Why we started Plush
We’re Amber & Toni and we are the owners and tattoo artists at Plush Tattoo here in Portland, Oregon!
PLUSH IS A QUEER / TRANS / NEURODIVERGENT SAFE SPACE
We started Plush because we saw a huge need for a tattoo shop that protects their clients from scary or dangerous experiences. We ourselves have been tattooed at shops that felt really unsafe and where the vibe was not friendly to those of us who don’t quite fit into the typical tattoo stereotype. Hate to throw shade but many of the shops we’ve visited were just full of cis white men who were really not kind to their clients or even their coworkers. We wanted to create a shop that wasn’t overstimulating, that you could come get a cool tattoo and leave feeling more like yourself, rather than cringing every time you see the tattoo because your artist was creepy or you were pressured into something you didn’t want. Too many of our LGBTQ/neurodivergent/plus size friends have shared their horror stories with us about feeling discriminated against during their tattoo experience and we HATE THAT SO MUCH.
PLUSH IS A VEGAN TATTOO SHOP
We also wanted to create a space where the tattoo process is completely 100% vegan from start to finish. We’ve been vegan for almost a decade now and every aspect of our life is carefully crafted around avoiding hurting others and our work is no different. We’re obsessive label-readers so we want our clients to rest assured that they are getting a product that hurts nobody (but them…just a little hehe). We also recognize that the tattoo industry is inherently very wasteful so whenever we can, we opt for earth-friendly supplies or business solutions while upholding the strict Oregon state laws (biodegradable ink caps, email receipts, eco-friendly lighting etc).
Overall, we wanted to create a place to work that brings value to not only our lives but to the community we live in. We grew up as the eldest siblings with a lot of stress, so we wanted our work environment to be calm, cozy and relaxing. We definitely see the need for more places like this so we’re stepping up and making it happen!
Want to get tattooed with us?
