about

Gemmy Charmed Life is me, BBP-certified Tooth Gem/Grillz Technician & Licensed Esthetician Kati Llewellyn! I've been gemming full-time since October 2021 and took on grillz in late 2022. I guess this is what happens when you combine a lifelong adoration of miniatures + an adolescence spent coveting braces + a love for working with y'all. Many clients who arrive at the studio wary of how jewelry might suit a snaggle tooth leave with a newfound love of their smile, which is the actual best thing. I love my job!

I have two tooth gem certifications, including a masterclass from Tegan's Tooth Gems, plus grillz courses from renowned wax sculptor @twenty.eight.28 (Seoul/London) and Mouth House (AU). I also re-certify my Bloodborne Pathogens license every year, as well as my Esthetician license (including continuing education courses) every two years. I've taken 5+ additional courses in casting, welding, and jewelry fabrication and finishing.

Gemmy Charmed Life is currently run out of Cathedral Tattoo, a shop I co-own with my beloved business partner Erin Bauer. Cathedral is located at 3205 N. Oakley in Chicago, IL. We recently underwent a rebrand/remodel, but we've been in this location since August 2023, so we've got our sea legs with this whole owning-a-shop thing! That being said, please let us know if we can make your experience more comfortable. Some accessibility & client comfort notes:

While IDs are required for service per Illinois law, YOU dictate your pronouns/how you'd like to be addressed. We do our best to accommodate all body types, skin tones, genders, and abilities here.

Cathedral Tattoo is largely wheelchair-/assisted device-friendly, with an open path to the tooth gem area, and a large single occupancy restroom with grab bar to the left wall of the toilet. Please note there is a small bump from the sidewalk into the shop at the entrance.

Clients typically lay flat in a dental chair for service, but the process can be modified to be done wherever you're most comfortable. My bed safely accommodates clients across body sizes.

Cathedral Tattoo typically has music on and may have incense burning, so please keep this in mind if you have sensory sensitivities.

Cathedral has a commercial air filter running at all times. I will always mask during your installation. If you need to arrange an appointment where you are the only person in the shop besides myself, for mask reasons (since masks can't be worn during tooth service), please contact me and we can schedule something during off-hours.

Mobile services to accommodate accessibility needs are an option, schedule permitting.

The gem process is usually fast, about 15 minutes end-to-end, though complex projects can take 30-60 minutes. It is painless, but may be triggering if you are dentist-wary. Want to know more about what your specific gemming process would look like, based on your design goals & access needs? Email me and I'll be happy to walk you through in detail.