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I hate to pile on @deadsp0t, but I do want to make a couple points. I've heard you say "silence is consent" on this and other threads, and I don't think you realize what a loaded term this is. Google "silence" "consent" and "rape," and you'll see what I mean. Just in case you're wondering what all this outrage is about. All that stuff about Rosa Parks/MLK I'll chalk up to a bad analogy and leave it at that. Except to say that when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. @Zillah, I'm a big burly guy and I probably would've done the exact same thing in that situation: bit my tongue, get my tattoo, and got the f*ck out of there (but no tip). So many ways that situation could have ended badly for you, sometimes it's smart to keep your mouth shut. @Bunny Switchblade, not to get off-topic or pick a fight here, but I'm getting a little sick of hearing this particular sentiment. I hear what you're saying, but put it this way: there are dives and fancy wine bars, and the existence of the latter shouldn't ruin your enjoyment of the former. Grungy old-school street shops are awesome -- and I hope they never go away -- but the private/custom/boutique-type ones exist because there's a market for it. Speaking as a non-tattooer, it seems to me that everyone who wants a tattoo should be able to get one, how and where they want it. And that people from all walks of life getting tattoos is good for business – even if it's the dreaded "soccer mom" getting a butterfly on her ankle. It's like with bands when people say, "I was into so-and-so before they were cool." Why should I give a f*ck if what I like is popular or not? Bands want to sell records and make money so they can keep making art. Tattooers do too.

I would say this is the worst advice ever posted on this board, but then there was your advice re: sexual harassment the other day, so... (No seriously, to any lurkers stumbling upon this thread: hand tattoos are not socially acceptable and reputable tattooers don't just hand them out like candy.)

You beat me to it. Very true, and I'm happy to have some of it. @zbatch34, check this out. I'm with Jebb Riley on this one. Script has its place (I have loved ones' names, for example), but I think this graphic solution is so much cooler. Just something to think about.

BLOODY HELL. Guess what I'm doing on Saturday... I was browsing instagram yesterday admiring this guys work, in particular his peonies (Instagram), when he posted a cancellation spot. I slept on it, mentioned it to my husband this morning who made me go and email right there and then, and I just had my appointment confirmed. They were so lovely, they actually rearranged his appointments on the day to fit in round my childcare. Thank you all for your help and suggestions, in particular to @Joe Shit who pointed me to this guy.

What they said^^^ Wrote (and then deleted) large rant about people with warped tour body suits, then remembered it's on the internet, so it doesn't really matter. I'm fine with other people doing stupid shit, as long as they are fine with consequences.

What's the toll to cross the bridge?

My names Eric. I am 55 years old and just got my first significant (at least to me) tattoo. I spent years softening up my conservative wife to get tattooed. I could have just gone ahead and done it but she's suppose to be a life partner right? I got the kids names done on the sly figuring how mad could she get? Turns out pretty mad :mad: Threatened to walk out before even seeing or knowing what it was. Once she saw it she calmed right down and even confessed she wanted one of the Russian doll things on her hip. I spent a long time looking and trying to learn about tattoos. Searched on-line in the Seattle area for a style that I really wanted for my first big one. It was when I went to the Seattle Expo (felt like a outsider being naked as I was) that I realized "hmm,, there are artist's from all over the west coast and beyond. Maybe I need to look outside of Seattle for what I want. When I stumbled upon the Dot work / pointillism I had found what I wanted. Anyway I ended up booking about five months in advance to go to San Fransisco to have Dillon Forte (Guesting at Analog) do my Mandalas in Dot work and negative space style/technique. Five and half hours for first mandala and four the next day for the rest.They are two weeks old, scabs off and still itchy.

Pure trollage , just stop man .

Can I suggest that we talk a lot less about hand and finger tattoos on here? I feel that if you're in a position where you should be getting hand tattoos you don't need this or any other forum to find out information about them.

AMERICAN GODS> EVERYTHING EVER I've already mentioned it in this thread but I am such a Neil Gaiman fan, read every book of his my college library had to offer.

You don't have to spend a lot or go to a fancy place to eat horse. It's in pretty much every grocery store and I'm pretty sure that places like Frite Alors (Belgian-style fries place with locations all over the city) regularly have it on their menu. Rumour is that they fry their fries in horse fat too, which is why they're so delicious. I'm not really into horsemeat, when I've had it I've found it too lean, but you should for sure try it. Maybe if we do an LST meetup this year we can do it at Frite Alors.

Just scheduled an appointment with Eli Quinters while he's in Oakland. STOKED! - - - Updated - - - Juan Puente does some really good script too. I like Sonju's script from Tattoo 13 too. I'm sure he learned from the best.

@eisen777, thanks so much man. I'm really pumped with it. Cannot wait to see it progress. Chad can work within any type of style it seems. I've seen realism that he's done, and it's like "wow, really?!". Your eagle is bad ass. It's massive and awesome and the shield is amazing. @Graeme i'm really hoping to do it man. It sounds like it's a blast. DEFINITELY on the restaurants. One of my favorite things to do is to go out to dinner. expensive though.

I have been really slowing down on getting tattooed recently, but I am very stoked to be getting an adaptation of this cute little nautical star/butterfly design by Robert Johnson flash (from the 1950s, found in the always amazing Flash from the Past) so that I may always keep moving in the right direction. Appointment in a couple of weeks.

You are a strange one.

In b4 pillow fight spontaneously breaks out...

You should absolutely come to the Montreal convention! Also ask Chad for restaurant recommendations (and save up some money for them!) because he knows more about food in this town than I do. Me and @Pugilist went to a sushi place he was talking about when he tattooed me last year at the Montreal convention and it was literally some of the best food I've ever had in my life. Here's a link to the instagram of the chef at that restaurant. The man is a true artist, and you would almost feel bad eating food that beautiful except for that it tastes so damned incredible.

Love this idea! I am not sure I've ever been tattooed while in the crampy/painful part of my period, thank goodness, so no insight on that. I did get tattooed a few months back while having other kinds of lady problems (but during the tail end of it) and I think I did take it harder, but it was a quick tattoo in an ok spot, so it wasn't particularly difficult. As I just spent like, 20 minutes trying to find tights opaque enough to cover my leg tattoos for work, I think that is a worthy topic for discussion too, as ladies' clothing tends to cover up less tattoo-wise. For those of you who don't show tattoos as work, strategies for making sure backs, legs, etc. are covered are helpful! (For example, my collection of shrugs has massively expanded since I did my back.)

No problem, and I'd also recommend watching the artist interview videos on this site, Vice's Tattoo Age series, and the Gypsy Gentleman videos because they'll give you insight into the people making tattoos, and there are some great tattoos and great stories in them.

Showing patience and maturity are your best bet. Enjoy window shopping for the next few years.

I haven't seen a thread that focuses on gender-specific advice, information-sharing and support for the wonderful ladies around here. Little gems are randomly sprinkled here-and-there within other threads. I thought it would be a nice idea to collect that type of stuff in one place. Questions like, "what do you do about wearing a bra after getting a tattoo?" and "does it really hurt more to get a tattoo the week before and during your period?" And the empowering stuff like the wonderful thread about using tattoos to feel better about your body - especially the delightful discussion of beautifying the horrendous "batwings." In addition to starting new topics here, when we find relevant nuggets of info elsewhere (I'm kicking myself for not making bookmarks of them), we can add those links here so we don't have to repeat everything or we can refer back to existing stuff. About responding to existing content: When you find good stuff elsewhere, if it's part of a well-encapsulated or dedicated thread, it would be best to reply over in that thread so content is together (and put a link here if there isn't one already). If the good stuff you find is randomly spread through a larger or unrelated thread, then include the link to the first post where the good stuff starts, and respond here so your new info doesn't get lost over in an unrelated thread. The boys are welcome, too, you know, because anything related to boobs and bras and the lack of bras surely has universal appeal, etc. - - - Updated - - - So I'll start with the period question - does it really hurt more the week of and during your period? Have you dealt with it in any special way...rather than praying to the menopause gods or demanding a hysterectomy just to get more tattoos? :D - - - Updated - - - Here's the start of a thread about bras and tattoos in the bra area: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-after-care/32-best-post-tattoo-care-page10.html#post51734

Just popping over to say a quick hello from Toronto - I'm a graduate student doing her PhD in history, married to the lovely forum member @Mark Bee . Both being tattooed has meant we have an arsenal of solely post tattoo/healing bed sheets and spent part of our honeymoon at the opening of the Great Lakes Shop in Chicago. I got my first tattoo from a street shop called Rocky's in 1990 and my most recent was outlined by Dan Innes at the Pearl Harbor last Saturday!

I've posted this one on the site elsewhere but here's my lady moon from @Valerie Vargas.

By intense you mean AWESOME right?

Welcome. Analog Tattoo Arts Kolectiv is a powerhouse of incredible tattooing. Good job!

I think y'all have convinced me to get Bioshock Infinite while it's still $10. Thanks, it's not like I had other things to do today.

Looooooooooooooooooooooove!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes!!!! I am so thrilled for you and love when peer pressure works out so well! The kitsune design is also adorable/awesome and I fully approve of it. Where are you getting it?

@growltiger so exciting!!! Are you getting peonies? Those are absolutely gorgeous. I've heard great things about Rodrigo.

@TrixieFaux, I believe it was @Tesseracts? But great idea for sure! @Pugilist I don't have any brand suggestions since I typically shop at Marshalls/TJMaxx (not sure if you have those stores in Canada), but I usually just look for really elastic ones and order like XL or XXXXXXL haha never buy them at places like American Apparel or Urban Outfitters, they tend to be to flimsy and lack the tightness to stay on. @SeeSea, I usually wear tops with straps after the first week or two, once its peeled significantly. If I have major scabs ...forget it. And the tanks I have the straps are super thin and sit very light on my shoulders. The important part is the torso of the tank is tight so it holds everything in a bit better than nothing. I have no idea what brand it is either lol ^see above. @Breakme for the record, I'm so freaking jealous of your work from Emily! Can't wait to see the new piece!

I'm dying over here.

This! I was trying to roll over the waist of work pants and then I couldn't button them and couldn't pull them down far enough below my tattoo without the crotch ending up at my knees! I found some really nice yoga pants that I am pretending are work pants and wearing them with longer sweaters :D I want to get a couple larger dresses - mine are tighter and I ended up sticking to the lining inside of one. It's at the dry cleaners now. Ugh. For those of you wearing tighter shirts or tank-tops to give some support to the girls - @HaydenRose, doesn't that gunk you to the shirt early on? And rub off flaking skin and any scabs later on? I can let the girls be free, but still need to cover things up not to advertise, so I have been wearing very thin and soft, cheap Tar-jay shirts a size too big. ("Tar-jay" is how we refer to the Target super store in our fancy snobby French accents. Target is a step up from Walmart around here.) That makes getting into the shower to soak off early on much easier. - - - Updated - - - We promise you get first crack when tickets go on sale, with all proceeds going to our new venture to design and produce our new product line: "Support the Girls in Style - the Perfect Post-Tattoo Bra Solution." Hmmm, I think I would buy this product.

We all know it was was @gougetheeyes who said that. :)

Those armery things are exactly the kind of "interesting" I meant :) thanks for the link!

Oh @Brock Varty :rolleyes: :D - - - Updated - - - The regular way to cover arms: tunic, cardigan, long sleeve t-shirt... An INTERESTING way: those tights sleeve thingies: armery Armery from Mary Portas - Mary & Charnos Armery - from Mytights (The armery idea was from another thread, too, the Tattoos in the Workplace thread, idea originally posted by um @HaydenRose was it???). Still have yet to get some but it seems like a good idea.

What a great idea for a thread! I have a feeling I'll be looking for some interesting ways to cover my arms, as I am about to embark on what I hope will eventually be 2 full sleeves. While I don't *have* to cover anything up at work since I work in a creative job, I'd rather avoid all the nosy questions I'll be bound to get, as I'll be the only woman with openly visible tattoos.

@Rob I I'm am looking to visit him next year as well (also hit up hooper) I think he will be able to do 2 appointments on me this year so it's not so bad. I'm just happy he's tattooing me and I'm antsy to get more from him. That said I love my back, I feel like its a little different then what he usually does a bit more simple and less on the hardy influence and more simple claassic tattooing but still looks like chad did it. The eagle is far less stylized then usual and more "folk art".At first I was kinda sad it wasn't as involved as the other backs he does but the more he works on it the more I realize how well it fits me and I couldn't imagine anything else. That said your back is just really bad ass and perfect.

Good for you, I can't believe how some people treat ladies that are a little on the plus side. They should be shot.

My Sifu (kung fu master) passed away 4 months ago. I had been his loyal disciple for 9 years. Before he passed he called me and my Sehing (kung fu big brother) to the hospital to give us his final teachings and instructions for continuing his legacy. So we have been running our kung fu school and it is amazing to see how supportive our students are of the new leadership, in fact we've seen great improvements and consistency with the class, now at 50 students. As part of Sifu's last wishes, we have organized a return trip to the Shaolin Temple. Sifu had taken us a few years back and wanted us to maintain the connection to his roots at Shaolin in order to continue giving the serious students the opportunity to experience kung fu in China and train with the Shaolin monks. In 6 weeks we leave and I will be leading a group of 12 on a 3 week trip to China to pay respects to the master and re-establish our connection with our extended kung fu family at Shaolin. To say I'm pretty excited, well that's an understatement! I was planning on starting my backpiece this winter, however with my Sifu suddenly passing, new responsibilities at the kung fu school and planning the China trip I had to postpone. Which actually is quite alright. My backpiece is going to be Shaolin themed. So my eye is going to be tuned to the wonders of China and I no doubt will be re-inspired with the return to Shaolin! amituofo https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150322232922222&l=a80b81a2f3

@HaydenRose, would love recs for bandeaus that work for well-endowed ladies. I find the bra thing very tricky when going without is not an option. When I did my back, I just wore bras that didn't dig much (I have a couple of VS ones that are very soft and don't really have seams) and found it did not affect healing at all, thank goodness. The other thing I think is worth sharing on this topic are strategies for what to wear to appointments when getting particular spots worked on. For my back I always wore a button down shirt that I could put on backwards (often with a halter bikini top that we could untie) - this was Stephanie's recommendation and is brilliant. For my thighs (particularly upper when shorts may be obstructive), a friend once recommended wearing a skirt with men's briefs, which give you just a bit more coverage while still allowing the person to get all up in there!

About the period thing...I have been tattooed while on it and it SUCKED. (But it really didn't suck anymore than the first few days suck anyway). Not only that, it was a two day session and focused on my lower back :/ But I'm kind of whiny when my hormones are in revolt, soo... But as much as it sucked, it was also okay. Ladies, if you can get through those miserable few days (I am usually pretty miserable!) then you will have no problem getting tattooed in addition to getting through through the tough days. If you have really difficult periods (due to endometriosis etc) then i would just wait and let your body focus on one thing at a time. But honestly, it ain't no thang. I also preload ibuprofen, echinacea, all sorts of goodness for my body when I know I'm going to be tattooed, anyway. My .02

Great idea :D Is it a good idea to link to previous threads that might be useful? For example, the fat people thread was nicely body-positive: fat-people-tattoos-your-thoughts There's a pretty cool one about whether ladies should get dragon tattoos. It can be summed up as "Yes". I'll dig it out. Here be dragons: dragons-women

My weekend "look" is jeans and a tank top or t-shirt... My weekday work look is nicer jeans and a tank top or t-shirt WITH a teacherly cardigan! Keeping it simple. :-) Never had a problem getting tattooed during that time o' the month. Luckily, I don't really get crampy or moody during that time either. It has no effect or bearing on scheduling appointments or pain for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Based on this thread I recently read The Name of Wind and The Wise Man's Fear. Very enjoyable reads and am looking forward to the 3rd book. In the meantime I started reading American Gods (also because of this thread).

Wow. When I made the original thread, I had no idea that it would turn out to be a big debate; I was thinking that it would be therapeutic for myself and for anyone else that had experienced something like that, to share the anecdote, and encourage others to share theirs. About speaking up- that would have been great, if I had felt safe to do so. I think that now that I am 12 years older, more mature, more confident, and more assertive, I would have -at the very least- told him afterwards that I didn't appreciate that bullshit thank you very much. The situation I was in though, as a young woman, alone in a tattoo shop with a guy named 'Graham' who worked at 'Graham's Tattoo Studio' (now long closed), I didn't feel okay. I felt afraid. So I didn't. Thank you to those that got that, and wrote eloquent responses. It's all very well to say that I should be tougher, or stronger, or more assertive, or be able to fly, or whatever... but I was who I was, and I think that tattoos should be for everyone. I don't think there should be certain class of people who tattooing should be limited to, e.g. those who can 'take it like a man' or whatever, although I understand that attitude, because some women have had to fight long and hard to be treated as equals in a male-dominated field. Silence never equals consent when there is a power imbalance. The person in the more powerful position is responsible to ensure that their behaviour is welcome. This guy could have made a number of jokes, even some lewd jokes, that were not about my body, which I may not have enjoyed but would not have been offended by. The 'large cohesive upper arm tattoo' (@HaydenRose ;) ) that I am getting in a week or so is being done by a professional who I have met and had a lengthy consultation with, who works with others in an open studio, and comes highly recommended. I have a bit more tattoo nous now. But for those young ladies (and men) who go into a studio and point to something and say, "I want that one", or with less sense who get upside down tattoos, or pop culture references that will disappear in 5 minutes, or whatever, I want them to have an enjoyable, safe experience that they can think of fondly and get lasered off later.

A panther head could cover that pretty well.

I found this little gem a while back. http://www.amazon.ca/Mail-Order-Mysteries-Real-Stuff-Comic/dp/160887026X For anyone who grew up on American comic books in the 70s, this book is a lot of fun. The author collected many of the items advertised in the back of the book and revealed what they are actually like. (X-Ray Specs, Grit Newspapers, Spy-pens, and much, much more.) Its a fun trip down memory lane, and deeply satisfying to know what these things actually turned out to be. The author is Kirk Demarais, and the afterward is written by Jesse Thorn, for those of you who are Maximum Fun listeners.

Man, if I'd found this place when I was a teenager...(if it had even existed)...I'd have the most freakin' awesome tattoos EVER. But I'd prob be out of space. Wait....my tattoos rule!! Take that, teen Val! But really...I found LST two years ago; and my tattoo knowledge has increased exponentially - much more than the previous decade. But that hard won knowledge from the previous decade set me up to really appreciate what I was looking at and the incredible resource that is LST. So @SkateboardingManiac - listen to @Graeme and watch those shows. Read the forum, immerse yourself in the art and soul of tattoo - and then, when it's time, get tattooed and be stoked. Woo!

Talk to me or @Graeme in person for 5 minutes and you'll see how boring and uncool tattooed people are. You won't want to get tattooed to avoid growing up to be like us. Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

Age of Empires will always be one of my favorite older computer games from my childhood. I cant tell you the countless hours i've spent playing it. Have you tried The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?