I only accept booking requests through my booking form which is sent out via newsletter. My booking requests are currently closed, and will reopen sometime in April for summertime!
~Last minute openings will always be posted on Instagram stories~
You can subscribe to my newsletter here to receive booking updates, guest spot info, etc.
Email any questions to hello@merpied.com! Consultation emails are always open.

I enjoy tattooing both flash and custom in black and grey & color!
Flash ideas listed here!

❁Painting recreations / Art renditions - Includes but isn’t limited to- renaissance, classical, still life, surrealism, etc.
❁Flora & fauna - I love the weird complexities of nature.
❁Non organic imagery - Think ‘items of nostalgia’ - A couch or toy from your childhood, or perhaps an old vase or vintage pair of pruners.
❁Food related tattoos / video game imagery / photographs / pet portraits, etc - a clear photograph (photo of your house, dog, etc)
For video games I just need to resonate with the concept!

* Note- I am also very open to concepts not listed above! These are just themes I will always enjoy. So, shoot your shot. I also don’t do micro realism. I’ll be realistic with how small we can go, because I want you to still enjoy your tattoo in 5+ years. *

❁Coverups - Coverups are a case by case basis. It’s exceptionally rewarding when you can love that part of your body again. Scar coverups I can absolutely help with as long as they’re at least a year healed.

If you’re covering an old tattoo, I want to to do them but you must be flexible and open for what that means. Most coverups need to be larger than what’s there in order to draw attention away from the old piece. Some pieces will not be fully ‘covered’ but reworked to draw attention away from the aspects you didn’t like about it. They may need to be darker, or have a few sessions of laser removal. Please feel free to send a photo of the existing tattoo to see if it’s something I can take on!

❁I don’t do - fingers/toes/lip/ears, traditional, tribal, watercolor, geometric, super small linework designs.

❁Skin conditions- Always check with your doctor prior- feel free to send me any questions and I’ll answer to the best of my ability based on experience.

Pricing guide here

I charge $200 hourly, and because I only tattoo one person a day, my minimum is 2 hours. My travel rates may vary. I can typically work with a budget & will send a quote prior to you booking your apt. I require a $150 nonrefundable deposit that comes off the total of the tattoo. There is an additional $50 drawing fee that will not come off the total of the tattoo (this excludes pre-outlined flash where the full amount will come off). If your piece requires multiple sessions, the deposit will come off the final session.

The design won't be shown until the day of the apt. This eliminates plagiarism and art theft. Time is built into your apt for minor alterations, but if there are drastic changes to the overall design, your tattoo may have to be rescheduled.
If a cancellation is made 48+ hours prior to your apt, you can reschedule once with that deposit. You must reschedule by the next booking round or the deposit will be forfeited.

At the moment I do not offer sliding scale appointments, but I do offer deals on select flash / concepts at times.

​Please be sure to have your Government issued ID on you, it’s legally required. 18+ only!

Located in Codo Studio - 39 Masters Dr Unit 2, St. Augustine, FL 32084

You may bring up to 1 guest- No children!
Please eat before your tattoo and bring a drink & snacks! We have some snacks and water at the studio if you forget!
Cash, Venmo, Zelle & Credit Card are accepted (processing fee is added for Credit)
Payments can also be split!

Tipping is greatly appreciated but never expected. It will not hinder your chances at obtaining a future appointment. I also accept candles, plants, gift cards, etc if you feel so inclined! I never want anyone to feel financial stress if they can’t afford it. ♡

Transportation
The best way to get to St. Augustine is either driving in or flying into Jax airport (about 45mins away) or Orlando airport (about 1.5 hrs away). There is a small St. Augustine airport (UST) with limited connections. If you’re flying, renting a car is recommended. Unfortunately we don’t have a great public transportation as it’s extremely limited.

Getting a tattoo can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for first timers. I think understanding the space and process can help ease tension prior to coming in!

❁The space - Codo Studio is home to 3 resident artists and guest artists from time to time. Sometimes it’ll be just us, and sometimes it’ll be full. When you pull into the lot, we’re located two units down on the left!
The space is an open floor plan / slightly industrial. We have a private restroom.

❁ My setup - I use all vegan products, and currently use Panthera ink for my black and grey work, and use a variety of brands for my color work (Solid Ink, Fusion ink, & Eternal ink). The only product I occasionally use that doesn’t comply is A&D ointment which contains lanolin. I can avoid this if requested!
My table has a working weight limit of 400lbs. I only use nitrile gloves because I am sensitive to latex.

❁Eating - It is highly recommended you eat a hearty meal prior to your tattoo. Unfortunately no walking distance food options are around, but there’s Buena Onda, Maracuya, Reel Peel Pizza, and a few other options a short drive away! We have water, tea & snacks too!

❁During your experience- After we’ve discussed your tattoo design and you’re 100% set on the placement, I’ll either have you sit, lay on your back, or lay you on your stomach. If you have any issues with this, please let me know. I try my best to make you comfortable during this experience.
We listen to fairly chill music at the shop. You are more than welcome to bring headphones, a book (though you may not be able to read depending on the tattoo placement), handheld console, etc.

I may or may not talk while I tattoo. I’ve found that I can do either, so if you prefer silence or convo, let me know! I can usually read the room.
We can also take as many breaks as you need. I’ll offer a few times during the apt, but you have the power to request a break at any point! I can only tattoo for about 4-6 hrs depending on the day and how my back feels!

❁Afterwards - Upon finishing your tattoo, I will have you check it out in the mirror to make sure you’re 100% happy with it. If we need to go over anything or add more shading, etc, this is that moment. After that I will apply a cooling gel (usually aloe) to help with some of the irritation prior to taking photos. I only let the aloe sit for about 5-10 minutes. It helps a little with the redness but your tattoo will likely still be red for photos- this is normal! If you’re uncomfortable with photos or me posting them, please let me know. I don’t post most of them as it’s more for documentation for myself.
I will then wrap your tattoo up with plastic wrap or dermshield :) Aftercare is listed in the next section of my FAQ! But here’s a more in depth guide here.

A big part of getting a tattoo is the care afterwards! I typically wrap your new tattoo in plastic wrap that you’ll leave on for 1-3 hours. You will not re-wrap it. If Derm Shield is used, it will be left on for 3-4 days unless irritation occurs, then remove it sooner in the shower, do not rip it off like a Band-Aid, and follow the instructions below;

When cleaning your tattoo, always clean your hands prior to handling it. Use an antibacterial unscented hand-soap. After your tattoo is dry, I recommend dabbing it with a clean paper towel, you can apply a very thin layer of unscented ointment. (Aquaphor & Lubriderm are good options!) Repeat these steps 2-3x a day, or as needed.

Remember that your tattoo is an open wound. Do not go to the gym, beach, rub it against things, let animals lick it or let people touch it! Clean your sheets if animals sleep with you. For a more in depth care process and what to be mindful of, read this!

TOUCH UP POLICY

Most tattoos won’t need a touch up! Tattoos will naturally fade, spread, and react to your skin differently than others so it's important you care for your tattoo long after you get it!

If lines fall out, I'm more than happy to touch it up for you! You must let me know within 4 months and I’ll touch it up without charge, or you’ll be responsible for touchup fees.

If you plan on getting a tattoo in the future, it’s preferred that you wait to get the touch up then, but let me know in advance!!

If you need a touch up due to improper care/ negligence, there is a touch up fee. If the touch up is extensive a higher rate may be applied, and if it’s been over a year, you’ll have to pay my hourly rate.

❋ My name is Nicki Smith, but I use my middle name Giustine (pronounced just-een) in place of my surname.

❋ I’m originally from Loxahatchee Fl, and currently reside in the old town of St. Augustine Fl. I came up here in 2014 to go to Flagler College for my BFA. My focus was in installation and sculpture with a minor in Illustration. I started my tattoo career in 2018 in a walk-in style shop but now work in my own private studio space located in south St. Augustine!

Random info~
❋ For those curious, I’m an INFJ Aries (I don’t know a lot about zodiacs but I know I don’t come off as a typical Aries)

❋ My background can be summed up as a Cajun Jew. My maternal side comes from the Louisiana swamps- where my Cajun French flourishes. I have a distant cousin who was on the show Swamp People, haha. My paternal side is Jewish - fun fact: my great grandfather fled the USSR (now known as Kiev, Ukraine) in the early 1900’s to escape persecution. His surname was originally Kovalsky and was changed to Smith when they got to Ellis Island.

❋ Some of my hobbies outside of work include doing yoga, figure drawing classes, and painting with oils. My favorite food is probably salmon sushi, and an oat milk chai latte. I love collecting antique paintings, and I’m a sucker for skincare. I use Alastin and ZO skincare products if you’re curious (medical skincare is a gamechanger!)

I’m a pretty open book though! If you’re curious about anything during our session, please never hesitate to ask!

PDF HERE

This is mainly for new artists who are looking to get into the industry and don’t know where to start. But also a collection of thoughts based on my own personal experience of things I wish I had known, especially for my first few years of tattooing.

I hope you enjoy this free resource. I’ve put countless hours into it, and I am open to feedback, criticism and discussion. I think communication within the industry is one of the best things we do.