2015 Holiday Gift Exchange

A diverse group of people pose playfully in a decorated room with colorful fabric and string lights overhead.

Our annual holiday event was, as usual, a real inspiration for us all. It was a great reminder of the high level of talent that exists among our crew. We all got together to celebrate and give thanks to another great year while participating in our annual tradition of the White Elephant gift exchange. Many […]

Mondial du Tatouage Paris March 2016

Vintage-style poster for "Mondial du Tatouage" in Paris, featuring a samurai and a black-and-white cat. Event dates: March 4-6, 2016.

Aaron and Melissa Bell will once again be attending the fabulous Mondial du Tatouage taking place in Paris March 4-6 2016. This is by far one of the best shows in Europe! Hope to see you there…

New Aaron Bell sketchbook now available

Book cover for "Japanese Tattoo Designs and Sketches" by Aaron Bell, featuring a dramatic illustration of a dragon intertwined with a skull and mask.

Aaron Bell Japanese Tattoo Designs & Sketches Best of vol. 1 & 2 This new book features the best from previous volumes, and has a bunch of new material. Lots of usable reference here. Now available with free shipping in our online store.

Slave to the Needle celebrates 20 years in Seattle

A group of tattooed individuals gather together, posing and smiling with "Slave to the Needle 20" written at the bottom.

Gallery Axis in the historic Pioneer Square district of Seattle was the location for this summer’s main event. Aaron Bell started slave to the Needle in 1995. On August 1st, in celebration, Slave to the needle hosted a fully catered party, which coincided with the Slave 20 group art show. Slave 20, made up of […]

Best of Seattle by Seattle Weekly

2015 Best of Seattle Winner badge from Seattle Weekly in pink and black text.

“Walking into either of Slave to the Needle’s two Seattle shops will put anyone looking for some new ink at ease. The space is as artful as its many artists, who are led by Aaron Bell, an old Orange County punk who found his way to Seattle, where he opened the Ballard location in 1995. […]

National Nicest Studio Award 2015

Plaque with an eagle illustration, titled "National Tattoo Association Nicest Studio Award," given at the Orlando, FL 2015 Convention.

We’re very pleased to have received the National Tattoo Association’s Nicest Studio award at the 36th annual tattoo convention in Orlando Florida. Thanks to the NTA members, our great crew, and all of our wonderful customers for making this possible!

Tattoo Masters

Cover of a bookazine titled "Tattoo Masters," featuring images of tattoo artists and stating it's a guide to 48 artists from around the globe.

I was super honored to be featured in Tattoo Flash’s special edition magazine ‘Tattoo Masters’. They stuck me right in there next to many of my tattoo heroes! Thank you so much to the long time editor of Tattoo Magazine, Frenchie Nilsen, and to everyone else who has supported me over the years… you’re the […]

New Piercer at Slave in Ballard!

A man with a beard, wearing a black T-shirt and apron, stands in front of a wall with tattoo designs. He has facial piercings and is smiling.

We’d like to welcome a new piercer at Ballard: Justin Ellis… our old lead-counter assistant! Justin has been with us for many, many years, and although we hate to lose such a great counter person, we’re very happy to gain a 3rd piercer. Justin has been working hard under the fine tutelage of Josh Noble, […]

Contact Us