[snow white]

anyone here design their own tattoo?

[sexysandee]

what do you girlies think of tribal tattoo designs. i realize they're kinda played out, but i been checking out a lot of flash websites lately, and some of them look really cool to me. you think enough time has passed since they were hot to bring them back?

I personally think that it's whatever you like. The tattoo is going to be with you for the rest of your life and shouldn't be based on a fade.

The only tribal that I wasn't into are the ones that every muscular guy has that goes around their upper arm...they aren't even different designs...

[knorl05]

ella: that fascist prick! arg. funny that he took the time to think about it and then came back with a comment like you even asked for his opinion. dick.

[knorl05]

what do you girlies think of tribal tattoo designs. i realize they're kinda played out, but i been checking out a lot of flash websites lately, and some of them look really cool to me. you think enough time has passed since they were hot to bring them back?

[sexysandee]

UGH!!! The my tattoo artist was out this weekend so I had to reschedule, I hate this feeling. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

[sarasota]

I am going to get a new tattoo this weekend

pictures!! pictures!!

[sexysandee]

I am going to get a new tattoo this weekend

[EllaMinnowPea]

Ella, what are your tattoos of? I've never heard of any being specifically masculine. (No good stranger stories, aside from someone calling my skull tattoo "cute.")

I too have a skull tattoo! Skull and crossbones, on my upper arm. I've read that that's a specifically "masculine" place to have a tattoo, since it's not so easily disguisable as an ankle or a wrist (and obviously it's not something flowery, which I guess knocks it out of the "feminine" category). Where do you have your skull, LilacWine?

What's your stranger story?

(I once had an older man approach me at a writing conference. "How's a pretty girl like you end up branded like that?" he asked. "By choice," I said. Later, after he'd had a little time away from me, he came back with a comeback: "Well, we all make bad choices some time, don't we?" As though it was his decision.)

[lotusflower85]

I currently have three tattoos that are very visible when I dress up for occasions (one on each shoulder and one on the inside of my left ankle), but each of these is something i earned through a big keystone in my life, so I am proud of them.
There are a gajillion photos of weddings, and proms where tattoos and piercings are considered part of the dress on the girls; there are also some good photos of scar cover ups on the website for the bmezine.
I would offer a better link, but i always forget the exact address.

[erinjane]

I've always thought that too. I love when people make an effort to showcase their tattoo's in wedding photos.

[Owl_Gang_Girl]

I've come across this wedding question before and it leaves me rather confused. I love my tattoos and have paid good money and plan to spend a shed load more before I get married on more. Why would they suddenly be something that I should be ashamed of just because I'm getting wed. I think my Partner would be shocked and confused if I started fussing and trying to cover them up. I suppose I'd be the odd one out since my best friend would have his tattooed legs out in a kilt as would his brother and HIS partner is probably going to be one of my bridesmaids and she has tattoed feet, leg and a half sleeve!

[lilacwine13]

Ella, what are your tattoos of? I've never heard of any being specifically masculine. (No good stranger stories, aside from someone calling my skull tattoo "cute.")

Most people I meet seem to be okay with my tattoos, both in private and professional life. I know I've had a couple guys tell me they think I'm "bad" for getting them, but they are vastly outnumbered by the people who love them, admire the work that went into them and want to hear the meaning behind them. So far I've only had one job where they demanded I cover up any ink, and that was a cashier/ticket taker position where they wanted a "clean-cut" image for their employees, and this was a long time ago when there weren't as many people with tattoos. Everywhere else I've worked they don't care, even when they've been in full view (which happens when it's hot out and I'll sweat to death in pants and long sleeves).

As for parents, I know several who are around my age with tattoos and none seem harmed by them. I think it depends on where you are and who you come in contact with, however. While most of the people here seem fine with tattoos, I'm pretty sure it would be different if this was a small, conservative town instead of a large, college suburb.

My mom has brought up the wedding day issue, she doesn't like my two biggest tattoos (the weird part is she's okay with my two smaller ones). I don't know what I'll do then, a part of me wants to cover them up out of respect for her, but at the same time I like them and my dad seems fine with them.

Of course, a pirate-themed wedding might be a good option too.

[sexysandee]

I am a tattooed teacher and Ph.D student. I get some looks, but I love my tattoos and I want another one.
So there ya go!!!

[EllaMinnowPea]

I never thought I'd do it, but I have fallen in loooove with tattoos.

If you're thinking about it, I'm not going to try to sway you. It's a really personal decision. I still have people - men especially - come up to me in public places to tell me my tattoo was a mistake. I just sass them right back. (I've read a lot of theory now, and understand that my tattoo is a stereotypically "masculine" tattoo in a stereotypically "masculine" place, and that might be the reason men reprimand me for it more than women. On the other hand, I love rolling up my sleeve to compare my tatt with a guy's - and most of the men I've met with tattoos have loved mine.) I didn't realize my own confidence before I had to defend my ink. And my parents, who were initially shocked by it, have grown to love it. It's very affirming to hear the kinds of people you thought would judge you tell you that they're into it.

Making that kind of decision about your body can be a very positive step toward making your own decisions about... everything. Goodness gracious.

And you need to be prepared with an explanation every time someone asks you about it. If yours is too personal, come up with a good lie. It's also handy to have a few flip remarks to questions like, "What are you going to do about your wedding day?" ("Throw a pirate-themed wedding, obviously.")

My favorite part is hearing strangers' stories. Everyone seems to have an opinion about or secret dream of a specific tattoo.

Anyone got a good stranger story?

[Owl_Gang_Girl]

Well being 6ft tall, having one or two or ten piercings and a great big curly mop of black hair I've never really been one to worry about what people think of me. I couldn't blend in to the background in this little city even if I painted myself grey. Everyone has an opinion about my tattoos, clothes, piercings, haircut, shoes, boyfriend, choice of bus route here and they want everyone to know about it so even if I did care I'd have to learn not to pretty fast. I agree with beck though. I like people thinking I'm up to no good. Me and my best mate go as far as to act sus when we see the police just to make them think we're crims (we both have one or two issues with the fuzz and thier attitude). Kids today eh!?
I don't have any kids yet but can't wait to be the tattooed Mum that all the other mums gossip about at the school gates. That being said a good friend of mine is a tattooed mum to be and all the other chicks I know with lil uns are tattooed and have never mentioned anything with regards to other people judging them.
There you go. I'll see 2 cents and raise you 2 pence.
Xx

[zoya]

I don't really think about it very much... something I've found that helps get past the 'perception' barrier is that I have an upper backpiece that was done by a world-class tattoo artist, and it's really stunning art, beautifully and intricately done. When I'm wearing a tank top or something that shows off my back (I forget that it's there all the time, since I can't see it!) it's funny, it seems that accross the board, the most conservative people are the ones who go out of thier way to say "your tattoo is beautiful" So my point is, that I think that you'd be suprised at how many people these days are totally open and fine with it - especially if they "get" that it's art. (hell, I basically paid for fine art to have it done.. it's ART dammit! lol) so that's my .02 cents...

[beck]

i like it that people might think i'm up to no good! it's my insurance against getting boring. i work in govt and i like that i look different to most people's idea of what someone in my field would look like - i often get a double take when i go into meetings. but as for looking like a wife/mum, i don't yet have kids but i like to think it would mark me out as a cool parent rather than a cliched yummy mummy (either that or really embarrass my kids haha).

[loridk]

Ok, so I haven't had time to look through this thread well yet but I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I got most of my tattoos young. I still love them and still plan to do more but I sometimes wonder what people think. I'm not really worried that they are judging me but if I'm out with my kids and such and you can't see they, say I'm wearing a sweater, pants and full shoes, do they see me as someone who would have quite a few tattoos? If it's summertime and you can see them all, do they think I'm not the type to be a wife and mom? Do they think I'm up to way more no-good than I usually am?

These are just things I think about. Anyone else?

[Owl_Gang_Girl]

yay, look what i found! a little late but thats ok.

anyway, i've been thinking about getting a tattoo. ya i do a lot of thinking about getting one and not much else.

so here's my tattoo standards:

~nothing that can't age w/ me (which is the hardest criteria to fill)
~no band logos, fashion logos and car logos, ect...
~must be sophisticated, classy, sexy and original

i really like the tattoos snuggled in behind the ear. i also like the ribcage and inner wrist placements. and ankle and foot. i have a hard time decideing

owl gang girl, u have really cute tattoos!

Thank you very much! Everyone is so nice about them here. I'm glad other people enjoy them as much as I do.
Just thought I'd stop by to show off my new ones. Went to Amsterdam with my friend Barry for my birthday which just happens to be new years eve. Had a great time despite bursting in to tears as soon as I heard my Mum's voice on the phone (You wouldn't think I was 21!).
Anyroad before I start a-ramblin' about my holiday I should say I bought myself new tattoos with a very special meaning for my birthday. I'm really pleased and can't wait to add more to my feet. Sorry about the poor quality webcam shots and manky shoes. Enjoy.
Xxx
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h187/gir.../newtattoo2.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h187/gir.../newtattoo1.jpg

[banshee]

london ink is my favorite, too, snow. it seems a lot less airbrushed and "hollywood" than the others. and they actually show people in pain... i think miami and l.a. have made tattoos look almost painless. they also discuss more of the artistic side of tattooing.


of course, i'm love with all things british, so i guess i'm a little biased.