Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Catron.
Hi Crystal, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, Queen of Hearts Tattoo started in Radcliff, KY in 1991 by Fallen Angel who was the original owner and my mother. By 1993 Angel opened a second location in Nashville, TN and that’s where the magic happened. Angel fell in love with Nashville and the community, and in 1995 she decided to close down the studio in KY and focus on the studio here. In September 2014 Angel decided it was time to retire after 30+yrs of tattooing, and raising her 2 daughters in the business, and felt it was time to pass it on. As the oldest of the two I stepped in to keep the family business going.
My career first started by working the front desk upon the opening of Queen of Hearts in 1991 for my mother. Yes, I was 5 years old, grabbing paper towels and supplies for the artist. I learned how to make tattoo needles, run stencils, do paperwork, and eventually I learned management. I did all I could to help my mom and in 2006 when I became pregnant with my son, I decided it was time to actually step up and became a licensed body piercer. After years of dedication to piercing I decided to take a step further, and in 2012 I became a licensed tattoo artist. Throughout the years I’ve had many opportunities to learn from some of the best, to watch old school and new school artist, and my love and passion for the craft grows with each year I am in the business. Now as an owner most of my time is spent in the office handling the day to day operations, but I still love to jump in and tattoo and pierce when I can.
Since 2014 as the owner I strive to not only keep our old school traditions alive but to also bring us even further with new traditions for our industry. I may be the owner, but my little sister, Dixie, works right by my side as my lead piercer. We are both raising our kids in and around the business as well as teaching them the traditions hoping to one day make this a third-generation business.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Growing up in the early 90s, the tattoo industry was very male dominated making it difficult for many women including my mom to start and gain any type of recognition. Witnessing the struggles many had to go through to make a name for themselves definitely left a lasting impression on me that I feel I’ll always carry a certain gratitude for those who came before me and helped pave the way for women in this industry. Now, within the last 15 years or so it feels like it is starting to become a more inclusive industry that can recognize talent for pure talent regardless of who is doing it and it’s been beautiful to watch so many young females become trail blazers and make a name for themselves.
As for my personal challenges, being a second generation tattooer, you face the dilemma of continuing a legacy that you come from while also rebranding and creating a new legacy in order to leave your own mark behind. You’re always trying to honor the old an evolve the new and make it into your own.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Queen of Hearts has been home to some of Nashville’s best tattoo artists and piercers since 1993 and we believe in high quality at a fair price, and we strive to give each client an amazing experience.
Our location is in the heart of Nashville and we truly love the community that has kept us here and thriving for 30+years, we are here for the working class and we strive to make our studio the best for our community.
Our piercers are some of the most passionate in the business and have a true love for the craft and our artists are some of the most creative and talented with a true understanding of old school ways as many of us are second generation here at the Queen.
Our studio offers traditional, neo traditional, fine line, black and grey, and colorful tattoos, as well as we cater to all piercing needs, change outs, and curations. We strive to give you quality as well as a one-of-a-kind body modification experience.
Now on a personal level. For piercing I absolutely love to do a nose or a conch. These allow us to have fun and pick amazing toppers for your piercing. When it comes to tattoos 90’s and early 2000 cartoons will always be my all time favorite. I have grown to love the small delicate fine line tattoos since my time is so limited these days.
How do you think about happiness?
There’s a few things that get to me.
First and foremost, I love the craft. I love watching young artists grow and learn. When someone starts an apprenticeship who can barely draw, and you watch them become this amazing artist and create different masterpieces by the end it puts a smile on your face because you not only watched but helped someone grow and transform into an artist and it’s like leaving your mark on the industry and passing the torch to the next generation of artist.
As an owner, more than anything, the one thing that puts the biggest smile on my face is when a customer comes in and talks about how they came in with their parents as a child and they remembered how cool of an experience it was and now they’re an adult returning to receive their procedure from us. These stories always warm my heart and bring tears in my eyes knowing that we are second generation tattoo artists helping the second generation of families express themselves. Being apart of this community and apartment of families for multiple generations will always be the most rewarding and happiest part of this for me.
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