We all know how difficult this time has been for all small businesses. We have all worked so hard to create a space were proud of, a space that is welcoming, and safe. We support our lives and our families with this business. But we have been forced to close our doors. Some for a month here or there at a time while some have been closed for up to 6 months and counting! So here are some positive ways of helping your favorite artists or just small businesses in general until we are all able to get back to what it is we love to do. It's time to hold each other up!
Here are just a few ways:
· Feel free to creep your favorite artists social media. More likely than not, you will find your artists posting artwork up for grabs.
· Some artists or their supporting tattoo shops are offering apparel and merchandise on their websites or straight off Instagram.
· You can ask them for custom art pieces. A lot of artists really enjoy doing this because it helps push their creativity outside of their norm. But don’t be upset if your artist declines. It may not be their style or maybe they are working on other projects they have on the go.
· You can offer to pay your artist drawing time to work on your future tattoo designs.
· You can purchase gift certificates off of their website.
· Some artists are offering raffles. You pay a small fee to be entered for a tattoo draw or art draw of greater value.
We understand that not everyone is in the position to be spending money at this time but there are other simple ways you can help, even by simply reposting your artists post of artwork or apparel for sale goes a long way. Anything to help promote your artists during this time goes a long way!
Here are some of our personal favorite places to support:
· BLACK WIDOW TATTOO STUDIO, TORONTO: GREAT MERCH AND AMAZING ART TO PURCHASE
· SEVEN MOONS, WELLAND: TIMARA ROSE HAS SOME GREAT ART PRINTS AND ALSO POSTS HER FAVOURITE SMALL BUSINESS TO SUPPORT AS WELL. WE LIKE THAT!
· THE DOWNTOWN SAINT, ST. CATHARINES: APPAREL AND ART PRINTS
· BOND STREET TATTOO STUDIO, St. CATHARINES: ART AND APPAREL AND OPENED THROUGH A PANDEMIC
· THE GREENHOUSE FLORAL BAR, CRYSTAL BEACH: OPENED UP HER BEAUTIFUL FLORAL BAR ALSO THROUGH A PANDEMIC
· @EMILYVERAART , TORONTO: ARTIST. WE JUST LOVE HER SHIT!
Please feel free to comment your favorite tattoo shop or other small business to support!
WRITTEN BY YOURS TRULY,
KAYLA TREMBLAY