Payment

ZELLE is GREAT. It’s free. Your banking app probably already has it.
Cash
Venmo/Paypal is OK, but not ideal.
Can do Credit Card but they have fees
AFTERPAY is available. It allows you to pay me for the service up front, while you can break the total into 4 payments over 6 weeks.

Tipping

This is sort of a taboo topic to speak openly about, I guess because it’s just sort of awkward, and I know a lot of people actually would like to know a straightforward answer about this, so I’m going to tell you what I’ve seen to be true.

Tips are greatly appreciated, and they are part of the culture of our industry, although nobody would say they are ‘required’. It is more of a social code. Although tips are ‘not required’, it’s sort of bad juju to not tip.

First time tattoo collectors are the most likely to not tip. They just don’t know about the industry and culture, and they have no way to know with zero experiences. The average tip is $20-100 cash, depending on the skill, time, size, and difficulty of the project.

Tips do not always have to be money!
With tipping out of control these days, here are some non-monetary tips that greatly help my neurobiology, morale, little business, and day in general:

Giving me a great testimonial on yelp or google is also extremely kind and helpful to an artist!

I love when clients think of me with pre-rolled joints, chocolate, teas, or honest words of affirmation. I also like when you bring your favorite snacks, and it’s fun to share those items together. I like good books or smudges. I’m not super into knick knacks.

My cousin once gave me an entire lasagna, and I really appreciated that. The convenience of an easy meal that can last for days is not underrated in the life of a tattoo artist! Ask your artist if there is anything they love :) They might not say anything, but guaranteed most like caffeine, a small sweat treat, or any positive review on yelp or google pages, and those are great ways to tip in a non-monetary way.

Memes, Active Engagement with our posts by sharing, liking, commenting, or otherwise hyping us up to the people you know are also great ways to spread the love and support us.

AFTERCARE

As part of my service, I provide an aftercare kit at the start of most projects. Subject to being in-stock, the aftercare kit includes an aftercare card outlining instructions, unscented antibacterial soap, a&d ointment, and a 1 oz tube of curel lotion. It also includes some vitamin C, a snack, some stickers, and some temporary tattoos.

I also have a page on the website which outlines BEFORECARE suggestions and AFTERCARE instructions, and products available on Amazon or in your local CVS.

CAN I BRING A FRIEND ?

If you have anxiety and you *must* have a security person, you may bring ONE person, but they cannot stand in the procedure area. There is a nice seating area in the main shop, with tea and wifi and books. If you can give me a heads up, it helps me be mentally prepared for the visitor.

It’s better for me if my energy isn’t scattered with social demands that are not essential toward the project, so I generally prefer if you don’t bring extra people. There is also not a lot of space for them in my work area, especially if other artists are in that day and also have clients.

Also, please be selective when deciding to bring someone with you, and that they will have a neutral or positive impact. Make sure they are supportive of you.

If you must bring someone, hopefully they are independent at entertaining themselves, or maybe even helpful? Can always use help with video/photo documentation of the process :)

Sidenote: I do struggle with sensory processing issues

Touch Ups

Touch ups after your tattoo heals are included for all Full Day Sessions and Multisession Projects and Half Day projects, if necessary.
If I was nice and did a small tattoo for you, a $40 materials fee for small tattoos that need a touch up, simply because the price point of a small tattoo doesn’t cover expenses of a separate touch up appointment.
I highly encourage you to be responsible with your aftercare and follow my instructions. Issues created as a result of your own actions will be charged my hourly rate to fix, so don’t let your dog scratch your new tattoo, stay out of the sun, don’t sweat it out, and use the right ointments for your skin type.
There is a difference between needing more than one appointment to finish a tattoo, and a “touch up”
Due to a busy schedule, I cannot do touch up appointments on a weekend.

Birthdays

I don’t really have the ability to guarantee your birthday for your appointment. If it happens serendipitously, that’s awesome, Happy birthday.

More likely, you will get your birthday tattoo on a date somewhere within the same month as your birthday. If you book 1-2 months in advance, then maybe you’ll get your birthday week.

Astrology

I’m a Sagittarius. Cuz you ask.

Cannabis

The tattoo world has always been for marginalized groups, including stoners. We don’t mind it. If it would make you uncomfortable, please mention this on your proposal or by email so we can be considerate of that during your appointment.

Alcohol and other illicit substances are not welcome at the appointment.

At the time of writing this, I am currently a fairly heavy user of home grown cannabis, and feel that you should know this upfront so it’s not a problem later. I feel it currently serves a purpose that is helpful to me in managing stress and sensory overload, and it has been a wonderful ally in creative endeavors. I also work with kava kava, which I love. I sometimes have it available for clients at their appointment as it’s wonderful for sensory issues and anxiety.

Trauma & Sexual Harrassment

Tattoos in general require a lot of trust and vulnerability from the client. It occurred to me that this could be extremely triggering for some individuals, so I wanted to speak on it in advance.

Whether it was a botched tattoo that you are seeking to cover up, which can be traumatic and make it more difficult for you to trust the cover-up process and new artist
Or whether we are getting a new ornamental sternum design, in which you have to be topless on a table in the shop, where other people might walk by
Or at times, the artist has to sort of lean over the client, maybe even somewhat on-top of them, rest an arm on or close to their breasts or pelvis.
Or maybe it was an inappropriate experience with a misogynistic artist that left you feeling icky
I do not want to touch you inappropriately, nor am I thinking about you in “that way”.
During your tattoo time, we are both asexual and only desire to make an art baby together.
I am focused only on making sure your artwork is performed professionally on a technical level, and that you are honored and respected in that process.

Running Late

There’s a lot of parking in Auburn, much of it is unrestricted. However, there’s also a lot more people in Auburn these days. So, plan to head to town earlier for your appointment. Get lunch or coffee. Grab a snack. The unrushed on-time pace has good vibes. It’s best to show up fed and hydrated.

If you are going to be late for any reason, please communicate. I’m generally pretty flexible since I try to only work with one person per day, but in case I am managing multiple things, a heads up is helpful.

So plan to be on time, take preventative measures, eat well, sleep well, and maybe even hit downtown a little early.

As a general heads up, I usually arrive to the shop an hour before you do, so try not to keep me waiting too long, cuz I’d love to go home at a reasonable hour :D

Being an hour late is RUDE, even if you think we are friends.

Cell Phones

It’s an increasing epidemic, but our phones are really hard on our brains and concentration. I have found it difficult to work with clients who aren’t present, because they are dissociating into their phone. When we start designing and stenciling, it would be helpful if you were present and paying attention.

When we are tattooing, it would be helpful if you were mindful of your body and holding still. You can watch movies to distract you, but mindless scrolling is not advised, as you guys often move a lot more than you realize, both while scrolling and when reaching for your phone constantly.

This holds true for calls and text messages. Please put it away, or at the very least, be mindful of your body movements while I’m tattooing you.

Neuro Spicy

SENSORY HEADS UP!
Tattoo Machines still make noise! Bright Lights! Crinkly Paper! Multiple Conversations going at once!

I generally aim for a calm zen-like work space. If you’re neurodivergent, I recommend bringing noise canceling headphones or eye masks if you have trouble with any of these environmental presences! You are welcome to talk about music preferences, or bring your own. Bring comfy clothes and stim items if you prefer.

I don’t need you to talk the whole time! It doesn’t bother me at all. I also like to go non-verbal sometimes too, and for me it is not weird or socially rude. So, if you prefer not to make small talk, that’s totally fine with me, you can have a SILENT APPOINTMENT. Feel free to mention if you need one.

Products Used

I run a battery operated hybrid-rotary machine most of the time. It has some noise, but it is the best machine I’ve ever used, and it gets a lot of work done without a lot of trauma.

I use Dynamic Black, and Fusion Ink. Fusion says they are vegan. I only use black, so my ink is mainly carbon based, that I am aware of.

I use compostable ink caps, bottle bags, rinse cups, and razorblades (handles). I use compostable items as available. Sometimes cartridge needles are available in compostable casing, or packaging.

All items are single use, due to health code and cross contamination prevention purposes.