Black Veil Shoppe of Drear & Wonder — Attraction in Salem

Getting a tattoo is something I have been wanting to do for years, but I have never been one to jump right in. I have pondered many concepts, sitting on them for different lengths of time, only to throw them out in the end. The concept I ended up bringing to Matt had excited me for six months prior, so I knew it was time to reach out.

No other art produced by a tattoo studio has resonated with me like the artwork of Black Veil. Each piece I have seen from Matt and Ryan has enthralled me and I have spent many hours over the past few months scrolling through their portfolios on Instagram. I decided to reach out to Matt because I saw what I wanted in his art the most.

I am a rather nervous creature by nature, especially in new situations where socializing is involved. By biggest fear walking through the doors of Black Veil that morning, shaking like a leaf, was not the pain to come or the commitment I was making, but being an annoying client. I am a perfectionist. I see details and I fixate. I like control. That is why I sat on so many concepts for so long. Working with a tattoo artist is a collaboration, which means I have to relinquish control, but I never wanted my concept to be exactly as I envisioned it. I wanted it to have Matt's creative magic. I trusted Matt to craft something amazing out of the concept sketch and reference photos I sent him, but I was afraid there would be details I would want changed and by asking him to change them too many times I would offend or annoy him. But I knew I needed to be a responsible client both for him and for myself.

When I first laid eyes on what Matt had drawn up I was blown away. It was not exactly what I envisioned, with some details being changed to add variety or to allow for a different feel, but the overall concept was still there--bettered in many ways. That was exactly how I wanted it. There was a missing detail that was a rather last minute addition I wanted, a sprig going up the back of my neck. I let him know, he drew it up, and showed me. The addition he made worked well with the design so I said yes within a couple of seconds after seeing it. After Matt left to print it up, it hit me the design of the sprig wasn't exactly what I envisioned to the point where I wanted it changed. So I got nervous. He already changed the design once for me and I was afraid I was to become that annoying client I so feared being. But I remembered I was being married to this design. If I had anything to say I needed to say it now. So when Matt brought me into the backroom, I looked at the current design and told him, apologizing profusely. He didn't get mad. He didn't look annoyed or offended. He was completely understanding, telling me that he himself was very particular about his own tattoos. I was put at ease after that. He changed the design of the sprig a couple more times and ended up increasing the size of the stencil. By the time he put the first mark on me I had no fear over the design.

I can affirm that Matt is a beautiful, kindhearted person. He is understanding, compassionate, accommodating, and incredibly talented. My fears were for nothing. I was probably more annoying with how much I apologized and thanked him than being annoying for wanting things changed.

The tattoo Matt gave me is on my back so I cannot fully appreciate it without looking at the photos he took for me. Whenever I look at them, I cannot believe that this incredible piece of art is on my body. It is an absolute honor and blessing to be able to carry something so beautiful with me for the rest of my life. It is nothing short of enthralling.

Needless to say, I cannot wait until I can return for...

Once upon a time there was this lady and her friends who came from far, faaaar away, across the ocean, accross the land to visit a most peculiar place. That place was Black Veil!

It feels wrong to not start my review of this place with "once upon a time". Black Veil is probably one of the most whimsical places I have ever visited. It is dark and it is spooky, but it is warm (not temperature wise, my poor goth body was so relieved coming in by this heat). Ryan & Matt are the perfect hosts! They let you roam around and discover but will chat, take a picture or be of any assistance if you need them to...meeting them was a real delight!

The shop is half "your perfect darkest dream photoshoot set" and half "perfect emporium of creative work". Of course you can find the work of our talented hosts in prints, shirts, pins ...etc and even amazing blankets! But there is much more! In all the cabinets, shelves and other baskets and hangers, one can find themselves falling in live with the work of many other creators! From bat wing or knitted colars to real real spider webs in frames and jewelry, there is a lot to see!

Twice was not enough, next time cannot come...

You cannot get a hold of them ever, they need to set up an assistant that only mans emails/phones. Currently they do not have an operating phone line that they answer which is inconvenient and when you send an email and they are not interested they just dont respond. There should be a "thanks but no thanks" pre-written email sent to everyone they decline. That being said when my friends & I entered the shop the boys and their sister were as NICE as can be, a TERRIFIC experience. They offer phone holding selfie stations, beautiful decor for photos and are happy when you do take pictures, its not awkward at all! The store is the most beautiful one i've ever been in & highly suggest to anyone visiting even if you're not able to get tattoos. I was able to buy their art, a necklace, tshirt and fake tattoos for less than $80, a STEAL! We had such a fantastic time shopping around the store, taking photos and chatting with them we stopped back a second time on our way home. MUST GO! Also if the shop wants to hire a remote assistant, let...