I usually just put up pictures of the studio with a brief description, but we've had such an adventure with the new studio, we figured it would be nice to share some of our experiences with you. The first few pictures are of the new studio being prepared - From Violin Shop to Piercing Bodz. Quite a transformation.
It all started when we visited Chester and saw this really cute little shop. The old violin shop had been going for years. It was really run down and badly maintained, but it had an appeal that outweighed all its negatives. We arranged to meet the Landlord. That was a bit tricky because they didn't want a piercing studio there. Soon sorted all that, though, and went to have a look inside. What a mess !! It was dark and dusty. Bits of the wall were falling off. The floor hadn't had a proper clean in years and the old counter and display cabinets were still in there.
We decided the best course of action was to completely demolish and strip the inside of the shop. We ordered a skip and a gang of us armed with sledgehammers went in to smash everything up and knock down some walls. That was great fun.
Neal came over from Anglesey for the day and built the walls and doorways. Nigel was astounded at the speed Neal works. We weren't surprised - we've seen him at work before. Then the worst thing happened. Neal was assaulted at his wifes birthday party and we were worried at one point that he might be losing an eye. He couldn't work or drive, so Carl was left to finish off the work that Neal was doing.
We got Carl's dad to do the plumbing. It took nearly a week. Then leaked everywhere. In the meantime Carl had built the cupboards in the piercing room, hung the door and fitted the handles and rehung the main doors in the shop so they didn't catch on the floor. Shirley started the decorating along with Neals wife, Emma.
By the Sunday before we opened we still had loads to do, so we enlisted Neals help again. His eye was beginning to heal, but it was very bloodshot. Nigel came to help with painting and 'Tags' came along and painted the window frame and cast iron scroll. Emma, as always, came along to help with decorating and even little Fyfe was there to help.
Carl's cousin, Mike, came to stay on Wednesday. Good job, too, because we were nowhere near ready to open. Between the three of us, we've done really well to have finished.
Vicky from Chester environmental health came to have a look on Friday. The place was a mess and we didn't even have the furniture in. She came back later that afternoon and was amazed to see how much we'd achieved in one day. Shirley painted the floor on the way out on Friday and we prayed that it would be dry in the morning. Luckily, it was.
There are so many people that have helped. We'd like to thank all of you. Especially:
We couldn't have done any of this without you all. Thank you all so much.