Chris Miller could not be happier as manager of a tattoo/piercing shop.

“For me, it’s almost like therapy,” he said.

Miller manages Finishing Touch Ink’s newest location in Charleston and also works as its full-time piercer.

“I’ll do anything, but, being married, I was asked not to do anything on females below the waist, out of respect for my wife,” Miller said.

His interest in piercing began when he was 12 years old and would pierce for children in the neighborhood. Miller has been with Finishing Touch Ink for three years and previously worked at its location in Mattoon, which has been open for four years.

Providing a sterile environment for Eastern students to get a tattoo is the main reason, Justin Nihiser, owner of the shops, he opened the second shop in Charleston.

He said he wanted to provide a safe, sterile environment for students whether they are looking for a tattoo or piercing.

“(We’re) making sure people get good work for a good price,” Nihiser said.

Finishing Touch Ink has a $50 minimum on tattoos and charges by the size and amount of detail, not hourly. The price of piercing also varies, but most are $25.

“It’s actually some of the best work I’ve seen for the price,” Miller said.

Miller said the price of piercing may drop because to make it more affordable and because of competition.

Working at the shops has helped Miller keep his mood stable as he goes from work to home. He said the customers and his children are just about the same.

The Charleston location opened five weeks ago and business has been steady.

“It’s a slow season anyways, but its been pretty good,” Miller said.

Miller said the colder weather is a reason for this, since people aren’t out as much during these months.

The Charleston location currently has one full-time tattoo artist, James Nagle, from Vincennes, Ind.

“We definitely wanted him,” Miller said. He’s that good.”

Finishing Touch Ink has had several artists who were from Vincennes.

Nagle has been pursuing a career as a tattoo artist for five years, and he considers himself to be one of few who enjoy his profession.

“Unlike most people, I have a job I enjoy to do,” he said.

He added that he never wakes up in the morning wanting to call in sick.

Nagle enjoys doing color tattoos, mainly because when he does a tattoo, he makes sure it can be seen from far away and that people will then ask, ‘What’s that?’

“I like flashy,” he said. “I want it to stand out.”

Although Nagle said he likes color tattoos, he really just likes to do a lot of different things.

Miller used to tattoo, but stopped after he realized other tattoo artists were better than him, now he enjoys watching what customers come in to get.

One of the unique tattoos he has seen was a bagel for the Mattoon BagelFest, but Miller said he’s seen “just about everything.”

Nagle said when looking into a tattoo, people should make sure it’s something they want because it will be there until they die.

“Don’t make a hasty decision,” Nagle said.

Nagle said some tattoos can be covered up, but it is not always easy. He has been asked to cover up several tattoos before.

“Most of the time I can cover them up,” he said. “I’m pretty good at it.”

Nagle and Miller both said making sure the shop is sterile is also important along with checking out the artist’s previous work.

He said some things to look for are that the needles are in sealed packages and the container of which they are disposed of is not empty.

“(The shop) should almost feel like a doctor’s office or dentist’s office, but comfortable at the same time,” Miller said.

Area tattoo shops

Finishing Touch Ink – Charleston

Where: 1000 18th St.

Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday (hours are subject to change)

Rate $50 minimum for tattoos and $25 for piercings

Contact: (217) 345-7836

Finishing Touch Ink – Mattoon

Where: 621 Charleston Ave.

Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday

Rate: $50 minimum for tattoos and $25 for piercings

Contact: (217) 258-7836

Fields of Vision Tattoos and More

Where: South of 6th Street

Hours: 2 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday (or later)

Rate: $50 an hour for tattoos and $15 for piercings above the belt and $25 for piercings below the belt

Contact: (217) 345-0999

Burwell’s Body Art

Where: 514 6th St.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and Sunday by appointment

Rate: $20 to $30 an hour depending on the artist and Sundays $100 for all you can take

Contact: (217) 345-5661

Toad’s Cycle Supply

Where: 817 S. 19th St. in Mattoon

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday

Rate: $100 an hour

Contact: (217) 234-9611