Some Big Personal News

11 years ago I launched Tattly as a fun side project.

The goal? Create high-quality temporary tattoos, designed by professional artists.

Little did I know this lighthearted idea would grow into a healthy business, shipping millions of tattoos around the world.

Since July of 2011, Tattly has catapulted joy and good art into the world, paid our artists over $1.5M in artist royalties, employed over 45+ fine humans, moved three times, attended countless trade shows, appeared on national TV, got featured in the NYTimes, handed out tattoos at the White House Easter Egg Roll under president Obama, collaborated with brands such as NPR, VOGUE, National Gallery, Sesame Street and Starbucks, ran a ‘temporary temporary tattoo parlor’, and licensed art from over 120 artists.

It’s been an eventful ride.

Tattly taught me about margins, the world of wholesale, what it means to ship products globally, how to source manufacturers… but most of all: Tattly taught me that it can be advantageous to fall into an industry you know nothing about. I showed up with zero limiting beliefs, just a whole lot of enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

And then 2020 happened.

Like for so many other bootstrapped, wholesale focused businesses, the pandemic has been brutal. During the NYC lockdown, in an attempt to save the business, I had to personally learn how to ship our orders. For months I would go into our deserted office, pack up the orders and carry them to the post office. It was a lot.

I admit I was on the brink of giving up. More than once.

Carolyn Andrews, our fearless CEO, was one of the people who would consistently remind me of what this mighty little brand brings to the world: We celebrate art, financially support artists, spread joy, champion inclusivity and allow the world to self-express and pretend. Pretending is fun. And boy does this world need more fun.

Over the past two years, I gained clarity: I want Tattly to grow, support more artists and bring smiles and lightness to more corners of the world.

Today I am proud to announce that Tattly has been adopted by the BIC family and is entering its next, expansive brand chapter.

BIC is a family-controlled company started in 1945 by Marcel Bich. Its founding product, the iconic BIC Cristal® pen, kickstarted a revolution that democratized handwriting and provided the world with an accessible medium for artistic self-expression.

Today, BIC is a leading global provider of many essential items. The company’s vision to bring simplicity and joy to everyday life is realized daily through the sale of more than 30 million products in 160 countries. This ability to touch the lives of billions of people in such a meaningful way, to me, is extraordinary.

Am I nervous about putting Tattly in the hands of such a giant company? Yes! Of course!

Am I ‘anxcited’ about the months ahead? Yes, of course!

Am I excited for the expertise, manufacturing and financial resources BIC will be able to provide to strengthen the mission and scale of Tattly? Absolutely!

There is so much possibility ahead!

And, a lot will stay the same:

Tattly remains women-led, Brooklyn based and will always champion artists. Tattly’s brand ethos will be untouched. Our artist community will continue to flourish, as BIC shares our deep respect for creatives. While my role becomes more advisory, I’ll still be involved with the overall creative vision.

I don’t make a decision like this lightly. My close friends know it’s been a tremendously long journey for me to feel ready to set Tattly free. I am proud of how far my team and I have been able to take this gem of a company. Tattly is a true labor of love, bootstrapped, infused with a tremendous amount of care and enthusiasm by 45+ team members over the course of 11 years. Each one of them left a mark.

I trust BIC will honor our past 11 years and honor the essence of Tattly.

I trust BIC will teach her new things, I wasn’t able to.

I can’t wait to see what she’ll grow into.

I love you, Tattly.

Mamabear,
Tina

Tattly By Koyamori

This new Tattly Sheet by Koyamori has me yearn for spring.

Tattly Furry Friends Sheet

This new Tattly Furry Friends Sheet by Brooklyn based illustrator Kevin Waldron is making me happy.

I Am A Voter

I moved to the USA in 1999 and two months ago I became a citizen. I can finally say: I AM A VOTER.

Today we launched our Tattly x @iamavoter partnership to help increase voter registration and voter turnout in this election. See you at the polls!

Tattly’s Yearly Birthday Sale

A few minutes ago, we launched our yearly, crazy big birthday sale over at Tattly. I am feeling quite emotional about it as I honestly wasn’t sure earlier this year if we would make it to 9. We persisted and now I am hoping we will make it to 10. I love this little mighty company so much. I bootstrapped Tattly with my amazing team and have paid out of 1.4 million in artist royalties to our artists. I am proud of that! Thank you to all of you who have supported us over the years, who have helped spread good art and joy. I appreciate you! And if you feel so inclined, go stock up on some wearable fun. It’s easy to ship to friends!

ps: If this pandemic has taught me one thing: SHOP SMALL! Your direct orders makes a huge difference (hello there, bigger margins!). Found something on Amazon you want? Make an effort, look up the brand’s website and order directly. If we don’t, only Amazon and highly funded startups will be left.

Tattly Are Waterproof

Summer is here in NY and that’s a good time to remind everyone that Tattly are indeed waterproof. Go sleeve up, dive in, have some fun!

Wear Your Kale

Gah! I have been waiting for *weeks* to share this new Tattly: Kale Tattly by Lara Gastinger. I am pretty sure the entire state of California is freaking out right now.

Moon Phases Tattly

I am loving the new Moon Phases Tattly by Amanda C Marino.

This design reminds me of my childhood in the Swiss Alps where many of our neighbors and friends lived according to the moon cycles. Did you know your laundry gets whiter if you wash it on certain days, your windows don’t get streaks when you clean them, your hair grows fuller, you’ll heal faster after a surgery, your vegetables grow bigger if you pay attention on in which phase of the moon you take care of these things?

Don’t believe me? Read up on it! There are calendars and books that help you understand when to do what based on the phase of the moon. It’s absolutely fascinating!

Watercolor Bee Tattly

Watercolor Bee Tattly by Helen Dealtry. A new favorite.

Watercolor Flowers by Helen Dealtry

I love love love this Blue Floral Watercolor Tattly Set by Helen Dealtry.

Embroidery Tiger Tattly

Tattly launched an embroidery tattoo line. This tiger is one of them. ROAR!

NEW: Embroidery Tattoos by Tattly

Tattly launched Embroidery Tattoos by Tessa Perlow yesterday. These are the coolest! I don’t know what to do with my excitement over these! Gah!

In case you’re not familiar with Tattly: It’s a high-end temporary tattoo company I started 8 years ago. The designs last 2-5 days and are printed with vegetable based ink, here in the USA. We license art from professional artists and they get a generous cut of every single sale.

Tattly 50% off SALE

Once a year Tattly runs a totally bonanza 50% off sale. It’s on right now! Get the brand new glow-in-the dark half off, or the tins! They are a party on the go!

Tiny Tattly Tins

Tattly just launched Tiny Tattly Tins! (Say that 10 times really fast!) They make me so happy! These tins are so teeny-weeny-tini you can take them anywhere! Plus they come with a wee sponge for easy application! Cuuuuute!

Psst.. Tattly is currently running their totally bonanza-50%-birthday-sale.

Happy Pride!

I am so grateful my kids are growing up in a world, here in Brooklyn, where they will be free to love whoever they want to love, without judgement. The Swiss country side, where I grew up, was not that open minded at the time.

Happy pride day everyone! Look out for team Tattly putting rainbows on anyone who will let them during the World Pride Parade!

Love is love!

Armored Bird

There are days where I am really feeling this armored bird. Today is one of them.

Illustrated by Chris Buzelli. You can wear it as a Tattly.

All of the Colors

I know I shouldn’t have a favorite Tattly, but I do. All of the Colors by Jason Polan just launched and has already won my heart!

Hummingbird Tattly

Hummingbird Tattly by NYC based Illustrator Chris Buzelli.

Botanical Tattly


Loving this new Tattly design by German based tattoo artist Lara Maju. This is the closest I’ll ever get to a tattoo by a real legit tattoo artist. (Too chicken to get a real one!)

Ladybugs

The brand new Ladybug Tattly by Lorien Stern is my new favorite.

European Starlings by Nic Miller

I am in love with our latest Tattly launch, the European Starlings by Nic Miller.

European starlings flock in a strange and beautiful formation called a murmuration. This was artist Nic Annette Miller‘s fascination behind her 2016 “All That I Can Do” installation project, featuring 700 handcrafted woodblock starlings in flight.

I am lucky to call a set of these wooden starlings my own, decorating my living room wall. They make me happy.

Hummingbird Tattly

This new Hummingbird Tattly by Chris Buzelli makes me happy.

Birds of Paradise Tattly

I probably shouldn’t have a favorite Tattly but I simply can’t help being completely totally in love with this bird of paradise. If you are not familiar with the courtship dance these birds put on, then watch this clip. It will make you smile. I promise.

Mixed Feelings by Adam J Kurtz

“Good things will happen. Love is real. We will be ok.” Tattly Mixed Feelings Sheet by Adam J Kurtz!