Love craft info & FAQ

Here is a little information to help you understand our booking process.

Makkala’s books are currently CLOSED.

Please subscribe to our mailing list (on the home page) to receive updates about future book openings. We will only be accepting requests via the booking form available in the newsletter so be sure to keep an eye out.

The Atelier is based in Papamoa Beach, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

Address is given out to clients at the time of confirming their appointment.

Requests

Please make sure to provide us with:

• Your name and contact info (phone number)

• Your brief idea

• Any reference you would like your artist to see or be inspired by 

• Your height

• Where you are travelling from

• A placement photo of the space on your body where you would like the tattoo, as your artist uses the photos to design on. - A photo taken with you in a relaxed position by someone else is most useful and helps hugely in the process.

Sometimes we may need an in person consult, which you can request in your message to us.

• Multiple photos of any portraits (pets or otherwise)

• Photos of any scarring or existing tattoos in the area

Applications are taken via our online booking from available through our newsletter at the time of book openings.

WHAT DAYS AND HOURS DOes MY ARTIST WORK?

Makkala Rose

In New Zealand, Tuesday|Wednesday|Thursday|Friday 10am - 5pm

Guest Artists

Please check the Guest Artist page for dates

The studio is open by appointment only.

RATES

Local rates are available through our newsletter a the time of Makkala’s books opening for specific locations.

GETTING AN APPOINTMENT

Typically we prefer our clients to give us their brief idea and let us create our interpretation of it. If there’s anything specific it’s important to let us know in your initial application as a lot of time and planning goes into the designs.

We read through and consider all ideas and choose pieces we feel most drawn to and excited about.

Not everything we will take on and if we can refer you to someone who we think is more suitable for the job, we will.

Occasionally we may post ‘ready-made’ designs

We typically book in 3-6 month periods and even if we don’t have time to fit you in this booking period you can apply again for the next one.

The faster you are at responding the more quickly you will be able to be booked in. 

Often large pieces fill up our calendar rapidly as we require all appointments to be booked so our work is consistent, as over time our styles do develop. This is to give you our best possible work.

Securing your dates & Cancellation policy

ALL bookings require a deposit to secure them. 

Deposits are $300 per appointment booked. This is payable via our online booking system,

Once you’ve selected your dates in our online calendar you will be sent out a confirmation email with plenty of information for the day.

CANCELLATION/RESCHEDULE policy is noted in the booking process

CREATIVE FREEDOM

We ask that our clients give us creative freedom with their ideas to create the best possible, individual and unique piece.

An ideal example would be along the lines of; I would like a floral arrangement on my right forearm with strawberries and peonies along with a mixture of other flowers or I would like a portrait of my dog with roses.

This is so Makkala doesn’t feel too limited as her most enjoyed pieces are created with a large amount of freedom, however it does help that you have an idea of what you would like your tattoo based around. We understand that there are some things that you may really love to include or leave out and these are always taken into consideration when selecting ideas we take on so please include these in your initial email!

e.g I would not like to have any roses, but I would like blackberry included, or I would like my dogs portrait with peach peonies and for her collar to be excluded, and that’s totally ok! This allows us to expand more and become more creative with each piece so they remain unique to their wearer.

Please note that when Makkala designs a tattoo each element is carefully considered and she will position and design these how they best fit the body, this is something she won’t compromise on as the structure of the tattoo is integral to the end result looking it’s best!

Makkala puts her all into each design and these take a long time to create, so please know everything about your finished design is intentional.

SEEING YOUR DESIGN

It is not unusual for you to not see a design until the day before or the day of your appointment. 

Designs may be available for viewing the night before by request via email. 

Please be very clear with your design requests to prevent us wasting precious time with re-designs. If you are not comfortable with this method another artist will be better suited to you. 

LARGE SCALE WORK

We like to start and finish larger pieces within months (generally 3-6 months) so you, nor us lose any interest as our style and way of working steadily evolves.

Larger deposits are required for ongoing work.

All of your appointments we expect to need will be given to you, and deposits will be required for each appointment.

TATTOOING OVER SCARS

Yes, we tattoo over most scars, but do require a consult in person to see what is able to be achieved.

This is important, because without knowing the texture of the skin and density of the scar we’re at a loss for how to design a piece to best suit.

However, if your scarring is light and flat to the touch it may not require an in person consultation.

We typically like scars to be at LEAST three years old.

Please send photos with your booking request so we are able to let you know.

COVER UPS AND ADD-ONS

We will only tattoo cover ups with previous laser lightening, or if we feel we can achieve the same desired result without it. 

Laser lightening gives us more scope on creating a beautiful piece you actually want rather than being limited by what you already have. 

We will need you to send photos in your email of your exisiting work.

We do not finish off any other tattooers work or add on to their existing pieces.

COLOUR OR BLACK AND GREY

Makkala works in colour only.

Guests work is a variety of styles and within black and grey or colour depending on the artist.

SUPPORT CREW

Unfortunately at this time we are unable to accommodate having extra people in the studio space as it is small, however your support person is welcome to pop in at the beginning and end of the day.

TRAVELING FROM OVERSEAS

We will do our absolute best to accommodate you with your available dates (please specify these in your email) and also work back to back days if required.

Payment is in the local currency.

AFTERCARE

We recommend Hustle Butter tattoo aftercare.

Your initial aftercare at your first session will be provided and further appointments you will be able to purchase aftercare from the Atelier

Other things to note

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding we will not tattoo you. 

If you are sunburned in the area we will not tattoo you

If you are sick or unwell you are required to reschedule

If you have any further questions please get back to us and we will be able to help you.

Makkala really appreciate’s everyone’s support and thanks you all for waiting so patiently.

Thank you for being a part of her getting to do what she loves every day and create for people who enjoy her art and tattoos 🥰

With love,

Love Craft Atelier