Tattoo Equipment and License

Hello! 

My name is Laurie Birdsong, and I have been a Tattoo Apprentice at Third Eye Tattoo, in Ellensburg, WA., for One Full Year, as of June 8th, 2015!

In the last year, I have been learning the fine art of Tattoo, in a professional, sanitary, business setting, creating countless pieces of art, working directly with clients in the preparation of design as well as the application of the stencil(s), and, perhaps most importantly, learning proper and effective sterilization techniques to ensure the health and safety of all persons, clients and staff.

Having brought my life-long passion for art into my apprenticeship, I have spent the last year honing my art-work to meet the approval of a wide swath of customer aesthetics and design, happily assisting an established and respected local Tattoo Artist, and learning  essential skills for creating a safe work environment. I feel that I am ready to take my future career to the next level: Tattooing actual people!

Last Winter I started practicing Tattooing on Pomelo and Grapefruits. It was a wonderful learning experience, with a focus on prepping and handling the machine, acquiring a feel for tuning the machine, and practicing linework, and some shading. To create the aura of doing an actual Tattoo, all equipment and surfaces were prepared in the same sterile manner that would have been used for a client, including wearing gloves! 

More recently (end of May 2015) I had the honor of doing my first Tattoo* on my daughter, Harley, under the supervision and guidance of my mentor, Ben Reames, Co-Owner and Operator of Third Eye Tattoo & Piercing. 
*The photo included on this page is the actual Tattoo that I did on Harley.

Which brings me to the heart of the matter... the next step.

I am asking for $1,500.00 to help cover the costs of the "heavy" buying.

$350.00 would go towards obtaining the necessary Washington State Body Artists' License, $20.00 to renew my Bloodborne Pathogens Certificate, and the remaining $1130.00 would go towards a midrange, but reliable, Tattoo Machine, including all necessary accessories for use with the machine (Tubes in various sizes, clip cord, power supply, foot switch, single-use sterile needles in various sizes, and inks, of course.)

I feel that my year long commitment to my apprenticeship, thus far, speaks volumes about my desire to further my Tattoo Artist career.

Your donation would mean so much to me; it would give me a certain measure of confidence in the advancement of my dream, goal, future - to know people believe in my abilities, and future success.

Thank you from the depths of my being.. I am perpetually in awe of what people can do to help one another.

With Gratitude,

Laurie R Birdsong - Tattoo Apprentice since June 2014