In 2003, Mel McCready, had a dream to incorporate her love of graffiti and art into an all elements hip hop and street concept store called the Yard. As the founder and owner of the yard, She has contributed to the growth of Durban’s and South Africa’s graffiti scene. The Yard stocked the largest range of graffiti orientated aerosol art supplies in KwaZulu Natal. This included many international
brands such as Montana gold, Montana black, Montana White, Montana Hardcore, mtn 94, Belton, Molotow, kobra and loop. spray paint/aerosol art supplies and graffiti accessories such as nozzles and markers and graffiti books. Over the years, The yard developed and changed its main focus and became Crak Urban Gallery, a brand new space that contained a gallery and retail space for local artists to exhibit artwork. Crak Urban Gallery offered aerosol art supplies, collectible vinyl toys, books, DVD’s, cd’s magazines, limited edition sneakers local & international street brands
Such as Nike, Adidas, K-swiss, JB, Reebok, criminal, DC clothing, Vans Clothing and Anonymis clothing
In 2010, Crak Urban Gallery underwent another change, and introduced tattoos and piercing services into our repertoire. With the changes, our studio underwent a makeover and a name change, and became what we are today, STEP UP TATTOO, PIERCING AND PERMANENT MAKE UP STUDIO. Step Up are stockists of
jewellery
collectible vinyl toys,
books,
DVD’s,
cd’s
magazines,
limited edition sneakers
local & international brands
skate board decks and accessories. we provide the following services:
Tattoos
hand-poked tattoos
piercings
dermal piercings
permanent make up
microblading
skin rejuvenation
mole/skin tag removal
scalp repigmentation
Step Up’s tattoo, piercing and permanent make-up artists are all
Certified, OSHA COMPLIANT, and have all bloodbourne pathogen certifications in place. Kirsty was trained by Durban’s own late Dave Edwards of Body Art in 2011
Bliancha, originally from the midlands, joined step up in 2016 as our resident piercer. She was trained in piercing by Durban's own Renette Edwards from Body Art. Bliancha has since become a qualified tattoo artist, permanent make-up artist and microblading artist. Frank, has joined us a tattoo apprentice, and has mastered the art of hand poke tattoos. We strive to keep Mel’s Legacy alive, she was and always will be the heart and soul of Step Up.
