A consult is sometimes necessary for your tattoo ideas, but not always. Sometimes, very often actually, you can get a quote from an artist without the need to meet with them first. However, if your piece is more complicated, a cover up, or you just feel more comfortable meeting with your artist before they plan out your tattoo, a consultation is there to help you out.
Consultations at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo are free.
HOW TO PREPARE AND WHAT TO EXPECT
When you come in for your consult, come with your ideas and an open mind, and come with an expectation that you may be booking after your meeting with the artist. With the expectation, that means, be prepared to put down the ADF (Artist Design Fee), which acts as a deposit which is held until your last appointment (if multiple sessions are booked, otherwise your ADF pays for your upcoming appointment).
Give your artist your ideas and input for the piece you want, and it's even fine to show reference images. Don't expect the artist to do an exact copy of any images you provide. You really don't want that anyway, if you think about it. Why would you want a tattoo that someone else already has? One of the benefits of going to a custom studio, like Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, is the prospect of getting a one-of-a-kind piece designed just for you. Watch our video about the importance of giving artistic freedom by clicking the button below!
It's not the best idea to bring a bunch of people with you for your meeting appointment. We see quite often, when this happens, the people with you may be distracting or possibly even confuse you by throwing their own ideas out there. It's much better for you to meet with your artist by yourself so that the both of you can stay focused and discuss exactly what you are looking to get. The exception to this is if multiple people are getting a consult on a matching piece. Even then, it's good to plan out with your crew what you are all looking to get, and have a main spokesperson to talk with the artist during the session.
After you and the artist have come up with a game plan, they will give you a quote for time, and how much of an ADF that needs to be put down in order to book. For smaller tattoos or single session tattoos, your ADF will likely be for the entire amount of your tattoo. For larger pieces with multiple sessions, your ADF will be a portion of the cost of the tattoo. To full understand how our ADF works, please read our article by clicking the button below.
If you end up booking, and especially if you have multiple sessions scheduled, a very helpful tool for you to use is the Lucky Bamboo Tattoo app, which is available on both Apple and Android! You can find direct links to both below!
The app will keep track of your appointments, any changes to your appointments, alert you when your artist has a sudden opening, offers exclusive promotions, access to new pictures in our gallery and more!
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment or a consult with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
Like other forms of the creative arts, an illustrator has to metaphorically travel many miles on the path before they can become a tattoo artist. Many steps are involved. Some obstacles. Commitment. Determination.
When someone begins the path towards a career as a tattoo artist, one of the first things they'll need is an innate skill for creating unique works of art. Something that catches the eye and that others love to look at. You need to put yourself out there and ask for brutally honest opinions. Sometimes someone may think they're a great artist, but they may be sadly very wrong. The only way to really know is to rely on direct honesty and be open to the truth. Sometimes the truth is very difficult to accept.
Once a person establishes whether they are a good or bad illustrator, next they need education regardless of the answer. If you are a bad artist, it's possible to become good through education and a mentor. If after working hard during this process, and you are still getting mixed or bad reviews, it just may not be the vocation for you. If you were already good, education will only make you better by learning techniques and skills you may not have had before.
After you've honed your skill through practice and education, now is the time to start translating that into tattooing. Drawing and tattooing are NOT the same. They are completely different skill sets. Though nearly all established veteran tattoo artists won't consider taking on an apprentice without producing some sort of skill in tattooing, such as practice on fake skins, some may. It's better to invest in a decent machine, buy some fake skins and inks, and study the actual skills needed to tattoo.
Some of the most basic skills are hand speed, needle depth, angle, voltage (machine speed) vs hand speed, and so on. A prospective tattoo artist will likely spend many hours practicing doing lines, over and over and over. If you can't master the most basic of actions, you simply won't make it as a tattoo artist. After you learn the fundamentals, then you'll need to produce "completed" tattoos on fake skins. You'll need these for your portfolio for your potential mentor to look over.
If a person has demonstrated that they indeed have artistic skill, some art education, and the basics of tattooing, they may be ready to look for an apprenticeship. Before you move forward, you will need to have a comprehensive portfolio of completed works of art, including your practice skins. If you are deemed ready and get your chance to become an apprentice, don't expect to be tattooing for quite a while. Likely during this time, you will be learning. You will also be setting up and breaking down for tattoo sessions. This is done so that these necessary sanitary practices become second nature.
Only after you have proven to be ready to your mentor will you be ready to do your first in studio tattoo. It will most likely be monitored by the mentor to make sure you are doing everything correctly. This will probably be the standard for your first several tattoo sessions, or until your mentor is comfortable leaving you on your own.
The last major stage would be to establish yourself in the tattooing community. A new artist needs to spend a good amount of time self promoting so that they can build a client base. It will take some time before a new artists schedule starts to fill up, so patience and determination are very important if they want to make it.
With all that has been mentioned, why would anybody want to become a tattoo artist?
SO WHY BECOME A TATTOO ARTIST?
Well, once you are established and have a good reputation, a tattoo artist can make a rather comfortable living. The tattoo artist can be the rare exception to the "starving artist" trope, if they're good. The same can't be said of most other art forms, such as music and painting. It's far more difficult to make any money in other forms of art. A tattoo artist has a much greater chance at becoming successful in their chosen industry.
It's easier to be able to establish a family, buy a home, pay for vacations, retire younger, etc if you make decent money and know how to properly manage it. Some tattooers also venture into other investments or businesses, which just furthers their ability to take care of their families.
Since most real tattoo artists love the process, they get to do what they love for a living. That's everyone's dream, isn't it? Nobody wants to wake up each morning and dreading going to work. That's not to say that there are days that tattooers don't feel that way, it's human nature. However, in the most part, they don't dread going to work, and quite a bit of the time, look forward to it. Being passionate about seeing a work of art come to fruition on their client is a blessing.
Leaving a legacy is also a good reason. Their artwork will live on, even after both the artist and the client have passed on through images shared. It helps if an artist self publishes books showing off completed tattoos. These books will remain after we are gone.
Through all the hardships on the road to becoming a tattoo artist, the benefit outweigh the negatives. If you have skill, patience, passion, and determination, the life of a tattoo artist can be really nice.
If you'd like to read more about the life of a tattoo artist, click on the button below to read our article!
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
SHOCKER, WE KNOW! WHO KNEW THAT TATTOOS WERE PERMANENT?
It's weird that we have to say this, but yes, tattoos are permanent. It sounds strange to even say it out loud, and that this concept even needs to be explained. Fortunately, most people understand what they are getting into. Others, well they need a little help.
It's not that they don't know that tattoos are permanent, it's more of a reflection on their understanding that WHAT they are getting is permanent. Only an incredibly uninformed person doesn't know tattoos are not going to just wash off. We're more so making commentary on their decisions.
WHY EXPLAINING THIS IS SO IMPORTANT
It breaks down to a few points of interest. Content, quality, and the future. Each of these things should be considered before you get your tattoo(s) and why they're important to think about.
CONTENT
The content of your tattoo is what your tattoo is about or what it's saying. Sometimes content, or subject, tells a story of where you are in life, where you were, or where you are going. Sometimes the subject isn't as deep or meaningful as all that. You may wake up one day and decide to get an image of a piece of toast for a tattoo, for no other reason than you were craving toast. This is why content is important when choosing to put something permanent on your body.
Sure, that toast tattoo may be fun, original and odd enough to be cool, but is it something you see yourself wanting on your body years down the road? Is it something you feel you'll probably want to get covered up some day? If so, maybe you should put a little more thought into your tattoo.
What about the Olde English script "Sublime" tattoo across your neck that you got in the nineties when you just barely turned 18? Was that the best decision? Getting a "job killer" tattoo at a young age should be seriously considered before proceeding. Wait until you have an established career where it won't matter and you can freely express yourself. In this case, your extreme love of the band Sublime. By the way, there is nothing wrong with loving Sublime.
This brings us to the dreaded name tattoos. One of the most common cover-up requests is for names of past boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses. A lot of people will advise against these tattoos for the obvious reasons. There are only a real handful of name tattoos that are completely safe, and that's your kids, siblings, parents and grandparents. Other people, you should be absolutely sure that it won't turn into a regret tattoo.
QUALITY
When getting a tattoo, quality is key. If you are going to put permanent marks on your body, most people want them to be a good quality. Of course, quality=cost. No quality tattoo is going to be cheap, unless you get really lucky. Tattoos are one of those luxuries that you shouldn't skimp on the price. It's permanent and a cover-up will probably end up costing you more than if you got a good tattoo in the first place.
Many of us, if not most of us that have tattoos, are guilty of getting a scratch and poke tattoo that either a friend of yours did at a party, or you did yourself. It's very common. We might have not been considering the permanence of tattoos while we were doing it. Maybe we were young, or drunk, or whatever, but one way or another, we simply weren't going into it with a clear mind.
Even if you plan on a very simplistic tattoo as your idea, you still want it to come out good and of a good quality. There's a difference between a smiley face tattoo with good, even lines with a perfect circle and a smiley face tattoo that's roughly done, uneven lines and egg-shaped. Quality is important no matter what design you are going for, whether simple or elaborate.
THE FUTURE
The future can play a role in the importance of tattoos being permanent. When you are young, you may not be considering what lies ahead. You may have dreams of becoming a successful musician, actor, sports figure, or whatever. You may be thinking your tattoos won't matter in that case. Even if you happen to break into one of these careers, sometimes your tattoos do matter. This is especially true for actors. Many actors have gotten passed up for jobs because of visible tattoos.
Realistically, most people won't land a record deal or a professional basketball contract. It's a sad fact of life. Very high paying entertainment gigs are incredibly difficult to fall into. You'll most likely end up working in some other field, which still may be high paying (like a doctor, or lawyer). Consider what tattoos you are getting and where on your body you are getting them when thinking about your future self.
Not a lot of people have a law degree with "THUG LIFE" tattooed across their knuckles, and if they do, they probably don't have too many clients and may be stuck working as a low paid public defender. You don't see too many General Practitioner doctors with face and neck tattoos.
When considering your tattoos, also consider what lies ahead in your future. You don't want to hinder yourself and add any unnecessary roadblocks to make things more difficult than they have to be. If your career aspirations won't be affected by the prospect of tattoos, great! There's nothing wrong expressing yourself with tattoos as long as they don't become a shackle.
TATTOOS ALLOW US TO EXPRESS OURSELVES CREATIVELY
Despite all that has been previously said, there is nothing wrong with using tattoos as a means to express yourself. Tattoos are a beautiful art form that have been around for thousands of years and have been expressed by nearly every culture and on nearly every continent on the planet.
Unlike other forms of art, tattoos are worn on the body at all times. Being permanent, they are a part of us until we die. This is why certain things should be considered when you are planning on your tattoos. You want a good design that will age well along with you, you want it done with a degree of quality and you want it go along with your future plans without it becoming a burden.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
WHAT MAKES A PERSON A GOOD CLIENT OR A BAD CLIENT?
Leah Working On One of Her Amazing Regular Clients
In the world of business, there are good customers and there are bad customers. This is no different in the tattoo industry. You gotta take the bad with the good, unfortunately, but you can avoid being one of the bad ones. No tattoo artist wants to think to themself, "Oh no, not this guy again." And hopefully, no client wants that thought of them, either.
WHAT MAKES A PERSON A "BAD CLIENT" IN THE TATTOO WORLD?
There are many factors that can lead to a person being on this list of dreaded customers. Pretty much all of which can easily be avoided or corrected with just a little conscientious thought and consideration. Being self-aware helps, as well.
UNRELIABILE LARRY
One major factor to be considered a "bad client" is being flaky regarding your appointments. If you are constantly trying to reschedule or even cancel your appointments, this is right up top. Appointments are made for the reason of the artist and the studio aren't making any money as it's difficult to fill those spots at the last minute.
If your artist is planning on you being there on a certain date/time, they've already planned out their drawing schedule and were counting on you being there for the planned time. It's one of the reasons cancelling or moving your appointment last minute is an ADF forfeiture. The solution is to just manage your time better and show up to your appointments.
THE CONTROL FREAK
Another factor separating the good vs the bad is control. If a client needs 100% control and say over the tattoo design, you are tying the creative hands of your artist, and maybe your idea just won't work as envisioned. Trust is essential when getting a tattoo, which means is solely based on selecting the right artist. There needs to be some degree of artistic freedom for your artist to do their best work.
There are few exceptions to this, such as a memorial piece that you need an exact copy of handwriting, or you want an exact copy of a kids drawing. Things like that. Otherwise, loosen up, trust your artist, and don't be a control freak.
SMOKEY THE BEAR
Someone that needs to take an excessive amount of smoke breaks, for example, every 15 minutes, that person is a pain in the ass. Taking breaks is fine, and expected, but if your artist has to constantly stop so you can run out side for a puff, you are not only delaying their time, but you are interrupting their flow/creative process. Put the shoe on the other foot, imagine how you'd feel if your artist was taking a smoke break every 15 minutes? Sadly, that scenario is very real in some other shops. Hold your smoke breaks to no more than once every two hours, but ideally longer.
If you are in for a full day session, you will get an hour lunch and your artist will be willing to take a couple of breaks outside that. They need a quick break now and then too, which is normal. Just don't go overboard. Having to stop and restart, waiting 5 min in between, adds up, and you will lose time with your artist that you paid for.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Body control. Yes, lack of body control can make a person a bad client. If you are unable to keep still or you're constantly fidgeting, you are not only going to annoy your artist, but you will probably mess up your own tattoo. If you are experience extra discomfort during part of your tattoo, it's ok to let your artist know, but do your best to try and muscle through it. If you jump or pull away, that nice little line your artist was just doing will now be a crooked, jagged mess.
MISTER POPULAR
Having people come in to be with you during your tattoo is fine, as long as they are over the age of 18. When this becomes a problem is if you bring too many, or have too many show up during the tattoo process and need to be escorted back to the artists room. The more people you have with you, the louder and more distracting it will get.
Your artist needs to also be comfortable and focused. If you are coming in and getting a tattoo, and you bring the whole bridal shower with you, that's a problem. It will be crowded, loud and distracting. Just bring one, or two maximum. Getting a tattoo doesn't have to be a family get-together.
THE OPERA SINGER
Excessive vocalization can also be a bad thing. Yeah, tattoos can hurt and you should expect that. However, if you are literally wailing during your tattoo, you need to rethink if you can handle it. Wailing, yelling out or whatever can distract not just your artist, but every artist in the building. It may also make other clients concerned. Instead of crying out, just suck it up and deal with it. There is literally no reason for loud vocalizations during a tattoo. The vast majority of spots on the body are not very painful at all.
THE KAREN
Threatening your artist and demanding a discount or you will have another person finish up a tattoo that has already been started in order to get it done cheaper, makes you a very bad client. First off, it's very insulting to the artist to essentially steal the work they created for you. Second, what makes you think another artist can see the vision behind the tattoo and can successfully finish it as intended? It's like taking a half finished Rembrandt and asking your middle school art teacher to finish it up.
THE TOWEL THROWER
Consistently "tapping out" from your appointments can get a little old. If you are scheduled for a 6 hour, and you tap out after 4, and this happens on all your appointments, three things will happen. You will annoy your artist, you will fall behind on your artists plan for your tattoo, and you will still be obligated to pay for the full appointment regardless how much time you had remaining for that day.
If you are unsure if you can commit to long sessions like that, discuss it beforehand with your artist and book out appointments that are more suited for your needs. It's better to plan it this way so that your artist isn't caught off guard with your needing to leave. If you can only do 2 hour sessions, that's fine. However, if you are planning a large piece that the artist needs to tattoo the initial layout, you may need to be there longer for that first session. Just discuss it with your artist.
THE SHY WHINER
Coy complainers. These are the folks that will say they like the tattoo design their artist prepared for them, say how much they love their tattoo after it's done and then go and leave a bad review because in reality, they weren't 100% happy with the tattoo and were just too coy to say something before their artist started the tattoo. This is nearly always based on size or placement.
If you wanted it smaller or bigger, SAY SOMETHING TO YOUR ARTIST BEFORE YOU START. It's really not that hard, and it's not a big deal to the artist at all. Resizing a design is probably the easiest change they can make. The same goes for tattoo placement. If you aren't thrilled how it's placed, say so. The artist can change it. Just be aware of logic, if you have them changing size and placement a bunch of times, you will eat into your tattoo time.
HOPEFULLY THAT LITTLE BIT OF INFO CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND ON HOW TO AVOID BEING ONE OF THE BAD CLIENTS, AND WHY.
ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO?
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in Utah and the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
Come see why we have been voted "The Best Tattoo Studio In Utah" for several years in a row.
Lucky Bamboo Tattoo understands that tattoo collectors searching for the best tattoo shop in Utah comes with a big responsibility and we here at LBT are ready to fulfill your tattoo needs.
Pain is a part of the tattooing process. It's a right of passage, and it's part of the experience. It shouldn't be something to be feared in the least. The vast majority of people, after their first tattoo, express that it wasn't nearly as bad at they expected. It's very true. We often get into our own heads just to find out it was all for nothing. Concentrate on the beautiful work of art you will be getting instead.
PAIN MANAGEMENT AND CESSATION
When it comes to pain, there are various tricks to help, and without the aid of chemicals! First and foremost, it is recommended to avoid using numbing creams. There is a chance that your tattoo will become distorted after healing, due to the way the skin reacts while it's chemically numb. Also, if you apply the cream too close to the time of your tattoo, it may not be numb yet. Alternately, if you apply it too early, there's a good chance it will wear off too soon.
One of the more common ways to aid in pain is simply breathing exercises. Keeping your breathing steady and focused helps take your mind off the pain. They teach this to expecting mothers in lamaze classes. It's a surprisingly effective method.
Having a stress ball around to squeeze can also help. Again, it's mostly a way to focus your attention in a different direction, but it works. A steady motion of squeezing the ball and releasing it helps you keep a rhythm, which keeps you occupied.
Another great way to help with pain cessation is to just bring along company. Having a friend with you to chat, make you laugh, exchange stories, etc is a successful and fun way to keep your mind elsewhere, and it helps pass the time faster.
One more great way is to just bring a tablet and watch a movie or browse social media. Again, it's a distraction and keeps your mind elsewhere. Like bringing a friend along, It's also a great way to make the time fly, especially if it's a movie that you love, no matter how many times you've seen it.
As you can see, the easiest and most common way to help is to keep your focus on something else and be distracted. If you sat and just watched the tattoo being applied, you are literally focusing on what you shouldn't be if you're trying to make the experience less uncomfortable.
Just remember, the pain is temporary, the beautiful art is forever.
Watch our video about numbing creams by clicking the link below!
If you're ready to get your next tattoo done, schedule an appointment with an award-winning tattoo parlor. Here at Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, we have some of the best and most experienced tattoo artists in the Salt Lake City area. We can tattoo any style you'd like, and our artists can even design your next piece as well.
When getting a bargain tattoo, there are a few things to remember. The very first thing....you get what you pay for. There's probably no greater truth to this than when referring to tattoos. A $10 burger at a mom and pop place might be better than a $100 entree at a fancy restaurant. That won't be a true simile to tattoo shops.
QUALITY
Quality not quantity. It cannot be said enough. Some people have one $500 tattoo, others may have 10 $50 tattoos. Guaranteed that $500 tattoo is far more impressive, unique, and has bragging rights. Who cares about another $50 poorly done infinity symbol on someone's wrist? Or a slapdash American Traditional swallow done with bad coloring on your chest? Those types of tattoos are everywhere.
If you are going to spend the money and decide to get something permanently put on your body, isn't it worth spending the most you can reasonably afford to get it done right? If you have to save up, then save up. There's no rule stating that you have to rush to get a tattoo. Instant gratification isn't always the best option. Getting a tattoo designed specifically and uniquely for you will make you far happier in the long run. Incidentally, Lucky Bamboo Tattoo does offer financing.
Pertaining to this subject, the quality of materials being used is also a factor. With a bargain tattoo, you may be dealing with an "artist" that is using a very cheap tattoo machine, cheap needle cartridges and low quality inks. Lower quality inks are not regulated, have a higher chance of contaminants and will likely have a greater chance to fade out. This will lead to a more probable need for a cover-up or touch-up, which in the end will still end up costing more money.
Most of the time when you are visiting a lower end bargain studio, you are dealing with unskilled or poorly trained "artists". This will not only give you a less than desirable tattoo outcome, but due to lack of knowledge, you risk getting a tattoo blowout. A blowout occurs when a tattoo artist presses too hard or the length of the needle is too long and they tattoo past the layer of dermis and into the fatty tissue. When this happens, the ink does not stay in one spot, it spreads around and often resembles a bruise.
SAFETY AND SANITATION
Christinas always very clean and organized private room
When dealing with a shop that does bargain tattoos, one of the biggest concerns is cleanliness and safety. Most states have general rules, guidelines, and regulations per their local Health Departments regarding the sanitation and safety practices of tattoo shops. However, unless a client reports a problem to the Health Department, very often these lower end shops have a tendency to let their standards slip, or they may have never implemented them in the first place.
In a higher quality studio, such as Lucky Bamboo Tattoo, not only are the safety and sanitation standards met and maintained, but often exceeded. All of the artists are first aid, CPR and bloodborne pathogens certified. Before a client is brought in to get their tattoo, the artist will clean, sanitize and cover everything in preparation for the tattoo. After they are finished with that client, the artist will repeat this process for the next client. At the end of the day, they break down and clean their equipment and work areas. This is done each and every time to insure client safety.
In the bargain shop, you have a greater risk of infection due to unsanitary conditions of both the shop itself, the equipment and even the "artist". Poor aftercare treatment and instructions can also lead to safety issues. Some locations still use outdated methods like using vaseline to cover the tattoo, which is bad for healing. It actually slows the healing process.
THE TRUTH
The cold hard truth is the vast majority of bargain shops, aka "scratcher" shops, are not worth the risk. You'll likely get a tattoo you regret either due to poor quality or how boring/common it is. You also have a greater chance of a blowout due to an unskilled "artist" using subpar equipment or complications attributed to poor sanitary conditions and bad aftercare. It's simply not worth it to save a few bucks on something you are getting permanently put on your body.
To read more about Lucky Bamboo Tattoo's standards, click the button below for our article on why you should choose us for your next tattoo!
THERE IS A LONG TRADITION OF BODY MODIFICATION AMONGST NATIVES
Art by Rob
Whether it's natives in North America, or native cultures elsewhere, it's not uncommon to find a long and rich history of tattoos and other body markings. Some are linked to status, others station in the tribe, while others were a right of passage. Whatever the reason, men, women and children could all be seen bearing one kind of marking or another. The top four being painting, tattooing, piercing and scarification.
PAINTING
Natives in many cultures choose more temporary body markings, very commonly practiced with the Native American tribes, for example. These types of markings were very much used ritualistically, going on a hunt or a battle and for binding ceremonies/marriage. Not terribly common with women in North American tribes, but seeing women with body paintings in South American, Incan and Mayan cultures was just as common as with men. Temporary markings weren't exclusive to the American tribes and cultures, it was also common to see in Aboriginal, Nordic, Gaelic, amongst many other cultures.
Painting was most often seen and used before a battle or a particularly important religious ritual. Native Americans were well known to even give paint markings on their horses before going off to battle. In modern times, these same tribesmen paint their horses for demonstration and to display their history to outsiders.
TATTOOING
One of the more prominent body modifications that can be seen worldwide, and has been around for thousands of years is the practice of permanent tattooing. This art form can be seen on all occupied continents, and amongst hundreds, if not thousands, of historical cultures. Ranging from the aforementioned tribes of the Americas, to Africa, the Middle East all the way to the Asian part of the world.
Tattoos amongst natives often signified status, achievement and right of passage. The right of passage tattoos often involved reaching milestones in their life, sometimes starting with their age. Adolescence, becoming a 'man' or a 'woman', were often times for a tattoo and a celebration in reaching that next stage in life.
A status tattoo would often be connected to your place in the tribe, such as being the chief, shaman, warrior, etc. Think of it as a similar way our military uses patches and medals. It's a quick and easy way for outsiders that are familiar with a tradition to identify what role a person played in that tribe. It would be looked upon poorly to misidentify the chief as just a hunter, not that the hunter didn't have a very important role to play.
When a person received a tattoo for achievement, it was generally due to success in battle or a hunt. Other achievements could be recognized and celebrated with a tattoo as well, such as getting married, having a child, a promotion in status, and so forth.
PIERCINGS
Piercings can be found among natives in many cultures. Ears, noses, lips and cheeks were the most predominant locations of piercings, but there were others, of course. Some cultures embraced piercings more than others, sometimes they were even more commonplace than tattoos.
The more elaborately documented piercings were often seen among the Incan and Mayan cultures in the America's, tribes in the Amazon, African tribes and the Aborigine of Australia and New Zealand. One person may don dozens of facial piercings by themself, but this wasn't terribly common to have that many.
Just like other forms of body modification and art, usually piercings were given for various reasons, which include status, achievement and most commonly, right of passage. Women, just as much as men, received piercings in these cultures, maybe even more-so in some parts of the world. Piercings can range from very small sizes, all the way to huge gauged rings, often seen in ears, lips and the nose.
SCARIFICATION
Arguably the more painful of the forms of body mods, scarification has been around for thousands of years. Like the others, it was also done for the same reasons of status, achievement and right of passage.
Scarification was often applied using a sharp reed, bone or a sharp stone. These very same methods are still used today in many cultures. The marking would be tapped in or wedged, repeating the act until the desired outcome was reveled. Similar to a circumcision is some cultures, oftentimes a person's first scarification marking would happen during infancy.
In some cultures of natives, you would earn a new marking for each foe you felled in battle. The more of these markings you had, the more fearsome you were believed to become. To take down one of these warriors with many markings was considered a great achievement, which could earn better and more impressive markings. The practice of scarification, although not exclusively, is dominated among the African tribal natives.
The workplace can be an interesting environment, and some people in those places can have some interesting tattoos. Some employers are more accepting of visible tattoos than others. Fortunately for all, just in the last 10 years, that has changed quite a bit.
PLACES WHERE VISIBLE TATTOOS ARE STILL NOT GENERALLY OK
Any workplace that is deemed more "professional" are usually the culprits. This would include just about anyone that works in a bank or in finance. Accountants are another one that seems to not have too many people showing off their body art. Even mid to higher end card dealerships don't tend to have that many employees showing off their tattoos unless they are working in the mechanics area.
Even some industries that aren't in the "professional" category have a tendency to not have a lot of visible tattoos. Daycare workers are one of those and elementary school teachers as well. It's not to say it's a definitive "no", but most don't really have many, if any, tattoos that can be seen. It could have something to do with the misguided mindset in some folks that people with tattoos are criminals or ones that can't be trusted with children. Either way, it's not very common for tattoos to be seen in these workplaces.
Another workplace and industry where visible tattoos aren't too common is in real estate. You don't tend to see too many people selling houses with tattoos showing. That doesn't say it doesn't happen, it's just rare to see. Again, it probably stems from trust issue people have based off of predisposition and backwards thinking.
It may come to a surprise, but visible tattoos are also not usually ok with quite a few in the military. Even though modern tattoos in the US can be attributed in its founding to our Navy men coming home with fresh tattoos, visible tattoos are still a no-no with most. It's pretty unfortunate if you take into consideration of the long history of tattoos and the military. (See our article about this very subject by clicking the link below!)
Most retail workplace environments, up until recently, used to stray away from hiring employees with visible ink. Thankfully, that is no more. Most retail stores don't seem to have a problem with this any more, with the exception to face and neck tattoos. They're still a job killer for many. It's quite common to go into just about any type of business these days and see employees, even management, showing their tattoos. With that said, there are some retailers out there that still prescribe to the closed-mind mindset to their own detriment.
Educators, in most cases, are also generally somewhat accepted to have tattoos. It's not uncommon to see teachers in junior high and up to university professors having visible art. It seems society is less concerned about kids in junior high or high school being susceptible to influence from their teachers tattoos than they do with the younger kids.
Surprisingly, less people seem to care about politicians having tattoos over their bankers. There are quite a few politicians out there that have known tattoos, and it's never really been brought up as a negative, which of course it isn't. Still, one would expect some of the soapbox town-cryers to be freaking out about American politicians having tattoos. Luckily, nobody seems to mind at all.
TATTOOS ARE USUALLY NO ISSUE IN THESE WORKPLACES
There's going to be some obvious ones here. If you work in that tattoo industry, music and the arts, it's almost expected for you to have tattoos, let alone if they are accepted.
If you work in any industrial setting, it's generally not a problem at all. Factory workers, car makers, steel workers, etc. A workplace like one of these don't seem to care at all. You're not generally working with the public, so it's a none-argument.
Food service workers, even waiters and waitresses are deemed fine with having tattoos, with the only exception seeming to be posh, upper-class restaurants. Most reasonable people don't really care if their food server has tattoos.
Tradesmen, such as plumbers, roofers, construction, electrical and so forth aren't shy about having tattoos that can be seen, and they shouldn't be. As long as they do a good job, who cares? That goes for all jobs, really.
First responders, such as police, firemen and EMT's can very commonly be seen with tattoos.
AS SOCIETY MOVES FORWARD...
As time goes by, more and more people are coming to realize that having a tattoo is no big deal. In fact, people with tattoos should be viewed as MORE employable. They are people that can sit still for long periods of time while being jabbed with needles, and they paid good money for that experience.
DON'T SPEND GOOD MONEY AND TIME ON A TATTOO YOU'LL REGRET
A Cover-up Done by Pineapple
There are many ways to regret your tattoo. Many of us already have a tattoo that we'd like to go back in time and stop ourselves from getting. It could be due to subject matter, location of the tattoo or who did your tattoo. One thing that is certain is that there are a lot of tattoos out there that people regret getting. With a little info, maybe we can help you avoid that problem.
SUBJECT MATTER
Pet Memorial by Leah
Sometimes the subject matter can be the reason behind your tattoo regret. Maybe it's a name, or a portrait, perhaps a band logo. To be blunt, that ONLY safe names to get tattooed on yourself are your family, specifically those you share DNA with.
Not all marriages last forever, so maybe getting your wives or husbands name tattooed on you isn't the best choice. Definitely don't get a boyfriends or girlfriends name. This, by far, is the most commonly regretted tattoo type in the industry, hands down.
When it comes to names, the absolute safest are of your children, parents and siblings; in that order. You'll never regret your children, and it's unlikely you'll regret your parents or siblings. So, with that said, go ahead with their names, it's a safe bet.
Another thing to avoid is a passing fad. It's not advisable to get a tattoo of something that is temporarily popular in culture at that moment. Most of these things go away as quickly as they come. An example of this would be Gangnam Style, The Macarena, fidget spinners, ANY meme, and so on. If it's something that's just suddenly and weirdly popular, you can bet that it will vanish just as fast. If you want a tattoo that's pop culture, an established band logo isn't a bad way to go, or a timeless movie quote/scene.
TATTOO LOCATION
Upper Arms Are a Safe Place as seen in This Cover-up by Jared
Another common tattoo people regret is body placement. This biggest culprit would be face and neck tattoos. Unless you work in an industry that simply doesn't care, and you're happy working there for quite a while, there aren't too many businesses that hire people with face/neck tattoos. Obviously there are quite a few places that it's not a factor, such as working in the tattoo industry, as an example.
Sometimes, hand and finger tattoos can also fall into this category. It's not nearly a big deal as the previous examples, but sometimes it does matter. If you have "TUFF" and "LOVE" on your knuckles, it's unlikely you'll get that banker job, but who knows?
Perhaps your location regret is simply that you and nobody else really get to see it. Part of the enjoyment from a tattoo is showing others and admiring your tattoos yourself. It can sometimes be a bummer to spend a bunch of money on something you can't even see.
Many of the tattoo location regrets are due to choices made in haste in youth, and later on as an adult, and you've matured, and no longer want those 'in your face' tattoos. They realize that you don't have to have controversial tattoos to be a rebel, and there's nothing wrong with being a rebel.
QUALITY
Art by Vitalii
Another big factor on a tattoo regret is the quality of the tattoo. Far too many people have gotten basement 'stick and poke' tattoos, or their buddy got their hands on a tattoo machine and had an impromptu unpracticed tattoo party. Not only is this very unsafe due to blood-borne pathogens and a recipe for other infections, but it's a huge factor in regards to tattoo cover-ups. Quite often, a completely unskilled person can cause major scarring, making cover-ups trickier.
A tattoo 'scratcher' artist can also be very problematic in regards to the quality of a tattoo. He or she may be skilled just enough to give a tattoo without complications on the onset, but they may be completely clueless on the right needles to use for particular tattoos, causing excessively thick lines or the inks "bleeding out" beyond the intended results. They also may use low quality materials, such as the needles, inks, aftercare and the tattoo machine itself.
Low quality inks can fade faster than expensive inks. A colorful tattoo will likely not look nearly as rich and bold not too long after the tattoo was finished healing. Keep in mind, even tattoos done with high quality inks may need some touching up after a while to make them vibrant again.
COST
Cheap tattoos aren't good and good tattoos aren't cheap. This is simply a fact. Quite a few regrettable tattoos are a result of the price. Understandably, sometimes you can get a bit of 'sticker shock' when you hear a quote from a quality artist. It may be tempting to take your tattoo idea to Joe Shmo down the street to get a $50 tattoo. However, that's exactly what you are going to get, a $50 tattoo. You are not going to get the amazing realism of Jared, the beautifully hand drawn historically accurate Norse work of Vitalii or the beautiful watercolor blending of Leah. You will get a slap-dash $50 tattoo.
When it comes to your body and getting permanent art put on it, this is not the time nor place to skimp on the price. You want the best work done possible by the most professional people around. You'll get a great tattoo and it will be done with quality materials in a safe and sanitary fashion.
IMPULSIVENESS
Another leading factor to a tattoo regret is simply that you were impulsive when you got it, and you really didn't think it through. You're out with friends, out of the blue the subject of tattoos comes out in the conversation, and next thing you know, you're in a tattoo chair getting matching Tasmanian Devil tattoos on your shoulder. The next day, you realize, you don't even like the Tasmanian Devil, or any Looney Tunes, for that matter. Now you have this glaring regret following you around because you were impulsive.
It's always best to plan things out a little and not just jump at the opportunity to get a tattoo, any tattoo. Many regrettable tattoos are a result of the very reason of being impatient. If you are just wanting a tattoo, but don't have the money put together to invest in the best quality version of that tattoo you want, don't just rush it. Save a little and get the tattoo you actually want, and not one you settled on because you were short a couple hundred bucks. Remember, you're investing in professional and permanent art on your body. It's worth the time and money to do it right the first time around.
If you'd like to meet with one of our artists to help you with a tattoo inquiry and so that they can help you avoid regrets, you can call the studio directly or click the link below to our inquiry form!
When is comes to tattooing, does the season you get it matter? Some would say yes, some would say no. In reality, it all breaks down to your personal habits and plans. Various climate effects can change the way your tattoo reacts and heals. Activities in both the cooler and warmer months can also be a factor. We all enjoy doing things with our free time, regardless of the season.
Some of us are outdoorsmen, some of us are gamers, but all of us like to have fun!
SPRING AND SUMMER
Hummingbird and Flowers by Leah
During the warmer months, the sun becomes a bigger factor in the way your tattoo heals. Once healed, direct sunlight over time may haste fading in a tattoo, and it's recommended to use tattoo friendly sunblock. If you are still in the healing process, excessive sweating can affect how your tattoo heals.
Most people like to do outdoor activities, such as biking, swimming, camping, hiking and so on. If you are still healing, it's advised to avoid doing anything that would cause you to sweat more than normal or anything that could potentially make you fall or something else that may damage the healing tattoo. Swimming is definitely not recommended while you are healing. Once fully healed, all these activities are fine.
During summer, this is the most often time people take a vacation. Not all, but most. This ties up quite a bit of your time, and people don't like to have any of their plans hindered by having to follow tattoo healing guidelines. It also ties up quite a bit of your disposable income.
When you are doing outdoor activities, make sure you wear loose fitting clothing, nothing that will rub up against your healing tattoo. No spandex. A leisurely hike to go out and enjoy the mountains and wilderness is a great activity that won't cause you to sweat too much but still gets you in touch with your instincts to explore nature and enjoy the warmer season.
FALL AND WINTER
Death's Head Moth by Christina
When determining the best season for you, some prefer the cooler months. Although activities such as skiing and snowboarding certainly make you sweat more, there's often more time to get these fun past times on your schedule. So, taking a couple of weeks off of snowy sports is usually not a big deal.
Finances and family time are the bigger factor during the winter time. You have multiple holidays that revolve around being with your loved ones, and especially during the holiday shopping season, quite a bit of that money is pre-planned for use. (To help plan out and budget a tattoo, see our article "How To Save Up For Your Tattoo 101" here https://luckybambootattoo.com/how-to-save-up-for-your-tattoo/)
Just like summertime, you want to avoid any activities during the healing process that will cause you to sweat excessively or to potentially hit, scrape or rub the tattoo. Though tempting it may be, also avoid hot tubs during this time.
The season of winter is a great time to catch up on some of those shows and movies you've been meaning to watch. Use your two weeks healing time just chilling and enjoying indoor family (or alone) time.
THE BREAKDOWN
Whether you want a tattoo in the warmer months or the cooler months, each has its own guidelines, however they are similar. No matter when you get tattooed, try not to sweat too much (which means also taking it easy at the gym) and you don't want to do any activities that could potentially harm your healing tattoo. Follow these rules, and it really doesn't matter too much when you get your tattoo. It's a personal preference!
Tattooing in Asian culture can be dated back as far as 3,000 BC which can be seen represented on clay figurines and statues in the form of etched designs and paintings on the faces of the figures in Japan. It's an art form that has been celebrated for thousands of years.
Mummies found in early China have been discovered with tattoos on the face, and were attributed to the Dulong and Dai tribes. Women wore these facial tattoos as a means to become less desirable to men who would otherwise do them harm. Other beliefs were that some of these facial markings were done for mystical and ritualistic reasonings. In modern times, descendants of these people still bear these same type of facial markings, but their meanings have changed. They are now a rite of passage, a status symbol and represent beauty.
In China, quasi-modern tattooing can be seen as early as the Shang Dynasty, where some of the different peoples of the region began to cut their hair and give themselves tattoos to gain acceptance of the more prominent groups in the area.
This changed, however with the rise of Confucianism, where it was said that your body, including your hair and skin, came from your ancestors and it wasn't yours to inflict harm upon, which included cutting your hair or applying marks upon the skin. It was viewed as disrespectful to both your ancestors and your mother and father to cut your hair or get tattoos. This is where the notion that suicide is a sin is believed to have originated, as it was the ultimate act of self harm.
Later in China, tattoos were used as a means to mark criminals permanently, known as 'Ci Pei', which loosely translates as exile/tattoo. Even today in modern China, the connection between tattoos and criminals are viewed as one and the same.
In Japan, there is also that connection, mainly due to the heavily tattooed bodies of the well known criminal organization known as Yakuza. Fortunately, however, many still attribute tattoos as a form of art, and that people other than criminals have them. Historically, tattoos have always been a part of their culture, and there is no sign that will ever change.
In the Philippines, the story is completely different. The history of their elaborate and beautiful body art is a rite of passage, station in society, a sign of bravery and a status symbol. Early Spanish conquistadors, upon exploring the Asian islands, took note of these 'painted men', also named 'Pintados', depicting them in drawings and paintings to share upon their return to Spain. Traditional Philippine tattoos look like a combination of Maori, Polynesian and Incan/Aztec designs. This would make sense, since historians believe that all these cultures originated from the same place.
Korean culture, regarding tattoos, was and is very much like China's. Early on, tattoos were a means of expression. However, they became a symbol of a person being a criminal. Your crime would be tattooed directly on your face so that you couldn't hide what you had done from society. Everyone was allowed to know exactly what you were guilty of. Escaped prisoners would get a very large tattoo on the forehead as a way to single them out as trouble makers. If you escaped again, it meant death. In today's Asian society, the taboo of tattoos still exists, and are even blurred or blocked out from being viewable on television, movies and print media.
Much like the Norse Vikings, it is believed that the Mongols, who were lead by the vicious conquerer Genghis Khan, adorned themselves with tattoos to appear more threatening to strike fear in those they meant to conquer.
As society progresses past the puritan style of thinking, more and more people, even those in the more oppressed regions, are becoming more accepting of tattoos in their culture. Most people realize that a tattoo doesn't equal to criminality or outcast, this includes the mindset in Asian society.
Today, people from all around the globe enjoy getting Asian inspired tattoos. The colorful and bold designs created by the Tebori artists in Japan are very popular. Images from Asian culture, such as koi fish, oni/hannya masks and cherry blossom trees continue to dominate the imagery people like to have tattooed on their bodies. A rise in the desire for anime style tattoos has grown steadily for years, celebrating popular characters from this other art form.
Asian cultures are rich in beautiful art and history. It should be celebrated and appreciated and preserved for posterity for future generations to enjoy.
Tattoos, at least good tattoos, can be expensive. Treat yourself! It's understandable trying to justify getting yourself a new tattoo. You may feel guilty spending that kind of money on yourself, but you shouldn't. A tattoo isn't something you should get buyer's remorse over, (mainly because you can't return it.) Hopefully, we can help you, through reasoning, to not feel that way and to KNOW why you deserve a new tattoo!
Believe it or not, but there are many people out there that have a really hard time spending money on themselves. They're not greedy, they usually are the type of person that spends their money on others. However, when it comes to themselves, even buying themself new shoes may be difficult for them to justify, regardless on how badly they may need them. That mindset is often linked to being a co-dependent, but that's a whole other article.
Fortunately, there are some ways you can get around these feelings and to help you move past it so that you can enjoy the good things in life, such as a new tattoo.
Take the Stuart Smalley™ approach! Tell yourself that you're "good enough, smart enough and gosh darn it, people like you."
Take mental stock on what you've done for yourself lately. Treating yourself to things you want is psychologically important to see and enjoy the fruits of your labor from the work you do for a living.
Doing something you love can be a stress reliever and helps aid in overcoming depression.
Use it as a means to celebrate a recent accomplishment such as a job promotion/raise/bonus, a new baby, etc.
Treat yourself by reaching a new milestone health related, such as losing weight, quitting or cutting back on drinking or smoking, you ran 5 miles for the first time, etc. Doing things for yourself for these achievements is a great motivator and can help keep you on track for further accomplishments!
Celebrate a strengthened relationship such as getting married/engaged or to commemorate a longterm friendship. Matching tattoos are not considered tacky for most cases and are a fun way to celebrate such things.
Get tattooed to celebrate and commemorate an event. A good example of this is when the original cast of the fellowship for LoTR all got matching tattoos for the grand adventure and experience they all shared. Perhaps you and a friend climbed Mt Everest together, celebrate that with a tattoo of the peak with the date (and probably a beer)!
You just need something new that's just for you. Sometimes something new in your life is a great way to give yourself a boost! Occasionally that little boost is just what any of us needs to help us leap forward.
Maybe you've been thinking about a memorial tattoo for a while now. There's not better time than the present to treat yourself by honoring another person or even a pet.
Celebrate your heritage! A very popular tattoo to get is something that celebrates your roots. A family crest. Celtic knot work. Intricate Norse tattoos. Your native countries flag.
You're in a rut and a new tattoo may help you get out of that funk. Getting that fresh tattoo may motivate you to go out and enjoy the night life, giving you a solid reason to show off the new art! This way, you treat yourself double! Not a bad thing!
Researching your tattoo can be more important than you may realize. Sometimes a person wants a particular symbol, or something in another language, or a collection of images as a tattoo. Perhaps you are looking to get some historically traditional tribal work done. The symbolic nature of tattoos can be different than what you expect. You may want to spend a little time researching what you are looking to get so that you don't accidentally get a tattoo that means something completely different than what you want to express.
Regarding another language, these are the most common to get messed up. One sure fire way to avoid mistakes is to show a native speaker of the language what you are looking to get and ask them if they would mind translating it for you. If what they say pretty much matches what you intended, then you're good to go. However, if you are looking for the Kanji for "Courage" and the translator says it means "Ham Sandwich", you may want to research again. Finding a native speaker may be a little difficult in some circumstances, so reverse image searches in Google can often times help alleviate that problem. It just takes a little patience.
Another tricky one can be traditional tribal work, particularly Polynesian. You may not be aware, but each little symbol, line, angle and so on means something. You could very easily get your Polynesian sleeve done, sat many hours in the chair and spent a lot of money just to have a piece that means absolutely nothing, or worse, means something completely unintended. Researching these meanings can be crucial and it's a good idea to find an artist that has done their own research and knows what they are doing.
What if your sleeve symbolizes that you are a criminal? An outcast? Or of the opposite gender? There are many possible things that tattoo could translate to, to someone familiar with it's symbolism. It's best to see an artist that knows the meaning, to actually give you your tattoo (as it happens to be, we have one here at Lucky Bamboo!).
Sometimes someone will see a symbol somewhere either online or on someone else and decide they want to get the same thing. Understandable, you see something you like, and you want it. However, maybe you should still do a little research into it. This reminds us of a situation where a guy saw a tattoo on his rescue dog and thought out of solidarity with his new friend, he would get the same thing. It ended up being the symbol for "neutered". Others have gotten symbols or lettering only to find out later on that it was something racist. There was someone that got two squared off "lightning bolts", and found out it was actually the Nazi "SS" symbol.
Most people would probably be shocked to learn that got something that offensive without intention. If that were to happen, sometimes a cover-up on that tattoo is your only option to save yourself embarrassment on your mistake.
The symbolic nature of our tattoos can be quite personal and important. Think of memorial tattoos. Whether for a loved one or a lost pet, we want to make sure that everything in that tattoo is perfect and how you envisioned it from the beginning. It can just be important as a portrait tattoo, which no artists should try and tackle without 100 percent confidence in their ability to make sure you can do it perfectly.
As you can see, knowing what you are looking to get done can be very important to the message you intend to send. It's a good idea to spend a little time researching so that you can avoid mistakes and need a cover-up. Researching is key!
Do you have a tattoo that you really want, but just don't have the funds at the moment? You're not alone. Don't stress though, we'll share some money saving tips for you that will add up surprisingly very quickly! Of course you can apply this to other aspects of your life, but hey, that new tattoo is a priority, so let's take care of that first!
There are a bunch of ways to save up small amounts of money nearly every day for most people. Here are some tips and tricks!
Instead of getting a large coffee at Starbucks, get a large coffee at your local convenience store. That will save you on average $2-3 each day. Better yet, brew it at home.
Instead of buying a bottle of water, fill up a refillable bottle at pretty much any soda fountain for free. That, depending on water brand, can be $1-3.
If you use a food delivery service app frequently, or even daily, cut it back one day or more per week. Depending on what you get delivered and how much you averagely tip, that could amount to $20+ per day you cut out. If you insist on take out, go pick it up yourself and save yourself the fees and tip.
If you really want to save fast, go back to the college trick and live off Top Ramen and PBJ sandwiches for a couple of weeks. That could amount to hundreds, depending on how you spend now. Your diet will be temporarily bland (and loaded with sodium), but you will be much closer to having the money for your tattoo. You can always resume your original diet afterwards.
Buy generic brands. For example, the name brand is nearly always twice as much as the generic or house brand of nearly the exact same thing. This can go for most things that offer an alternate to a big name brand. Get creative!
If you go out a lot, to bars, clubs, shows or whatever, trim it back a little. A good night out at a club can easily cost $60+. Another way to help in this way is to go at "happy hour".
Cut back on both drinking and smoking, not only for your wallet, but your health. We're not here to preach, you do what makes you happy, but cutting back even by 25% a week can add up financially quite a bit depending on your personal habits.
If you have basic cable, buy a Roku box for $40 and shut off your cable. Roku offers hundreds of channels that you don't pay anything for after you buy the box. There's even a 24/7 Bob Ross channel!
Look for stuff at thrift stores. If you go to thrift stores near more so-called "upperclass" neighborhoods, you can often find high quality stuff for really cheap. It's actually quite surprising on some of the things you can find. For example, nearly brand new authentic Ray Ban sunglasses for $3. Still brand new tagged Levi jeans for $8. And so on.
De-clutter your home and sell off stuff of value that you never use. There are many online market places and also probably local options of ways to sell off old stuff, such as a yard sale. Depending on what you have, you may unknowingly have some valuable treasure lying around. One of the best sources of this are older, no longer available video games. Some of these games go for several hundreds of dollars, if unopened, you could be looking at thousands.
If you have old gold jewelry that you don't care about, that's a very quick way to make some cash. If you want to just scrap it, go to an actual local refinery and NOT a "cash for gold" place. You will get significantly more money. If it's quality jewelry that is not to be scrapped, do NOT take it to a pawn shop. You will get pennies on the dollar and you won't get much. Sell that stuff on a market place. Watch out for con artists that want to "wire" you the money and have you send the item. If you find a buyer, for safety reasons, insist that you make the transaction somewhere very public, or ideally a police station. Most police stations are ok with this being done outside their building, but you still may want to check in with them. If the buyer won't meet you with this criteria, it's likely a scam or someone looking to just take it from you.
Commit to putting 5-10% of your paycheck in a savings account, if you are able.
Avoid impulse buys. Nearly any retail establishment has their "impulse items" located right at the checkout because they know at least some of the customers will buy the stuff. Ignore those items and only buy what you intended to purchase. Printed magazines are the biggest culprit. If you have a cell phone, pretty much anything in those magazines are already available to you.
Staycations can save tons of money and can actually be less stressful than a trip somewhere. Of course, exploring the world is wonderful and should be done, but if you don't need to go, you can probably enjoy outdoor activities locally, such as hiking or bike riding or whatever. Sometimes a week or two being home can be just what you need to relax and recharge.
Try not to buy too much stuff at convenience stores. A pint of Ben & Jerry's at the grocery store for $5 is $8-10 at the convenience store.
This is just a short example of ways for you to quickly save up money for that tattoo you really want and to overall build up a healthy savings account for future tattoos!
When you are getting a tattoo, many people experience physical reactions.
Obviously, pain is experienced by pretty much anybody that is getting a tattoo. The level of pain all depends on the location the tattoo is getting placed and your personal tolerance. After the tattoo, you will still experience a certain level of pain until healing has begun. Most of the time, the pain is minor and most people can deal with it just fine. Some, actually find the level of pain experienced is therapeutic. And even some find it relaxing.
Anxiety can affect a small percentage of tattoo recipients for a few reasons. It could be your first tattoo and you amped yourself up in your own head. You may be nervous on how the tattoo will come out. You may be concerned on what others may think about your tattoo. Or you may be having second thoughts and not sure how to remedy that feeling. The trick is to get out of your own head.
Excitement! Excitement can raise your adrenaline levels. It's exciting to get a new tattoo, especially if you are finally getting the tattoo you've been dreaming about for a while now. You may be excited to see the finished tattoo so that you can show it off to your friends. You may be so excited that you are dreaming up the next tattoo and are really pumped about getting right back in for that next appointment.
Some of these reactions of physiological while others are psychological. Either way, anybody can experience a reaction of some sorts. Don't let it get you down and don't be embarrassed. You are in the majority. It's quite common and nothing to worry about.
Before anyone gets bent out of shape, no, tattoos aren't gender specific. If you're a 6 foot 8, 350 pound hairy dude, and you want a butterfly lower back tattoo, you go for it. Nobody is saying you can't get it. Frankly, I think a lot of people would like to see that tattoo. Let's not pretend, however, that some tattoos are seen more often on men and women.
If you're fresh out of ideas, or just need a list to read to get an idea, we'll provide some below. Let's start with the ladies.
TATTOO IDEAS FOR WOMEN:
FLORAL PIECES: Whether you get a colorful floral piece, or a mournful black & grey rose, you can't go wrong with a well done floral tattoo.
WATERCOLOR:When done by a skilled artist, watercolor tattoos are both eye-catching and a good conversation starter.
BUTTERFLIES:Realistic, artistic, illustrative, watercolor, 3-D and so on, a butterfly tattoo is a great choice.
FINE-LINE:A delicate fine line tattoo is a great idea for a first-timer who is still feeling out the world of tattoos. However, they're also great for someone who's been getting tattooed for years.
MINIMALIST:Like a fine line tattoo, minimalist tattoos are also great for people new to tattoos, or people that want a tattoo but don't want anything that's too bold.
ANIME:Anime tattoos are a fun way to express you love of Japanese animation, the style and the characters.
FUN:A small friendly ladybug, Pooh bear, a simple emoji, what have you, can be a great way to express yourself.
MATCHING/FRIENDSHIP:You and your closest friend(s) can decide on a design idea and have your artist give you the same thing. You can also get a variation of the same thing, or put them in a different location, so that you aren't exactly the same.
DELICATE/SMALL:A small and delicate tattoo is great for someone that wants something done, but subtle.
MANDALA: Mandala's are beautiful and intricate, much like you ladies.
LOCATIONS:A good spot could be on the forearm, wrist, upper arm, upper back and ankle.
TATTOO IDEAS FOR MEN:
NORSE:Whether you want a Nordic style band, or the portrait of Odin, a good Norse tattoo can look great.
ARM BAND:Arm bands can be of practically anything. Go old school 90's and "tribal" or barbed wire. Or go something more unique, something nobody has seen before.
FULL SLEEVE:If you plan out a good concept to share with your artist, with time and a little pain, a great sleeve can be striking.
BIO-MECH:A good bio-mechanical tattoo can be many possibilities. HR Geiger inspired, or something completely different, bio-mech pieces look awesome when done by the right artist.
TRASH POLKA:The seeming chaos behind these clever tattoos actually have intricate meaning behind each little image, tying the whole thing together.
DARK ART:Dark art tattoos are often impressive and unique, since an artist can create something completely new for you.
AMERICAN TRADITIONAL/NEO-TRADITIONAL: A classic American Traditional tattoo, or the updated version of the style, Neo-Traditional, are always a great choice for someone that wants old school.
NATURE SCENE:A mountain or forest scene, animals like wolves, bears, deer look great, especially in a larger scale like a full upper arm piece or a sleeve.
LOCATIONS:A good spot for a new tattoo, if you have the space available, would be shoulder/upper arm, forearm, chest/pectoral.
These are just some of the possibilities to give you an idea. It only stops art you and your artist's imaginations.
