KristenR

I just got a new tattoo on my foot and the guy who did it is having me dry heal it. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well it's going. I love that I haven't stuck to my sheets, theres no scabbing, and it overall feels so much better than any of my other tattoos felt during the first 4 days. It's hard to separate the dry healing from the fact that I have been able to be completely barefoot and stationary so far, though...so nice to get tattooed when I have time off.

I'm definitely going to a few different artists this time. I think the reason my ivy didn't turn out as I expected based upon her portfolio was that she just didn't really want to do it - we didn't click at all. but I went through with it based upon the recommendations. (sorry I didn't see these replies earlier - I'm still getting a feel for how the notifications work on the site)

My intention was for the ivy on my arm to look like it was vining up from my ribcage...not an armband at all, it doesn't extend to the outside of my arm. I was disappointed with the ivy only because it ended up looking like she got bored halfway through and the depth of color went flat...hoping that whoever does my rib tattoo will rework the ivy a bit to match the new work since I decided not to go back to the other person for anything new. If no one will touch it, so be it, but I'd love it to connect. With the other, I learned the hard way that even though someone who is highly regarded owns the shop, it doesn't mean that everyone who works in the shop is great. Don't want Japanese, don't want anything that looks like a painting, realistic is probably what I'm looking for I guess. I think that "open to suggestion" is different from "unsure." Wouldn't giving the tattooer some artistic license and input on the subject matter be more appealing to him/her? - - - Updated - - - Thanks so much! It is helpful, though I don't just want to limit myself to Boston :)

yeah, you're right...I know I'll get the itch again...I keep telling my husband I don't have that much more skin I'm willing to cover - and I still love him since he says "that's ok, you have good ideas. I'll let you know when you've jumped off the pier" *disclaimer* I don't see myself getting heavily tattooed, so it matches well with what my husband finds attractive...not a "permission" issue...

Hey! quick intro - 30 some-odd mom to 2 preteen girls in the Boston area... I have a few mediocre tattoos which, though I do like them, could use a bit of help. I think that only serves to emphasize how much I want go to the next level for my next (and biggest, and probably final) tattoo... I'm planning a rib tattoo...and really want it to be awesome. I'm willing to get on whatever waitlist necessary, but it seems that the really sought after artists have to think the idea is fun and interesting to even consider taking on a new customer. Assuming I'm willing to travel for this tattoo, how do I go about finding the right tattooist to create this for me? I'm pretty open. The only requirement is that it incorporates ivy (since I have ivy on my inner bicep that I placed specifically so that it could visually be carried onto my ribcage when my arm is down) I love the idea of clockwork/steampunk/something old and metal and hard that the ivy can wrap around, but since I just want it to look cool and doesn't have to *mean* anything, I'm open to suggestion. So glad to be here! Awesome amounts of information...looking forward to becoming part of the community