoo Tea Party in Manchester and it was fab! As soon as I knew Keely Rutherford of Jolie Rouge would be there, I knew I had to be there. We booked in advance, and got there a little early. Once we were let into EventCity it was really well organised and well run. I was booked in with Keely first thing, so I went straight on the hunt to find her!
Keely was sharing a booth with her lovely fella Jethro Wood, another super talented tattoo artist.
Opposite was Rizza Boo, an artist I'm a huge fan of so I couldn't resist sneaking over to her stall to have a peek. I want something from her so bad!
Keely is working on my leg, this adorable leopard print moth is the last large part of it, next up is background! The colours are inspired by True Romance, mine, Stu's, and Keely's fave film.
It is super hard to take a photo of your own leg! It's on my inner calf, so tricky to photograph without it looking distorted. I love it so much!
Next up we wandered around and I took some snaps of awesome stuff we found around the event.
Relics 'N' Rust
Mrs M Vintage
I loved that painting so much, it's beautiful.
Burning Sensations
Aurora Tattoo
Le Segaula Tatau
It was incredible to get to see an artist working in a traditional hand tapped tattoo method. Stu has always wanted a traditional hand poked or tapped tattoo.
Rusty Pistons
Oh that car. Now that is proper car porn. Nom. How amazing would it be to get to have a go in this?!
Dr Phantasma's Side Show
I only caught a brief glimpse of the show, wish we'd had time to see the whole thing!
I bumped into the lovely Melissa Hayward. I photographed her about 4 years ago so it was lovely to catch up. She is a real sweetie, and such a babe!
I also wanted to go over and say hey to Shelly D'Inferno. I've photographed her clothing range with Maja Stina and I love Shelly's modelling. She was at the convention with Pyrohex, the fire performing troupe she is in. The blue haired cutie is Katherine Suicide, and the red head is Cervena Fox.
I somehow ended up in a photo with Shelly, Cervena and Katherine. Do excuse how tired I look! I'd been up since 6:45 and had driven 2 and a half hours to get there, then spent 2 and a half hours in an awkward position getting tattooed.
Cranfield's Curiosity Cabinet
A booth full of incredible taxidermy and my personal favourites, moths and butterflies! I've always wanted some framed moths and butterflies, I was so tempted by their Oleander moth, because it's one of the ones I have tattooed on me, but I couldn't justify the pennies right now.
Handmade By Me
I was actually wearing one of HMBM's pieces without even realising it. The Star Trek insignia necklace Stu got me for Christmas was from them. It seemed appropriate to wear after hearing the heartbreaking news of Leonard Nimoy's passing.
The Painted Skull
Now this is the stall I was determined to find! I follow The Painted Skull on instagram and had fallen in love with their death head moth deer skulls, so took the opportunity to get one in person! I can't wait to mount it on our bedroom wall.
And of course, I had to visit the lovely folks from Loaded Forty-Four. I bought a moth print from Lawrence Canham, and creeped on the amazing work Hannah Von Farren was doing, a palm piece!
I couldn't resist sneaking back to see Keely and to take a few snaps of her working.
Me and my lovely Stu <3
It was an awesome day, and I hope to go again next year!
Much love,
Kitty xxxxx
ps. How adorable is this little guy?!
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