SKINSCRIBE
December 2008
in this issue:
*NEW EDITOR: PEGGY SUCHER
*MIKE MARTIN: CHINA AND
HEALTH,
HAWAII PDTT
*ROB DAVIS: WHO’S IN CHARGE?
*KC BOARD MEETING MINUTES
*FROM THE HOME OFFICE:
*Pssst…did Ya Know this?
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SkinScribe is published by the Alliance of Professional
Tattooists, Inc. 9210 US Hwy 17-91 Maitland, FL 32751
Phone: 407.831.5549 Fax:
407.831.5543
www.safe-tattoos.com info@safe-tattoos.com
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT: Pat Sinatra 845.338.2828 NY
VICE
PRESIDENT: Jack Rudy 714.827.2071 CA
SEC/TREAS: Dave Bein 252.207.8288
DIRECTORS:
EDUCATION
COORDINATOR
Mike Martin 619.424.8983 CA
HOME OFFICE
Sailor Bill Johnson 407.831.5549 FL
NEWSLETTER
EDITOR
Peggy Sucher 808.924.7460 HI |
FROM
THE ROCK IN THE SEA…..
Peggy Sucher, Board Member, HAWAII
Aloha
everyone! The torch of SkinScribe
editor has been passed (or thrown?) from Pat Sinatra to me. I tried to duck but man, she is GOOD! Putting together a newsletter is not an
easy task and since Pat has many spoons in her soup of life I volunteered to
help her out.
I’ve done
many newsletters before and I have always been impressed with the professional
look and ‘feel’ of APT’s. It’s my goal
to keep it that way. One of the most
important factors is YOU. No one wants
to pick up SkinScribe and read my yada over and over…I will need YOUR
input. You don’t have to be a board
member, you don’t have to be a skilled writer…send me or call me with your
thoughts and contributions and we will work on it together!
My email is ladytattoo@hawaii.rr.com or you
can reach me at Skin Deep Tattoo Waikiki 808-924-7460. If I am not there leave a message…we have a
great staff of on the ball people! (Yep,
I feel really lucky to work with this team)
As you well
know we are behind in our newsletters so there is going to be a few catch-up’s
coming along. We have some great
articles from Mike Martin, Education Coordinator and all around great guy. Mike and Jack Rudy recently ventured to China
to catch the tattoo action there and what he witnessed was amazing—some good
things and some things that make ya go ‘dang!’ Be sure to catch his article and pictures in this edition. It’s a reminder to appreciate what we have, what we know and
how we practice it.
Mike also
wrote about the BBP seminar I gave here in Hawaii. We had a blast and my fellow tattooers here made me quite proud!
Rob Davis,
board member, sent an article reminding us to be proactive. If we don’t stay on top of our industry….who
will? Those that don’t know, and don’t
understand.
Ok, time to
run. Gotta get a few things gathered so
we can get this to the printer!
Aloha a hoi hou!
Peggy Sucher
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CHINA 2008
By; Mike Martin
APT Health and
Education Co-coordinator/APT PDTT Instructor
619-424-8983 fleshskingrafix@gmail.com
Last June I received
a call from the President of APT asking if I would be interested in going to
China with Jack Rudy. The purpose of the visit would be to check out the
upcoming tattoo convention and visit some tattoo shops while there. The
Chinese were interested in our feedback regarding how they work and in our
opinions as to how they can do things better.
We were hosted by Rick Li and
William Wong of a tattoo supplier (which I can't plug at this time). We went to
China with all expenses paid by these two gentlemen; they were great hosts and
did everything to make our stay one we will remember for a long time. We toured
the city of Beijing and stopped by 15 - 20 very small tattoo shops, some small
enough to be referred to as "stalls".
What I did notice aside from
the size of the work areas was the lack of awareness of safe tattooing
practices. I did not see any barrier protection being used, no sharps
containers, lap cloths, clip cord covers, bottle covers or bags on the
machines.
However, I did see cigarettes
dangling from the lips of the artists at work. It reminded me of “back in the
day", when we would set up a liner and shader for the entire shift. We had
a lot to learn back then but we were smart enough to get with it and put the
new requirements into use.
The art work and tattooing in China
was solid. Some of it was outstanding. I was extremely impressed with some of
the artist and their attitudes. We stopped by Assassin Tattoo and were very
surprised with the size of the shop and the modern work stations, complete with
dental chairs and good lighting. They even had a tea table set up in the
waiting area along with ample room for drawing and Internet-capable computers.
They had couple of apprentices and portfolios that contained good samples of
their work. As far as I could tell, the standards for safe tattooing were
followed throughout the shop.
The convention began the next day.
After a four hour drive we arrived at the convention center and the place was
packed. Jack and I were warned by our host that everything in China is a
knock-off or about ready to become one. He didn't want Jack to get upset when he saw his art reproduced and for
sale. Jack was a true professional and didn't get all nutty.
We
waited for the convention promoter (who is the president of the Chinese Tattoo
Association) to arrive at our vehicle with his security staff. They escorted us
into the convention hall where we hooked up with Paul Booth and Bob Tyrell for
quick hand shakes and then moved to the stage for the press conference. Jack is
the vice president of APT so he went first and addressed the importance of
promoting safe tattooing across our industry. I talked a bit about what APT
offers in the way of education specific to tattooing safely, and how we can
work together to improve conditions both in the United States and beyond. After the press conference we were taken to
our booth where Jack set up his t-shirts. We must have had our pictures taken
with over a hundred Chinese tattoo enthusiasts.
I noticed some things on the way to
our booth that got my attention and needed further investigation. Later, I made
my break and went on a fact finding mission; I was blown away by what I saw.
Tattoo equipment for everyone! There were at least 10 supply companies selling
to anyone who wanted to buy a tattoo “kit”. They even had tattoo removal laser
machines for a very good price. Any one can get one of these high powered
babies. The people buying the gear were mingling at the convention with the
artists, the professionals who know what is going on. I am sure they influenced
and inspired many to follow in their foot steps.
The
floors of the booths were covered with used paper towels and an assortment of
other junk including needles and tubes. No sharps containers or even a trash
can to throw the trash in. The work spaces were completely cross-contaminated
and at times two artists were working on
two different clients at the same time using the same work station. I am
not sure if they were sharing the same ink caps and rinse cups.
As I
wandered from booth to booth I was compelled to snap a few photos of tattoo
stations; my hands practically shook as I took pictures. I was amazed at what I
was seeing and photographing. I have never witnessed anything as crude and
dangerous as what I observed.
Five
tattoo machines locked and loaded, bagged and set on the work surface. Soda
cans with ink smeared on the tops. Drink cups and rinse cups side by side. Ink
bottles and ink caps and even a roll of Saran wrap in the mix. There were used
paper towels and open tubes of A&D.
All of this on a surface of about 20”x12”.
I remember one artist's ink-smeared face
looking at me and smiling, holding a cigarette in his dirty gloves, seemingly
unaware of why he was even wearing gloves in the first place. I witnessed
artists using plastic wrap as bandages and even failing to cover fresh work at
all.
I am sure they don't understand the serious
nature of Hep B and Hep C, let alone Methecillin Resistant Staph (MRSA). Their
art work is great and the tattooing is done well, but the health issues need to
be addressed ASAP. I would love to help out in that area. These issues were
brought up with our hosts and the promoter...it is now up to them. I am at this time writing a training plan for
them and have a lot to offer their industry.
By working together the tattoo
world can be a safer place. The estimated number of tattooists in China is
approximately 200,000. I don't know how accurate that number is or who counted
the tattooers, but you can be sure those Chinese tattooers would like to work
in the USA at some time in the near future. They are here in small numbers
already working at some shops around the country. They are talented,
hard-working and intelligent. The Chinese people treated Jack and me with
respect and smiles; they were nice to us and the Chinese food rocked!
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STEAM ROLLED
Robert Davis, Board Member, Arkansas
Am hoping
this letter finds you all in good health and happiness as some of you are
aware, there are a few serious issues facing the Body Art industries that
could, in the near future, change the way many of us “Conduct our affairs”.
With the
recent decision of New Mexico to join forces with NIC, along with a dozen or so
other states, is an indicator that things are changing, NIC Stands for the
“National- Interstate Counsel of State Boards of
Cosmotology.www.nictesting.org. Back in 1997 here in Arkansas “Due To
Budget Constraints” Our tattoo program was in jeopardy of being handed over to
the State Board of Cosmetology, Word got out that this was going to happen, a
decision was made to Form the Arkansas Tattoo Assn to address a few concerns
that we as artists within the state had had. Steam rolled!
If the gal would have read the rules
this school stuff may have never gotten started. On to the 2007 session, the
doing away with the term “Apprentice” it now reads “Artist in Training”, for
some reason Body Piercing, Branding, or Tattooing is now “Body Art”, The cap on
“Apprentices “has been lifted. “An Artist Trainer shall be a registered
instructor in a School licensed by the State Board of Private Career
Education”. Each artist in training shall complete not less than 375 clock
hours. Additional fields of Body Art may be added by completing not less than
250 clock hours of technical and procedural training in EACH of the other
fields of body art in which an artist in training is to be licensed. As of April 2008 there are 16 Tattoo
Schools with many on the list waiting for approval, at last count we now have
over 100 new artists. Am sure some of you are wondering why I am so concerned
about the Schools poppin up everywhere, I am in no way trying to keep anyone
from entering the business as long as you’re an asset and not a hindrance,
seems to me, anyone that would sell us out by offering an online degree or a
300 hr crash course in tattooing is a person that the industry should be leery
of.
I feel that if the Arkansas tattoo Assn would have hung in there and hammered away, a lot of these latest changes would have never occurred; we dropped our guard and were attacked. In closing, I would like to ask you to get out your past APT newsletters and in your spare time start reading them from the early years forward you will be blown away by the amount of talent and knowledge that was put forward by a lot of caring people looking out for our profession, and don’t forget, get involved, or get steam rolled! |
In August I went to Hawaii and had a great week in
paradise with my wife and friends. Bill and Ms Anna invited us to dinner with
Aunt Flo and the girls. We stayed in
Anna’s condo, very cool. Thursday Bill, Anna, my wife and I played golf. My
wife was the score keeper and I got the worst score; I guess she hasn’t
forgotten my last inconsiderate guy thing.
Life wasn’t all play. On that Tuesday Peggy Sucher
presented the APT PDTT for the very first time to Hawaiian tattooists. I was
her faithful handy man and moral support. I helped with demonstrations on
gloving and station set up. She acquired the services of Heather from the
Center for Disease Control to provide free Hep B vaccinations for all who
wished to receive them. Eleven members of the Department of Health attended and
Channel Two News recorded this historical occasion.
Over twenty-five tattooists from Oahu filled the classroom
and Peggy took them on a journey through the shadowy underbelly of our worst
enemy: Blood Borne Pathogens. Microbiology, disinfection, sterilization as well
as the OSHA Standard were covered and I did not see anyone doze off. She made
the Exposure Control Plan logical and easy to understand even for the young
ones.
Peggy and I and
several local artists were interviewed for the evening news, airing at 5:00 PM
and 10:00 PM. This is a very important
occasion for Hawaii and there will be more APT PDTT seminars for the “Islands”.
Peggy is already working on trips to other Islands to spread the “WORD”,
including Maui, the Big Island and points further west.
She did a fantastic job of organizing her event, bringing
together 25 artists, eleven DOH representatives and the CDC. She even worked a
deal with CVS Drugs to provide lunch for all attendees. I am very proud to have
had the opportunity to help out when needed and to participate in her
presentation.
Some of Hawaii’s finest
sweatin’ through that test!
I am very happy to
have her as a member of the Board of Directors for APT and an instructor… APT
needs more Peggys! I know they are out there, and I am willing to train those
who are motivated to help our industry rock on in the future. It takes maturity
and effort to become an instructor or a state representative. Put your ego in
your back pocket and get ready for the old timers (30 years or more of
tattooing) to test you, your resolve and your subject knowledge. If you are
prepared it can be lots of fun and your confidence will grow as you do more
presentations. It is great to meet artists from around the country and pass on
essential information to help keep our industry safe and secure.
State representatives are in short supply and we need the coverage in all fifty states and US Territories, Puerto Rico and Guam. We also had a very successful summer APT Tattoo Rendezvous with the qualification of Fip Buchanan of Avalon Tattoo in San Diego and Jacqueline Beach passing her instructors closed book exam. If you are feeling froggy, LEAP!!! Contact me at my shop… 619-424-8983 or fleshskingrafix@cox.net |
FROM THE HOME OFFICE
e-mail: info@safe-tattoos.com
9210 S. U.S. Hwy. 17-92
Maitland, FL. 32751
It seems like I was
just writing my last column and now it is time for another. We are trying to get on track with the
newsletter and maintain a regular schedule. With all the work for our convention in July, it put us behind. I am writing this after the convention, but
will talk more about it and we will have the convention photos in the next
issue.
I will just tell you
that the convention went very well, actually better than I expected with the
way the economy has been and with high gas prices. I will give you the dates for next year’s convention, July 16th through 19th 2009. There
will be some booths available, so if you would like to reserve one give me a
call at the home office and I will put your name on the list.
I hope you have checked
out our new website by now. We will
have pictures of the convention on it soon. David has been doing a great job as Webmaster. That brings me to another subject about the website. Have you checked the members listing page
lately? Make sure your information is
correct and if you are not listed you can e-mail me with all your information
and I will have it listed. Make sure
you include your e-mail and website so that anyone looking for artists in their
area can contact you. It would be great
if you could add our website as a link on your website.
We have been trying
to schedule more seminars this year, and have had really good attendance at
most of them. Remember if you have
taken the seminar before and are a paid up Professional member, the seminar is
FREE. The only cost to you would be if
you needed a manual. They are $25 and
you will need a new one if you haven’t taken the seminar since 2003, since we
updated them in 2004. Remember if you
want to take the seminar for FREE, you must call the home office to register
prior to the seminar so I know how many to expect. Our head instructor Mike Martin has been adding new information
to the seminar. He has also just added
information about MRSA. Check the
website for seminars that are coming up, as I list them as soon as I book
them. If you would like to have a
seminar in you area you can call me for that information. We need 10 to 15 people to attend to cover
the expenses.
Would you like to
serve on the Board of Directors of APT? We will be electing new Directors next July, and there are 6 positions
available. We have two board meetings a
year, one in July at the APT convention in Kansas City and one in November in
Richmond Virginia. Attendance is
mandatory for these meetings, as we cover many subjects concerning APT’s goal
in tattooing.
Just give me a call
at the home office and we can talk more in detail. We are always looking for dedicated members that want to make a
difference in educating others artists in safe tattooing. We need to make sure our profession is well
informed and educated, and the best way is with a strong membership that is
well informed.
I would hope our
members realize just how important the APT is to tattooing. I get at least two calls a week for
interviews from various media sources. Not only is the information I give them educating the general public, it
is also informing the health officials around the different states of our
existence. I have had calls from six or
seven health departments the last couple of months asking about our seminar,
and many have been taking it to learn more about tattooing and what to look for
during a health inspection.
This leads me to
another subject, which are your dues. Please send them in when you receive your renewal notice so I don’t have
to mail out a reminder, which will keep mailing costs down. Remember if you want to advertise for help
or looking for a studio to work at we have the classified section on our
website. Just e-mail me your
information and I will list it. Please
call me if you fill the position or get a job so I can remove it.
Remember if you have
any questions give me a call at the home office. If you leave a message please talk slowly and leave a call back
number. We are here for our members and
I never get tired hearing from you.
You can reach me at
407-831-5549 Monday through Friday. Leave a message if there is no answer.
Thanks,
If you are emailing the home
office please put “APT” in the subject line. Too many emails are received and this will flag the good stuff!
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HURRICANE DISASTER STRIKES A MEMBER
My name is Shelly Doolittle, my husband, Randall
'Flipper' has been a member for several years. Hurricane Rita wiped
out our last location, and we were uninsured.
We rebuilt an awesome state of the art studio,
ourselves, with the help of friends and clients, & SBA (and got
insurance!) Well, Hurricane Ike's storm surge wiped us out again,
and we did not have flood insurance, because we were not in a flood zone &
we are located at the highest elevation in the city. We were
actually prepared to take on people and be a refuge, but ended up being
the ones rescued.
My question is this: do you have any help for those
of us affected by Ike? I'm not asking for
We lost our home, also, and have opted to live
Thanks for taking time to read this. I
fully understand if there is no help out there, I knew this was a shot in the
dark. Flipper would probably not
Thanks
for your time & God Bless!
Sincerely,
Shelly
Doolittle
Flipper's
Skin Flix
1060
Texas Ave.
Bridge
City, TX. 77611
Members: Let’s see what we can do to help, ok? This is a good reminder to take a hard look
at your own insurance coverage’s….shop, home, health, and auto. Check with your agent and make sure your
heinie is COVERED.
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Pssssst….Did ya’ know this?
You can make a clear see-through stencil by cutting open and flattening a baggie then put it between the carbon and top thermofax paper. Run it through the thermo as usual and BAM! You have a stencil you can clearly see through and place over a cover-up project! Want some real help with cover-ups? Be sure to attend Heide Unger’s cover up seminar whenever you can…she has some great ideas!!
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#1 GREATEST BUSINESS ASSET
With the economy in a bind it’s
a real challenge today to keep the customers rolling in. What can make the difference between your
shop and the 10-15 others in your area? It’s really simple. And it’s free.
QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE
A number of you may have come to
my seminar at APT or NTA conventions regarding customer service. I know that I have gotten some great ideas
from attendees and hopefully have shared some tricks I learned while spending
over 20 years in retail management. Many of today’s tattooers have that rockstar attitude that a customer is
lucky to be tattooed by them…. yeah, right. Shops today are like Starbucks, on every corner in town. What makes YOUR shop different? Not that fancy tile floor, not that hot marble
counter top…it’s how your customer feels when they walk to your door and
especially when they walk out.
Is your entry neat and
clean? When they open the door are
they spoken to? Does your staff have a
clean and neat appearance? First
impression---you have ONE chance at it
When customer’s call does the phone ring a dozen times then
answered with a gruff ‘TATTOO’ or do
they hear after the second ring ‘XYZ Tattoo, how can I help you?’
Another
first impression!
Do you
handle your website inquiries promptly and professionally?
One trick shared in KC last year
from a gentleman was great—his staff always picks up a spray bottle and
‘cleans’ the counter when a customer comes in. Gives them the idea that ‘clean’ is what that shop is all about!
It’s better to work with fewer
GOOD people than with a shop full of rockstars or rude staff members. That tattooer/piercer/desk staff
represents everything about the shop when interacting with the client. It can be good or it can be oh so bad. What do you think is the right choice? Take a critical look at your attitude and
your staff’s attitude. Is it
representing you and your business in the best light?
Customers are not an interruption of our work….THEY ARE
THE REASON FOR IT.
Peggy Sucher
Editor/Board
Member/PDTT instructor
Retired,
JCPenney Personnel Trainer/Coordinator
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APT
with ALOHA
