Hi! I caught the tattoo bug after 5 years and want more...

[Marie Thompson]

My last tattoo was 5 years ago and now I want to add more to it. It was an anklet style pearl and metal chains that have a St. Andrew pendant with a swallow swooping in. My aesthetic is jewelry realism. It sounds weird but I like jeweled, intricate work. I am a girly chick, if that explains it. I wanted to add reddish chains to the anklet, on the top of the foot. Maybe even update some of the work to make it more cohesive. All my tattoos are black and grey. Color bothers me sometimes.... I am not sure if it would go with my skin tone being olive tanned, like Penelope Cruz.

I also wanted to get a tattoo on my ear, from the conch to the lobe, possibly behind it, too. However, not on the tragus portion. Would an ear tattoo be possible? Some people, not tattooers, have told me it will fade and the skin of the ear is a terrible spot. I have talked to tattooers and I haven't met anyone that has tattooed on the ear. 1 guy wants to do it for me. I appreciate his enthusiasm but I would like to have more info.

I do have a Japanese kanji tattoo behind my ear from 18 years ago. It was done by a Japaense tattooer from Japan and the kanji was not selected off the wall! Lol

Also, I am getting laser removal done from a back tattoo from 18 years ago done by my friend. It is almost done, just 1 more session.

I think the ear tattoo is the 1 I want to get done first, then the add on to the existing tattoo. I have enjoyed reading threads here and I have been looking up ppl's awesome tattoo referrals. I would love a classic and elegant tattoo that looks awesome years later.

Any thoughts about ears? I take care of my skin, use spf everyday, and wear hats and protective clothing over my skin. Btw, protecting your skin from the skin helps with aging. I am almost 34 and ppl in college think I am 20 something. I am getting my second degree as a RN.

Ok, so you know a lot about me... Any advice would be awesome. I live in NJ, close to NYC, and I have been meeting tattooers that have insanely long bookings in advance. Most are 2 and some are 6 months to 1 year long waiting. Is this normal?

[marley mission]

check out Jamie Sawyer on IG - Immortal Ink in Clinton NJ

She is usually booked out for a month or 2 but thats pretty normal for alot of artists

she does alot of work that I think you would like based on your interests

[SStu]

Most of the top notch artists have long waits. 2-6 months isn't bad at all.

[Marie Thompson]

Thanks for the referral! I have been looking at Immortal Ink's website recently. I have been planning to set up a consult with 1 of the tattoers.

[Joe Shit]

Thanks for the referral! I have been looking at Immortal Ink's website recently. I have been planning to set up a consult with 1 of the tattoers.

My cousin got some work from https://www.instagram.com/babyjohntattoo/ he's also a versatile tattooer at Immortal.

https://www.instagram.com/ivanartista/ Does nice b&g work.

https://www.instagram.com/nick_pisani/

https://www.instagram.com/janierabbit/

https://www.instagram.com/josh_unroyal/

https://www.instagram.com/krisfisk_/

[marley mission]

yeah Janie from Rabbits Den in Milltown is also someone to check out too - never got tattooed by her but got tattooed there several times by Matt Dunn (now @ Old Glory in Asbury) - cool shop and Janie seemed pretty nice in my interactions with her

Immortal has two shops and many good artists

[Marie Thompson]

Wow, lots of interesting and talented work! Thank you!

- - - Updated - - -

Many of these tattoo shops I never heard of until recently. I am scouring the threads of this forum and looking at tattoo shop reviews on Yelp, Nj.com, Time Out NY, Gothamist, and other sites. Even the comment section on online articles are a wealth of info.

[marley mission]

nj is not a bad place to be if you like getting tattooed - i mean you've got plenty of talent in NY as well to consider and if you are willing to venture further...

[SStu]

Robert Ryan, too.

[Marie Thompson]

I have a few tattoers in mind, but I am not sure to go with a talented but less known person or someone with a flashy rep. Is it ok to post their names or instagram link here?

The deposits are all non-refundable so I want to confirm if you tattoo aficionados see the style or name is worth it. Honestly, a lot places have not even called or emailed me back except for 1 really high end shop and 1 newbie shop.

[SStu]

no problem posting names and/or portfolios.

be patient. find the artist/style that you'll be proud to wear FOREVER, and work toward that goal. Visit the shop personally if at all logistically possible.

[Joe Shit]

I have a few tattoers in mind, but I am not sure to go with a talented but less known person or someone with a flashy rep. Is it ok to post their names or instagram link here?

The deposits are all non-refundable so I want to confirm if you tattoo aficionados see the style or name is worth it. Honestly, a lot places have not even called or emailed me back except for 1 really high end shop and 1 newbie shop.

prefer

I've been tattooed by both,and prefer just a good tattooer that is down to earth,and that i click with.A few more to check out..

https://www.instagram.com/javiertattoos/

https://www.instagram.com/inkaddict33/

Mike@ https://www.instagram.com/evolvink/

https://www.instagram.com/inkyknuckles/

[Marie Thompson]

Wow, Mike from Evolve has excellent work. Thanks, I did not know about this shop.