The holiday spirit is alive and well at Sailor’s Ink tattoo shop, where owner Jen Kelso is offering discounts on ink for customers who donate a present for the shop’s Christmas toy drive.
To participate in the inaugural “Toys For Tats” drive, all customers have to do is bring a toy of $10 or more in value to the 15 El Toro Ave. business any of the next two Fridays (Dec. 15 and Dec. 22) and they will receive a discounted tattoo chosen from designated flash sheets of various figures. The discounted cost is between $20 to $50.
With two Fridays in the bag already, donated presents are already protruding out from a decorated Christmas tree in the tattoo parlor. There are two dates remaining: Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, where customers can get the deal that discounts the regular $80 minimum.
Coffee, hot cider and cookies are provided and holiday music will be playing all day long.
Those interested can call Sailor’s Ink at (408) 762-7352 to reserve a time slot, or just walk into the shop located just north of downtown off Monterey Street from 10am until the last tattoo of the day is inked.
Kelso and fellow tattoo artist Ryan Burches will take care of the rest. The tattoo process takes only 15 to 20 minutes, according to Kelso.
“I have five little girls at home so I couldn’t imagine any child not getting a present for Christmas,” Burches said. “It’s a great event, a great idea and I’m happy to be part of it.”
Last Friday, about 60 customers took Kelso up on her offer. She’s hoping even more take part over the next two Fridays.
“The first one was pretty busy and last Friday was just nonstop from about 10am to 2am,” said Kelso, who got the idea from a client of hers as they chatted about charity events for the holidays.
A representative from the “Toys For Tots” organization will pick up the first load of toys next week. The final Friday’s toy haul will go to a local group/organization yet to be identified, Kelso said.
Kelso, 30, of Morgan Hill, opened Sailor’s Ink four years ago. She recently became certified in sound-wave tattoos, which produce music when scanned using a sound motion app from a Smart phone similar to a QR scanner. Burches, of Salinas, came aboard two years ago.
Kelso added the inaugural toy drive is the start of monthly specials they will be offering at the shop throughout 2018. Sailor’s Ink (sailorsink.com) is opened 11am to 8pm Tuesday through Saturday.
