Dharmagirl

design my own tattoo (read all 2 entries…)
Bit of an odd one... 2 years ago

This is a odd one to have on my list if you were to know me, as I have always sworn I would “Never” get a tattoo !! Not that I am against them , or ever thought ill of them or anything such as that… just I figured I would never be able to be sure enough about “One” design alone , that I would want it on my body for the rest of my life without changing my mind….and here I am with it on my list….odd really… but I have felt a strong change taking place in my life as of late , and have been moved to want to mark this “Change” some how in my own personal way …which is how I have come around to this “Design my own Tattoo” goal…now all I have to figure out is what to get, and where to get it …. Has anybody out there got any great wisdom they could pass along to me on this one , or ideas on the subject ? As the more I know , the better I reckon . Cheers!

Aug 01, 2006, 07:01PM PDT | 7 cheers


Comments:

(This comment was deleted.)

Aug 07, 2006, 11:22PM PDT

Dharmagirl

Wise Advice Villain Shal...

Think if I could come up with a “Perfect” design ,any reservations I a have felt would quickly go out the window, and I would find myself face up on the Tattoo Table…or would it be face down?...oh I don’t know! Still have to work that one out too…where to put it , how big…and exactly what it is I am REALLY wanting it to “SAY”...for me it forever changing from day to day it seems…like for instance , if I was to go in there right now , I may come out with a tattoo on my stomach , of the Tasmanian Devil madly devouring a very large roast Turkey,( with all the fixings), and a crazy hair do , slightly resembling Einstein’s “Do”....at least that is what my stomach is telling me right now….my mind however is screaming out “NOOOOOOO DON”T DO IT!!!!”.... I won’t even say what it would be first thing in the morning , right after I have woken up…let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty, and leave it at that …..so perhaps I should think some more on this…and in the mean time go fix me a snack before my stomach comes up with any more “Great Design Ideas” for a tattoo …..thanks for the help, cheers!

Aug 11, 2006, 08:46PM PDT | Respond to this 1 cheer

FollowingtheEquator

I think that this is a slam dunk!

I thought long and hard about getting a tattoo. What I wanted it to say about me, and where I wanted it to be. Yes, people do tend to judge others because of external characteristics, but I don’t want to be surrounded by those sorts of folks. So I thought for a year about what I wanted. Once I decided what I wanted (it was a spiritual thing), then it took me a few months to figure where I wanted it. I finally put it on my left arm, close to my heart. Then another few months to find an artist who I felt would do a good job. When it was finished, I was very proud of it.

Take all the time in the world. Be certain and be careful.

Warmest Regards

Oct 23, 2006, 07:43PM PDT | Thread | Respond to this 1 cheer

Dharmagirl

Slam Dunk!...

( That’s a good thing right?;)...I am still trying to decide on this one… I want it , just not certain what I want, too many ideas ( which would cover WAY more skin than I intend!) You had some good advice, to which I will heed…. May I ask you what you finally decided on? And how long you’ve had it, and if you have noticed any change in the color or pattern since getting it?

Nov 21, 2006, 09:32PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

FollowingtheEquator

My Tatt

I have a hebrew phrase tattooed on my upper left shoulder that I got when I was in the Israeli Army (Si-yeret). I got it in 2001 soon after 9/11. I have a picture of it, but it’s not very good. Let me see if I can find it for you Dharma. I certainly can use touch up, but it looks pretty good.

Warmest Regards.

Nov 21, 2006, 09:52PM PST | Respond to this

FollowingtheEquator

It's certainly a fantastic in job.

That is not a tattoo, but a fantasy in ink! I would like to see a closer shot of the dragon and the model shoulder. Damn, that must have cost a small fortune. Mine was done in the military, so it was a bit different.

Nov 21, 2006, 09:56PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

Dharmagirl

Hey thanks for sharing!

It looks great! The script is very beautiful, and well done considering you said it was done in the military( which don’t always turn out as nicely)...I thought the picture of the girl above was lovely, though nothing at all what I will end up with, but lovely just the same… she is much like a fine piece of art in the photo I think. Mine will be decidedly much SMALLER, and probably in a place I can mostly keep for myself if I so choose to , as it is one of those things I want to do for myself, and no one else.

Nov 21, 2006, 10:05PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

FollowingtheEquator

To Be Honest...

the picture above looks like a story on human parchment. I agree with doing something for yourself and no one else. When people ask about mine (I guess I was the talk of the hospital the other week), I just sort of smile and change the subject. Those whom I feel are close I’ll explain its meaning.

Nov 21, 2006, 10:13PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

I completely understand, - Dharmagirl
If you'd like to know... - FollowingtheEquator
Sure, - Dharmagirl
I see it - RUNRGRL is trying to fix what has become broken
Ok Honey, - Dharmagirl

Xanda

I've done this!

I have 4 tattoos that I designed and got over 10 years ago. It’s important to remember that tattoos are pretty permanent (yes they can be removed but the process is pricier and much more painful than the actual tattoo).

The tattoos I’ve designed all had personal meaning for me. I didn’t just want someone’s drawing slapped forever on my body. I worked on my designs for over a year until I was satisfied with them.

The first one I got, I just went to the biggest tattoo parlor in my city and had the first guy available do it. BIG MISTAKE! He was heavy-handed and it was an extremely painful experience.

When I got the next 3, I took the time to talk to friends, check out all the parlors in town and check out the artists books. I found a great guy who did an amazing job. (Though 12 years later the colors are starting to fade and I think I need a touch up).

Research is important! Don’t just settle for whichever tattooist has a chair open!

Mar 09, 2007, 02:03PM PST | Thread | Respond to this 1 cheer

Dharmagirl

Thanks for that great insider info Xanda!

Did you find it difficult to decide on what to get permanently inked on your skin, or did you have a ruff idea as to what you wanted, and worked from there? And once you did finally have the tattoo done, did it take a period of adjustment to get used to this form of art work on your body, or did it feel like it should have always been there? ....I find my biggest hurdle is trying to come up with something meaningful, but not have it so crowded and fussy, that the meaning of it is lost in all the clutter. (If I was to separate all of my ideas right now ,into separate tattoos, I think I might find most of my body to be covered , when I am really only looking to go for one at this point in time! ;)

Mar 31, 2007, 06:17PM PDT | Thread | Respond to this 1 cheer

Xanda

Hi Dharma

Deciding on what I wanted took me about a year. I wanted it to be something that had meaning to me, and also reminded me of my dad. I go them a year after he died.

I worked on the design for a whole year, changing it, making it more cohesive. there are even things hidden in the tattoo that no one knows what they mean but me.

It took awhile to get used to it, but in a good way. I would look at it (once it finally stopped itching & scabbing) and just marvel at this new part of me. It was extremely liberating in a way.

Keep working on it! You will know when you have it right! Start small. being a woman, I also got it in an area of my body that I didn’t have to worry would stretch down to my knees someday! lol

Another tip, don’t drink or do drugs before you get it. It will make you more sensitive to the pain. As long as you are sober and you have a good inker, you shouldn’t feel much pain, it kind of gets numb after awhile. (except when they hit right over a bony area)

Hope that’s helpful!

Apr 13, 2007, 05:14PM PDT | Thread | Respond to this

Dharmagirl

This is great advice,

to which I have only now just found! Thank you for sharing your story about your tattoo, and the meaning behind it. It sounds like a beautifully meaningful memory to your father, and one that was well thought out. I am still sitting on the fence on this one till my perfect design comes to me, till then I will keep this advice in mind , thank you!

Jun 09, 2008, 06:48PM PDT | Respond to this


Dharmagirl has gotten 7 cheers on this entry.

 

I want to:

The world wants to...

improve my spoken english WATCH LOST SEASON 2 be a better wife get over him learn how to beat box Finish my website be more mature prejzki wants to Finish My Graduate Degree make 2007 my best year yet find my dad Be an Enviromental Warrior Clickchic wants to Wake up to how my life is now, and work towards the life I want learn to make sushi Read the Bible watch The Da Vinci Code To live instead of exist Listen more, talk less... Learn how to write my name in all languages Travel to Tibet live in melbourne trace my family tree back at least 6 generations learn to crochet Learn to knit play sim city online stephrn wants to practice mindful consumption Speak French fluently take african dance classes Visit Germany
43 Things Login