Stay Sharp Studio - help us get back on our feet!
Donation protected
‘Asking for help with shame says: You have the power over me. Asking with condescension says: I have the power over you. But asking for help with gratitude says:We have the power to help each other.’ - Amanda Palmer
Hi all, it's with a very heavy heart - which many of you will have seen already, that this Saturday, the studio that I work from has had to suddenly close, leaving me without a space to continue piercing. On top, I have not taken a livable wage for weeks, due to the cost of living climbing, and the run up to Christmas, I have been struggling to stay afloat for a while - and bills don’t stop.
Piercing is not an easy job to come by, whilst there are many studios, unfortunately standards accross the UK are inconsistent, and vacant spaces usually fall way below the working standard I have offered over the past five years, and there are multiple challenges that come with self employment.
I am sad to say that I am not in the financial position to set up, but after three studio moves over this time, having to build and rebuild, I am exhausted, but not ready to give up or lose my amazing clientele. I believe my most reliable option from here is to start my own studio, but this requires a large amount of finances I have little to no chance of unlocking. In the interim, whilst I work this out, I have no income, and will find trading via my website (I sell body jewellery) very difficult, as there will be a huge drop off of clients whilst I am unable to assist with jewellery installs. Most manufacturers also will not trade to the public, nor to piercers without working at an active licensed premises.
I have been let down and heartbroken by so many studios (no slight on the current one, these are sad and unexpected circumstances), and the impact this has had on my mental health and stress levels has been instrumental.
I am terrible at asking for help, so instead, I would like to open up a pot for anybody who would like to support me. I would be incredibly appreciative of donations during this uncertain time - but I would like them to be considered more as a 'tip' than an investment, as I do not know what the future holds.
If you have ever been pierced by me and would like to tip (this is something I've always been to shy to take and always disabled it on my card reader because I didn't want to put any pressure on anybody and I suffer hugely with imposter syndrome, and hate the passing of cash - but unfortunately, I am choosing to be brave and ask for support.
I would like to say, that IF I manage to pull through this and continue to operate STAY SHARP, any 'tips' will come off future piercing bills, but I can again make no promises as I don't know if I will be able to find this opportunity.
I want to thank every single one of you, industry peers, clients, and studio hosts for every opportunity I have been granted all the way.
Sincerely, (really truly)
Nico
Stay Sharp.
(£1000 is not necessarily a target, I just didn’t know what to put it as!)
Organizer
Nicole Pepper
Organizer
England