Frequently Asked Questions


Where are you located?

The Candy Machine Tattoo Studio is located at 116 Mechanic Street, Unit 10, Bellingham, MA 02019

Do you have specific hours?

This is a private tattoo studio, so Ariel & Sara only work when they are scheduled to do a tattoo or consultation. However, Sara does accept walk-ins Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12pm until 6pm on a first come first serve basis. It’s always best to have an appointment or email/call ahead with any questions. We are most likely to be in the studio 11:00 AM-7:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. Due to Ariel’s high demand she finds it difficult to accommodate walk-ins. Ariel is typically booked for a long period of time and you could be looking at waiting several days- to, sometimes several months. Sara works by appointment but accepts walk-ins every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12pm-6pm on a first come first serve basis. Follow and subscribe to Ariel & Sara’s social media to find out when they have magically found unexpected openings.

Can I just call or stop by and set up a consult?

In order to stay organized and handle the many requests received, the consult request form on the website is currently the only way to make a consultation request. We cannot accommodate consultation requests in person at the studio, as it essentially would be like skipping ahead of everyone who is patiently waiting in our inbox for a reply. Thank you for understanding!

WHY DIDN’T YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?

SORRY! We promise we want to talk to you!
Because we are a private studio, we don’t always hang out if we do not have an appointment scheduled. Our message system will let us know the date and time that you called, so please just leave us a detailed message with the best number to call you back at, and we will reach out as soon as we can! Thank you again for calling us!

How do I get started and set up a consult with Ariel?

Filling out the “Request a Consult” form is the BEST way to get started. Make sure you read the “Deposit Policies” section, and the rest of this page before filling out the request form, so you are informed about our deposit and studio policies.

What happens after I submit my email to request a consultation?

Your form will be reviewed and if your tattoo idea is accepted you will get an email or phone call setting up an IN PERSON consultation to discuss the design in its entirety. This will be a time where the artist will go over all of your questions and ideas. Consultations typically range from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the project.

What if my artist doesn’t accept my tattoo request?

Don’t take it personally if they don’t pick your idea. If they do not have the time in their schedule for your project, or if your idea does not fit into their tattoo style, they will decline. We want to make sure your tattoo is amazing, even if that means we aren’t the ones doing it.

Is there a way to increase my chances of getting tattooed by my artist?

Of course! The more creative freedom you give them, the greater your chances of getting booked. Ariel loves doing all different styles, but really enjoys tattooing color, Disney, 80’s-90’s characters, and concepts that allow her creativity to flow. Sara loves anime, kawaii, and cute colorful tattoos.

are there any tattoos ariel isn’t interested in tattooing?

Ariel does not enjoy tattooing traditional Japanese, or tribal. She also has a 3-hour minimum for each sitting.

How much does a tattoo cost?

The cost of a tattoo depends on a lot of variables including but not limited to style, design, size, placement, color or black & gray, etc. Generally, consults are the best way to quote a price range. Smaller pieces are generally flat rate priced, while larger multi-session pieces are priced hourly. Ariel’s rates are $250.00 an hour, or $1,500.00 for a full day (5-7hrs). Ariel does have a 3-hour minimum for each sitting. Final appointments or smaller tattoos may have a shorter time frame, and do not apply, as long as the tattoo is finished in that one sitting. Sara’s hourly rates are $70/hr.

Can I get a quote for a tattoo over email or the phone?

There are many factors of pricing a tattoo, including but not limited to style, design, size, placement…. the list goes on. Your idea of "easy" or "small" may not be the same as ours. The only real way to get an accurate quote is to fill out the “Request a Consult” form and schedule an in-person consultation. We do give special consideration for those traveling out of state. Do understand that this is a QUOTE and is not always super accurate.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash and most major credit cards. (There is a surcharge associated with all credit card purchases, so we recommend paying in cash when possible!) Checks are NOT accepted.

Can I reschedule my appointment?

Yes, but please read through the deposit policy section to re-familiarize yourself with our policies regarding rescheduling appointments. In person or phone call is the ONLY way to reschedule. If we are not open, or cannot answer the phone, please leave a message with details of the reschedule, and we will contact you to confirm. (508) 657-0141

Do tattoos hurt?

Yep.