Purple Frog Tattoo opens in downtown

Christian McCarthy left his structured life of law enforcement to pursue his desire to become a tattoo artist.

Along with his wife, Darcy, Christian McCarthy has opened Bonners Ferry's only tattoo shop - Purple Frog Tattoo.

“It's a very different world,” said McCarthy. “I just had a need for more personal freedom in my life. This is more me.”

The McCarthys moved to Bonners Ferry from Kalispell, Mont., in 2003. Christian McCarthy, a disabled veteran of the Gulf War, had taken a job with U.S. Customs in Eastport.

In January 2007, he quit and went to the National Tattoo Academy in Salem, Ore., for six months to learn the skills of a good tattoo artist.

“I wanted to make sure I was getting the proper training to do the job,” said McCarthy. “Oregon has the strictest standards in sanitation and sterilization.”

State health departments in Texas, Oregon and Wisconsin monitor and inspect tattoo studios. However, tattoo studios operate in many states without inspections by a local health department. Idaho is one and doesn't require that tattoo artists be certified.

Part of his training involved working in a tattoo shop in Oregon with his teacher.

McCarthy also took two classes from tattoo legend Lyle Tuttle, who has been tattooing since 1949, while attending a tattoo convention in Vancover, Wash.

After finishing school, the McCarthys prepared to open their tattoo parlor. They have remodeled their downtown location on Kootenai Street next to the American Legion building.

“We want this to be a place anyone can come in and be comfortable,” said McCarthy, who runs a smoke-free environment. “Tattoos are reaching every social class now.”

Purple Frog Tattoo is looking for a person to do piercing.

“We have a whole room open that someone could use,” said McCarthy.

Darcy McCarthy is going to be in charge of financing and ordering for now but hopes to learn tattooing soon.

Purple Frog Tattoo's prices are comparable to the tattoo shops in Sandpoint. Purple Frog will have a $50 basic sitting fee, and prices will vary with the size or detail of the tattoo.

“We are looking at the communities of Boundary County, Cranbrook and Troy (for business),” said McCarthy. “We will see how the community reacts to us being here.”

Walk-ins and appointments are both welcome. People are asked to bring in drawings or look in books to find a design they like.

“I won't be drawing things up at this point of my career,” said McCarthy.

He also will offer free touch-ups on tattoos they do.

“That doesn't mean adding or embellishing on the tattoo,” McCarthy said.

Idaho requires people to be at least 14 years old to get a tattoo if unaccompanied by an adult. Purple Frog Tattoo will require that a person be 18 years or older, regardless of parental permission, for liability reasons.

Call 267-2584 with any questions. Walk-ins are welcome at 6412 Kootenai St.

“We will do anything we can to get a person in for a tattoo,” said McCarthy.