Fireside Tattoo Podcast

We've got an excellent conversation for you today with longtime friend of Fireside, Jesse Smith! As both Jesse and Jake promote different tattoo conventions they discuss some of the difficulties in thinking about the attendees vs the tattooers, the struggles between progress vs keeping it traditional, education, and many other topics. There's a ton of work and a ton of love that happens trying to...

In this final episode with Kurt Jacobsen, we dive into pain management for clients during multi day sessions. Kurt shares his thoughts about how, when and where to use Bactine for maximum effectiveness as well as why clients might choose to use a regimen of ibuprofen during the tattoo process. Enjoy! And Go Here to see the extensive notes on the website: https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-libra...

We're back again for Part 2 of the 3 Part Series on Competition Tattooing!  Check out the Deep Dive with notes on the website: https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/the-art-of-competition-tattooing-part-2-kurt-jacobsen-ep-283~29262 In the first part of this series with Kurt, we dove into the challenges and rewards of competing in the tattoo industry. In this episode, Kurt delves into the c...

We've got an exciting multi-part series for you with our good buddy, and previous guest Kurt Jacobsen! To us Kurt is known as ultra competitive and uniquely unflappable. He's also EXTREMELY precise. In this part of conversation, Jake and Kurt discuss the challenges and benefits of competition in the tattoo industry. They explore the decision to compete, knowing your limits, and the need for full c...

For this interview Jake dives into an insightful conversation with Jesse Drach, owner of Ink-Link, about the intricacies of marketing in the tattoo industry. Jesse shares expert advice on leveraging social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, utilizing Google Ads, and the importance of targeting the right audience to promote tattoo shops and artists effectively.  They also highlight the si...

Find all the links and details about this episode on our deep dive page: https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/free-ticket-to-paradise-amy-nicholls-derek-youngberg-paradise-tattoo-gathering~29254 The Paradise Tattoo Gathering is one of the most unique tattoo events in the world. A place where artists can learn from some of the best in the craft. It's like summer camp for tattooers! And we...

We've got something exciting for you today! The Inside Fireside Tattoo Club hosted a panel discussion focusing on finance and money management tailored for tattoo artists. Originating from our popular Mindset Monday conversations, this particular session delves into topics such as passive income opportunities, strategies to supplement tattooing income, savings tactics, and beyond.  We really tried...

Check Out the Deep Dive On FiresideTattoo.com: https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/side-hustle-gone-wild-thom-bulman-ep-279~29247 After COVID and the world had shut down Thom, a 17 year tattooer, was struggling to figure out where he was in tattooing. Between making custom shoes and not not knowing when tattooing might freeze up again he felt like he had to make some real decisions. In t...

This is a sneak peak of what you can find in the Inside Fireside Tattoo Club. We've curated this particular conversation because we think it exemplifies one of the pillars of what the group is trying to achieve as a whole. Creating conversations and provoking discussions that help tattooers get out of their own head and into their careers to make progress. Groups like ours have started to appear m...

Join Tattoo Tips Tuesday for FREE! https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/tattoo-tips-tuesday~29102 Tattoo Apprentice's Toolkit https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-apprentices-toolkit Tattooers Toolkit https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/tattooers-toolkit The current landscape of tattooing is inundated with a surge of new and untrained tattooers, facilitated by the accessibility of res...

Check out the Deep Dive Page on Firesidetattoo.com: https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/ahoy-wealth-tattoo-pirates-hoisting-the-flag-of-financial-freedom-ryan-roi-ep-276~29185 In the dynamic world of tattooing and artistry, financial literacy is often overlooked. And while being a pirate is all well and good, hoarding your cash in a box under your bed isn't exactly going to help you with...

Join us in the  Inside Fireside Tattoo Club https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/inside-fireside Apprenticeships are a hot topic in the tattoo industry, often emphasized for aspiring artists. While many have valuable insights into this process, there's a facet that tends to fly under the radar but holds significant weight – mentorship.  Strangely, it's one of the least discussed subjects in the tatt...

Check out the full Deep Dive page for this episode at: https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/trials-of-a-tattoo-machine-builder-neuma-5-with-carson-hill-ep-274~29180 Carson Hill is a real pioneer in tattoo machine technology. Since he has turned his attention to pen style rotary tattoo machines, and we are all better because of it. In today's episode, we talk about his latest and best iter...

Check out the Deep Dive Page on Firesidetattoo.com: https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/from-bad-apple-to-tattoo-royalty-king-ruck-ep-274~29179 [09:57] "I would Just grab a marker, and start drawing on someone. Being a graffiti artist and a heavy visual illustrator, it just made it real easy for me to do that" — King Ruck Tattooing on skin demands a unique understanding of values, highli...

Can't get enough Fireside? Take it to the next level. Join the Inside Fireside Tattoo Club https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/inside-fireside and Tattoo Tips Tuesday https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/tattoo-tips-tuesday Huge thanks to Tom Strom and Jackee Sandelands for taking the time to share their art brains with us. You can keep up with them at https://www.artoftomstrom.com/ https:...

Chris Dingwell has been tattooing a long time. Chris Dingwell has been painting a long time. In today's episode, we sit down with Chris to discuss his approach to tattooing and how painting and other fine art mediums have molded him into the tattooer he is today. Enjoy! Join Chris at the Paradise Tattoo Gathering October 12-15, 2023! https://tattoogathering.com/ Join us in the Inside Fireside Tatt...

Tattooing has obviously been through an incredible period of growth over the last couple of decades. But at what cost? As large corporations and investment groups buy their way into our industry and gain influence, the tattooers, artists and innovators who contributed so much to this craft get swallowed up or drowned out. In today's episode, we sit down with a true innovator from the tattoo commun...

See You at the Paradise Tattoo Gathering. Sign up below https://tattoogathering.com/ Join us in the Inside Fireside Tattoo Club https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/inside-fireside The rotary machine craze came fast. In fact, if you began tattooing in the last 10 years, there is a good chance you have never used a coil machine at all. In today's episode we talk with long-time coil machine builder an...

Join us in the Inside Fireside Tattoo Club https://explore.firesidetattoo.com/inside-fireside Join Cooper and Jake at the Paradise Tattoo Gathering this October 12-15th https://tattoogathering.com/ In this episode, Back for round 3, we have Cooper! This time Jake and Coop take a deep dive into the technology side of things. They discuss how tattoo equipment and gear has been changing over time and...

Today we continue the conversation with Patrick O'Neil. If you haven't listened to part 1 of this interview, make sure to do that first.  

Purpose, purposeful, intentional. These seem to be good descriptors for Patrick Paul O'Neil. Patrick is tattooing beautiful, large scale illustrative designs that are carefully thought out and fit the client perfectly. In today's episode, Patrick shares his tattoo experiences and how they helped to form his approach to his own work. This is the first part of a 2 part series so be sure to check bac...

The traditional tattoo approach of lining, shading and coloring (in that order) never appealed much to James Hall (or Jake for that matter). James has spent the majority of his tattoo career moonlighting as an oil painter and it definitely comes across in his tattoo work. In today's episode we talk about the value of working in other mediums, James' annual art show focused on encouraging tattoo ar...

We have all heard about new tattoo regulations coming down the pipeline. It's no longer a matter of if but when these new laws will affect tattooer's day to day lives. With this in mind, it's important to adopt a mindset that views these upcoming changes as opportunities for improvement and potential breakthroughs rather than the more common fear based mindset we tend to default to. In an effort t...

Russ Abbott is a true innovator in tattooing. He is always looking for a way to find creative solutions to challenges in our craft. Todays, episode was really not intended to be an episode at all. It was a simple "catch up" call between Russ and Jake that they decided to record. After the call, we immediately knew that the topics discussed and opinions expressed would be useful for you guys. Hope...