Noah Stoops, back to camera, keeps an eye on the time as tattoo artist John Cross, owner of Ink Works Tattoo Studio in Cleveland, Tenn., continues his tattoo work. They beat the world record of 48 hours minutes later of continuous tattooing with one subject and one artist. They stopped at 50 hours. During the record breaking attempt, the studio collected over 100 toys at the Willow Street shop for the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program. Cross served eight years in the Marines.CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The world record for continuous tattooing has a home in Cleveland.
For 50 hours starting Monday, artist John Cross tattooed subject Noah Stoops at Cross’ Ink Works Tattoo Studio on Willow Street.
The record was 48 hours.
“I want 50. I really want 50,” Cross said during a cigarette break Wednesday afternoon before resuming the quest for the record. He broke it at 2:14 p.m.
While the tattooing went on around the clock, donors brought by more than 100 toys for the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program and the Cleveland Police Department’s Blue Christmas. And during those long hours, Stoops and Cross attracted media attention, including a cable news network.
Cross served eight years in the Marines before taking up tattooing. In 2007, he broke the Guinness World Records mark with 46 hours and three minutes.
Guinness representatives were not present at this record attempt, but Cross photographed it for later verification.
Stoops had been a customer before at Ink Works.
“He told me about all the good stuff the Marines do for kids,” Stoops said of Cross during a break. “I’m a single dad with two kids. Why not help?”
The attempt had its iffy moments. When was the hardest part?
“Real early in the morning,” Stoops said. “People are supposed to be sleeping then. But I could look out the window and see the Toys for Tots signs. That kept me going.”
Cross’ friends at Future House of Sound provided a little musical help. They aimed speakers at the two men and played their favorite music.
That, plus determination and coffee, kept them going, Cross said.
As the seconds ticked near to the record, lots of people in the studio began to count them down, like New Year’s Eve. Then they cheered.
Almost all, anyway. At the same time, some people were outside loading the first batch of toys.
Contact Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com or 423-314-1029.