Artisan Ink: Melissa Freebern Burns Free

When people look at Melissa Freebern, owner of Artisan Ink, they either see a confident individual, or they gawk and clutch their purses a little tighter. Melissa has hundreds of tattoos covering most of her body, and while her appearance has caused some people to judge her unfairly, she said once she speaks, those preconceived notions vanish.

“I hope I can continue to change the perception of the scary tattoo shop. We’re all artists with families who have a creative outlet that feeds us, makes us feel like we have purpose and are doing something meaningful,” said Melissa.

Her tattoo shop’s new location, at 1263 Patten Mills Road, in Fort Ann, strives to create more positive connections with the community in a fun studio space, with events, and special discounts.

A TATTOO OF ONE’S OWN

When Melissa was growing up in Warrensburg, she didn’t know a lot of people with tattoos.

“For years, they were undesirable, only freaks and carnies had tattoos. It was a long time before tattoos became mainstream, and sometimes it’s still not ok to have a tattoo or a piercing. You have to hide that form of expression,” she said.

Melissa was drawn to tattoos early, however, and gave herself her first tattoo at the age of 13 using India ink. That yin-yang symbol was covered with a sunflower two years later.

“Tattoos checked all the boxes for me. I almost didn’t care what a tattoo was of. It was mine. That was the draw and the appeal,” she said.

AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Melissa and her husband, Andrew, met in 1999 and were married the following year. Between 2003 and 2007, they had three children; Gabe, Lainey, and Jeremiah. Melissa earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Adirondack, Substance Abuse Credentials, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh. During this time, she also worked as a phlebotomist drawing blood, before learning how to do piercings on the weekends during her senior year.

“Women are the demographic that gets the most piercings and women feel comfortable with other women,” she said. As a woman, breaking into tattooing at the time, however, meant infiltrating the boys club.

“I had three kids, a husband, a house, and had just graduated college. I was a serious person saying I want this to be my lifestyle, but it was a scary leap. I had to get in the trenches with these folks and say, ‘Just teach me’,” said Melissa.

Sharing company with shady dudes in biker gangs who learned tattooing in prison and putting herself in the middle of violence, drugs, and situations where women were openly groped and berated left Melissa in tears some nights, she said. Other times, her sharp tongue gave as good as it got.

CONTROLLING THE CHAOS

In 2011, Melissa opened the first Artisan Ink tattoo shop on Bay Road, and in 2014, moved to 928 Route 9, adjacent to the Queensbury Laundromat (that she also managed). In 2015, a sister shop, the Copper Fox, opened in Johnsburg, and reopened in North Creek the following year.

Parking was a constant struggle at the congested Queensbury corner, said Melissa, and in 2017, a pedestrian crossing the road was struck by a car, breaking her thumb. Eager to shed the confines of the space, and to be able to stretch and grow, Melissa sold the building to the Northern Living property management company. In July, the Freeberns purchased the Fort Ann property, which was opened in the 1960s as Rick and Carol’s Countryside Inn.

Originally a pole barn, in the 1980’s the structure was extended and became a popular spot for festivals and dancing. The entire five-acre lot was filled with campers and during their final dinner, they served 8,000 people, said Melissa.

Carol (Twiss) Yole, 84, still lives in a house on the property, which also has two guest houses and a pavilion (the Freeborns will be renovating and renting out). For 15 years, this spot ran as The Boar’s Nest, a biker bar that hosted events and fundraisers but whose rough reputation turned off the locals, making them feel uncomfortable here, said Melissa.

“Carol has an immense love for the property still and was very happy we came in and are fixing things up and bringing it back to that not-so-scary place for people.”

IN A FLASH

By their October 28th Grand Opening, the bar had been removed and Andrew completed structural repairs to create the comfortable Artisan Ink tattoo salon.

After a ribbon cutting, their six artists completed 42 tattoos in just over four hours in the open, 4,200 sq. ft. space. Here, black ceilings are lightened by blue walls, light knotty pine woods, and a wow-worthy blue epoxy floor the Freeberns poured themselves.

Industrial elements and vintage vibes coexist with antique finds highlighted by sparkling crystal chandeliers. An embroidered Victorian settee and modern vinyl seating are equally at home among décor that includes a ship’s masthead (brought back from the Brimsfield, Mass. Flea Market) and a taxidermy zebra head named, “Debra”.

With 30+ vendors, the Clever Cleaver and Taps of Saratoga trucks, a bonfire, and live music from Vinyl Vault, the event was a preview of more to come.

In 2024, a Spring Antique Fair, and Flash Sales on Friday the 13th (in September and December) are planned.

THE HEART OF A WOMAN

It all helps connect the community, and the tendency Melissa (who sits on the school board and is ordained to perform wedding ceremonies) has of putting too much heart into her work, she said.

“I give too much of my heart away,” she said while rubbing the tattoo above her eyebrow that says, “Heartless.” “It’s to remind me to think with my heart less,” she laughs. “Either that or it’s a warning label.”

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