{"id":29062,"date":"2017-03-13T22:07:26","date_gmt":"2017-03-14T02:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=29062"},"modified":"2017-03-13T22:46:24","modified_gmt":"2017-03-14T02:46:24","slug":"httpwww-thevalleyledger-comp1904-543","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=29062","title":{"rendered":"ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SKINDUSTRY TATTOO EXPO – by Diane Fleischman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Story & Photographs by Diane Fleischman<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Celebrating their 10<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> anniversary, the Skindustry Tattoo Expo returned to The Sands Event Center <\/a>this past weekend.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>This social event was jam packed all weekend with local and many out of state attendees.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople get tattoos for many different reasons, what they choose tells the story of their life\u201d, a Scranton woman explained.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She went on to tell her story of her first tattoo, an owl, in memory of her sister.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A constant companion for her tattoo outings, her son, who\u2019s in the market to add a new creation to his arm.<\/span>\u00a0\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Among those in the massive crowd were tattoo virgins.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Reggie, of Satori Ink<\/span><\/u><\/a>, commented, \u201cWe\u2019re not really seeing anything surprising, as far as what our clientele wants done, but we\u2019re seeing a lot more first timers, tattoo virgins. \u201c<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ali agreed, \u201cThis is the third year we\u2019ve been here.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The weekend is very successful for us.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dani Ley gets a new tattoo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leah, 25, of Northampton was a little nervous, as she decided to get her first tattoo.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI was so nervous that I was going to act like a big baby in front of all these people! But the artists really put me at ease and I felt more comfortable and not so nervous. I\u2019m glad I did it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Some customers booked their appointment before the Expo; other tattoo artists found their schedule full throughout the show with walk up customers.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve worked with Carl Hesse for more than a dozen appointments\u201d, a faithful customer, Joe, M.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>remarked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Tattoo artist, Hesse, commented that he enjoys these Expos.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m from Sellersville, I started in this industry in 1979, lived here for 17 years then moved away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Two years ago I returned, and I\u2019m happy to be back.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0(http:\/\/www.carlhessetattoos79.com\/<\/a>)\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Kayla and Kyle already have tattoos, and came out to browse.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThis year we\u2019re noticing a lot of new artists\u201d, Kayla said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThis is my first time here,\u201d Kyle commented and smiled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThis is really great,\u201d he remarked.<\/span>\u00a0\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

To bridge the gap, offering something for those not old enough to get the real deal, Nicole Lee had her booth set up for Henna tattoos.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Abbagail Mooney, 11, of South Jersey commented, \u201cI love the beauty and the design, it\u2019s unique.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Obsidian Tattoo & Piercing Parlor<\/span><\/u><\/a>, 330 W Broad St., Bethlehem, grabbed a lot of attention.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In addition to the array of tattoo artists on hand, tattoo skin care products were available, tee shirts,<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>and several booths for body piercings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Skindustry Tattoo Expo Links<\/strong><\/h2>\n