Steel Magnolia Tattoo Studio

04/21/2026

Good morning!

The day finally came; I’m officially open as of 4/20! Wow! What a crazy whirlwind few weeks!

16 years ago when I started my career as a tattoo artist, I never could have dreamed that one day I’d own my own space. Now to be living a dream conceived much later is actually insane.

Words will never describe the amount of gratitude I have for you. Yeah, I mean you! Those of you who wear my art, those of you who simply engage in my content, and those of you who support me and my family. Without you I would seriously not be where I am.

As some of you know and most can imagine, I have been through the wringer over the last handful of years between the loss of my parents and a couple toxic situations. Despite it all, I feel I’m finally at the surface again verses the depths of spiraling depression.

All I want in life is to be the best I can be for my daughter. She of all people deserves to have a mom who respects herself and others, shows up even when it’s hard or scary, and loves everyone fully and intentionally. I had the best mom who checked off every one of those boxes, which is why I have dedicated Steel Magnolia Studios to her and my daughter, Magnolia.

My Goal At the Studio.....is to continue to give you all a space to be yourselves, to feel safe and loved. You are more than a transaction to me.

One thing I have always said (and will continue to say) is that my favorite part of tattooing is a piece of me lives with you as long as you live. I’m not just talking about the art, but the experience. The stories we talk about, the feelings involved, it all lives inside that tattoo. I always want you to look at your tattoo and know the intention that was put into it is a reflection of me; the true core of my being. You are more than my client, big or small— you’re my living art, and gosh how blessed are we to share that with each other.

Thank you, truly. Thank you for showing up for me, and always sticking by me through the years, months or days. Whatever category you fall in, I’m equally thankful.

Welcome to Steel Magnolia Studios.

04/02/2026

Update: flooring is done! Plumbing installed!
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Opening 4/20/2026
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I hope y’all are as excited as I am!

03/13/2026

Good morning everyone!

It’s time to reveal my secret to you all! So grab your cup, because here comes the tea!

From the moment I opened Steel Magnolia Tattoo Studio inside the Studio Lofts, it was always meant to be a stepping stone for the next part of the journey. When I was in my early 20’s, my mom pushed me really hard to open my own studio; I got extremely scared and decided not to follow through with it. Since then, I have always regretted that I didn’t trust her to guide me into success and always knew I would want to make her proud by opening my own space one day. Last May that, many years long, dream came true; finally on my own, even though it was just a small room. Steel Magnolia is my love letter to my late mother, Kimberly, and a promise to my daughter, Magnolia. It’s been an extremely humbling and huge learning experience which leads to, “what’s next?”

With all of that being said, I have decided to relocate Steel Magnolia back to my hometown in Franklin Indiana! As of right now the exact move-in date is unclear but by the end of April I will be in the new space. If you have an appointment scheduled with me, FEAR NOT, I will be emailing each one of you individually to give you the details when I have them all squared away!

I’m so very proud of what’s to come and most of all excited I get to share it with all of you! This month marks my 16th year tattooing and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d own a 12’x12’ corner in the industry, let alone moving into a 1200 sqft space. I want to express my sincerest gratitude to each and every one of you who have sat in my chair and shared your life with me, those of you who have simply supported me by engaging in the content I’ve shared, and even the ones who didn’t believe in me and what I could create. You’re all extremely important in the big picture and I wouldn’t be here if not for you.

Please stay close to on Instagram and Facebook for more updates and information about the move and as always, you can start the booking process through my website www.shelbyraia.com/contact !

Thank you for your support and for subscribing to emails from me to stay updated on the what-nots of what is now Steel Magnolia Studios!

All my love,

Shelby

I want you to have the tattoo experience you deserve; I have plenty of talented friends I can refer you to if the style you want is not a match for me!

03/11/2026

H E L L O P E O P L E O F T H E P A G E

Friday March 13th at 930am I will be sharing some very exciting news with you all!

Drop a GIF below if you're as excited as I am!

02/26/2026

B O O K I N G A P R I L & M A Y

Weekdays scattered through March and April and Saturdays in May and June!

You can send a booking request through my website, shelbyraia.com! While it says 1-3 weeks for a response time, I’m finally caught up so responses should go out quick! (For now!)

Looking forward to seeing you all in my inbox! ❤️‍🩹

I have been seeing Shelby for over 10 years now and have gotten over a dozen pieces done by her. There is no other artist I would want to go to; she’s great at what she does, from communication to ex*****on. I have sent family, friends, and coworkers to her and will continue to support a fantastic...

02/20/2026

Hi all, I’m Brooke. To help lighten Shelby’s workload, I’ll be helping her out with posting. Here is an update from Shelby:

“I am currently to out of the shop with food poisoning. If you had an appointment with me for today please check your emails/texts to get a reschedule date for this coming week. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone!

With that being said, I will be trying to get caught up on emails, so stay close to your inboxes for responses and scheduling!

Thank you for the continued support!”

11/28/2025

UPDATE: SOLD OUT

MYSTERY BOX SIGNUP IS LIVE!

I will be doing 20 mystery boxes this year for small business Saturday! To make this year a little different, there are 3 different price points. Each box is priced at $100, $250 or $300 and will contain 1 gift certificate for $200, $400, $500 or $600 depending on which box you pick. They will also....

11/24/2025

🩷🩵💛Small Business Saturday Update!🩷🩵💛

Hey, hi, howdy! 🤠

Below is the link you will use for
💥THIS FRIDAY NOV. 28th @ 10am!💥

This page will include all the information about each box as well as the sign up form the sign up form will not exist until the day and time listed above; the form will only allow 20 entries! Pick up appointments will be scheduled in order in which they are received. Keep posted to your email for your appointment time and payment information.

***please note: if you want to buy more than one box you will need to sign up for each individually! So I would have your significant other or friend have it pulled up on their phones or web browser too because I have a feeling (according to the amount of inquiries) these will go fast this year.

Comment below any questions you may have!

And as always, thank you for including me in your budgets, and especially for 15 years of keeping me in business! 🩷🩵💛

I will be doing 20 mystery boxes this year for small business Saturday! To make this year a little different, there are 3 different price points. Each box is priced at $100, $250 or $300 and will contain 1 gift certificate for $200, $400, $500 or $600 depending on which box you pick. They will also....

11/16/2025

Who’s getting ready for mystery boxes on Small Business Saturday!? I’ve been working non stop to get these bad boys ready for 11/29!

Gimme your best holiday memes; mines in the comments!

Ps. Yes Jersey Shore is a part of my creative process.

11/03/2025

🎄🍪A N N O U N C E M E N T🎄🍪

-s m a l l•b u s i n e s s•s a t u r d a y-

Buckle up! Theres a lot of information!

This year, I will be doing 20 mystery boxes for small business Saturday! For a little twist, there are 3 different price points: each box is priced at $100, $250 or $300 and will contain 1 gift certificate for either $200, $400, $500 or $600 value depending on the box you pick. They will also include aftercare, sticker pack and a couple other small goodies.

Here is a list and how these grab-bag boxes are going to work:
6 $100 boxes = will each have a $200 gift certificate
10 $250 boxes = 5 boxes will have a $400 certificate, and 5 boxes will have a $500 certificate
4 $300 boxes = 2 boxes will have a $500 certificate, and 2 boxes will have a $600 certificate

So how does this work? Oh, hold on to your hats, I’m gonna tell ya:

On Black Friday, 11/28/2025 at 10am Eastern, I will open a signup form on my website (shelbyraia.com) that will accept 20 submissions for a box selection. Please only sign up if you’re serious! You will be able to select what price of box you want to purchase for Small Business Saturday.

Once you sign up, I will send you an email with a time to come to the shop on Saturday 11/29/2025 to select your box. Due to limited space, I’m asking that you please show up at their assigned time - it just helps everyone out. And by “everyone” I mean mostly me, but you know, no one wants a jammed-up parking lot, right?

I think I covered everything, and hopefully this isn’t confusing! I will happily answer any questions via email! [email protected]!

See you soon friends!

10/29/2025

B O O K I N G
N O V E M B E R & D E C E M B E R

I have been seeing Shelby for over 10 years now and have gotten over a dozen pieces done by her. There is no other artist I would want to go to; she’s great at what she does, from communication to ex*****on. I have sent family, friends, and coworkers to her and will continue to support a fantastic...