Eccentric Lion — Local services in Valdese

I cannot even begin to describe this tattoo and piecing shop. They. Are. Amazing. I’ve never felt comfortable in a tattoo/ piercing shop EVER. Even before stepping foot in their chill (and clean!!) shop, Kinsey was an angel. She worked with me every step of the way. In the past I felt afraid to speak up about what I wanted down to the last detail (and now knowing they’d be better tattoos if I had!) but she listened to it all. She made every single change I asked for. She even took time in the shop when I arrived to tweak minor things. You cannot ask for better service.

Kinsey’s talent is unbelievable, y’all. She just inherently “gets” what you want. And she’s honest about changes that might work and might not! She always responded to my DMs and never left me hanging. I knew I could trust her to do a good job. Got three smallish tattoos and she got it done quickly but asking every step of the way if it’s what I wanted. And listened to me babble. Just AMAZING. I wanted very specific work, black line work, and when I got a recommendation (three actually) I looked up her Instagram and just knew she was the perfect artist. She has such a variety... but her unique talent comes with the dainty black lines she can do. And also, she played the music I was getting tattoos of. She’d thought ahead. So thoughtful and just 💯 customer service.

I’m here in Morganton for the summer and even when I move, I’ll drive here to get mine done.

I was SO pleased with her work and the atmosphere that I also got two piercings! I was shocked how jewelry is included. I got an lobe piercing and a side nose piercing. Each is perfect and I’m not sore at all. These are artists, they’re not trying to con you into things or add ons or upgrades, they’re just doing really amazing body mods at outstanding prices. Worth every penny... and more, so...

As far as the actual space it was inviting and the atmosphere was very casual. That being said, I did not have the greatest experience. I had gotten my bridge piercing and the person who did it didn't have much experience. When I asked if she thought I had the anatomy/enough skin for this piercing she said "I think so." I was a little hesitant but I put my trust in her. Because she's an intern and if her mentor isn't there they obviously think she's gaining enough skill to do this. She also used the wrong bar and told me to not use a straight bar, found out the hard way that this is not true and worsened the rejection. After getting done, she ignored me to talk with her friend. She was really unprofessional. It seemed like she didn't have enough experience piercing and I don't feel comfortable going back to...

I had been to Eccentric Lion before to fix a bad tattoo and Vallini did an incredible job fixing it last year. Today I returned and got a tattoo from the apprentice Josh and I'm ABSOLUTELY in love. He was kind, professional, kept a clean a disinfected work area, delivered clean lines and took the time to explain aftercare instructions even though this isn't my first tattoo, he didn't assume I knew and still was very thorough. This is now my new favorite piece to adorn my body. Can't wait to...