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

Ryan Wells Winner of the full body art tattoo competition displays his body art. (centre and top right)

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