Artistic Mind Tattoos

Unprofessional Piercer

I'm new to Carbondale and decided to call some shops and speak to the piercer in advance. I called Artistic Mind and talked to Isaac and asked if he would be available to do it on a certain day. The night I went in he was not even there. Another guy called him and told him he had clients waiting and explained to me that he had to go get his girlfriend. I decided to stay and he showed up a little later. When Isaac came and I got to go in the back he prepped me for a Monroe piercing. I had one once before I wanted to make sure the new one was in the exact same spot. Isaac put on the clamp and pierced my lip.

Once the jewelry was in and he backed away I knew right away it was all wrong. The labret was completely horizontal in my lip, straight up and down. The back of the labret was basically touching the opening of my mouth. I told him right away that I can't leave like that. Based on the look on his face he too realized that it was wrong and thanked me for saying something. He said the clamp slipped from the inside causing the needle to point down as it pierced. I asked what we can do. He said we needed to take it out, let the inside close up and pierce my lip again. Up to this point I was feeling a little perturbed. He claimed he hasn't made a mistake like that in a long time and his excuse was most of his clients are black college kids and my 'white girl lip' was a lot smaller. I didn't really know what to think about that. I couldn't believe he said that with other clients in the waiting room.

So after a few minutes he pierced me again. This time it was much better. He gave me a discount which I was glad he was trying to fix the situation and make it right. He also said if I needed I could come back in a week and get a shorter labret ;since 2 piercings caused my lip to swell more than I expected. A week after that I called Isaac again to ask if I could come get a shorter labret and explained that the swelling has gone down and this labret is catching in my teeth as I eat or talk. I told him I got off work late and would have a short window. He said no problem he will be there until 8pm. I rushed over and knocked on the door only to find it locked, all the lights were out and no one was inside. It was 7:55pm.

I understand it was 5 minutes till close but I would think that if anything they would be leaving right as I got there or the lights may still be on while they closed up. If a business is open until a certain time I would hope I can get help with my piercing until then, ESPECIALLY if I spoke to the piercer who messed up my lip and said he would be there so I can get a shorter labret. Some may say "What do you expect? It's a tattoo shop." Any business hoping to keep a good report and grow over time shouldn't behave this way. I was very understanding and patient with the delay and multiple needles in my face. I made sure to call each time I needed to come in.

I have decided not go back and will deal with the labret in my lip that is now too long until it is healed enough to change to smaller jewelry. Honestly I wasn't going to leave a bad review based solely on that first time. Isaac tried to right his mistake. But then my next trip to Artistic Mind left me out in the snow with time to spare and not a soul in sight. I called to let him know I would be there and he also said he would be there, until 8pm.

That's when I decided to share my experience with anyone else who also believes that even tattoo/piercing shops can have standards and make clients feel like they aren more than just fast cash. Because that's how it felt. If you're looking for a professional piercer both in certification and in business look elsewhere. When I first arrived and the piercer was gone on personal matters I should've just left. Lesson learned.

Seems like a good and clean shop I went about a year ago to get my ears pierced and the guy who attended me was cool but didn’t even clean the earrings he was gonna put on me about a week later I had to take them out because they got infected lol maybe it’s just my ears

Came in on Saturday the 24th 2hrs before closing time no clients were in shop mind you and asked for a very small tattoo that would take less then 30 mins and they couldn't do it. I was like what. Guess they didn't want any more clientele.

Great place, great people, great art. Johnny has done both of my tattoos they are both exactly what I wanted. Will be back and definitely will recommend.

Johnny is super talented, shop is clean, and they really work with you on what you want. Prices are fair, and service is great. 10/10 would recommend.

Nate was wonderful ...
Tattoo looks amazing and was even more than I expected ....

I've gotten 1 tat and all my piercings done here, all of the workers are super nice and professional while still being cool guys

Amazing tattoo artists and overall friendly environment. I really recommend this place to get any tattoos from.

3 stars, only because I went in to check availability and to plan my design with the artist. He was very patient with me as I explained the design and sent him a screen shot of it. I will post another or edit as I start my ink on the 2/16/19

Loving my work at artistic mind tattoos in Carbondale Illinois I'm getting full sleeved out and much more can't wait to my next setting if you want a good looking tattoo that is the place to go I wouldn't go anywhere else great work