Nessie

@Nessie Dodd has recently finished the MA in Creative Practice and is now setting up a new tattoo studio, with the aim of opening at the beginning of October.

The studio is being designed to feel more accommodating for people who might not always feel comfortable in a typical tattoo environment, including neurodivergent clients. That means thinking carefully about the space, the atmosphere, and the experience people have when they come in.

Right now, Nessie is decorating the studio, designing flyers, starting to build the social media side of things, and getting everything ready for opening. She is also working on new artwork for the opening weekend, including spooky Halloween flash.

It is a big move, and one that has come from deciding to back herself.

Making the Move

One of Nessie’s boldest recent decisions was choosing to move independently from the studio where she originally trained.

That step felt scary and discomfortable, but it also felt right. The Make Happen way of thinking helped her look at the decision differently. Rather than waiting until it felt easy, she was able to focus on what she wanted to build and what needed to happen next.

The result is that the studio is no longer just an idea. It is being painted, planned, talked about, and prepared for opening.

A Different Kind of Tattoo Space

Part of the excitement around the studio is that Nessie is not trying to recreate the usual tattoo studio feel.

She wants to create a space where people can feel more at ease, especially if traditional studios have felt intimidating, overwhelming or simply not made with them in mind. For neurodivergent clients, or anyone who needs a calmer and more considerate environment, those details can make a real difference.

She’s making a space where the experience of getting a tattoo, matters as much as the tattoo itself.

Getting the Word Out

A lot of the momentum recently has come from word of mouth.

Nessie and the team have been out around the town, talking to local people and making themselves known. Not in a forced way, but by being visible, friendly, and present in the area.

That has started to build a bit of excitement around the new studio. People are hearing about it before it opens, and the local connection is already beginning to matter.

What Comes Next

Over the next few weeks, Nessie will be focused on the grand opening.

There is still a lot to do, from finishing the space to creating new tattoo designs and meeting with other artists. Keeping the end goal in mind is helping her stay in action without getting overwhelmed.

Breaking things down into smaller steps has made the process feel more manageable. Each job moves the studio a little closer to opening its doors.

The Halloween flash for the opening weekend feels like a fun way to mark the start of this next chapter. It gives people a reason to come in, see the space, and be part of the first weekend.

Find Out More

People can follow Nessie here:

Instagram: @ripperdodd

Facebook: Nessie on Facebook