Lost & Found Tattoo Studio Brings a New Form of Art to Cranford
Tattoos have come a long way in the past few years. Once associated with people of ill-repute, tattoos are now regarded as a true art form with tattoo artists constantly working to improve their creations. One of those artists is Ali Mennor, who grew up in Cranford and went to school at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Ali knew that she didn't want to be a starving artist, and after seeing the enthusiastic reactions she received to her full back tattoo, she decided to become a tattoo artist. Ali worked for over 10 years as a professional tattooer and this year decided that it was time to open her own studio. The timing was serendipitous, as the lower level of the house she grew up in became available. Ali and her husband Pete Dickson found themselves with the perfect location for Lost & Found Tattoo Studio at 230 North Ave West.
Ali offers a special experience for her clients. She will first schedule a consultation where the client can discuss the idea they have for their tattoo. Ali will offer up suggestions and can also take a picture of the body part to show them what the tattoo will look like. Modifications can then be made in regards to the tattoo's size or design. For the actual procedure, Ali will only take one major appointment a day as it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours for the tattooing. Ali also does smaller tattoos and always focuses on the quality of the artwork no matter the size of the tattoo.
One thing that sets apart Lost & Found is that Ali is certified to perform areola restoration and scar camouflage. Medical tattoo artists are often looking for space, and Ali plans to offer up her separate medical tattoo room for guest artists. "I see tattoos as marking a significant journey or life event," said Ali. "That's especially true of medical tattoos." In an effort to give back to the community, Ali will be donating 50 areola restorations this year for women recovering from breast reconstruction surgery.
"Starting our own business was a real attempt to improve our quality of life," said Ali. "Though we've only been open a short time it's already proving to be an incredible experience. Pete is in charge of the business side and I'm able to spend more time with the clients and creating artwork." If you're interested in seeing Ali's art, make sure you follow her on Instagram @fast_ali. And if you want to make an appointment, the best way to do that is to call ahead and schedule a consultation. We're thrilled to welcome this unique business to downtown!
Lost & Found Tattoo Studio
230 North Ave. West
(848) 219-2579