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Since opening in 2007, a TATTOO parlour celebrated 15 years.
Flaming Gun Tattoo Studios opened its doors on Church Walk, Colchester, in 2007 and has since been fulfilling the body art dreams of the city’s residents.
The store opened on August 27, 2007, after an eventful holiday to Miami saw owners Julie Clarke and Kai Edwards appear on Miami Ink, where Julie received a tattoo of a flaming tattoo machine.
They decided to open their studio after they returned from Colchester. Julie’s mum, Brenda, had always suggested a career in tattooing, whilst Julie studied her Fine Art Degree.
Kai also changed his career from being a welder to becoming a laser tattoo remover and body piercer. The parlour now includes metal art.
The name originated from local nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty, the cannon which is rumoured to have falled off St Mary’s Church at the end of Church Walk, where the parlour is located.
Flaming Gun is also involved with community projects. Julie often provides art for Colchester Brewery pump clips.
Julie also provides art for Supershoes UK, a charity which paints shoes for children fighting cancer.
On the anniversary, Julie said: “This also marks my 24th year of tattooing. The break from lockdowns made me fall in love again with tattooing.
“We have recently been spending more time covering scar tissue, and mastectomy tattoos, including nipple reconstruction. It is wonderful being able to be part of these people’s journey.”
On his career shift, Kai said: “It was a huge change in career 15 years ago, welding to laser tattoo removal. We continue to mostly take out small tattoos, which are replaced by larger pieces of artwork. Unfortunately we have some ex-partners’ names.
In a joint statement, the pair said: “We are so grateful for the support and friendship from everyone who has been tattooed, pierced or had laser tattoo removal, or even just supported the random events we have held over the last 15 years.
“We shall be raising a glass to you all and toasting to the next 15 years.”
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