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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN HUMBOLT COUNTY

Primal decor building when it was brown and red

How It All Started

Primal Decor, Humboldt County's oldest body art studio, was established in 1995 by Jason Whitcomb. At just 18 years old, Jason transformed his mother's former chiropractic office into a safe and open-minded space for body art enthusiasts. His vision was to create an environment where creativity and self-expression could flourish. ​

While nurturing Primal Decor, Jason also pursued higher education, financing his studies at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) through his earnings from the studio. His entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there. Jason expanded his ventures to include S.T.I.L., formerly known as Red Cherry Glass. Red Cherry Glass began in a room at Primal Decor, eventually expanding to its own location behind Eureka Glass on Myrtle Avenue before moving to its current location on Broadway. Through this transformation, it transitioned from a wholesale business supplying shops nationwide to a retail location serving the Humboldt County community. Through Red Cherry Glass, Jason was able to inspire other glass blowers to follow their dreams, including Howard Lewis (known as @Glasstacular on Instagram) and Matt Kelley (known as Mattkelleyglass on Instagram).​

Jason's dedication to fostering a safe and creative environment from day one trickled down  inspiring and solidifying Primal Decors Future for generations to come.

In 1998, Jennifer McMahon joined the Primal Decor family after her battle with thyroid cancer. Seeking fulfillment over fortune, Jennifer left her corporate job to bring new energy to the studio. She revitalized the space with fresh aesthetics and became Humboldt County's first female piercer  with  the Association of Professional Piercers. To learn more about Jenns interest. See her Bio Page!

Over the years, Primal Decor has evolved significantly. From its humble beginnings with a single wall of jewelry, the studio now boasts an extensive selection of high-end gold jewelry and luxury brands like BVLA, Diablo, and Quetzalli. Long-standing relationships with industry leaders such as Neometal, Anatometal, and Industrial Strength Body Jewelry reflect our commitment to quality.

Our dedicated team, including the invaluable Valente Gonzalez, ensures that Primal Decor remains a welcoming and professional environment. Valente's hard work and support have been instrumental in the studio's ongoing success. ​

Community engagement is at the heart of our philosophy. We proudly collaborate with local non-profits such as the Breast Health Project, North Coast Children’s Services, Mirandas Rescue Mission, Humboldt Roller Derby, Pac Out Green Team,  These partnerships underscore our commitment to giving back to the community that has supported us for over 30 years. ​

As we look to the future, Primal Decor remains dedicated to providing a safe, fun place for piercings and tattoos in our community. Our mission is to continue being a place of pride for all of us that have worked so hard doing what we love.

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