Flash tattoos and guest artists: Cape Cod's second mini tattoo convention is in March

Driving down Route 28 in West Yarmouth, it's hard to miss the black block of buildings lining the road. Spilt Milk Mooncusser Tattoo, the lovechild of Spilt Milk Tattoo and Mooncusser Tattoo, two of the Cape’s oldest body art shops, merged last year to create the larger-than-life studio.

In celebration of its first anniversary, the shop is hosting its second mini tattoo convention March 1-3, featuring a mix of shop artists, such as owner of Spilt Milk Mark Corliss and co-owner of Mooncusser Khristian Bennett, and guest artists such as Billy Rocha, an artist based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

“A convention is something that we dreamed about,” Andréa x Tasha, co-owner of Mooncusser Tattoo said. “… It’s such a rush. It’s so much fun. But, it's gotten away from that because now they're really big and too many people (are) there. This is like a smaller, friendly, old-fashioned (convention).”

“It’s a room of almost all our customers together, in one place,” co-owner Bennett said.

After more than 20 years of friendship and running their own shops, Corliss and Bennett decided to join forces and turn a once “vacant eyesore” into a combined studio capable of accommodating 22 artists.

“We figured that there was strength in coming together rather than trying to have two shops on our sandbar with one road that goes down the middle of it,” x Tasha said.

After hauling 14 years' worth of stuff and fixing up the site of what once was Skull Island, the shop officially opened in January 2023.

“It just came together magically,” x Tasha said. “These guys (Corliss and Bennett) have very different ways … they're very sort of Yin and Yang. It just worked. It's (been) smooth sailing.”

Spilt Milk Mooncusser Tattoo host second mini tattoo convention

The crew decided to host their first mini tattoo convention in February 2023 as a sort of shopwarming, inviting friends in the industry — many of whom took part in Mooncusser’s tattoo summer camp, a yearly summer-long “camp” where guest artists enjoy a “working vacation” in Provincetown — to come hang out, tattoo and have some fun in the winter.

“These are all friends we've worked with for years,” Bennett said.

“People we can trust with our clients,” Corliss chimed in.

This year, they're celebrating the first anniversary of running their West Yarmouth shop.

“To be able to bring that many people here and expose people to the possibility of tattooing and these amazing people that work in different styles, because that's something that otherwise you'd have to travel all over the country for, in the winter for the people who actually live here year-round is so exciting to us,” x Tasha said.

During the convention, artists from across the country will be in the shop tattooing from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests are free to watch or join in on the fun by calling the shop and booking an appointment to get tattooed. Walk-ins are also welcome, but appointments are strongly recommended.

Plus SunMi Scheinler, one of the shop’s beloved administrators, will more than likely be on the other end of the phone helping match you with the perfect artist for your piece.

“It's important to me to make sure that the person, from the moment they enter the door, has the best experience ever,” Scheinler said. “All of us, I think, have had poor experiences where people are rude, especially if no tattoos are showing. It’s just not a good feeling. Especially for something that you do that's gonna change your life.”

Customers can pick from flash (a stock design ready to be tattooed immediately) or create a custom tattoo with their artist at the convention. Tattoos start at the shop minimum of $120, but as is the case with most tattoos, the price of the piece varies depending on what the customer wants. A good rule of thumb is to come in with a budget in mind so the artist can work with you to create the best piece without breaking the bank.

“It's hard to know what something might cost,” x Tasha said. “It might be a little different depending on where on your body and obviously size, but sometimes size works in different ways (than) you might expect.”

And when it comes to ideas, the crew at Spilt Milk Mooncusser say there’s no such thing as a bad idea for a tattoo. Whatever ideas a person comes up with, they’ll try their best to create the best display of it in a tattoo.

“It takes two to tattoo,” Bennett said.

Outside of a budget, guests are advised to eat prior to their tattoo and come in with a positive attitude as the crew wants to make your experience the best it possibly can be.

“Eat good food but recognize that this is an exchange and an energy thing,” x Tashsa said. “Bring your best attitude. It might be a heavy tattoo that you're getting, but (bring the) attitude as best you can because it's an interaction. Everything feeds into it.”

All of the featured artists can be found on the shop’s website, www.spiltmilkmooncussertattoo.com/, where potential customers can browse each of their Instagrams and decide which style and artist works best for them. As for payment, cash is preferred and there is an ATM inside the store, but credit cards may also be accepted. Just be advised there is an additional fee for credit card sales. Plus, tips are never required, but they're always appreciated.

For more information about Spilt Milk Mooncusser Tattoo's Mini Tattoo Convention, visit its website at www.spiltmilkmooncussertattoo.com/. To make an appointment, call the shop at 508-775-4647. Spilt Milk Mooncussers Tattoo is at 48 Route 28 in West Yarmouth.

Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at frowley@capecodonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod tattoo convention in March: What to know before you go