by Mandi -Watch where the chalk-white arrows go. To the place where the sidewalk ends. S.S.
Member since:
January 24, 2006

I Got A Tattoo

May 01, 2006 09:35 PM EDT
views: 144 | rating: 9.4/10 (16 votes) | comments: 62

Well I did it... I jumped off the deep end and got my first professional tattoo. I know a lot of people don't like tattoos.. but I like them and I love art and to me that is what tattoos are... I always wanted to get a tattoo with my daughter's name in it, and that is what I did.  I am sorry if the pics are a bit blury, but it was difficult to get it up close and clear.

 

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*My right wrist. Stars and vines on the sides and "Beth" in the middle.

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*Vines and stars on the side. The yellow stars hurt like you wouldn't believe.

Other than that it wasn't that painful. For about 2 hours afterward it felt like a had a second degree burn. I would do it again in a heart beat.

 
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Comments: 62

Matthew Roe May 1, 2006, 9:40pm EDT
Oh my heck! It looks very nice.. the colour looks great! Did they say how long before you bad to come back and it touched up? I have heard the light colours fade over time.. many years, but.. very nice! How long did it take?
YAY, Mandi!!! I love the stars- they really add pizzazz. Congratulations!!!
Matthew Roe May 1, 2006, 9:42pm EDT
Pizzazz? Hmmm.. yea.. I could agree with that. Pizzazz.. yes... Pizzazz!
we got to the tattoo studio around 3, the guy was tattooing someone else, so we went to eat for about an hour. At 4 we went back, I spent about 30 minutes working with the artist to get what I wanted, then the actual tattoo took about 40 mintues with a 10 minute break between the outline and the colors.

The artist said I can come back anytime for a touch up.
Matthew- say it a bunch of times really fast and it will make your teeth tickle.
also the colors they use these days are very vibrant.. I will definitely put sun screen on it, to help slow down the fade..

thanks everyone!
Mary M. Alward May 1, 2006, 9:46pm EDT
Beautiful, Mandi. I have always wanted a tattoo, but have never taken the leap. I'm glad you did. It gorgeous and the stars set it off nicely.
thanks Mary, now that i have done it, I highly reccomend it.. one word of advice if you do do it.... do not rush, and do not do it if you feel uncomfrotable with the artist. The first drawing he did for me was just swoops and stars and beth's name.. I asked him to change the swoops to vines and add the leaves.. it took him 10 more minutes of work but he did it for me with no problem. You have to live with the tattoo forver, so get exactly what YOU want and don't be afraid to inconvience anyone.. a good artist won't mind.
lisa marchal May 1, 2006, 9:49pm EDT
I loved it.. I have two myself... and they do hurt... never ever believe the people who say, "oh it did not hurt a bit." It hurts like a "oops cant say that word" It also depends on where it is.. i can imagine that one being bad because of bone being near... my ankle hurt pretty bad.. but my belly button was a breeze (was in florida and a little druk when I got that one)

I want to get my lower back done next.. but hubby says "no" but while he is gone if i get the money... hmmmm... "what he doesnt know will not hurt him" lol
Mary M. Alward May 1, 2006, 9:51pm EDT
Mandi, Thanks for the words of wisdom. I appreciate the pointers. I'm thinking that I'd like to do something with my daughter's and grandson's names or initials in it. But are tattoos really for 50 something women?
No Lisa not the slut stamp!!! Only hoochy girls get the slut stamp! LOL!

Would love to see pics of your tats on my group:

skinart.gather.com
Bonnie L. May 1, 2006, 9:51pm EDT
I'm not big on tatoos for me, but I find them fascinating on others. And that is an especially nice one Mandi!!!
Good for you!!!
Mary,
art is for all women! I saw a gandma last summer who had her breasts removed years ago due to breat cancer... instead of implants she had her chest tattooed with flowers... it was so beautiful!

besides you can laways get it where the sun doen't shine!
0000-ruby2-0000 May 1, 2006, 9:57pm EDT
It's beautiful Mandi, How long did it take to do? Do they do it in one shot or do you have to go back several times? They did a good Job. My father had a tatoo. It had Mom, on it. I don't have any. Thanks for sharing. Take care.
thanks bonnie
thanks Ruby!

30 mintues to make the design on the computer, 40 minutes for the actual tattoo
lisa marchal May 1, 2006, 9:59pm EDT
Mandi,

You are so funny..lol Mine is not gonna be a slut stamp... it is gonna be a "mommy mark" I want Ivy shaped into an infinity symbol with seven rose buds.. (each one my childrens favorite colors) and their names beside the buds..lol My one on my stomach is my "Warrior mark" Got it when going through divorce from abusive husband... My mother says i am crazy but i always tell her that if someone kills me and cuts off my head and hands she can still identify me..lol My husband used to call me his "biker chick" lol... well, i was working at the grade school so he called me his "innocent teacher biker chick" I swear... it was imbarrassing...
thanks ladies ;-)
Stephen Schneider May 1, 2006, 11:05pm EDT
Well you did it and it even looks nice.
Gary W. Scott May 2, 2006, 12:41am EDT
Mandi, very attractive. Nice design with Beth in it. Not too bold, nor too sublte.
Mark Jepsen May 2, 2006, 1:58am EDT
Way to go, Mandi... that takes guts, or grit, or both. I'm not a needle coward, just a "permanent reminder of a temporary feelin' " coward. It sounds as though you've given plenty of thought, though. It looks great! Oh... and I definitely agree with the addition of the leaves, etc. Very nice.
Summer Foovay May 2, 2006, 3:38am EDT
Looks great, the yellow in the stars is really sharp. Great colors.
Christina F May 2, 2006, 8:49am EDT
Very nice--I do love the colors, Mandi!
mona d. May 2, 2006, 9:19am EDT
its beautiful!
Leah G. May 2, 2006, 9:38am EDT
I love when someone gets a tat that means something!
A good friend of mine has one that was made by this amazing tattoo artist that died in the nightclub fire in RI. So not only does it mean a great deal, but it means more now knowing that the man's family and friends are so supportive of those that have the late artists work.

Good for you though, it's really great work!
Leah G. May 2, 2006, 9:39am EDT
Also, if I ever get one it's going to be a turtle. I love turtles.
Thanks everyone!

I got 2 small ones when I was 15... home made with a needle wrapped in thread and then dipped in Indian Ink. Hey i was young ans stupid what can I say...
Julia Schrenkler May 2, 2006, 10:19am EDT
Congratulations, Mandi! The colors are very rich & vibrant - that suits you. *grin*
Edward Nudelman May 2, 2006, 10:23am EDT
I like tatoos when they are graceful and not overpowering. Yours is just that! Very nice.
Richard Frisbie May 2, 2006, 10:41am EDT
It's beautiful! I understand that people get tattoos for the same reason that runners run - for the endorphin rush.
Instead, I like the idea of getting a tattoo because it makes you feel prettier (but you didn't need it for that) Congrats!
Kat B. May 2, 2006, 10:45am EDT
Nice Mandi! I really like it. Slut stampl though? My heart is crying - LOL. I have one there and it's not slut stamp. It's a badass swordfish. Actually I got it there because you can cover it for work and it won't change shape as I get older (hopefully). The back of the neck seems to be pretty popular these days too.
Nancy S. May 2, 2006, 10:46am EDT
That is so pretty! I'm glad you chose what you did!
I am so sorry I said slut stamp... to you Kat and any other lady I appologize ;-)
Ann S. May 2, 2006, 11:22am EDT
Mandi, I am not keen on sitting through a session of constant needle poking. Instead I opt for pretty toe rings and ankle bracelets. It's my way of expressing myself. I am almost 50 and I think you are as young as you feel and as long as you are comfortable with yourself you can carry off anything. It's very pretty.
Jihaan Karjeker May 2, 2006, 11:34am EDT
Congrats Mandi! It's gorgeous! I have one on my left shoulder that I got when I was young and stupid too. Well I should say younger and stupider. :P It's a butterfly but I'd really like to change it to something less common. I was thinking a black Iris.
thanks everyone! Especially you Beth! lol!
George Corneliussen May 2, 2006, 12:31pm EDT
Looks good. Getting a tattoo is not a bridge I've crossed myself, but I have nothing against them. Enjoy it.
Kat B. May 2, 2006, 1:27pm EDT
I was just kidding Mandi. I am not at all offended. I have called it that myself.
X Tabber May 2, 2006, 1:42pm EDT
Mandi,

Great tat! Congrats on your first pro tatoo! Also, big props on bravery and guts. Deciding is sometimes hard, and going through with it is sometimes hard too.

Were you tempted to walk out after the outline?
0000-doublel-0000 May 2, 2006, 2:18pm EDT
Mandi, very pretty! I'm too chicken to get one...
Annina Anton May 2, 2006, 5:19pm EDT
Beautiful tat, Mandi...simple yet powerful. Make sure you slather on sunblock when you go outside to keep the colors bright. Enjoy!!
thanks everyone!

everyone told me the outline would hurt.. it didn;t hurt at all.. what hurtwere the yellow stars... it still feels like a 2nd degree burn.
Pearl 2 May 2, 2006, 6:31pm EDT
I hate needles, I doubt I'd ever get a tattoo... Last year I had to get a new drug injected on my stomach every other week... My doctor said it would help control my arthritis and getting the shots on my stomach would be less painful. Well, he lied... I screamed in pain with every shot and decided after 7 months that I could not stand it anymore (the shots were also ultra expensive at $1250.00/shot) so, I quit! I bet a tattoo is cheaper... would it cure arthritis?

But, can you imagine me getting a tattoo with a needle pricking my skin for 40 minutes ??? I'm hurting already just thinking about it !

Your's look lovely, though!
Gisela S. May 2, 2006, 8:07pm EDT
Beautiful (ow, ow, ow) tatt (ow, ow, ow) Love the stars and vines (ow, ow, ow) but will live vicariously through yours (ow, ow, ow)
LOL Gisela!

pearl have you heard of bee sting therapy for arthritis??
B. Bollocks May 2, 2006, 8:41pm EDT
I've only got one - so far.

after.. hell.. decades of wanting one but wanting it to be special I waited. I am SOOO happy with mine, but I have a feeling it's the thin edge of the wedge that'll end up with me having many.
Colleen Nielsen May 3, 2006, 9:55am EDT
Nice arrangment circling the wrist. Delicate looking.
Richard Frisbie May 3, 2006, 10:07am EDT
Mandi - the reason I advised women not to get a tattoo on the small of their back was that doctor's are reluctant to give an epidural through a tattoo. That's eleminating one heck of a medical option for women of child bearing age.
Kat B. May 3, 2006, 4:15pm EDT
Richard - I heard that myself and IT IS A MYTH. Don't scare pregnant women like that - LOL. It was the first question I asked at my first OB/GYN appointment (I am a little over 4 months pregnant) and he said it is absolutely not true.
richard I had my daughter 17 and half year ago with no epidural or pain meds... NONE ZERO ZIP. I will never have anymore... aos I am not concerned about where i get a tattoo ;-)

thanks Kat and Richard!
Jake S. May 3, 2006, 6:09pm EDT
Mandi, what's wrong with having a slut stamp? Or calling it a slut stamp? Yeesh, everyone's so freakin' sensitive these days.

I'm concerned about Lisa. She says her hubby wouldn't know about it if she had a tatoo on her lower back.
Riff Raff May 4, 2006, 1:56am EDT
Nice tat Mandi, I like ladies with tattoos and I'm a big fan of art in general. I have body art, of my own design, and my last girlfriend has several tats. I find them appealing and even more so if the happen to have some meaning.
Pamela H. May 4, 2006, 12:31pm EDT
Very nice, Mandi.
Richard Frisbie May 4, 2006, 3:38pm EDT
Thanks for clearing that up for me - my "guy" mind only heard what a mother told me was the advice she gave her daughter. (It really never comes up in my annual physicals! :)
thanks everyone ;-)

richard? huh?
Madame Donna C. May 4, 2006, 3:56pm EDT
Mandi, that is so tastefully done and beautiful. I've wanted a tat for years, but can never seem to decide where I want it...LOL
Rene Edde May 4, 2006, 5:29pm EDT
Great choice Mandy, I love it!! It is such a great way to always have your daughter with you. I think that tattoos that are beautiful and special are the best. Nothing better for a memory! Congratulations!!!
thanks donna and rene... but i am learning real quick that a tattoo can be trouble.. mine is irritated and I am loosing color.... AHHH!
Cat Givens May 11, 2006, 10:04am EDT
Mandi, it's beautiful. I think you did quite nicely.
Cat Givens May 11, 2006, 10:05am EDT
as for your irritation, Mandi, get some Tiger Balm right away.
Mary (diet dr pepper junkie) T. Oct 19, 2008, 4:39am EDT
I have wanted one for a long time...I'm diabetic so I'm going to ask my doctor if it's okay for me to do that.

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