Mind Crusher Tattoo

Reviews 3

HA

haesun chang

This was my first tattoo and I was not about to get it done at just any shop by just any artist. Therefore, I did A LOT of research and visited A LOT of shops in and near Chicago. I actually wasnt planning on getting a tat when I first decided to go visit Mind Crusher, but I walked out with my very first tattoo after my first visit! Here are the reasons why: 1. I was immediately welcomed by an artist and not some half-dressed chick or some overcompensating dude. Unlike the other shops, the artists at Mind Crusher acknowledge your presence instead of being plugged into their headphones. In my case, I was welcomed by the owner, Kevin. Kevin was finishing up on another tat, but I only had to wait about 5 minutes before I got my consultation. 2. From prior research, I knew Kevin mainly does portraits but the tat he was finishing up was a perfectly symmetrical circle around this guys elbow. All the tats I want are more detailed abstract work or simple words so I was reassured when I saw he could do such symmetrical abstract work on a difficult area. 3a. Kevin is freaking honest. He is blunt, but very professional. For example, Ive been to so many shops and they would all give me the, "yeah you can have it there and as long as you take care of it, it wont change too much" whereas Kevin gave me the direct, "you get in on the heel, it will not stay". Being that I have a degree in the sciences and work in the hospital, I know very well that areas like the heel and palms of hands are constantly changing; therefore, tats on that area will degrade much faster. I would ask such questions and more just to see if the artist actually knows what their talking about. In conclusion, Kevin knows what he is talking about. 3b. Continuing on with the honest thing, Kevin was very direct about how much he would make off of each tattoo and his tattoo history. He may not be some big shot that was on Ink Master, but Ive seen and met these other artists who were on the show and quite frankly, the instant they find out youre a tattoo virgin, they just look at you like youre an easy paycheck. Yes Mind Crusher is VERY affordable. But this is NOT a "you get what you pay for" deal. After talking with him I learned that Kevin always loved to draw and decided to make his hobby into an assessable artform for the general public. I got the treatment and tatt that was worth MUCH more than what I actually paid. And also, he will be straight with you if he is burnt out from tatting that day or will introduce another artist who would be better suited for what you want. 4. Kevin is patient and will work with you. Since I was originally just planning to visit and not get tatted, I didnt have exactly what I wanted at my disposal. But Kevin let me use his computer to get all the stuff I needed and was very supportive through the whole process; the guy waited 15 minuets for me to get my stuff together without once complaining or giving any passive aggresive attitude. 5. They respect your privacy. I was getting the tatt high up on my ribs; therefore, I sorta needed to be shirtless. So Kevin brought out this borader so that people passing by wouldnt be creeping. 6. He works SUPER fast and very clean. I saw him clean the chair and his equiptment after he finished up with his last customer. He opened up new needles and such in front of me and properly disposed of the needles when we were finished. 7. If needed, they do free touchups and the shop isnt planning on going anywhere. I will definitely be going back for my next tattoo and will definitely be referring him to anyone who wants quality work done. The only con I can think of, Kevin doesnt work on Sundays. But everyone deserves a break. :)

ME

Melinda E. Jordine

The afternoon of July 13th, I was in Chicago with my mom, who had procedures done at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. It was our third trip from Bloomington in less than two months. I had not been looking forward to coming back due to rude people, awful experiences, awful experiences with taxis, and the overwhelming feeling that nothing was going our way; oh, and also the fact that we were coming to Chicago for medical reasons and not for fun! But this trip was different. This trip was better. I called ahead first, to make sure I wasnt walking almost a mile for nothing (and yes, this place was the closest to me and had a lot of good reviews and thats why I chose it), and from that conversation, I was too excited for words. Id been wanting my ninth tattoo for a long time (almost 10 years!!), and I had a great idea and I was feeling good, and those wonderful feelings continued the entire evening. Kevin, the owner, was on his way out, but took the time to introduce himself, talk about the shop, and put my idea on paper. Sure, I was nervous about going to a place Id never been and having a stranger give me a tattoo (of my eight, ONE guy has done seven!), but while I sat and waited for my turn, the other employees and a friend of the shop, kept me company. We shared stories and laughs, and more stories and laughs. It was a great wait. Then the wait was over, and Nenad took control. We discussed my idea, placement, size, color, and style. He encouraged me to take a look at his previous work, which I did, and he made me laugh and feel at ease with his humor and personality. Those wonderful feelings I had before only got stronger. In my opinion, wonderful feelings are pretty damn important when you have a new life experience, and yes, getting my ninth tattoo was a new life experience. Here I am, in a city I dont live in, in a shop Id only known about for a few hours, surrounded by people who couldve treated me like any other customer. But they didnt. And Nenad did his thing and I dont know if I can put into words what an extraordinary job he did. My sweetpeas - watercolor style, on my right wrist - are phenomenal. I couldve stayed there all night and hung out with these guys. They made me feel at home, and safe, and special. A little ridiculous to feel special? Maybe, but its the truth. When I did leave, the friend of the shop walked me back to where I was staying. (Thanks again, Perry!) I dont review companies or stores a lot, but I had to this time. This trip to Chicago had gone so much better (for me AND my mom). I had all this positive energy around me, and I was more than ready for a tattoo, so it was only fitting that I went ahead and got it - and it was perfect. It was unforgettable. Thanks so much to the guys working that night! Ill stop by and say hi when we come back in October!

TA

Talia Arsers

I walked into Mind Crusher Tattoo a couple weeks ago with the idea that I was mostly going for a consultation (although I did have a tiny tattoo in mind that I did plan to walk out with that day). I knew I wouldnt be able to afford the special one I came in to ask about, but I wanted to hear their ideas about it and see what Id probably be looking at. Cash-wise, I was just doing research.. I didnt anticipate the super friendly and especially helpful demeanor I was greeted with! Hands down the most accommodating tattoo experience Ive ever had, I walked out with both tattoos within my price range extremely pleased. I spoke with the owner about my ideas and about my cash restrictions and I can honestly say Ive never met a tattoo artist so aware of the financial hill places make you climb to get a tattoo. He was extremely helpful, and had such intuitive advice as far as the artwork. Other tattoo shops bark a sticker price at you, point blank, with little or no input. At Mind Crusher Tattoo, they break the price down and work with you to fit it into your price range. This isnt to say this is a place for discount tattoos, because their artistry is better than most of the places Ive seen. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to get a tattoo they can show off and be proud of without leaving with your pockets empty.