women owned & operated.
Welcome to balm, an intentional tattoo shop on Grand Rapids’ Westside committed to always learning. Run by artists Sarah Sun, Tiffany Elmergreen, and Emily Kukawka.
kind words.
“Getting my first tattoo from Sarah opened me up to the idea that I can decorate my body to make myself feel more at home in it, as well as more in control of it and proud of it for being mine!”
“Incredible, healing, cathartic. Sarah made me feel seen, and didn’t judge me for the ill-advised tattoo we were covering up. She totally understood what I wanted for the piece and I love it so much!”
“My tattoo from Tiffany covers up a large scar from a surgery and every time I show someone they are shocked at how well it’s covered. It’s so well disguised and beautiful.”
“My wrist tattoos are permanent reminders and promises to myself. To always be brave, remember that I am strong, and remind myself I can and will overcome my trauma. I absolutely have looked at them and remembered that!”
“Tiff is a dream! Professional, personable, and talented to no end; my experience with her was wonderful. I got a memorial piece from her and she nailed the artwork, first try. She also reworked an existing piece I had reservations about into actual magic. She’s communicative, considerate, and her work is lastingly beautiful. Some of my favorite tattoos from one of my favorite artists. I never failed to leave the shop confident that I made the right choice.”
”I have worked with Tiffany on a couple of occasions. Prior to meeting her I had only worked with a single (male) artist and really wanted to be tattooed by a female artist. I was getting my first girl power tat and wanted it to be extra special. Tiffany listened to my ideas and made some great original work for me. She is very detail oriented, communicative and friendly. An all around amazing human. I really enjoy her art and am grateful to have the opportunity to walk around with some of it every day.”
“Each time it has felt very special. You understand the depth to the tattoos and hold space for it to be important. I am filled with pride and emotion, sharing not only the tattoos but also who made them real. I’m looking forward to next time. ”
“The tattoo Sarah did on my scar made a huge difference in how I see myself, and the self-confidence it gave me to not be embarrassed. Instead I’m proud to show the work you gave me over a very traumatizing surgery scar.”
“Getting my first tattoo at 17, and then a new one every couple of years has turned each tattoo into the markers of my life. Tracing my journey as a person, marking moments from the small to the significant. Each one reminds me of who I was when I got it, the change I have gone through, and that I will continue to go through.”
community fund.
Sarah offers sliding scale tattoos 4 times a month for those with financial need, no questions asked. A sliding scale is a tool for building economic justice that offers the chance for people to pay a similar percentage of their income ($0-up to the full cost of the tattoo). If you have the means, you can contribute to the sliding scale fund at the time of your appointment or at this link!
Thank you for supporting your community!
“Tattooing has long been an exclusionary practice—something available only to a certain “type” of client and done by a certain “type” of artist. I am so excited to see balm take off and offer our community an option for meaningful, compassionate, badass, joyful tattooing!”
-Current Client