By Lauryn Jones
In the Mohawk Valley, making a memory does not always mean an evening out. Sometimes it looks like a Saturday morning espresso, a table full of friends, the small flash of a welding spark turning a simple chain into something permanent, or the steady hand of a fine line tattoo artist adding a delicate mark meant to last.
We caught up with the team behind “Link, Ink & Drink” at Calabria Coffee in New Hartford during a Galentine’s Day pop-up. The coffeehouse buzzed as guests compared chain styles, selected enamel colors, and sipped rom-com-themed lattes and matchas. Between drinks and laughter, bracelets and anklets were custom-fitted and welded into place, while fine line tattoos were carefully etched, marking the morning with something lasting.
Link, Ink & Drink pop-up events blend together permanent jewelry, fine line tattoo artistry, and local venues in experiences that feel creative, celebratory, and personal. Whether it is a coffee date, a bridal shower, or a spontaneous afternoon with friends, these pop-ups are less about the hour on the clock and more about the moment itself.
At the heart of the “Link” is Rose & Co. Permanent Jewelry, founded by Marisa Newcomb.
Marisa launched her business in November 2022 after welcoming her daughter and deciding she wanted to build something of her own. “I fell in love with it the summer of ’22,” she says. “I wanted to be my own boss and stay home with her. I saw it once and thought, yep, I want to do this.”
What began as a self-taught venture has grown into a business that now travels all across New York state, from Little Falls and Utica to Rome, Syracuse, Binghamton, Canton, and beyond. With a home studio in Sandy Creek and regular Mohawk Valley pop-ups, Rose & Co. has built a loyal following and a waitlist.
If you have never experienced permanent jewelry before, here is how it works. You choose your chain from more than 115 options in sterling silver, gold-filled, 10K, or 14K solid gold, and it is sized specifically to you. A quick, painless spark welds it closed. Most people skip the clasp, but you can add one if you prefer.
“It’s extremely addicting,” Marisa says. “You don’t feel it when it’s on you, and you don’t have to worry about losing it. It just becomes part of your everyday life.”
There are charms, birthstones, tiny diamonds, enamel dots in more than forty colors, and two-tone chains for those who like to mix metals. Some keep it simple. Others layer pieces that mean something to them.
“I hope they remember the moment,” Marisa shares. “If they come with someone special or just for themselves, I hope it makes them feel beautiful.”
“It was my first time getting a permanent bracelet, and she explained everything so perfectly,” says Makenna Sheppard of New Hartford. “I had a great experience and can’t wait to get more. It was so fun.”
The “Ink” side of the pop-up comes from Alex LaBouef, owner of Alexandria Fine Line Tattoos out of Oswego. With a background in permanent makeup, she found her passion in the precision of fine line work.
“I love fine line so much. It’s very dainty and delicate,” she says. “When it heals, it doesn’t necessarily stand out or take up space. It just exists in the background to tell a story, whether it’s a silly little dinosaur that represents someone’s kids or your grandparents’ handwriting. It’s always something special.”
Alex says the pop-up format allows her to meet people from across the state while collaborating with small businesses along the way.
“I get to go into breweries, coffee shops, little hometown bookstores, mom-and-pop shops,” she says. “I love supporting other small businesses.”
One story, she says, stays with her.
“Two women came in for their first tattoos and had me design angel wings with their brother’s initials after losing him the year before. It was heartbreaking, but also a reminder that there is light on the other side of suffering.”
Fine line tattoos and permanent jewelry pair naturally, offering guests a way to mark a moment in a subtle yet lasting way.
Hosted at beloved spots like Calabria Coffee, Silk in Utica, 7 Hamlets in Westmoreland, Lock 17 in Little Falls, Franca’s Roma, and Copper City Hair in Rome, these pop-ups invite guests to sip coffee or cocktails while selecting chains or choosing tiny tattoo designs.
Upcoming Link, Ink & Drink events include:
• March 13, Grow Brewing Co., New Hartford
• March 21, Saturday Spreads, Frankfort
• March 22, Calabria Coffee
• April 16, Killabrew Saloon, Utica
• April 19, Perri’s Pub, Frankfort (jewelry only)
In a region that shows up for its small businesses, these events feel like more than a trend. They create spaces where people feel confident, celebrated, and connected.
A spark of gold.
A fine line of ink.
A sip shared with friends.
In the Mohawk Valley, memories are not just made. Sometimes, they are linked for good.
For those inspired by the concept, Marisa Newcomb also offers permanent jewelry training courses.
Rose & Co. Permanent Jewelry
rosencopermanentjewelry.com
Instagram: @rosenco.jewelry
Facebook: Rose & Co. Permanent Jewelry
Alexandria Fine Line Tattoos
Instagram: @alexandria.finelinetattoo
Facebook: Alexandria Fine Line
Email: alexandria.finelinetattoo@gmail.com
