Tattoos...where/ how/ why?

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I have a small one on my left ankle - Japanese characters that say 'tenshi' (or translated 'angel' so pretty much my name). I got it done after living in Japan for 18mths and it was a profound time for me - hehe as my mum says, I grew up A LOT while I was there.

It stung a little as the work was done near the tendon that runs up that part of your leg, but nothing major.

I say get one done - I fully want another, just gotta decide just what!

I have my entire back done. Plus 3 smaller ones, 1 on my lower back, one on the back of my neck and one under my left arm.



What it feels like...cutting yourself shaving. Or ya know when you get sunburnt and you scratch it...it feels like that so very bareable.
And mate, if you can give birth, you can get a tat!

Anywhere with bone near the surface will hurt more than those nice fatty covered areas.

Nadine Bryant at Skinks in Hamilton is Australiasias top female tattooist. She did my back and under my arm and they are awesome tats. I found being a female she had a gentler hand.
The other two I have were done by a male. It could also be his skill level, but they are nowhere as good as Nadines and they hurt more.

Dean Holland in Waihi is also freakin' awesome. DP has a back piece done by him.

The above two tattooists are great with fine detail as well.

Definately go looking at different shops. Look for hygenie first of all. Also look for the friendliness and helpfulness of the team. Tattoos, as I am sure you're aware, are permanent so you need to make sure you have the best team looking after you.
If it's a big piece thats going to take longer than an hour, and if you're no good with pain, ask if they will allow you to break it up into separate sittings.
I personally could only handle an hour at a time, it took 16 hours to do my back, almost 2 years to complete.

Just beware, they are an addiction. It is incredibly hard to stop at one. I have full intentions of getting many, many more.

Oh and another thing, get something original, don't pick anything off the net or out of a book. With my piece on my back, I took my tattooists some "base" ideas for the tigers, she copied the outline of them, and the rest of it was all done freehand. The tattooist you choose should be able to do this for you and if they "can't" find another tattooist cause IMO their skill level is obviously low if they can't do anything but copy.

And take an MP3 player...helps you "tune out".

I have a few... it's NOTHING like childbirth! No way does it hurt that much!! It's a pain that is tolerable... I reckon it's like what it would feel like to have a lit cigarette moving slowly across the skin. From what I've heard the ribs are the most painful area, none of mine have been unbearable (wrist, top half of arm, back of neck and lower back). To be honest I find the healing more annoying than getting the tattoo!

You tend to pay by how many hours work is involved, most tattooists will charge an $80 - $120 minimum for small tattoos

I second that it's an addiction!! I'm absolutely ITCHING to get more work done (I'm getting a sleeve) but I'm on stupid medication for the next 6 months which doesn't allow it... argh!!!!

I've got a small one on my shoulderblade. It is definitely a bearable pain... a bit sting-y but really minimal.

I'm in Wellington and went to Roger's on Cuba Street. I'm pretty sure he is highly regarded, as I was on a waiting list for over a month to get mine done there (by Roger).

I can't remember exactly how much I paid, but I think it was in the region of $150 - $180. And yes, that was for a pretty small (black only) one. You get what you pay for, I think!

And it was very quick. Mine took 15 - 20 minutes, I think.

I have a sunflower at the bottom of my back, 3 butterflys which go down my back each one represents one of my children, then their are 5 stars around them which I got for my husbands and my 5th wedding anniversry this year and then a latin phrase on my calf which says she flies with her own wings.

I don't really think they hurt to get done, I actually quite like the feel of it, itching to get more done and my leg finished jst have to find the $$

I want one for DD, just not idea what I want for the longest time I have wanted an angel as I have an obsession with them, and a huge collection. Meh we'll see.

One thing that I only found out this week is that a tribal design on the small of the back is apparently called a tramp stamp(no offence to anyone that has one). Only reason I found out is because DP was telling me about two of the girls he works with he was making fun of them as he does and told a workmate and instantly the guy called them a tramp stamp. It might be something in their circle but I don't know

I have one or four depending on how you look at it lol
I have four chinese symbols on my lower back that translate to sisterhood, had it done on the first anniversary of my sisters death so is very special to me.
Had planned on getting another one in June last year but seen as found out i was pregnant at the beginning of June, it didnt happen.
Will be getting a second one this year hopefully.

To me it felt like being scratched with a hot needle - kind of a slight burning pain with a scratch. But bearable.
Will take note of the lady in hamilton though - i had my first one done down there (cant remember his name - but he was great)

for my kiddies, this is the one that has stars added round it but I dnt think I have a photo of it

Gosh I know I've said this before floss, but your tattoos are AMAZING!

I have 8, planning to get #9 soon - they all vary in size and location... top of my arm, across the top of my back, both sides of my lower back, both inner ankles.

All the advice here so far is good, and yep - it is SUPER addictive... my next tattoo is going to be a half sleeve on my left arm.