Frequently Asked Questions

To keep up to date with my work and our studio please follow along at my instagram (jaybird_tattoos) or on my new shop page (Ravensgatepxv).

How do I make an appointment?

To be considered for a piece please wait until I’ve announced that my books are open and then fill out the linked google form. Books will open on the first of every month to schedule out for the following month (ex. books open March 1st to schedule out April). There will be two forms available, one for existing projects and predrawns and one for new inquiries. Existing projects do take priority, but there’s always room each month for some new folks! The “New Inquiries” form caps at 50 submissions, so be sure you’re on time to get your submission in first! I will read through all the new inquiries and pick the pieces I feel I’m the best fit for to fill out any remaining appointments I have available after my existing projects are scheduled.

Do you tattoo BIPOC individuals?

Absolutely!! Most of my portfolio is on lighter skin tones only by nature of where I have lived (Western NC is disappointingly homogenous), but my style translates beautifully onto darker skin tones and I am beyond happy to work with whatever skin tone or body type you have. Tattoos look beautiful on EVERYONE.

Does it matter what size I am?

The ONLY thing that might change due to someone’s size is how long it takes to fill out a sleeve! Smaller individuals don’t have as much skin for me to work with, so what would be a small piece on a larger individual might take up an entire forearm on someone with a smaller build. I don’t care what size you are, all body types are beautiful and look great tattooed.

What do you charge?

For single-session tattoos I usually charge by the piece and will discuss the cost with you during the design process. My rate is $200/hr for pieces that require multiple sessions and $250/hr for coverups. If you have a particular budget that you need to stay in, please let me know in your submission!

Beyond the fact that tattooing is quite hard on a tattooist’s body, tattoo artists also spend hours outside of your appointment creating the design. We only charge for the time you’re in our chair, but we spend a LOT of time outside of that working to ensure you get the best piece possible, be that by combing through bookings to pick pieces we know we’re well suited for, training in safe tattooing procedures, practicing our drawing, etc. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes magic that goes on to make your time in the chair as smooth as possible, and I’m so grateful to all my clients who understand and appreciate all the work that goes into your piece!

What’s the design process like?

While you are more than welcome to come to the shop and discuss your piece in person, I am very comfortable doing consultations via email. Once I’ve agreed to your initial concept we can chat back and forth about design ideas and preferences so I can get a good idea of your vision for the piece. I will typically send you an email with your design a few days before your appointment for your approval- this way I can make any adjustments that you need before you come to the shop and we don’t have to eat into your appointment time with reworks/edits. That said, sometimes life gets away from me and I may just show you the design the day of the appointment and we can make any adjustments needed together.

Do I need to put down a deposit?

I do require a $150 deposit to secure your appointment. This deposit is nonrefundable, and you may forfeit it entirely if you cancel within 48 hours or are more than 20 minutes late for your appointment. However, if you give me ample notice I am happy to reschedule you if something comes up and you can apply your deposit to your new appointment time. You will receive an electronic invoice from Ravensgate for your deposit. The deposit will be applied to your total balance on the day of your tattoo.

How should I pay?

We accept both cash and card, but cash is preferred!

What about tipping?

Ah, the most awkward question in the world. Tattooing is a service industry and it is customary (at least in America) to tip your artist if you feel they’ve done a good job. We certainly appreciate and take note of clients who tip and tip well, but it’s not required. A general estimate to aim for is 10-20%, but I’ve had people tip me with plants and crystals before if they had a really tight budget, and I honestly loved that. It’s more about showing you appreciate the hard work the artist is putting in, however you’re able to express it.

Does it hurt?

Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, but if you’re freaking out about the pain then chances are you’re wigging yourself out more than you need to be. Tattoo needles aren’t actually that scary (I hate getting my blood drawn too) and while certain areas are definitely more sensitive than others (ribs, feet, etc.) it’s a very temporary pain and when it’s over you’ll have a beautiful new piece of art on your body.

What should I do in preparation for my tattoo?

Get a good nights sleep, eat a good breakfast, drink water and bring a water bottle and a snack to your appointment! Avoid going out on an all-night bender the night before since alcohol can thin your blood and make sure that your skin is sun-burn free. As we live in the mountains, watch out for poison ivy too- if you have that anywhere on your body we’ll have to reschedule your appointment so we can be sure it doesn’t compromise your tattoo’s healing. If you are a new mother, you CANNOT be breastfeeding and get tattooed, so keep that in mind when you schedule your appointment.

What about aftercare?

Two important things to know are that you should avoid sun exposure and swimming for 2 weeks after a tattoo. I’ll walk you through an aftercare routine the day of your appointment, but if you have any big vacations or work in a job that would expose your tattoo to a lot of sun or dirt, keep that in mind when you schedule your piece.

What do you most like tattooing/what do you not enjoy?

I love blackwork and/or pieces with limited color or color line-work. I love portraits the most, specifically of figures from folklore, mythology, or wacky history. I adore working with the concept of the divine feminine and really enjoy getting to create unique gods & goddesses. I love almost anything out of the fantasy genre, the nerdier the better (god someone let me to a Kvothe portrait…) and doing renditions of mythical creatures/monsters. My heritage is primarily Celtic and Nordic, so anytime I can work within those themes I get very excited. I do enjoy floral pieces but they are by far the request I get the most of so I can only take so many a month for my own sanity.

Some things I do not enjoy as much are full color pieces, even though I have done them in the past, or fully geometric sleeves. I will not tattoo anything that I would classify as hateful (confederate flag, I’m looking at you). If you follow my Instagram you should be able to get a good grasp on my politics (I don’t hide them) and therefore should be able to make some good assumptions about what I’m all about and know if we’ll get along. Also, it bears mentioning that I’m horribly arachnophobic so as much as I love spider tattoos, I probably can’t do big ones.