A soon-to-be married couple have opened a 'no judgement' tattoo and hairdressing studio in Nottingham. The couple say they are excited to be a part of a ‘friendly’ and ‘inclusive’ community.
Amongst other independent businesses in Sherwood, Cross My Heart Collective is now one of the newest additions. Run by experienced tattooist of nearly eight years, Sam Cross, and Courtney who manages the hairdressing side of the business, are both from New Basford - and they have had their eyes on the premises for a while.
The shop on 9 Haydn Road was previously a tattoo studio named Jinxed, which announced its closure after seven years in March. Jinxed closed for the final time on April 22, 2023.
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Sam, who specialises in neo-traditional tattoos said: “Sherwood is such a big community with independent traders, there are a few bigger businesses but it's mostly small businesses.” With tattoo studio Kreep not far away, Sam added: “We don’t see people as competitors, we’re all in it for the same reason.
“We want this to be a comfortable space, a home from home and to make customers feel welcome and have a positive experience.”
The price for tattoos at the shop vary and Courtney charges depending on the length of the hair she’s working on. Wanting to work together for the convenience of their family, Sam used to work on Woodborough Road and Courtney in Carlton.
Courtney said: “From our first viewing, we got this, no hesitation, it all happened very quick.
“We’re happy to be working in Sherwood in a friendly and inclusive community and want Cross My Heart to be somewhere where there’s no judgement.
“I specialise in copper and vivid hair and eventually, we want to have a bit of beauty, it’s a collective so we want to try different things. The ‘Cross’ in Cross my heart will stand for both of our surnames and who knows maybe one day, I’ll daughter will be working here.”
Sam and Courtney have weeks until they’re a married couple. Sam said: “There’s still little bits to finish off in here, it’s taken a month to get it all ready. I do mostly bolder, colour work and can do most styles, if I can’t do it [a design] on paper, I won’t do it, I do neo-traditional tattoos and want to pursue colour more.”
One of Sam’s favourite tattoos he’s done is a T-Rex on a client, it’s a tattoo where ‘you can tell who's done it just by looking at it.’
Cross My Heart is open every day apart from Sunday.
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