Skins and Needles was established in South Wigston in December 1996 by owner and tattoo artist Bev Ardley. Bev wanted to create a studio that was a little different to the traditional image of tattoo studios, namely boarded windows with dingy waiting rooms and big burley type tattooists. Bev had guessed correctly that the number of ladies getting tattoos and piercings would increase and the image of the studio would need to appeal to the clientelle. In August 2009 that vision was made reality with a complete re-fit of the studio. It now offers a beautiful area to the front in which customers can relax whilst waiting for their work and where all the designs are clearly displayed. The work areas are clean and well lit, aswell as supremely hygienic with floor to ceiling tiling.
The Studio is situated on the main road in South Wigston for all to see. A big glass front allows customers to see right inside. Once inside there are friendly staff on hand to help the client all the way through the process, whether they be first timers or old hands. Skins and Needles strive to deliver to the customer exactly what they want in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere.
All styles can be catered for, we specialise in freehand, cover-up, celtic and tribal. A full range of piercing's are available and Bev is now offering permanent make-up after taking training at the Noveau Contour Academy in Milton Keynes.
The studio has the highest standards of hygiene and a very good relationship with the local environmental health department. All equipment is either single use or sterilised in a computerised autoclave. Customers are more than welcome to be shown through the cleaning and sterilising process and voice any concerns they may have regarding the safety of the procedure they are undertaking.
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Bev
(Bev Ardley) I first became interested in tattooing in 1979 when I got my first tattoo in a wooden hut at the fair! It wasn't until about 1990 that I got my first machine and started to teach myself. I had always been artistic and had studied art and ceramics at school. I later attended Melton Mowbray College of F.E. where I gained 3 A Levels, one being in Art. I also won best art student there in 1985. In 1994 I worked for a short time in a studio in Coalville but wasn't happy with the standards, so I left to start my own business 'Skins and Needles' from a mobile caravan. The van was registered with Leicester City Council Environmental Health and off I went to tattoo and pierce at Biker Festivals. My first little shop was above Kesmark Motorcycles in Woodgate, Leicester. It was whilst at Woodgate that I had the good fortune to become acquainted with John Sargerson of Celtic Art Tattoo Studio in Chesterfield. He kindly let me sit and pick his brains for some considerable time and let me watch him work, he taught me so much more than technique as he is also an amazingly shrewd businessman. I opened South Wigston studio in 1996, I am a born and bred South Wigston girl so this was homecoming for me. I specialise in Celtic and Tribal styles and Cover-up work, I also love to do brightly coloured flowery girly stuff!
Never one to sit still, my latest venture is into Permanent Make-up which I am finding amazing! In 2009 I formed 'Crystaleyes permanent Make-up' and took a course at the Noveau Contour Academy, I am now fully qualified. I specialise in tattooing eyebrows, eyeliner and lipliners using the latest equipment available in this country with fantastic results. The Permanent Make-up studio is based nearby at Chris Normans Hair Salon and is separately registered with the environmental health and affords my clients complete privacy and comfort, just contact either studio for details.
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Crofty
(Lee Crofts) I’ve been fascinated by tattoos since childhood ever since one of my Dads friends used to draw them on me as a kid. I’ve always found myself pursuing creative hobbies from drawing, painting & photography to harmonica & guitar playing. I first picked up a tattoo machine in 2005 and am largely a self taught tattooist who has benefited from having friends in the industry. I have been a customer at Skins & Needles ever since getting my first tattoo there about 9 years ago. I consider myself lucky to be now working full time at Skins & Needles. I enjoy doing most styles at the minute but particularly like bright bold colour work whilst also liking the more realistic style of black and grey tattoos.
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Pooley
(Lee Poole) I am 29 years old and have been tattooing for about 4 years. I've always loved to draw/paint etc and tattooing was a natural progression for me, as my dad also used to tattoo and it was something that interested me hugely from a young age. I love the old school style of tattooing, done traditionally or with the new school twist. I draw inspiration from tattooists like Uncle Allen, Phil Kyle, Todd Noble etc. to name a few. When I'm not tattooing I spend most of my time either golfing or sat with my sketchbook happily doodling new designs (sad but true!). I started at skins n needles in 2009, love my job, and intend to stay here permanently and continue to push my artwork/tattooing as far as possible.
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Rico
(Ricardo. M. Diaz) I have always enjoyed drawing and while growing up I often only had my imagination to entertain myself; spending many hours drawing and dreaming of weird and fantastical images. At 18 I entered into higher education to study art and design. After completing a number of courses I left in 2004 with a degree in Imagemaking and Design. I am especially interested in sci-fi, fantasy, horror and comic art. Traditional artists and tattooists that inspire me are: Frank Frezetta, Simon Bisley, Bob Tyrrell, Paul Booth, Woody, Robert Hernandez, Nick Baxter, Guy Aitchison and Anil Gupta to name only a few. I first picked up a tattoo machine in 2004 under experienced guidance and have endeavored to study and apply myself to the medium of tattooing ever since. I started at Skins and Needles in 2009 and am happy to be part of an awesome team of people and am hungry to learn and develop. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life and helping them with their ideas and designs no matter how bizarre.
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