Do You Have A Tattoo?

Opinion please - happy you did it or regretful?

As I get older, I'm thinking about the old bucket list. I've always wanted a tattoo and now thinking of getting a small one on side of foot--above arch. Just for me to enjoy. This is the year of the water dragon- won't happen for another 60 years. I was born in '52 - water dragon year too. Up until now, couldn't think of what I'd like but with two grandkids being born this year too --- a wee dragon might be nice.... Containing all the birth colors of all the kidsz. Hubby says most folks probably regret the tattoo -- what say you?

PS he has "Sara" on his arm--- that ain't me!

I have 3 tats and regret none of them. A dragon on my back, eagle feathers on my ankle and a composite with a Plumeria bloom, a vine in the shape of a C and 3 golden stars. They all have personal meaning and I would not get rid of them. I've only heard people say they regret getting theirs if it were a name of someone with whom they no longer associate.

My dragon is the largest at 8"x8". A tattoo should be a personal thing. Whether or not you get one is your choice.

A caveat...the thinner your skin is or if bone is right under the tattoo site, the more initial pain. Ankles, shoulder blades, elbows, back of knees, feet... Endorphins are released during the process and you'll feel the pain less. Lots of folks can even get addicted to the endorphins. I'm attempting to talk myself OUT of getting a fourth! LOL

PS, this was taken the day after I got it.

This message was edited Jul 16, 2012 4:10 PM

Great color and design - did you create the design or just the concept?

I knew about the potential for more pain on my chosen site-- but I read alot with legs crossed and foot jiggling and if I am going to get it - I want to see it! And, I want it to stay put - not to much sagging there hopefully. Don't want my wee dragon going limp.

Agree a personal thing. I just want to end up with something I am happy with and about. Like Doctor Phil says 'Can't unring a bell!' This is definitely one of those situations.

My DD and I designed it together. She has the same one but the colors on the Plumeria and the C are reversed. My name is Celia and her name is Crystal. Mine stands for her name and hers for mine. The vining is for intertwined love, the Plumeria for Nature and the Stars for the Heavens.

I like the idea of a small dragon on your foot. You could see it all the time. I can't see mine except in a mirror. LOL

My daughter and I are working on the dragon too. She will also have different colors since I have children that she doesn't. ;0)

Nice! I hope someone else chimes in.

yes me too but I thank you for your reply and also for the great shot and also if you feel inclined to share the feathers and dragon would love to see that too.

I found it's much harder than you'd think to take a pic of your own back. LOL

I have 14 tattoo's and I don't regret any of them! Both of my son's are tattoo artist, and they have do ne most of them, but I have gotten several from other tattoo artist.
I will get some pictures and post them soon!

those feathers are B E A U T I F U L
Just beautiful. No offense if not meant to be so but the way each relates to the other is so very gentle

Our dragon I think won't be as fierce! But I sure like the way yours is in flight

No offense taken. I think they're pretty, too. I've been thinking of adding to it but I can't decide. I take my time and most likely take years to decide.

Thanks Taters
Kwan - isn't life a big bag of coincidences? I have never seen feather tattoos on anyone's ankle that I can remember, and tonight at Walmart the gal in front of me had feathers tattooed on her ankle! She had a thin "chain" tattooed and from it dangled the feathers. The chain was fashioned from tiny fragile rectangles (open) and then when she turned 'round, "hanging" over the center of her heel from the "chain" was a tiny tiny cross.

LOL! That's too funny! I've been tossing aroundthe idea of adding some vinig to match the C is the other. Not the same color, tho.

I have feathers on my ankle. Two feathers hang from a braided leather strap. In memory of my Grandfather who was Cherokee Indian.

See! A big bag of coincidences.

I have 2 and I've never regreted them. even the one with the name in it (tho it's an in memory of tat not an ex bf or anything). Someday my tattoo artist brother will get to the design on my shoulder blade. He's awesome so he's busy.
Just do it! he gets clients in their 70s & 80s getting ink because they always wanted to & never did.
I think the people who make the impulsive get it now decisions are more likely to regret it. You won't be able to be impulsive with a quality artist because they're booked at *least* a month ahead.

I guess I have to also think about that and learn who's who in tattoos here in my community.

Just make sure you ask to see their portfolio, and if you choose to have them do something, make sure they open the sterilized needle in front of you, and they throw it away when they are done. Too many shoddy artist use the same needle, and that is a big no no!

Ok thanks.

Talk to some people who you see with tats you like. Find out where they got theirs, how much they paid and, if they liked the person and the shop.

I got my feathers because of my grandmother who was 1/2 Blackfoot.

Oh, and I named my dragon, "Uther."

I agree, talk to others with tattoo's. Check to make sure the lines are smooth and even, Make sure the ink is not too deep, it will look smudged if it is.

They say once you get a tattoo, you'll want another.

I have a toe ring I got about 15 years ago, and have been toying with how I want to expand on it. I didn't want a plain ankle bracelet-type tattoo, but have decided on some type of vine, with maybe leaves with my kids' initials or something...

My 19 year old daughter has 4 of them already, they are all highly personal. The last one she got (about a week ago) she got with her best friend. You know how you can buy those little necklaces at the fairs? The broken "best friends" hearts? They each got a tattoo with the half a heart. So if they put their ankles together it makes the whole heart.

So yes! If you want a tattoo, go for it!

Smiley, that is why I have waited until the tender alost 60 age. I wanted it to be very personal and I guess I am a slow bloomer because it has taken this long to sample and sort life's experiences and to get a feel about those that I wanted to remember and keep forever -- thus the kids and grandkids birth colors and the water dragon for me and the two babies this year. Not that I think life is over at 60! I hope more experiences to come. But ----ah...... I don't think not including a hemmorhoid or a knarled inflamed joint (even if a pretty pink) is something I will regret. I figure if ANOTHER grankid comes along (please no!) I can always add another color. Perhaps have the wee dragon toss a few specially colored stars into the air.

Now, there is one great idea, Rosie.

Still waiting to see other tats.

Yes I hope to see some too

I'm sitting here laughing to myself. I saw your thread title and thought to myself, "nope, don't have any tattoos".
A few minutes later..uh, oh wait, I have a massive tribal design across by lower back and hips. I got it when I was 23 and intended on it going down and covering my legs down to my knees. No one would ever see it, I'm a conservative dresser. However a few years later, I started having kids and all money started going to more important concerns in my life.

Moral of the story, it's hard to regret something you forget having. LOL

Who knows, maybe when my kids are grown I'll finish it. It really doesn't seem important to me at the moment.
Yet, I do think I would have regretted not starting it.

My 19 yr old daughter got a large heart across the top of her foot. I hate it.lol Of course I think she's perfect without make-up, hair coloring, or tattoo, so why guild the lily.lol

I don't know how many tattoos my husband has..it's a lot. They are all personal to him, including my name across his heart.
He does have one that makes me uncomfortable, it's around his forearm. His departed grandmother had given him a marble with "Do Unto Others" on it. When he realized that he had lost the marble, he got the tattoo in her memory. To him it represents his grandmother and to live his life by treating people the way he would he would want to be treated. Yet, it doesn't really come across that way to strangers. One, some strangers see it as an open invitation to discuss religion. Two, they see see it has some kind of "vengeance" tattoo.

So in short Missingrosie. If you want it, it won't be misinterpreted, and your mother approves...go for it :0)

And my MIL (63) just got her first tattoo. Three small suns, to represent her three sons :0)

Thanks so much for sharing your stories ( love the sun idea tattoos )
I have stopped looking at my rear view and so I can appreciate you forgetting your tattoos. If I had one under a boob, I think that would be living in the land of the lost for other reasons!

My son has his frat letters on his ankle/calf --- I quit talking to him for a few weeks ( first and last time so far that has happened so that will tell you about my reaction at the time) but now I sort of like it.

What got me thinking again about the tattoo was a young thing with the most beautiful asian style tree limb and flowers across her shoulder and chest. It was so beautiful - soft grays and plums and a wee bit of black. Even in old age I think it would be beautiful. Way too big for me to consider but it was lovely on her.

My hesitation also comes from the fact that I know me.....if I paint a wall - beautifully but there is one wee smudge--- all I can see is the smudge. I don't want a tattoo with a smudge. One of my patients (an old sailor) had nipple tattoos...over one nipple "sweet" and over the other "sour"!

I must be naive, I don't know what that last set of tats is about...not sure I want to know either.lol

I don't think you'll have to worry about a smudge if using a talented artist. Even if there were a mistake (like a blurry line) it can be corrected. The only time I've seen something that really reminded me of a 'smudge' is when tattoos have tried to be remove with laser.

You know, you might try out a few designs and placement with henna. There are always some talented henna artist at street fairs and festivals. A way to 'shop around' some ideas without the commitment :0)

I've tried the henna for that very reason --but these were designs at the ready -- meaning no opportunity for the henna artist to sit and create from an idea --just what was already on the board. I guess at the festivals it is a time issue.

Oh your right, sorry if you mentioned before, I didn't think about the time issue.
We waited in line for what seemed to be forever for my daughter to get a henna tattoo when she was younger. I was making small talk with a woman, she was bald and having a crown of flowers hennaed on her head. She said she was going through chemo and felt unfeminine, it was too hot to wear a hat or wig for any length of time. She was so sweet, and looked so graceful and beautiful, it was hard for me to imagine her looking any more beautiful with hair. Sometimes I'll think of her and hope she's living a long beautiful life.

Then there is my youngest son, who recently came home with a Hello Kitty henna tattoo. Declaring, "only real men can wear Hello Kitty". Him, I worry about.lol

I eager to see what you decide :0)

Sweet and sour...Heh heh heh. I like that.

Cocoa(or is it Lulu?), he's right! LOL!!! I hope that woman is better now. There are some amazing things being down for cancer treatment these days.

It's Lynea, but I'll answer to cocoa or lulu :0)

I looked up the flicker tags for tattoo and flower, some really beautiful work out there. Some of the color combinations reminded me of your Plumeria bloom, I love that!