Two Sides Of The Same Bloom, Tattoo Studio and Floral Shop Combine Forces
Lily Beez, Bleed and Bloom Studio celebrate soft opening in downtown Eau Claire
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Born from a deep-rooted aesthetic of whimsi-goth, queerness, and artistic self-expression, Birgitta Wild (Gitta Mikk), owner and tattoo artist behind Bleed and Bloom Studio, has partnered with another female entrepreneur, Jenn Linville of Lily Beez, to unveil a reimagination of both local businesses.
“I felt it was a great little change to the store and a wonderful addition to what I had going on to keep people in the store,” Linville said. “(We created) a beautiful space (for) two separate woman-owned businesses, with all the same love to serve our community with an open heart.”
Located within the Lily Beez space at 301 Main Street, the newly-combined establishment will share the distinct styles of its two owners, characterized by gothic elegance and botanical beauty, Linville and Wild said.
Lily Beez embodies a classically romantic approach to gardening, gifts, and floral artistry. Their offerings include bulbs and seeds, flower bouquets, floral arrangements for weddings and events, potted plants, and additional gifts.
“(The businesses) both feel classy, feminine, and rich with nature,” Wild said. “We like to think of it as the 'day garden' and 'night garden' sides of the shop.”
If Lily Beez is the day garden — bathed in light, adorned in classical beauty — Bleed and Bloom Studio is its darker sister: abundant with mood, mystery, and the sacred air of the unconventional.
The tattoo studio and boutique now occupies the former Lily Beez cigar showroom, bringing its own whimsi-goth aesthetic, they said. Specializing in a contemporary take on neo-traditional and black and grey tattoos, Bleed and Bloom Studio aims to expand the fusion of ink artistry with floral design in downtown Eau Claire.
Like their tattoo style, Wild has incorporated witchy and gothic architectural influences through its decor and retail offerings — reflecting their self-expression as a tattoo artist while also creating space for art that’s unique to the area. In early March, the tattoo studio and boutique held a soft launch in their new space.
“This is more than just a tattoo shop and art boutique,” Wild said. “(Bleed and Bloom Studio is) a place for community, inclusivity and change — I want to foster a safe space and a community of like minded individuals to support each other.”
Bleed and Bloom Studio features a variety of retail artisans, displaying works of botanical and bone art created with foraged natural elements and sterling silver jewelry with themes of faeries, crystal healing, and mystical charm.
The downtown tattoo and art boutique announced their grand opening during Mother's Day weekend, May 10-11. Attendees can expect a curated selection of emerging boutique art, floral arrangements, and flash tattoos — “I will be doing flash tattoos on Saturday the 10th! You can sign up at 11am and then come back for your tattoo when we text you it's your turn,” Bleed and Bloom Studio shared online.
Linville hopes the new collaboration creates a respectful environment and love for not only the business owners' differences, but most importantly, their similarities.
“This collaboration will really show how two business women can be completely different but share a love in their own industries while finding great similarities as we grow together,” Linville said. “This store will be a place to share a love of nature, a love of people and a place that is truly magically different than any space downtown.”
For ongoing updates on tattoo appointments and hours of operation for both Lily Beez and Bleed and Bloom Studio (301 Main St., Eau Claire), visit their website or respective social media platforms (@lilybeezllc and @bleedandbloomtattoo).
