November 7, 2007

Quality Ink

Brooklyn Adorned Opens

Little-known fact: Tattooing was illegal in NYC from ’61 to ’97. (Yet you still managed to get that blue dolphin on your shoulder.)

East Village parlor New York Adorned went underground, using a jewelry shop as a front for its expert inking services. Word of technical excellence got out, and these days the shop is packed with bikers, sailors, hipsters, and soccer moms.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the needle: The jewelry biz took off. So much so that they’re now opening Brooklyn Adorned. The lofty industrial space has palm trees, skylights, and spacious rooms with opaque glass and high-tech sterilizing machinery.

And it’s also a gallery, with jewelry and art objects displayed in wooden cases, one of which was made by artisan Jimmy DiResta. Silver bracelets and necklaces mix with medal collections, ceramic baby doll heads (pretty and creepy), and piercing accoutrements.

A grand effort in the art, craft, and culture of tattooing. Mark our words.

Brooklyn Adorned, 376 Bedford Avenue, between South 4th and South 5th Streets, Williamsburg (718-782-0007 or nyadorned.com).