growltiger

Does this count?

I'm not sure! Just as I decide on one thing, something else takes my fancy. So many beautiful ideas out there, it is difficult to pick! I read the 'what makes a good tattoo' thread, and that has guided me a lot. I love the traditional roses, and I've found a really sweet Vargas pin up with a little wind up crocodile, but then I want something book related.... I don't know! I'm collecting images and I've plenty of time to plan.

Well it is exciting! I'm not sure I'd be very patient either. Are you hoping to get all your ideas into one tattoo or split it into 2? Or just go with what your artist suggests? I lived right by Canal Street for a bit, then Fallowfield then Withington. I'm not sure I ever went further afield than Didsbury, for the same reasons you say. I only ever really went to student nights, Jillys or Fab Cafe anyway! We've got friends who have moved out to more family friendly areas and who still love it.

Hi Sami, I'm new to the forum and from the UK too. It's a shame you are not happy with your tattoos, but it's a good idea to get it dealt with sooner rather than later. Especially in such a high visibility spot. I'm an amateur when it comes to tattoos, and learned an awful lot by reading the 'what makes a good tattoo' thread. Having a good nosey around the site might help you find styles that you like which will help you narrow down which artist to go to next. I'm sure the people on here can see you right. :)

I was a student in Manchester, many years ago. It's a great city, I was sad to leave. Your artist looks like she does amazing stuff! Really beautiful. I look forward to seeing your arm, please do post a picture and let us know how it all goes.

Thank you :) I'm very pleased to have happened upon this forum.

I'm growltiger, 30-something, from the UK. It's cold and wet. I've been off work ill this week, and I've very much enjoyed browsing LST. There is a very pleasant vibe here, not like many other forums I've lurked on. I've also learned an awful lot! I should have taken notes ;-) I have 3 tattoos, none great. When I was seventeen I snuck out of school and got a tribal squiggle off a wall on my hip. I still love it. Not for what it is, but for the memory. I'm still grounded, and my mum still refers to my bout of self-harm. I haven't told her about the other two... I also have a hunab ku over my right kidney, which I chose after a trip of a lifetime around Peru. When I got married, I added floral mehndi up my side (from halfway down my bum to my bra strap). I'm going to refrain from posting photos if that is okay. I have none to hand and I recently had a baby... it aint pretty. I had big plans for an across shoulder piece, but then fell pregnant before it came to anything. I still want to go ahead with something. This time I want to do it 'properly'. I plan on having another baby pretty soon so it'll be a while. But in the meantime, I have plenty of time to do my research. If I was going to travel, which I probably won't, I'd pick Alice Carrier (Alice Carrier) Given I'll probably go to someone in the UK, I'm thinking Lauren Gow (Lauren Gow - Tattoo Artist - Cheltenham No Regrets Studio - No Regrets) or Jody Dawber (Jody Dawber (jody_picturehouse) on Instagram | iPhoneogram). I *think* they all meet the 'good tattoo' criteria which I read in the thread on here- strong lines, solid colours, black but not too much, look like tattoos rather than wall art... Would you agree? I'm looking forward to spending more time on LST. It seems a great source of advice and I love looking at all of your amazing tattoos. My son learned to say "tattoo" at nursery yesterday (one of the staff as flowers over her wrist), I took that as a sign I was meant to join ;-)