My first one was not particularly well-planned. I love cherry blossoms, and one day I simply got up the moxie to stumble in to a tattoo parlor. The second one was a bit more planned.

Keep at it! The other folks are right. You have a lot of natural talent; you just need time and practice. 🙂 I LOVE Howl’s Castle.

I have a cherry blossom on my thigh, and I love the location, though people have commented it’s odd (typical tatt, different location). Based on your body type and how you dress/style yourself, I wouldn’t worry about anyone thinking, “Oh, people will think I look butch.” From an aesthetic/artistic standpoint, I think drawing the eye to your…[Read more]

I love the thigh as an area to tattoo – It’s covered by “normal” clothes. It’s a smooth area with minimal curves, very good on a smaller lady. I can’t think of any particular common symbols for family off the top of my head, but what about either an individual star to represent each family member, or a totem pole with a unique animal for each person?

Hate to bump, but what an interesting topic; as a kid I had an interest in being a mortician, but I’m a pediatric nurse. 🙂

I think it’s cute, but not for me. As long as you like it, who cares? A lot of people think my tattoo, a flower, was stereotypical, trite, and overdone for a then young co-ed, but after years, I still like it. 🙂

What about a hollow tree with a little animal or two? Very sweet, still masculine, and not dark, but full of life. Also, congrats, little boys are so sweet and wonderful. 🙂

Truly beautiful! I absolutely love this tattoo, and the shading completes it.

You asked for a personal opinion. I issued one, which was I see where a tongue ring could be read as immature; it’s my own knee-jerk reaction. I didn’t say it was correct, or that most people share it, or that you should share it.

If you only want opinions that match your own, I apologize.

I think we’ve evolved to the point where we don’t mind if certain individuals have tattoos – However, if you’re in a conservative business, them’s the breaks, kid. I would really struggle in my field if I had tattoos in an area like my arms, no matter how good I was. Ergo, I don’t do it. End of story.

I actually vote for warm brown owls and pink roses. I love Bubo, though!

Aw, I feel your pain – It would be very hard to get a tattoo on my arm or in a more obvious place, so I understand restrictions. Maybe your husband will come around. 🙂

It doesn’t make me think “slutty,” so much as “immature.” As other people have mentioned, damage to your teeth is too high a risk, in my opinion. And anyone who’d risk damaging their adult teeth would probably not impress me in certain social situations: Hiring them for a job or dating, specifically. However, tongue rings are easily removed.…[Read more]

Thank you for the warm welcome. 🙂

That’s another benefit of an apprenticeship with a quality establishment, rather than just practicing on oranges until you magically morph into Ami James.

I don’t know what tattoo artists would say, but as a medical professional, I say it’s way too soon. A tattoo is essentially an open wound for the first couple of months, and just like having a mole removed, the sunscreen could cause irritation, triggering infection. I’d place a clean 4×4 gauze over the tattoo (unfold and put another one over it…[Read more]

I personally would never go to a tattooist who didn’t have a history with a solid apprenticeship. I’m a professional, and I expect my tattooist to be the same. Just as I don’t think my tattooist would come to me if I didn’t have the proper education/experience for my job (nurse), I wouldn’t go to her without knowing her history and appropriate…[Read more]