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INK MINX TATTOO TOUR

Why Women? Tattoo culture is heavily male dominated making the tattoo experienced skewed. That's where Ink Minx comes in!

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Project Description

Who are you investing in?

I’m Shanzey Afzal. I’m a 26 year old tattoo artist that opened Ink Minx, a mobile tattoo studio for women! At a young age I fell in love with henna tattooing, a tradition from my Pakistani culture. In spite of the stigma against tattoos in conservative Muslim communities, I started a tattoo apprenticeship at 21, eventually becoming licensed in my own right.  

I’ve always been a girl with big dreams. I bought a 1963 Shasta trailer and converted it into a modern tattoo studio, creating Ink Minx. I furnished it with a soft female touch, adding marble floors and pink highlights. 

InkMinx follows the Riot Grrl philosophy of “girls to the front,” tattooing only women and nonbinary customers. Ink Minx has grown exponentially in the past year, being featured in numerous publications including Inked Magazine, CNN, The Slutist, and the Huffington Post!

"So you don't tattoo men AT ALL?!" I take female customers as first priority. Men are welcome to schedule a consultation but an appointment is not guranteeed.

The Ink Minx Studio
The Ink Minx Studio

 What am I doing?   

The reason Ink Minx is mobile is to empower women across the country. Ink Minx is raising money to go on the first ever Tattoo Tour! Covering ten cities up and down the East coast, from NYC to Miami, Florida. The tour begins November 23rd, 2018 and runs through Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, Gainesville, New Orleans and more. The tour culminates December 9th, 2018 after a 4 day feature at Aqua Art Miami!  

Aqua is a premier art festival featuring up and coming contemporary artists. Though there is usually a competitive application process, Ink Minx has teamed up with Shim and Art Helix Gallery … and has already been accepted into the festival! Also, ArtHelix Gallery and Shim have spoken to several women artist including myself who will encourage younger women to come to the fair, not only as viewers, but also as participants. I'm proud to say I'm already booking appointments!

Ink Minx is coming out to the fine art world by being the FIRST thing seen at Aqua. Being at the forefront of this festival is the biggest way that Ink Minx can spread our message of feminine power.

 The Money   

I have a business degree from Baruch College. You can trust me to use the funds wisely and with intention.

Where the money is going is simple:  

*Insurance through Allen Financial Group- $840

*Gas- $223.20 (as estimated through investopedia.com, round trip)

*Parking/Permits/Licenses- $900-$2500 (as estimated through roadslesstraveled.us)

*Air BnB’s- $1,920 (Average cost x 16 nights)

*Aqua Art Exhibition Cost- $1,500 (240 sq feet)  

NO amount is too small… a dollar donation goes a long way!  

Stretch Goals 

 Ink Minx has been requested to go all over the country so why would we limit ourselves just to the East coast?! Should this campaign raise any extra funds I’ll add MORE cities to the tour - Hopefully all the way to the West Coast and culminating with a game-changing spot at Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals in the world.

Tattooing Kat Hamilton, Musician
Tattooing Kat Hamilton, Musician

 Why do I care so much?   

 I’m a queer, first generation, American-Muslim woman living in post 9/11 society. Tattoos are one way I claim my ground, empower myself, and seperate myself from anything holding me back. I’m fulfilled by being here to provide that service for other women.  

I’ve observed female tattoo culture to be extremely personal. Unfortunately, the intimacy between the tattoo artist and customer is often lost in rough male-dominated spaces. As a female artist, I value the poetry of tattooing an experience into living skin. I am creating a safe space for women to tattoo their identities, telling skin-deep stories that transcend what meets the eye. By creating a tattoo experience specifically geared towards women, I create comfort and emotional poignancy for my clients.  

Through Ink Minx, there is a space separate from the old boy’s club, focusing on female participation, emotional journeys, and artistic strength. My feminist tattoo revolution seeks to reclaim what has always belonged to the female experience, baring it unapologetically for the world to see.

.Notes:   

This post was written in tandem with Malavika Kannan, creator of The Homegirl Project.

Links: 

WEBSITE- InkMinx.com 

INSTAGRAM: @inkminxtattoo 

YELP: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ink-minx-queens 

ART HELIX GALLERY - https://arthelix.com/

SHIM - @shimgrams http://www.shhhim.com/

NO FACEBOOK

HUFFINGTONG POST-  https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ink-minx-shanzey-afzal-tattoos_us_… 

HUFFINGTON POST- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67YwZi3QOBA 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfUuLCRu_MM&t=4s

BROWN GIRL MAGAZINE- https://www.browngirlmagazine.com/2017/09/ink-minx-pakistani-woman-tatt… 

THE SLUTIST- http://slutist.com/ink-minx-shanzey-afzals-mobile-feminist-tattoo-studi… 

HOMEGIRL PROJECT- https://thehomegirlproject.wixsite.com/homegirls/blog/interview-a-women… 

INTERIORS AND SOURCES- https://www.interiorsandsources.com/news/design-news/news-detail/articl… 

INKED MAG- http://www.inkedmag.com/g/how-she-transformed-a-1963-trailer-into-a-tat… 

shan4

We are raising money on iFundWomen so we can go on tour with the tattoo trailer and work with women  all over the country! With your generous investment in our business, you are validating the need for women and non-binary people to have a safe, comfortable environment in which to get their tattoos.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

 

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

   

Hannah
08/16/2020
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$25
Anonymous
07/31/2020
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$10
Rachel Nichole Viqueira
10/04/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$20
03/12/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$10
03/06/2018
CHEERS DARLING
$10
01/31/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$25
01/10/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$10
01/09/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$25
01/08/2018
CHEERS DARLING
$10
01/05/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$30
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
28 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
DO IT FOR THE GRAM

@inkminxtattoo will write a lovely thank you post promoting you or your business on Instagram.

1 Supporter
Select this reward
50.00 USD
INK MINX BEANIE

Recieve a super cute INK MINX black beanie shipped to your door to rock out year-round.

1 Supporter
Select this reward
75.00 USD
TATTOO

A half hour tattoo consultation via Skype and $25 OFF your next tattoo at INK MINX

1 Supporter
Select this reward
100.00 USD
TEMPORARY TATTOOS

Get sent Tatouage: Blossom a book with over 100 temporary tattoos and quality botanical prints right to your door!

0 Supporters
Select this reward
750.00 USD
TATTOO PARTY

LIMITED QUANTITY ONLY 1 AVAILABLE** Are you in the Tri-State? Are you planning a corporate party, a wedding, bachelorette party, concert, or other event? Or just want to host a tattoo party? Save hundreds of dollars and have INKMINX come to YOU.

1 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
4,500.00 USD
EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR

LIMITED QUANTITY ONLY 1 AVAILABLE** Become the official INKMINX Sponsor with exclusive presented by naming rights for the TATTOO TOUR 2018.

1 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

West islip, NY
Created 1 Campaign

Rewards

Monetary Contribution With No Reward
28 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
DO IT FOR THE GRAM

@inkminxtattoo will write a lovely thank you post promoting you or your business on Instagram.

1 Supporter
Select this reward
50.00 USD
INK MINX BEANIE

Recieve a super cute INK MINX black beanie shipped to your door to rock out year-round.

1 Supporter
Select this reward
75.00 USD
TATTOO

A half hour tattoo consultation via Skype and $25 OFF your next tattoo at INK MINX

1 Supporter
Select this reward
100.00 USD
TEMPORARY TATTOOS

Get sent Tatouage: Blossom a book with over 100 temporary tattoos and quality botanical prints right to your door!

0 Supporters
Select this reward
750.00 USD
TATTOO PARTY

LIMITED QUANTITY ONLY 1 AVAILABLE** Are you in the Tri-State? Are you planning a corporate party, a wedding, bachelorette party, concert, or other event? Or just want to host a tattoo party? Save hundreds of dollars and have INKMINX come to YOU.

1 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
4,500.00 USD
EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR

LIMITED QUANTITY ONLY 1 AVAILABLE** Become the official INKMINX Sponsor with exclusive presented by naming rights for the TATTOO TOUR 2018.

1 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward