So now I'm forever his "Jewel"...

[Jewel]

As some of you may remember I mentioned a few months ago that I was thinking of getting a small tattoo to celebrate my upcoming 40th birthday. I wanted a small Jewel to symbolize the nickname my husband gave me nearly 5 years ago. I got a design from one of the most sought-after tattoo designers, and my wonderful friend Lisa (lisas3575) used her Computer Wizardry to reshape the drawing into a marquis shape and give it some color for me. I finally had it done a few weeks ago and it's now completely healed. Dave was with me holding my hand during the whole process (or I should say I was squeezing his hand! ;) ) and he's tickled pink...or tickled purple? Keeps muttering something about 'marking his territory'. :p Anyway, I just wanted to show off my new jewel to all of my friends! :) It's on my lower abdomen toward my hip, and it's about 1-1/2" long and maybe 1" wide. And yes...it's really that purple. :eek: So whatcha think?? Emily, I'm expecting to hear from you on this one! ;)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid21/p033446e72ed8b0673e71a0ae073ae830/fdb14522.jpg

[JHolcomb]

OMG!OMG!OMG! It looks great!!!

[Peggy C.]

woo hoo! You are brave!

[lhall]

That's great!

It sounds like DH is speechless at the honor you've given him.

Leigh

[Susann]

Beautiful. Enjoy it!

[KathrynY]

Looks great! :)

[Gilgamesh37]

Jewel!!!!! I think it looks TERRIFIC!!!! Congratulations, and welcome to the ranks of the tattooed chicks!

[dulcecoeur]

Very cool!!!!!!!....but they are addictive you know! I managed to stop at 2, but it can be hard ;)

[wallycat]

Very cool!!!
I'm toying with doing a tattoo...just no guts yet.
Plus, I must add, I love the nick-name he gave you :D :D :D

[Jewel]

Thanks everyone! I also hear that they're addictive but I think I'll be able to withstand the temptation. ;) The cool part is that because I don't have a bikini or a belly shirt body, Dave and I are the only ones that will ever see my jewel, and that's enough for us!

And I need to publicly thank Lisa one more time. I bugged her endlessly with color changes and stuff! :o I was just so nervous about getting it right since it's gonna be on me forever! She was totally wonderful, and she can now add this little jewel to her IdeaSmith Designs Portfolio since she helped design it! :p Thanks Lisa!

[ccooney]

Originally posted by Jewel
The cool part is that because I don't have a bikini or a belly shirt body, Dave and I are the only ones that will ever see my jewel,
Along with all who check out this thread!;)
Seriously, Jewel, I am envious. I love your little tattoo! I don't think I'd have the nerve to get one even though I'd like to. I think I have the world's lowest tolerance for pain and I hear they can hurt when you get them.

[LaraW]

It looks great!

Did it hurt? I am considering a tattoo, but I am afraid it will hurt....

[aggie94]

Lara,

I'll let Jewel give her opinion, but here's mine: I have a very low threshold for pain. Having blood drawn nearly makes me pass out. When I had to have an earlobe repierced a couple of years ago, at a real body piercing place with a real needle and not a mall kiosk where they use those guns, I thought I was going to die. Still, I've managed to live through two tattoos. And YES, they hurt. A LOT. Each time, while it's happening, I've sworn off ever getting another. The last time, I told DH, "Do not EVER let me do this again!" Apparently something happens afterwards and I forget how much it hurts, because sure enough, I find myself wondering what the next will be. :rolleyes:

And don't let anyone tell you, "Oh, it'll hurt more if you get one here versus there." They hurt EVERYWHERE. Granted, there are probably some places that are more unpleasant than others, like your forehead or something. :eek: But I promise the one on my hip, where there's a little cushioning ;) didn't feel any better than the one on my ankle. Still, I think it's worth the pain. I love mine. :D

[Jewel]

On the subject of pain, generally I have a low tolerance also. I had been told that outlining hurts worse than the shading part...but take a look at tattoo and you'll see a lot of outlining! :eek:

The poor lady next to me was sweating bullets. She was having a very intricate Oriental design done on her lower back that was probably 10" wide by 10" tall. I was in that place over two hours altogether and she was getting tattoo'd the entire time! She didn't make a sound, but she did ask for one break so she could go have a cigarette and she was bleeding pretty bad!

I had asked the artist what it felt like. He told me it felt like someone running their fingernail across a bad sunburn. He was EXACTLY right! That's the way it felt! Most people say to have a drink or two before going in to help relax you, but since I had mine done at 2pm I opted to take a Demerol before we left the house! Maybe that's why I scheduled my tattoo for a week after my tooth extraction? :p I was lucky, I didn't bleed at all, and I had only one or two teensy scabs and they were purple because the ink is pushing it's way out of your skin. I let them come off naturally, and now that it's been a month I am completely healed over! It didn't hurt NEAR as badly as I'd built it up to be, so I would say if you're thinking about it go for it! ;)

[lisas3575]

Originally posted by aggie94
Granted, there are probably some places that are more unpleasant than others...

There was a server at one of our favorite restaurants that had a tatt inside his ear. Like down where the hole is. :eek: I bet that one hurt like you can't believe.

Jewel, I think it looks great!!! Good for you. And you're most welcome. It's officially my first tattoo design, lol. :cool:

[Peggy C.]

Originally posted by lisas3575


There was a server at one of our favorite restaurants that had a tatt inside his ear. Like down where the hole is. :eek: I bet that one hurt like you can't believe.



OMG Lisa that reminded me of a girl I used to run into when I was about 16 at the under age clubs, mind you this was the 80's, she had a tattoo over her left ear! Her head was shaved in such a way that this rather large paisley shaped tattoo of flowers and filigree(? is tht the word?) showed just above her ear on her head! OUCH! Actually it was really beutiful and obviously all she had to do was grow her hair back...I forgot all about that.

[ebobbitt]

Oh Jewel, I think it's way cool! Congratulations!

[emily]

Jewel, it's gorgeous! Absolutely beautiful!

Now you make me want my next one even more. Pity I just blew a bunch of cash on new couches (as I just told Eva, my first matching furniture - yikes, I'm turning into a 'grown-up' ;) ).

Nonetheless, back to tattoos. Mine is very low on my belly, to the right, just north of the pubic bone. It's teeny tiny - roughly the size of a dime. It didn't hurt very much at all. Of course it also took roughly 15 minutes of actually tattooing. And the healing was very fast. Funny story about that, my best friend and I got tattooed together. The artists told us to go to a drug store and buy some K&D Ointment to put on them to help the healing. So there we are wandering all over the medical supplies section not finding any K&D Ointment, we finally ask the pharmacist who tells us that its in the baby ailse. Huh? Yep, K&D is baby butt ointment :o.

em

[dulcecoeur]

Originally posted by ccooney

I don't think I'd have the nerve to get one even though I'd like to. I think I have the world's lowest tolerance for pain and I hear they can hurt when you get them.

I got my first one while I was in Alberta on military training - I designed it - it's just 6 maple leafs in an octagonal shape, about 4 inches in diameter. I was pretty tired when I got it done, so I was pretty relaxed about it. To me it felt like an X-acto knife cutting the very top of your skin (don't ask how I know that - childhood accident/experiment). I did not find it painful, just a bit uncomfortable. It was more sensitive closer to my spine (my tattoo is on my right shoulder blade). At the time I just got it shaded with a copper-like colour.

When I had that one coloured a year later (with oranges yellows and reds), I also got a small tattoo low on my left hipbone (bikini area!). I did not find that one painful at all.

For both of them I kept them liberally lubed up with Polysporin as recommended by the artists, and no problems. I love them, and its cool when you forget you have them and see them in the mirror, its like oh yeah, very cool. I have designed an arm band for my DBF to get eventually :cool:

[greysangel]

Jewel it looks great!

i just hope i have the cajones when it's my turn :D

the dentist visit is a good idea :cool:

JeAnne

[Beth]

I think you and Lisa improved on the design and made it yours alone. It's great, and I'm glad it all went well and you and DH are very happy. The comments about forgetting the pain remind me a bit of labor pains. ;)

[beejayw1]

It's beautiful, Jewel! And a really nice design! The color turned out very well, and the artist did a great job on the shading.

So now you're in the ranks of the very hip and 40! ;)

P.S. Your husband sounds like a gem, too!

[Hoosier65]

Jewel, the "jewel" looks great! My best friend and I are going to Seattle next week (she is from there and is going to show me the sights) and we are seriously thinking of getting a tatoo while there.One very small and indiscrete. I'm thinking of either a violet (I raise violets) or the Chinese symbol for friendship. We are really excited about it and hope our husbands won't kill us when we get home.

[Jewel]

Originally posted by Hoosier65
My best friend and I are going to Seattle next week and we are seriously thinking of getting a tatoo while there.

Just in case, I got mine done at:

Idoleyez Tattoo
928 S. Third St.
Renton, WA 98055
(425)255-5841

The guy that did mine was really great. His name is Jason Graves, but because there are two Jasons they call him 'Gravey'. :cool: Out of all the guys there he made me feel the most comfortable, and they were so careful about hygiene which was SO important to me! They let Dave sit next to the table I was lying on so I could squeeze his hand. Of course I got the running commentary from him because I couldn't see anything, I was lying down! "Whoa, Babe, this is cool! It's PURPLE! Wow, he's really doing a great job! Ouch, don't squeeze so hard..." :rolleyes:

[Hoosier65]

It is my understanding that they do tatooing at the Public Market in Seattle. Have you heard anything about it? I too am concerned about hygene.How far is Renton from Seattle? I know we are touring around some, maybe we'll be in Renton?

[kwormann]

WONDERFUL! Id love a sun, but Im a CHICKEN!

[Jewel]

Originally posted by Hoosier65
It is my understanding that they do tatooing at the Public Market in Seattle. Have you heard anything about it? I too am concerned about hygene.How far is Renton from Seattle? I know we are touring around some, maybe we'll be in Renton?

I haven't heard anything about the Public Market in Seattle, but that doesn't mean anything. I don't exactly know a lot about the Tattoo Circuit! :cool: I asked around and was told that Idoleyez was a superior place, and it just happened to be about 3 miles from my house! :D Renton is about 15 miles southeast of downtown Seattle. Your friend would know. She probably has a place all picked out anyway, I just wanted to throw my recommendation in! ;)

Most places are pretty good about cleanliness now anyway. Just make sure you ask them if they break open new needles for each job! Good luck!

[dcornelius]

You are an inspiration! I have never really wanted a tatt but I want a belly button ring in the worst way! I have 5.5 more lbs to loose before I can get one though. I promised my self that if I lost 10 Lbs that a belly button ring would be my reward. Those 10 lbs are prooving harder to loose than I thought they would be. Any way thats a whole other issue. I will look to you for courage when it is my turn. I t is wonderful by the way! I know it has got to be fun you you and your honey to have that little secret!

[greysangel]

Remember this thread? :cool:

Well Jewel - I better sum up the cajones, because I made a consult appointment today and I'm getting mine next week!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

JeAnne

Ps Got any spare demerol? ;)

[katygirl]

ohhhhhhh, do tell! What are you thinking of getting? If you care to share that is! You are so brave!

[greysangel]

ok well the readers digest version:

1)I've wanted a tattoo since about 16 (i'm 32 this week :eek: )
2)I've been dreaming, sketching (horrible at this btw), and collecting pictures since I've moved to NYC which was 96 :eek:
3)I narrowed it down when I started losing weight which was in 2000 :eek:

AND I'M STILL SCARED!

:D

It's going to be circular. I went in today for a consult (and my 10 or so pages of artwork and Erik said it was definitely doable and even said he thought it was a very cool and unique idea :cool:

The base is the three legs of the Isle of Mann...the motto is "Quocunque Jeceris Stabit" which translates to "whichever way you throw me, I still stand".

The legs are usually joined at the center/top of leg (think a celtic triskele) and sometimes have a medallion or a head shape in the center. I "think" I'm going to have a celtic knotwork circle with a butterfly in the center...the butterfly body will be a simple goddess figure. I say think because he's drawing. The goddess butterfly will be there..I'm just not sure if it's going to be within a circle or if he will figure out a way to superimpose it over the center of the legs.


I hope it is as good a concept as it is in my mind :o :D

I'm terrified and excited at the same time. :eek: :o

[Escher]

My brother got a tattoo on his forearm:
It was supposed to look like Calvin:
http://www.alloftheabove.net/images/CAHR/Characters/calvinchracter.gif
don't ask me why he wanted a tattoo of Calvin...I have no idea.
But the artist was really bad, and it's hard to recognize.
Anyhow, now he regrets it.

I suggested he try the cheese grater method of removal.....

[kirkbyky]

JeAnne~~~

I'll be honest, my tat hurt like a b*tch to get (its on my lower back between the two dimples on my pelvis, plus more on the outer sides of the dimples), however I don't regret getting it for 1 second! It's more of a stingy/burn feeling, kinda hard to explain.

Your idea sounds cool! Where on your body are you thinking on getting it?

kyle

[greysangel]

Escher - the only thing i would regret was not doing it. I've done as much homework on artists here in the city as I've done searching for the art itself.

Kyle - I'm going for the upper back..just under the neck. I wanted lower back but the circular tats don't look as good there as the elongated ones. I find both places incredibly sexy though so I'm psyched! :cool:

I'm anticipating it hurting, but heck I survived several gallstone attacks that each lasted several hours before I reluctantly agreed to surgery to have my gallbladder removed. That didn't kill me and this wont either!

J

[Escher]

You put your finger right on the problem.....my brother did it as one of those "spur of the momement" type of deals.

I want to clobber him.

Anyhow, he's older and wiser now....

[aggie94]

Totally agreed - it hurts like a b*tch (no matter where you get it), but you won't regret doing it. And I'm a huge wuss when it comes to pain - if I can manage to sit through FOUR, you can certainly do it! My pain tolerance is getting lower and lower, though, and I developed an allergic reaction to the ink with my last one, so I think I'm done.

Good luck!

[SandyM]

How timely. ;)

I'm going to have a tattoo by the time August rolls around. I know where (lower back). I know when (summer). I know by whom. The part that's missing is the what.

The guy who's doing it (a friend of a friend) is very into my ideas, and he wants to talk to me further about them. We had a phone consult, but I'm going to go some time next week to meet him and discuss options.

I'm told it hurts on the lower back, but like Eva said - where doesn't it hurt?

I'm looking forward to the end result - not the initial phase. I'll definitely post a picture when it's healed. :D

[Kayaksoup]

I have always wanted this symbol in a thick black line on my inner ankle

http://www.tarahill.com/runes/uruz.gif

This is some associated meanings...


DIVINATORY MEANINGS:
energy, passion, vitality, instinct, wildness, sexuality, fertility, the unconscious, primitive mind, irrationality, shamanic experience, rite of passage
MAGICAL USES:
to strengthen the will, increase sexual potency and energy; for hunting
ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES:
Ullr, Loki, Odin (as shaman)

[SandyM]

See, this is what I'm looking for, Linda. Something that means something. The thoughts floating through my mind are symbols for balance, being a Libra and all. I'm just not thrilled with a pair of scales. :rolleyes: ;)

I did some searching on the web and found some cool Celtic designs, but not being Irish, that didn't seem appropriate. Not something that I, personally, am comfortable with anyway.

So, the search continues. ;)

I really like the design you picked out - simple, yet meaningful. Do you have a timeline? ;)

[Kayaksoup]

Hah! I need some serious psyching up for this. Its been 5 years already.

[oceanjasper]

That is very cool!

I don't have any tattoos, but both of my parents do (and in the same location!) It is funny to watch my little neice checking out my Mom's butterfly and wondering how it got there.

DCornelius: I did pierce my belly button once. I really loved the idea. When I saw it, it made me feel sexy and a little bit rebellious. It didn't hurt at all to get it done, but it just never healed properly. It was pierced quite deep and was almost always red, sometimes sore and a little goopy. I'm sure it looked lovely to anyone who saw it. :D

I still liked it so much that I kept it in there for over two years and then one day I just took it out. I have a scar there, but it feels so much better now that it is out. My doctor was also very happy, because she sees many belly button piercings gone bad (infection, rings worked its way through the skin and out (ouch), keloid scarring, etc).

I do have to admit that every time I see a nice one, I miss mine. I would probably do it again if I knew it would heal properly and not scar.

[greysangel]

so does mine sound overly complicated or what? :D

I like the rune!

Sandy I'm not irish either and I love the celtic stuff - it's really what you feel resonates with you. Balance can mean a lot of different things...ying yang symbol, sun and moon, the celtic lovers (male female heads with celtic knotwork twining them together)...

I would just type up "balance" and "artwork" in a google search and see what you get!

JeAnne

[colleency]

You're going to have to modify your icon to show your tattoo!:p :D

It looks really fun.

[Jewel]

JeAnne, I wish you luck with the tattoo! I still love mine, even though I've flabbed up a bit in the area and it's not as cute. :rolleyes:

Sandy, I'm still thinking about yours...but I'm still secretly hoping for Lisa Simpson with the saxaphone. ;)