Hidden Hand Tattoo

5 months later and I'm still very happy with the tattoo.  People are often asking me about it and are impressed with how vibrant it is.  Great deal.

Original review:
A week and one day ago I went in for a tattoo. Mike was my artist.  It was my first.  I went by yelp ratings and called quite a few of the top rated shops here on yelp.  In my Capital Hill area, Ballard, Queen and and of course Fremont.   2 places were no right off the bat as they were rude on the phone.  I am a tough critic as I work in Customer Service and want you to be at the least polite and hopefully helpful.  3 spots were helpful at first.  One person quoted a hundred more than I ended up spending at Hidden Hand Tattoo.  The girl who was scheduling me was talking to me in the tone that I was wasting her time.   She was the second person I spoke to.  The first girl was way more customer savvy.  It was off putting and I changed my mind.  She then said if you don't schedule now, it's going to be even longer before we can fit you in, as if that's incentive.
   In the meantime hidden hand had got back to me and apologized for not getting back to me quicker about the pictures I had emailed.  It had been decided that I should really come in for a consultation.  They scheduled me for within a day or two.   Mike looked at the two pictures I brought.  He said it would only take him a day day and  a half to get one ready.  He was fine with me asking his opinion on the best font for the words I wanted.  Serenity, Courage and Wisdom.   I was lucky since I was not working at the time and got scheduled in for the next Monday.   When I got there I was greeted in a friendly manner just like the first time I went into the shop.  Mike came out and showed me the template which was exactly what I had in mind and a good melding of the two pictures I brought as a jump off point for the tattoo.  
  He was glad I was happy with the pic and went to get his work area set up.  The tattoo took roughly an hour and a half and was exactly what I asked for and what he had shown me he was going to do.  It is a simple red and black design.   Meaningful to me as my dad was an alcoholic who was sober the last 10 years of his life.   This year marks 20 years since he passed away.  I am Native American and the colors for my tribes shawls are red and black.  Really, the first comment made by my sister's brother was.  NW Native American art.  Cool!   Mike was a steady worker and made sure I was OK, while he was doing his work.
   So?  Consistent good customer service.  A nice clean working area.  Professional workers.  GREAT artwork.  Not  much more you can ask for from a tattoo shop.   I happily recommend Hidden Hand.  I would send my closest friends here for sure!

Jamie is a true pro and a super nice guy.  Just got a superb piece done that he was able to draw up for me within an hour of showing up for my appt.  The spot is clean, everyone who works there is nice and I can't wait to go back and get another piece done.  Would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a great tattoo shop.

I have been seeing Erika Jones for eight amazing years and I would *never* see anybody else.  I will follow her wherever she goes, even if she ever moves out of state.  She has done several beautiful coverups on me and such fantastic original art.  I have recommended several people to her and they have all come back to me, claiming her as "our" artist instead of just mine or just theirs.  She is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING... Formerly at SLAVE TO THE NEEDLE, you must see her in her new location at HIDDEN HAND TATTOO in Fremont.  Same fantastic Erika in a new and exciting location!

After doing a search for tattoo cover artists in Seattle, looking through portfolios and digging for information from many-a ink-addicted friends, I found Erika Jones.  She is a goddess.  I get compliments on my tattoos almost every time I meet somebody new.  I've sent several people to her and they all come back way beyond just satisfied with their masterpiece.  That's what Erika creates; masterpieces.  I found an artist that I don't even need to communicate with anymore.  She knows exactly what I want.

   I love people who love what they do.  Erika loves what she does and it shows.

   Don't be cheap when it comes to permanence.  You get what you pay for.