Purple Thistle Tattoo

About Us

Welcome to Purple Thistle Tattoo, your go-to tattoo and piercing destination in Oelwein, IA, since 2022. As a locally-owned and operated shop, we specialize in black and gray, realism, traditional color, and cover-ups. In addition to custom tattoos, we offer body piercings, tattoo design, aftercare products, and body jewelry. We are excited to partner with the communities of Waterloo, Independence, and West Union to deliver a top-tier tattooing and piercing experience. We invite you to contact us today to book your appointment!

COMING SOON: Get What You Get Tattoos!

Areas Served

Our Professional Associations

Chamber of Commerce

Our Certifications

Bloodborne Pathogens Certified
CPR Certified

Languages Spoken

English
Spanish

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Black and Gray
Portraits
Realism
Traditional Color
Cover-Ups

Our Services include:

Tattoos
Custom Tattoos
Tattoo Sleeves
Tattoo Design
Tattoo Finishing
Tattoo Touch-Ups
Custom Tattoo Lettering
Body Modification
Nose Piercings
Cartilage Piercings
Bridge Piercings
Eyebrows Piercings
Lip Piercings
Dermal Piercings
Nipple Piercings
Naval Piercings

Our Products include:

Aftercare Products
Numbing Ointments
Nose Rings
Body Jewelry

Testimonials

On 2/22/2025 Katherine Azbill had this to say:
I came here to get my ear lobes repierced when they closed up for a few years. I also brought my 2 girls (6yrs and 5 yrs) to get their ear lobes done as well (their first pericings!), and the ladies have done a wonderful job! Mine were super fast, and there's a large selection for the girls to choose from, including unicorns, flowers, or stars! The studs are flat backs so they're very comfortable. The more decorative ones like the unicorns have ball backs and took a little longer than mine to install, but only took about 15 minutes per person, including cleaning time between people! Everyone was really supportive about the girls, saying they were so brave to get them pierced. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and the shop was beautifully decorated. Adding the prices on for people as well :)

On 1/19/2025 Mel D had this to say:
Awesome place, amazing tats and energetic vibes!

On 12/21/2024 C S had this to say:
Very thorough and patient with my first tattoo. Came in town from STL to get a matching tattoo with my sister full of personal meaning. Love it! Highly recommend.

On 12/20/2024 Jr Uhlenhopp had this to say:
Very friendly and great service and customer friendly

On 12/10/2024 Kevin Cook had this to say:
Experienced shop with very good artists. I have been to 2 different artist at this shop and they both did amazing work. You can tell they take pride in their work and want to satisfy and exceed the expectations of the customer. Will be going back soon.

Contact Us

Purple Thistle Tattoo
3 N Frederick Ave Oelwein, IA 50662
Phone: (319) 238-8212
Email: purplethistletattoo@gmail.com

Located across from Veridian Credit Union

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

American Express, Android Pay, Apple Pay, Cash, Personal Checks, Debit Cards, Discover, MasterCard, PayPal, Visa

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Monday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday: By Appointment Only

News

Sage's journey with art began as soon as she could grasp a pencil, but her dedication took root at the tender age of 9. Throughout Middle and High School, she immersed herself in numerous art classes, honing skills that span from mixed media illustration to acrylic markers and watercolors. Her artistic passion draws inspiration from diverse sources including DC and Marvel comics, anime, manga, and above all, music, which profoundly influences her creative process.

Icons like Michael Turner and Stan Lee have greatly shaped Sage's artistic vision and appreciation for design. For her, tattoos are not just ink on skin; they are narratives that individuals craft to express their personal stories and emotions. As a tattoo artist, she finds immense joy in facilitating this creative and sentimental process, viewing it as therapeutic and empowering. Ink Therapy, as she calls it, allows individuals to express themselves creatively without defining their identity.

Sage's artistic journey continues with her upcoming enrollment at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, supported by a scholarship recognizing her talent and dedication. During school breaks, she looks forward to sharing her artistic vision through tattoo appointments, bridging her passion for art with her commitment to helping others tell their stories through ink.

Sydney possesses an artist's soul, perpetually drawn to various forms of art. From a young age, she found joy in expressing herself through drawing, whether on paper with paint, pencil, and marker, or on skin with ink.

For Sydney, tattoos hold profound significance, not only for their ability to enhance mental well-being by covering scars or memorializing loved ones but also for their unique capacity to instill beauty, confidence, and empowerment. In her view, every tattoo, regardless of style, holds potential; it's the design that determines its success.

To Sydney, the body is a canvas awaiting creative expression, a philosophy she's honed during her apprenticeship under Markus, whose mastery of black, grey, color and realism tattoos continues to inspire her. Among her influences are renowned artists like Jesse James from Evolve Tattoo in Waterloo, IA and Markus, the esteemed owner of Purple Thistle Tattoo & Piercing, who serves as both her mentor and a source of deep admiration.

Bella embarked on her journey as an apprentice under Markus over a year ago, where she honed her skills and developed a specialization in neo-traditional tattoos. Her passion lies particularly in crafting animal and memorial style tattoos. Bella views tattoos as profound expressions that forge connections, define identities, and showcase one's creative essence through chosen art forms.
She finds immense value in the tattoo community, believing that one can glean insights into a person's story through their tattoos. Bella approaches each client's interaction with sensitivity, adeptly matching their energy. When clients are uncertain or anxious, she instills confidence and ensures a positive experience, while their excitement fuels her own enthusiasm, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Bella draws inspiration from diverse sources, particularly leveraging Pinterest to meld multiple artworks into uniquely personal designs. She finds role models in esteemed tattoo artists such as Brock and Dustin from Driftless Soul Tattoo in Decorah, IA, as well as her mentor Markus of Purple Thistle Tattoo & Piercings, and Brock, under whose tutelage she trained.

Expires 1/1/2026

Info

Shop Merch

FAQ

Why do I have to pay a deposit, and will it go towards the tattoo total?

The deposit secures your appointment date and time and ensures that the artist has your design ready. Yes, the deposit is applied towards the total cost at the end of your appointment.

What is your shop minimum for tattoos?

Our shop minimum for tattoos is $100.

What are the art specializations of your artists?

Sydney specializes in black and gray designs, Bella focuses on animals and floral tattoos, and Markus is skilled in color tattoos and cover-ups.

Do you accept walk-ins and offer same-day appointments?

We accept walk-ins and same-day appointments when availability allows, though we are often booked out in advance.

Can I walk in for a piercing, or do I need an appointment?

Currently, we require an appointment for all piercing services.

Site Navigation