You are a true artist, love your work and you .

Been following the blog, really enjoying the journey to fully functioning tattoo shop! And I love Ted! When prepping for a tattoo I always make sure I’m freshly showered and try to remember to take a drink and some sugary snacks with me. I also make sure I have enough cash on me to pay the artist, along with a bit extra for a tip!

Love the new shop holly! Here's my prep/ritual For full day appointments for big pieces I always eat a big bland meal and drink loads of fluids that day. Always have a good night sleep and don't show up hungover or with the flu, it makes it so much worse. I pack the following for use during the session: a big water, a juice, a diet coke, and some nuts. I also pack some lollipops with plastic stems to chew on if the pain gets to be a bit much. If it's a long session I'll bring a big sandwich as well. For distraction I always bring a tablet to watch shows on netflix and big headphones. As far as clothes, I dress in layers. A big cuddly cardigan and fluffy socks are a must because I get super cold after getting tattooed for awhile. Nothing tight, and consider ahead of time the spot you're getting tattooed. Depending on the placement I'll bring another set of clothes to wear during the session to make access easier. Always make sure you shower, wash your hair, wear clean clothes and shoes, brush your teeth, floss, don't wear tons of perfume, etc. You're in close proximity to the artist for hours on end and stress sweat smells bad on its own, I try to do anything I can to make myself pleasant to be around for the artist. I always prep my aftercare before the session so I don't have to worry about it after the tattoo when I'm tired and cranky. Clean towels in the bathroom, new kitchen roll for drying the tattoo after cleaning, mild soap stocked, any lotion you use, etc. And clean sheets on your bed. All this is overkill for a tiny 1 hour session, but for 6-8 hour full days sessions for back pieces and sleeves and stuff some planning ahead like this really makes the process easier.

I wonder if you would consider making a video of tips for how someone who wants to travel to you (or just to any artist in a different country) for a tattoo. For example I live in the states so it’s not just a hop over and would require a lot of planning ahead. Thanks for sharing your journey to shop owner! It’s been so fun to watch it all come together!

Well done Holly, the studio looks great. I’m sure you’ll have a great time tattooing there.

Your shop looks so cool!! Its so classy. I love your idea of making it not look like a typical tattoo shop. Also loving all the chick talent you're championing!!! X

Great video,when I'm getting prepared to get a new tatt I always take a couple days before my appointment and use Lubriderm to keep the area moisturized good,and the day of my tattoo i make sure to clean the area well with Dial soap and eat a healthy meal,I also take a bottle of water with me to my appointment I have found that drinking plenty of water keeps from getting that sicky feeling that some people experience when getting a new tattoo.Thanks again Holly and the shop looks beautiful.

Ted looks like a teddy bear! He's beautiful! Also, congratulations to the new space- it looks amazing x

Ted's so cute omfg!! Prepping for a tattoo would be a good night's sleep -no staying up late! A good ol' meal, but not something that would make you uncomfortable while in the chair, like takeaway food for example. Normally get some water, or at least some kind of cold drink. Get a bunch of sugary snacks, but if sat for a long time like my boyfriend has done then we get a sandwich or sausage rolls, something that will take a while to digest and get the energy from along with sweets and stuff to get you a quick boost should you need it!

I always grab a bottle of coke for sugar/caffeine boost. Eat something filling before, have some snacks to have after or during if a quick break during is available. Wear comfortable clothes that are not to tight.

I take a bottle of lucozade with me and make sure I've ate something with carbohydrates beforehand (for energy and all that good stuff!) - I'm still new to the whole thing and only just getting my second tattoo this week. Ted is just the cutest!

I'm getting my 2nd & 3rd tattoo tomorrow! Waited 5,5 years after I got my first one. Wonderful job on your studio :) Hope to make an appointment some day so I can get tattooed at Gravity

I wish I can be a guest artist in your studio some day when I become a tattoo artist. You're such an inspiration!

that chest piece is siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick

I make sure to get good sleep the night before, actually eat something, and drink plenty of water. Otherwise, as my kind of "ritual" I spend some time looking at the open skin where my next beautiful artwork is going to go and see the beauty in the bare skin too-sometimes the potential of a tattoo is just as exciting as the initial high of the finished work to me.

generally when prepping for a tattoo, I always make sure I have chewing gum- chewing gum during a tattoo makes it so much easier to sit still and gives a little boost of sugar! After a tattoo, I gorge on junk food and mope about to relax that sluggish feeling after ^.^

putting chewy sweets in the fridge so they're cold (and hard) so while I'm getting tattooed, not only is it for blood sugar but it keeps me distracted from pain by trying to get the suckers off my teeth!! also layering I'm always sweating my buns off when I first walk in but am freezing and have the shakes by the end of it, so light layers. (I wish all studios had a puppy! it's a total distraction from pain! maybe I'll facetime with my cockapoo next time...)

nawww cute dog :D

I go for a big meal at Weatherspoons before hand. Bring some sugary sweets and wear comfy clothing.

Are you booked up in

plz get a mic the sounds is very low and it would be nice to listen to you with out having to punp the vol and the get ear blasted by any other sound in the computer hehehe thanks

I've loved watching you grow with your vlogs!! Thanks for bringing us along on this magical journey for you and the new studio!!! And more of Ted! 😂