Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you based?

I work at Botanica, a private studio I co-own in Exeter, Devon.

Our address is:
Botanica,
14 Castle Street,
Exeter,
EX4 3PT.

We are in the city centre, about a 20 minute walk from Exeter St David’s train station. By train, Exeter is roughly:
1 hour from Bristol
2.5 hours from London
4.5 hours from Manchester

Do you have any pre-drawn designs I can choose from?

Yes! I have a selection of tattoo concepts to choose from on my Available Designs page. I also have a portfolio of designs at the studio, which you can look through in person. All of my pre-drawn ideas are one-offs and are tattooed only once; the only exception to this is my tattoo flash, which is clearly specified and repeatable.

I'm booked in with you for a custom piece - can I see pictures of what you've drawn up before the appointment? 

No - I'm sorry, I do not send out images of the design beforehand. I will have the design ready for when you come in, and rest assured on the day I always allow dedicated time at the beginning of our appointment for us to go over the design together. We can make changes if necessary, adjust the size, incorporate some freehand, etc. I am very happy to spend time making sure it is right for you before we begin tattooing, and I find this part of the tattoo process - working together on the design in person - is a really nice and holistic way to begin the session.

I am booked in with you and I’m feeling nervous! How can I prepare for my appointment and what can I expect on the day? 

It’s totally normal to feel nervous before getting tattooed, so firstly be reassured you are not alone! I would recommend you stay hydrated, eat well, and try to get a good nights sleep before your appointment. Please avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment.

I would recommend wearing comfortable clothes. Depending on the placement of your tattoo, you may need to remove items of clothing during your tattoo appointment - please be reassured that I will never ask you to remove any more clothing than necessary. We have screens at the studio which can be set up for your privacy.

At the beginning of the session I will ask you to fill in a consent form. We will then sit together and go over your design, making any changes if needs be. I will then make the tattoo stencil, or if we are doing freehand I will draw directly onto the skin. When you are completely happy with how the design looks on your body, we will start tattooing.

You are welcome to bring snacks, water, a sugary drink, etc. If you’d like to bring headphones so you can listen to your own music, or a book to read, etc, please do. Sometimes people like to bring their own pillows or blankets for extra comfort. I am happy for you to bring anything that will help make you feel more comfortable. I am also happy to talk with you during the tattoo, if you want to, but don’t feel obliged! If you need to take a break at any point please just ask :)

At the end of the session I will ask if I can take some photos of your new tattoo. Before you leave I will then wrap the new tattoo so it is protected, and provide you with aftercare instructions.

Do you do guest spots?

Sometimes! I’m not travelling as much as I used to, so if you would like an appointment sooner rather than later, it would be best to travel to see me in Exeter. However, I hope to continue doing occasional guest spots in the UK and beyond in future. Please sign up to my newsletter to stay updated on all my future travel dates:

Are dogs allowed at your studio?

Well behaved dogs are welcome - please note they are not permitted in the tattoo area itself, but we have a waiting area they can sit in! However, if they cause any disruption or noise, please note they will need to be taken out of the studio, so it is a good idea if someone else is around to look after them just incase.

What if the tattoo I’ve enquired about is over my budget?

 This is a great question, and something I feel comes up a lot but doesn’t often get spoken about in the industry. There are lots of options when it comes to your budget! My assistant Rosie and I have been working on breaking down bigger sessions to suit different clients, for a multitude of reasons: pain tolerance, budget limitations, childcare access etc. We can create something with a full concept, and then scale back the design into stages, eg: lines in one session, shading in another; or, working on completing the tattoo section by section, with a few weeks or months between each next appointment. There are options for you to create your dream tattoo in lots of ways that can work for you, so please just enquire when you book your appointment if this interests you :)