The fourth annual Tattoo Tea Party convention was held in Event City near Manchester, hosting around 350 tattoo artists from the UK and Ireland. The convention provided a space for tattoo artists to showcase their work, and for fans to get new tattoos or explore design ideas. A variety of seminars were offered on tattooing and business topics. Competitions were also held, with winners receiving unconventional trophies like animal skulls and mugs. Many attendees felt it was a community for exploring tattoos and a way for artists to gain exposure and new clients.

1. Now in its forth year the Tattoo
Tea Party convention, held
in Event City just of the Traf-
ford Center, hosted around 350
different artists showcasing the
best work coming out of the UK
and Ireland.
The hall was buzzing not
only from the constant
use of tattoo pens but
also with the sound of
curious consumers.
For many at this
event it was a
time to update
their body art,
there were many
semi-naked people
wrapped in bloody
cling film, and for
others it was an
opportunity to get
more information before perma-
nently marking their bodies.
The event had a wide mixture of
stalls on display, everything an ink
enthusiast could dream of. Tattoo
artist were not the only bene-
factors of the Tattoo Tea Party
Barbers, Fashion Designers, artists
and even Hot Rod sellers all had
the opportunity to expand their
businesses.
The event hosted seminars for
business helping them to achieve
the most out of their companies
and their time at the Tattoo Tea
Party.
On the last day of the convention
there was a competition for best
tattoo, there were many catego-
ries to enter in such as full body
tattoo’s old school tattoo’s and
sleeve’s. Any one could enter the
competition they just had to go on
the stage and present their body
art to four judges and the crowd
that gathered around the main
stage. Instead of trophies the
winners were presented
with animal skulls
and mugs with
“Im f**k
awesome”
across
them.
Tattoo Tea Party, two sugars
and plenty of ink
Danny Birch, 30 a Tattoo Artist
and owner of Heart For Art,
attend his first Tattoo Tea Party
Danny said, “I heard of the Tattoo
Tea Party through social media.
People who had attended previous
years told me it was a good place
for traders to show off work and
gain new customers.”
Danny took three other artists
from his studio in hope to inspire
their creative juices. In the
two days of the event Danny
completed two large tattoos
on new clients. He said,
“Next year I would like to see
more workshops and semi-
nars and more out of show
hours for all artists that
attend. I missed the Off the
Map business seminar as
I was tattooing.” He went
on to add, “We are local
to the show and I feel my
studio gained new clientele,
plenty of business cards were
given out and many people
mentioned they were
going to
enquire
about
getting
inked
up.”
Jordan Tarmey, 21 a guest at the
event had no tattoos but was
curious to see what she could
have tattooed on her body. She
said, “I went to the tattoo tea
party because the last few years I
thought about of getting a tattoo
but I’ve never known where to
start as to what type of design I
want or where on my body I want
it and where to go for it.” Many
guests were semi-naked with their
tats on display Jordan said, “I got
to check out some cool tattoos and
it gave me few ideas what to get
and I realized that a tattoo is more
than a tattoo it’s community here.”
Miss. Tarmey did not get a tattoo
in the end she said, “I was being
a bit mard and I felt like I needed
my friends and family to persuade
me to do it.” She added, “Hopefully
I’ll have a tattoo by the next Tattoo
Tea Party and then I’ll feel more at
home here.”
A classic Pontiac GTO from
Rustic Relics. (Above)
Main stage where pyrotechnics performed and the tattoo
completion was held. (bottom right)Photograph by
By Kiays Khalil Manchester – A review of the fourth annual Tattoo Tea Party at event city
from the 28 February to the 1 March. All Pictures by Kiays Khalil
For the Atrists
For the Fans