Help La & Chris Rebuild

We are being unexpectedly evicted from our studio Ebony Squid at the end of this month (March 2022). This is a huge shock and we are both very confused and utterly devastated.

 

This is not something we ever planned for, especially after surviving 2 years as self employed tattoo artists, with 20 years tattooing experience between us, during a global pandemic. We were very much looking forward to celebrating our first year in this current premises, which would have been beginning of May.

 

We are both autistic and chronically ill, and this has been incredibly difficult for us and the disabilities we live with and manage every single day.

 

We are both sober and have nearly 6 years of sobriety between us. We are two people who strive to achieve a calm tattooing environment at all times - focused on good music, mental wellness, healthy professional boundaries, joy, and self care.

 

As of today we have nowhere to go next; no savings to dig into as are about to move house in 5 days which has exhausted all of our personal finances. We have no financial, emotional or physical capacity to do this, but we have to find a way.

 

Chris took on a Psychology degree with the Open University in October, and has been navigating working part time while studying. La has been tattooing part time since November due to stress and complications with her chronic illnesses, and has been unable to work in the last 3 weeks due to poor mental health leading into catching COVID.

 

La finally tested negative this morning, just after receiving the news that we only have 5 weeks to work, save, pack up our studio - all whilst trying to move, unpack and settle into our new home.

 

We have no idea how we are going to find the strength and resources to keep our heads above water.

 

19/02/2022: We've just received the news and we don't have anything lined up yet, so this initial target would be a means for us both to survive until we can figure something out, and then put whatever money we can into the next studio.

 

Tattoo studios are always a big task to achieve. They must be built to a certain caliber: ticking important boxes such as adequate standards of walls/flooring and designated sinks/plumbing. The studio has to then be inspected by the council and only after it has passed the inspection and is fully licensed, can it be legally possible to work. Studios must always comply with tattooing safety and hygiene bylaws, and abide by current COVID regulations.

 

As soon as we have somewhere lined up and a plan that's more concrete, we will be able to provide an accurate breakdown of costs and expenses.

 

We're simply asking or help from anyone who can, and for patience and compassion from our friends, clients and acquaintances during this incredibly overwhelming and difficult time.

 

We just want to work as hard as we can whilst building a safe, calm environment for ourselves at our new home. Now we want to build a safe, calm environment for us and our clients at our new studio.

 

Thank you everyone

 

La & Chris xxx