Our beautiful little studio, Vellum, has been open just over a year now and in that time we been joined by two wonderful new tattooists, Freya and Armelle, and supported by a huge number of wonderful friends, new and old.
In that whole flat-out year I have never really got round to thanking the amazing people that helped me set up our little tattoo sanctuary. So, I would like to finally take this opportunity to formally say thank you to a list of people without whom we would not have made it this far. I could not and would not have done this without you!
This list is in no way exhaustive, and though I will try my hardest, I will probably miss some wonderful people who deserve to be on here - so if you notice I have, please be kind and send me a little note!
In alphabetical order....
Ade - for being Ade, my long suffering husband and loving partner in everything.
Allan - for giving us super sexy smooth studio walls.
Armelle - for undeniably being the most sassy, talented and hard working person I know.
Barry - for questioning everything I did and yet still remaining supportive.
Brian - for being on his hands and knees for three weeks straight even when he should not have been and for doing every job that needed doing even when I didn't know what I was doing.
Dan - for magically finding a plumber and a stripper in the nick of time.
Emma - for being the best receptionist ever and the most wonderful and amazing friend.
Freya - for being hugely talented, inspiring, dedicated and undeniably herself.
Jess - for inspiring me, making me believe that I could and helping me actually achieve it.
Laurie - for being much cleverer than she has any right to be and more on the ball than she even realises herself.
Lianne - for being the first to trust me and for being an immensely talented artist.
Margaret - for being my wonderful mum and for everything that that entails.
Morrigan - for being my closest confidant and staunchest supporter.
Natalie - for being a friend throughout and for supplying a veritable Aladdin’s Cave.
Nik and Rie - for always being my friends through thick and thin.
Number 8 - for great coffee every morning!
Oli - for providing excellent marketing advice.
Sian - for volunteering her wonderful self as apprentice, being incredibly organised and proactive and then for being admirably honest and forthright. And of course for always looking absolutely amazing!
Steph - for giving the old woman in me a chance to feel and look younger, you are excellent at what you do!
Suzie - for being a good friend, making lovely things and for always being there.
Tamara - my first friend in the UK and still with me! You have always said I could and you always give the best advice.
Tim – for being the best dad and for asking all the hard questions.
Theo – for being patient, loving and the most wonderful son a mum could wish for.
Theresa – for always being a loving and supportive mentor through thick and thin.
Ritchie – for carrying heavy things and generally being an all round great nephew.
Ryan – the electrician with the mostest! You went above and beyond - quite literally!