LOCATION & PARKING
Hemlock is located at 96 Wharf Street in Salem, MA.
The parking right outside the shop is limited to 2 hours and is strictly enforced, so I recommend parking elsewhere to avoid being ticketed or towed. The Salem Waterfront Garage located at the intersection of Derby and Congress Street is the closest and most affordable option. During busy times like weekends in the summer or Halloween season, the garage can get full early, so please leave yourself extra time to find parking. There are plenty of lots and garages scattered throughout Salem!
BOOKING
The farthest I book appointments is 8 weeks out, so my books open once every 1-3 months or so depending on my schedule.
The best way to stay updated is to sign up for my newsletter, or check my instagram for booking updates. All booking is done via my booking form. Please allow 1-2 weeks for a response. I don’t answer DMs regarding tattoo inquires. Generally speaking, you can send a request whenever you want! Just know that if I get an email outside of a booking period, it may take longer than 2 weeks to receive a response. You can always email me at any time and expect a fairly prompt response if you’re scheduling for in progress work, if you have any questions or concerns about your healing tattoo, or if you need clarification regarding my polices.
DANAGLOVERTATTOO@GMAIL.COM
PRE-DRAWNS & FLASH
Pre-drawns and flash are designs I offer up that you’re able to see ahead of time. Pre-drawns are one off designs that are only done once, while flash are designs that are done multiple times; it’s always specified which is which. You will usually see these in my newsletter or on my instagram.
If you’re leaving a deposit for a pre-drawn or flash, the agreement is implicit that you’re getting the design exactly as it is (plus shading as you see in my portfolio). I usually list a minimum size requirement and price range for that size with arm or leg placement. I’m always happy to make the design larger, and torso placement (such as ribs, stomach, chest, hips, etc.) is always doable unless otherwise noted. Just please let me know ahead of time if this is what you want, and I can give you an updated price range. My hourly rate will apply since it will take longer to complete your tattoo in these instances. If you’re wanting to make the design larger, try to include an approximate measurement in your email inquiry so I’ll know how long to book your session for, and so I can determine whether or not it will be multiple sessions. If my books are open and there’s a pre-drawn you wanted that was claimed, I’m always down to make something similar for you!
CUSTOM WORK
Be as specific as possible and think about the details that are most important to you.
Information I need:
Description of the design.
Placement; usually a photo of the area is super helpful.
Size in an approximate measurement of inches; using a tape measurer will get you the most reliable measurements since it can conform to your body.
Reference photos, preferably with examples from my portfolio.
If there is any scarring present in the area, or if what you want will be bordering other tattoos.
I think saying “do whatever you want” has become popular because people think it’s what their tattoo artist wants to hear. In reality, few people actually mean this, and I’m much more interested in giving you a tattoo you’ll be happy with! Not providing enough info can result in a frustrating and otherwise avoidable situation in which I’ve drawn something that’s totally not what you expected. For this reason, I tend to turn down proposals that are too vague. “I’d like a bat with flowers on my leg” is too little info. What kind of flowers and type of bat? What pose should the bat be in? Is the bat cute or scary? What size and placement on your leg? It’s okay to leave some things up to me if you prefer! “I’d like a scary vampire bat with roses on the side of my left thigh, no more than 12 inches long. I’d like the wings open, but I leave the rest of the pose and composition up to you” is perfect! Providing more info gives me more opportunities to iron out the details of your design with you.
Alternately, I often skip over proposals that offer excessive information that doesn’t relate to your design, too many elements for one tattoo, or if I get the sense that the design or my process will be micro managed.
Client sketches are my favorite! If you’re struggling to put your idea into words, providing me with a quick sketch can be super helpful. It doesn’t matter how basic the drawing is; it gives me something visual to communicate what you’re thinking to ensure we’re on the same page.
If I think I’m not the right fit for your tattoo, it’s absolutely nothing personal and doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your idea. I take on custom work according to the following criteria:
How well it fits in with the direction my work is going, or what subjects I feel excited about at the time.
My skill set as an artist. I’ll usually turn down things I don’t feel 100% confident in, or things that I think are ill-advised. A few of these are: watercolor, abstract imagery, realism, geometric designs, fine line script, super fine line micro tattoos.
Flexibility. Tattooing is a process that requires trust between both parties. I need a fair amount of artistic freedom in order to do my best work, but I also want to give you the tattoo that you want. Communication is key, and I encourage you to tell me exactly what you want, while being open to input.
Schedule compatibility. I work Wednesday-Saturday and book appointments at 12pm, 3pm, and occasionally 4pm if it’s a session that’s 2 hours or less. I don’t take bookings after 4pm, and large scale work must be booked at 12pm. Saturdays are always the quickest to book up, so if you can be flexible with weekdays, you’ll likely get an appointment a lot sooner!
Please also note that I don’t have an assistant and I try my absolute hardest to respond to everyone, but emails do sometimes fall through the cracks and I apologize if you don’t receive a response. Feel free to send me a followup if you haven’t heard from me.
I will not replicate another tattoo artist’s work.
Photos of another tattoo artist’s work can be helpful if it illustrates specific elements, placement, shading, composition, etc. you’re looking for; however, please understand I will never directly copy their work. If it’s a concept based on art historical reference or nerdy/goth pop culture, I’ll absolutely accept the request if it’s something I’m interested in and can interpret in my own way. I know a lot of illustrators have tattoo tickets; I think that’s great and you should always ask for their permission/compensate them for the use of their work. I might accept these proposals under specific circumstances, but generally I prefer to work on pieces that are my own designs.
I will not tattoo imagery that is racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise hateful.
This is a hard rule with absolutely no exceptions. I’m also uncomfortable tattooing imagery that’s outside my own heritage or culturally appropriative (i.e. if you’re a white person who wants a tattoo of an Indigenous woman).
I’m currently only interested in making black & grey tattoos.
My experience is predominantly with black & grey, so that’s what I feel most comfortable doing. There are so many amazing artists who make color tattoos, so I recommend going to an artist who has lots of color in their portfolio!
There are some things I’m not interested in taking on anymore, as well as placements that I take on with discretion.
Things I’m not super interested in anymore are: lots of different wildflowers together or bundles of small flowers, herb bundles, lavender, crystals, octopuses, forest scenes with lots of trees/landscapes, designs with small script, and etching/engraving tattoos or tattoos with little or no shading. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things; every client deserves a tattoo that I’m completely invested in, and I’ll be honest with you if I think it’s not a good fit. Placements like hands, fingers, or necks are something I prefer to take on only if we’ve worked together before, or if you have a significant amount of tattoos. This is just a personal preference, as these tattoos are are not the easiest to apply, may require touch up sessions, and can also be difficult to sit for.
CONSULTATIONS
In person consultations are free 15 minute appointments in which we discuss your design.
If I think I have enough information through our email exchanges, a consultation isn’t necessary. However, I’m always happy to book one if you think it would be beneficial, or even if it would put you at ease to meet me before getting your tattoo. I usually require an in person consultation for large scale work, or for a design that needs to fit between existing tattoos so that I can get a tracing of the area, and occasionally for scar coverups.
COVER-UPS & SCARRING
I unfortunately don’t have a ton of experience with cover-ups, and a lot of my work tends to not lend itself well to them.
For this reason, I assess cover-ups on a case by case basis and will be honest with you if it’s something I can’t take on. My work has a lot of open skin, so depending on what it is, coverups are not always possible. I understand that can be frustrating to hear, but I take this very seriously and would rather not exacerbate a situation you’re already unhappy with. If it’s something I can do, we’ll have an in person consultation to discuss details before booking an appointment.
I’m completely comfortable tattooing over scars.
This may require an in person consultation since scars vary so widely, and so we can talk about expectations before booking an appointment. This is also something I don’t take lightly, so I want to ensure I’m the right artist for your project. Scars usually need to be at least one year old before they can be tattooed. If you’re unsure or have any questions about whether or not your scars can be tattooed, feel free to send me an email!
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
Make sure you’re well rested, hydrated, and that you’ve eaten a meal before you come in for your appointment.
You want your blood sugar up when you’re getting tattooed, so I’d suggest eating a full meal before you come in. It’s also a great idea to bring a water bottle and a small snack like a granola bar, banana, etc. with you. Please do not drink alcohol or excessively caffeinate before your appointment. If you’re hungover from the night before, I can assure you it’s not going to be good time for either of us! Think about what will put you in a good headspace to make you feel calm before your appointment (meditation, taking a stroll outside, etc.) You’re welcome to bring headphones if you want to zone out, or we can chat throughout your appointment; I’m happy with either and want you to do whichever will help you feel most at ease.
I also ask that you please come alone to your appointment, unless a guest is medically necessary.
I find it really hard to concentrate when there are guests present. The quality of your tattoo and giving you a good experience are my top priorities, and I can best provide this when it’s just me and my client. We also have limited space at Hemlock, so any extra seating is reserved for the tattooers working and their clients getting tattooed that day. If you want to bring someone, they are welcome to hang out during the stenciling process, but I just ask that they find something else to do outside of the shop while you are getting tattooed. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of things to do in Salem!
Please refrain from using any numbing creams prior to your appointment.
Numbing creams need to be left on the skin for an extended period of time before your appointment in order to be effective. As a result, it can change the structure and texture of the skin; this often makes your tattoo much harder to apply and can take longer to tattoo you. There are also many numbing creams currently on the market with ingredients that can affect blood flow in the area, cause a reaction, cause difficulty with healing, or have a percentage of lidocaine higher than the recommended amount; in which lidocaine toxicity would be a risk. I use Bactine Max, which contains 4% lidocaine to relieve some of the discomfort during shading; it must be applied after the lines of your tattoo are completed so as not to remove the stencil. If you come in with numbing cream on, we will unfortunately need to reschedule. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about numbing products!
Always check your email the day of your appointment.
It’s generally rare and something I avoid if I can help it, but there may be times I’m running late or need to reschedule your appointment last minute for health reasons or emergencies.
HOW LONG WILL I BE THERE?
The length of your appointment is a rough estimate, so please keep your schedule flexible and don’t plan anything time sensitive directly after your tattoo.
Most of my appointments run anywhere between 2-6 hours, and the length of time given to you is always an estimate. Every design is different in size and complexity, some clients need more breaks than others, certain placements or designs can take longer to stencil before we even begin tattooing, etc. so it’s impossible for me to give you an exact time frame. Neither of us want your tattoo to be rushed, so please refrain from planning anything immediately after your session time.
You’re not obligated to finish your tattoo in one session if you’re struggling.
Sometimes, we think we can sit longer for a tattoo than we actually can, and it’s really hard to know until you’re actually getting tattooed. There’s no pressure to finish your tattoo just because we have a long session booked. If you’re really starting to struggle, don’t hesitate to let me know. From there, we’ll make it to a good stopping point and book another session before you leave the shop. Alternately, I have limits as well and I’ll let you know if I’m starting to lose focus during a longer session so we can continue your piece in an additional appointment.
TOUCH UPS
Touch ups are free within one year and you must schedule it with me.
Touch ups are usually designated as small areas of your healed tattoo that look light due to pigment your skin may have rejected. This is not at all abnormal and is sometimes just a result of the healing process. If you need a touch up, please email me with clear photos of your tattoo that is at least 4 weeks healed. From there, we’ll schedule a date for you to come in; these sessions are typically very quick. Touch up sessions are not revamping a tattoo that has aged several years, or fixing extensive areas of rejected pigment due to negligent aftercare; any touch ups beyond a year or that have been caused by not following aftercare instructions will have a fee. Some areas, like elbows or knees, are more likely to need touch ups and I’ll always communicate this beforehand so we can check in once your tattoo is healed.
YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER
No exceptions, even with parental consent.
You must bring a state issued ID, such as a drivers license or passport, with you to your appointment. If you forget your ID, I cannot tattoo you.
