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Mrs Spanner and myself, at the combined age of 105 have just had our first tatts this week.
Always fancied one since I was a kid - I wrote my ideas in a diary and checked a year later to see if the planned images still appealed, but for many years, nothing ever stood the test of time.
Finally settled on mosaic Manchester bees. A link to the city we are proud to have come from and are both still immensely fond.
Lots of recommendations and research later, we finally took the plunge at Border Rose in Littleborough.
Mrs S does not believe in the concept of pain so gallantly, I let her go first.
I was terrified of passing out half way through, but I actually enjoyed it. It's like hill climbing, everything goes numb after a few minutes and the endorphins kick in. 🙂
I liked the sensation and just drifted off.....lovely.
Pete at Border Rose was amazing, explained everything and made sure we were happy with the designs before he started.
The main thing that had stopped me before was the worry that it was going to look awful - a shit arm, bad tattoo scenario*.
We know loads of people who have used him before with great results, but it was still a worry.
Luckily, they've turned out better than we could have expected - a nice interpretation with lots of depth and implied detail, whilst retaining the mosaic look we were after.
Pics after they've healed.
Both planning more.
You?
Favourites?
Regrets?
All pics appreciated, mockery too. 🙂
* Authentic Celtic band....
Good for you; do what you want. There are some very talented tattooists out there.
As for me - never.
I genuinely thought I'd reached the 'never' stage years ago and had convinced myself it wasn't going to happen.
However, I've now reached the '**** it' stage. 🙂
As I get older I find it easier to get a sense of perspective and understanding as to the things that have made me who I am.
Not for me ..I've just never seen the appeal...and at my age never will..
Not for me either. Seems to have become very popular of late with many of the younger generation with full arm tattoos.
Good stuff mate, I got to 43 before I finally decided on what I wanted. That was last easter, and ill be getting another done this Easter.
I didn’t get inked until the dying embers of my forties (always fancied getting something never could decide on what I wanted, scared I’d hate after 6 months).
I found something I liked the look of and found a tattoo I was prepared to trust to do and a design developed (thunderbird/analemma/arrow). There was a fair bit of trepidation but it turned way better than I could’ve hoped for. 5 years on I love it as much as ever.
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After my folks died my brother and his wife said they a couple of buzzards over their house...
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I got another one ~4 months ago, can’t work out how to link IG...
Off to the tattoo shop tomorrow to talk about my next one.
my tats go over top of arm, shoulder and onto my back - from Lionel Fahy @ Out of Step Tattoo. His stuff is for everyone but they're all marmite anyway. Need to go and get more work done on them but he's rarely in the UK so would need to travel and don't have the time.
It's been a good few years since mine were done. Don't regret them one bit. From memory they're rather addictive - I know a good few people who had one, followed by a load more in short order.
@Rusty - can you share your sketches? I'm really interested.
It's strange for me, I was born in MCR and grew up in Rusholme and Stockport. Never felt that much pride or connection but after the Arena bombing that completely changed. (The IRA bomb just helped to tidy up what was a bit of a dump).
I've been anti-tattoo for years but really want a MCR bee tattoo. I'm further conflicted as I give blood.
Can you still give blood after a tattoo?
I've always sort of wanted one but until fairly recently there were definitely 'judgements' made about you socially if you had one and I held back. Then I hit 50 and thought 'sod it, don't care any more' and got this - runs down to my wrist from my elbow. 4 years on and I still like it, which is just as well.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/MuhiiSMoKQzYQbsK7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pqXJK8SFaYrbLqQL9
5 and 1 years old respectively. Been flamed before!
Got some from my young and stupid days.
I'm now old but not quite as stupid.
I was put off them at an early age by my grandad's tattoos, done when he was in the army. They were coloured but by the time he was in his 60s they just looked like a black blob.
I guess being done in India in the 1920s isn't representative of current technology, it's just that the off putting impression of them has stayed and the fact that I've got crap dry skin that wouldn't be conducive to a tattoo.
A tattoo sceptic I know (..ahem😉) didn’t get his first one until he was 57, and he really likes it. I guess it depend on placement, how bothered you are about keeping it covered etc etc, but you’ve always got the option of having the tat put where you can choose to easily keep it covered.
Heres my take on tattoos. People make the mistake of believing that they have to mean something or be symbolic. Nah, its just a drawing on your skin. I spent years trying to think of something meaningful. Once I realised it didn't have to be, I got four tattoos in the next 18 months.
I agree trailwagger - I just wanted a picture of a dragon 🙂
Tattoos aren't for me and generally aren't pro them.
Nobody minds a good tattoo but when you see people getting sunglasses tattoos on their face it's easy to tar a whole community.
Is there a code of conduct for artists? What sane person would tattoo sunglasses on someone's face?
Do the tattooed amongst respect the right of the individual to do whatever they want with THEIR body or think they look like a ****?
My flatmate was learning to tattoo when we were in our late teens and used to practice on me. Fast forward to 2020, I'm 45 and don't take my shirt off at the beach unless it's deserted 😅
I posted on one of these threads before, I have similar to @cynic-al but it's on fire (and on my chest). Actually don't mind that one. At least it's not an authentic Celtic band.
I got a few since then, I just get one or two in each place I live. That's about as symbolic as it gets for me.
Elshamino -think its about 3 months between getting a tattoo and allowed to give blood again (used to be 6 month). Its on the sheet you have to fill in if you want to double check it
Elshamino -think its about 3 months between getting a tattoo and allowed to give blood again (used to be 6 month). Its on the sheet you have to fill in if you want to double check it
4 months.
nothing against them at all but I've just never seen anything that I would like to have imprinted on my skin for ever.
Got mine when I was 40. I’d planned it for a while but a shoulder injury/operation kept getting in the way. I’m more than happy with it and no regrets at all. Still haven’t told my parents though so I have to wear long sleeves when they are around.
nothing against them at all but I’ve just never seen anything that I would like to have imprinted on my skin for ever.
Exactly this. I'm too fickle.
Reading the Tricky autobiography at the moment and he has a whole chapter about how he got his tattoos in Japan when it was just gangsters who had them. Seemed quite bitter that they were a fashionable thing to have now. I think I would've been too if I'd had them back then.
Also, I find back tattoos quite bizarre (my girlfriend has one that she regrets, but I actually like it). Every single person who has a tattoo will say they have it for themselves, right... but they are the only person who can't see their back tattoo, so how is that the case?! 😆
nothing against them at all but I’ve just never seen anything that I would like to have imprinted on my skin for ever.
Just what I was about to type.
Exactly this. I’m too fickle.
Fickle? Could be that. Or maybe I'm just too shallow and have never developed a deep enough connection with anything (or anyone). Bikes is a good example. Lots on here (and folk I know) have bike related tattoos but I just see bikes as a hobby, and one I could tire of tomorrow.
I've got a couple of small ones but have wanted something bigger for years, on my upper arms so it can be covered if necessary.
But, like others on here, I just can't decide what. I have a Pintrest board full of inspiration and other ones that I like but I just can't quite get there.
I flick between something quite geometric and line based to something more natural and forest/mountains based. In fact, typing that I've just realised that I have two arms I can use! One style on each could solve my problem.
Also, I find back tattoos quite bizarre
Completely agree. My wife has a big tattoo on her back. I really like it and see it all the time, but she's never seen it in real life, just in reflections. Seems like a strange way to spend a lot of money.
I have a dog riding a mountain bike on my leg. Not sure you can get any dafter than that but I don't regret it cause it makes me smile. I have loads and loads. I also have a frog riding a penny farthing on my calf.
big yim
Member
I have a dog riding a mountain bike on my leg.
Was the artist trying to draw a sheep?
Every single person who has a tattoo will say they have it for themselves, right…
Woman I work with had her 2 niece's names `in Chinese' on her back "for them".
She doesn't care if the symbols are actually Chinese or whether they say her niece's names (100% guarantee they don't 😁), because she got them done "for them".
Apparently, according to other colleagues this is "nice".
I told other colleagues I got my nipples peirced for my niece and nephew - apparently this is "weird"...
*I didn't really get them peirced "for them" but if I had then it would have (in my mind) actually been less crazy than the non-Chinese name tattoos.
Heres my take on tattoos. People make the mistake of believing that they have to mean something or be symbolic. Nah, its just a drawing on your skin. I spent years trying to think of something meaningful. Once I realised it didn’t have to be, I got four tattoos in the next 18 months.
Aye, agreed, I just wanted something on my skin that I'll still love when I'm older.
I've always loved the mountains since I was a wee fella, canny see that changing.
I saw some lovely tattoos on TV the other day - watching re-runs of Nurse Jackie and this patient had leaves and foliage on her arms - just the sort of art style I love... then they all disappeared and were fake!! I wuz disappoint.
I wanted a tattoo when I was younger but my dad convinced me not to do it. Personally I am glad I listened to him as, although I do see the beauty of some tattoos (and have designed one for a friend), I don't like it when they start to fade and bleed.
Pete - good lad. I look forward to seeing the pics when you post 'em. Regards to Mrs Spanner.
Nobeer - I like that.
I've à small tattoo on my arm, says something personal to me, but I don't really mind if other people aren't bothered about it, or like it overly much.
Been toying with the idea of another, but haven't settled on anything yet.
I've been thinking a lot about NOT having a tattoo, but I'm worried that I'll become a bit of an outcast and rejected by society*
*actually I have a tattoo on my arm from about 18, but my carefully drafted design was traced by a 9 year old and inked by an idiot. 😂
A friend has a pair of crossed kukri's on his forearm.
Had it done in the late 60s in the far east when serving with the Gurkhas.
He says he regrets doing it - he was pissed and in his teens and was talked into it. Caused him bother in later life but never tried to have it removed.
Its old and faded, but its probably the coolest tattoo I've seen.
Tattoos?
Do as you wish it is your body.
No. Not for cosmetic reasons to look good or sentimental value etc.
Only our native head hunters have tattoos in their tradition which is acceptable.
Others will also have tattoos but for religious reasons.
Pete, good on you mate.
cant beat a @**** it attitude as you get older.
I have a few remand school etchings on my body.
Heres my take on tattoos. People make the mistake of believing that they have to mean something or be symbolic. Nah, its just a drawing on your skin. I spent years trying to think of something meaningful. Once I realised it didn’t have to be, I got four tattoos in the next 18 months.
Very much this! I got 3 when I was 18, then after a 21 year gap of not being quite sure what to get I finally went for another. Two years later I have 12 in total and am considering making the call for my next one 😉
Nah, its just a drawing on your skin.
Use a biro then...
@wwaswas dragon tattoos are ace. Han Mosley almost specialises in them 😀 I had no interest in a dragon tattoo until I saw her work, and one of her clients is covering his entire body with them.
check her out on Instagram @mosleytattoos - she's based in Wilmslow so a 25 minute train out of Manchester if that's handy for you.
There are some nice tats out there i suppose, not my cup of tea, but there you go.
Someone I know has tears in the corner of one eye, "candy" above one eyebrow and stars up her neck.
Classy as ***k.
Use a biro then…
That’s what the sole of your slippers for, mainly on a Saturday night.
I saw some lovely tattoos on TV the other day – watching re-runs of Nurse Jackie and this patient had leaves and foliage on her arms – just the sort of art style I love…
You rang?
Loving the mountain range from nobeerinthefridge
Sorry for the long story...but tattoos should always have a backstory if possible.
Had always planned on getting one, but had never got round to it. However, in Jan 2018 I got the news that my older brother had taken his own life.
When we were kids our dad worked for a danish shipping company and we were lucky enough to spend a lot of our childhoods travelling the world listening to all the stories of Viking seafarers from the (mainly stoned) Danish sailors. I'm not a religious person, but when he died I felt more comfortable thinking of his passing in terms of mythology than religion so I bought two pendants of Thor Hammers with Hugin & Munin on - who were supposed to escort Viking warriors to the gates of Valhalla. I gave one to him, which he was cremated with and I kept the other (I wear it daily).The months after his death were understandably awful.
He was a tree surgeon and had a lot of friends in the local area who arranged to have a tree planting ceremony in a local country park in his honour. On the way there my mum told me a story about how she'd started believing in spirit animals and reincarnation since his death and that on the way out of his inquest a squirrel had followed her up the road squeaking at her and she had a real feeling that was him. During the ceremony one of his workmates spoke about him and how they had nicknamed him Squirrel because of his climbing ability. Mum looked quite shocked but was really happy with that.
A month later she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and 4 months later she died in a hospice. The next morning my wife took my son down to the park and she had a yellow butterfly following her around and it wouldn't leave her alone. The conversation started with "You remember that squirrel story? Well...".
The next day my niece came to stay and we were surprised to hear her refer to a butterfly as "papillon" (she was 7 at the time). I asked her where she had heard this and she told me it was from my mum as a butterfly was her favourite animal. I asked her what was her favourite colour. Obviously it was yellow.
Later on that year I got the pendant tattooed on my upper arm, with a woodland background - with a squirrel and a butterfly to remember my now lost birth family. Had it for 4 months now and like it more each time I look at it.
Lovely story Scott, thanks for taking the time to post that. 👏🏻
Had it for 4 months now and like it more each time I look at it.
That's a nice tattoo.
On top of the head of the Viking is the symbol Ægishjálmur (‘helm of awe’) not Vegvísir (protection symbol - ‘guidepost’ or ‘direction sign’) or Hulinhjálmur (‘helm of disguise’) as they look rather similar. I used to have Ægishjálmur as my screen saver, avatar for few years ...
The next morning my wife took my son down to the park and she had a yellow butterfly following her around and it wouldn’t leave her alone.
In the far east after a person passing the next few days would be something out of the ordinary appearing at home like butterfly or giant moth or deep forest insect appearing at home where it is not common. The belief is that such insect is the spirit of the person coming home to say goodbye etc. The one thing that is out of the ordinary for us in the far east is that the insect is huge. I mean the size of our two hands but that is in the far east perhaps due to the tropical forest.
Loving the mountain range from nobeerinthefridge
I'm currently suing him for copyright infringement 😂
Same tattoo artist, I got mine first though😉
And rounding out the trio, Isla Short the XC racer again visited the same artist for something very similar.
In my head we're actually long lost siblings with magic powers. One day we'll reunite and harness the collective power of our tattoos😂
@wwaswas
Nice.
Are yours Chinese or Japanese dragon? The former is 5 claws while that latter 4.
Lol @ Bob! 😂🤣
You rang?
Sorry, nothing like that 😀
Love the mountains, I want something similar I think. Scott's story is amazing, don't believe in spirits an' stuff, but lordy... 🤔
Chewkw - thanks. And thanks for tbe extra info. Really nice to know.
People make the mistake of believing that they have to mean something or be symbolic.
I agree. While I don't blame those who have tattoos that mean something to them, ultimately it's a form of art and not all art has meaning. I have a Samoan half sleeve on my leg and a Japanese full sleeve/chest too, not because they mean something but because I like them.
inked by an idiot
You sure it wasn't Stevie Wonder?
Spent years watching various tattoo programs on the telly and built up a pretty good image of what I liked but was always too nervous of ending up with a shit tattoo that I never bothered....until I hit that cliche age of 40 and went for it!
Had this done yesterday, something I've been procrastinating over for a while.
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David Barry @ Ultimate Skin, Leeds.
We had a good chat about covering some very old, quite poor tattoos as well.
I've got loads of tattoos, all in the American trad style. I don't worry about them dating as trad tattoos have been a thing for well over a century in pretty much the same form.
#boldwillhold
I don't buy in to tattoos having meaning, just get what you like. That said, every respect to those who do attach meaning.
Had some “indian ink” (diy) back when I was an arsehole in the 70’s , had then lasered off about 6 year ago which is the best thing i ever done. So now I’m tattoo free but my youngest daughter is covered in then including a forehead tattoo , she gets away with it as she is a tattooist plus she can cover it with her fringe although she never does .
I have really liked the idea of a particular idea ifor ages and the wish to get it done is still there. I've also found a couple of artists whose work is stunning and I think could deliver the style I'd want.
Roughly what are the rules on healing up? Or more accurately how long before I can pull a wetsuit over it and go sailing 😁
Three years ago I was firmly in the why the hell would I do that category. Mrs G-d has got some very pretty flowers done on her foot. I want something a little less discreet but still capable of concealment under a shirt with sleeves half rolled up.
Heres my take on tattoos. People make the mistake of believing that they have to mean something or be symbolic. Nah, its just a drawing on your skin. I spent years trying to think of something meaningful. Once I realised it didn’t have to be, I got four tattoos in the next 18 months.
They don’t have to have any real significance, but it’s always nice to have some sort of personal connection with the chosen design - any muppet can go to a tattooist’s studio, point at a piece of flash and say ‘I’ll have that one, please’ just to say they’ve got a tattoo. Most of mine have significance; I have a winged heart with a single chainring around the heart on my shoulder, two Ogham script tats, one that says ‘This too shall pass’, around my right wrist, the other, around my lower right leg, says ‘Can’t ride for shit’, I have a stylised clenched fist on wheels on my right wrist, ‘Bikopeli’, which is Kokopeli, the Anasazi trickster spirit on a mountain bike on my left arm, and a stylised hare based on the Uffington White Horse Neolithic hill figure near Wantage.
I have two more planned, a quote from Aldous Huxley, that says “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
The other is a pair of ravens, representing Hugin and Munin, Odin’s messengers, who travelled the world bringing news of what is happening back to Odin. That choice isn’t because of any Nordic fascination, it’s more to do with their names, which translate as ‘Thought’ and ‘Memory’.
And it’s the Valkyrie who escort fallen warriors back to Valhalla.
Good stuff mate, I got to 43 before I finally decided on what I wanted.
That looks great!
And it’s the Valkyrie who escort fallen warriors back to Valhalla
Yes, you are right. I was writing I'm a hurry. There ravens represent Odin's welcoming to Valhalla.
I’ve one tattoo, the Thin Lizzy Chinatown dragon face. I’m a welsh boy who has been in HK for 25 years. Carry on
I always wanted a tattoo, but never thought what to have or where but when my best mate passed away it gave me a reason to have one. Nice to know he's still with me when I go biking - 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pMk4xM9KoYfQyjht6
Raven wings for Odin's ravens, Hugin and Munin. Some say they represent mind and spirit as Odin would enter a trance like state and use the raven to fly and observe the realms.
Mjolnir was a cover up for an early tattoo and continues the Viking theme.
After being made redundant at the end of last year I decided to treat myself to my first tattoo, combining two of my favourite things.
Are yours Chinese or Japanese dragon? The former is 5 claws while that latter 4.
Imperial dragons have five claws, ordinary dragons four. Having five toes/claws means the dragon can read a book, drink cups of tea, and write to his friends. Also, the Imperial dragon is black, which is where Oolong Tea gets its name from, Black Dragon tea.
Having five toes/claws means the dragon can read a book, drink cups of tea, and write to his friends.
My late uncle had dragon tattoo but he was a local triad member when he was young. I still recall the day he showed his tattoo to my grandparents 😀
Thanks for all the replies folks.
Have to say I like 99.9% of the tatts posted so far and it's been extremely interesting reading all your views.
Just back from a weekend in Wales and taken the wrapping off.
Most of the dried blood and excess ink has been washed off and tbh I'm well chuffed.
It's a Manchester Bee - not at all lifelike, a symbol, but with a nice twist.
Very happy.
There's a lot less snobbery about these days - step daughter is a doctor and along with many of her colleagues are enthusiasts. They've never had any predjudice or negativity.
I have ideas for the next one - a stained glass window from Gorton Baths is favourite, maybe a Gerald Brocklehust portrait, possibly something Pre Raphaelite.
Pics when this has fully healed and updates down the line. 😀
Thanks folks.
@BoardinBob love love love the leaves.
@smudge just glorious. I'd love to think that a friend might have a tat in memoriam of me after I pass, rather than them just think "thank god that argumentative prick has shuffled off..." (-: What a beautiful thing to do, I'm blown away.
I've always wanted a tattoo but never quite worked out what, and now I think I might have an idea thanks to this thread so thank you Rusty. #WheresTheGoddamnPics?
A pleasure.🙂
I don't have a pic account but I promise I'll sort something once it looks it's best.
The theme is definitely going to be Manchester related.
I'm seriously tempted by a Lowry portrait on the other arm... .
Possibly one of the 'Ann' images.
And a version of this on my back would be lovely......
.......the Angel Of Purity at Victoria Baths.
Along with the bee, both images I've thought about for a few years.
Let's see how I get on with with the bee first 🙂
Rusty, did you keep the clingfilm on all weekend? Or just ‘covered’ to catch the ink/crap? I’ve always been told to take the cf off ASAP and get it washed...
After my initial one the second happened relatively soon 9-10 months. #3 took another 3 years. #4 will be in April...
Not sure if this will work but here’s #3...
I was told to keep the CF on for a couple of hours and to keep clean, and not swim or partake in any activity that might make me sweat for a few days (no cycling).
Aye, Me too, no sweating for a week, and a lot of bepanthen.
I've seen a pic at the weekend of my favourite mountain from an angle that would really transfer well to a tatt.
Hoping my man has space in the diary for Easter!.
metalheart
Subscriber
Rusty, did you keep the clingfilm on all weekend? Or just ‘covered’ to catch the ink/crap? I’ve always been told to take the cf off ASAP and get it washed…
I kept it on for five days!
I realise this is contrary to most of the opinion out there, but the shop suggested keeping it on as long as possible.
They used Inksafe as a covering and it's worked very well.
All looking fine now, no itching, it seems to have healed perfectly. I'm just using a tattoo moisturiser on it every few hours.
Hoping my man has space in the diary for Easter!.
He's a nightmare at responding to messsages