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Terolyn
Member
05-06-2004
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 8:10 am
I have an 8 x 12 piece of "St Theresa & the Angel" on my left thigh. Took 6 hours. I did it for my friend who is an amazing artist in Richmond. This was my first and only tattoo. I did it at a convention (right in front of God and everybody)and you just kinda get numb in a weird way. The worst part was the lower backside of the thigh, just above the inner knee. I had a baseball hat on and just pulled it down over my eyes and cried in my head. 
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 3:06 pm
Terolyn, that part of the inner knee is similar in feeling as the inner part of your upper arm; it is very sensitive. Your tattoo choice sounds wonderful; I hope you happy with the end result.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Friday, December 30, 2005 - 12:18 am
Shadoe, that was me with the one on my chest. Because of where it was, I had to sit with my head and one shoulder thrown back and after about 20 minutes my body was screaming to get up and stretch and shake. It took probably twice as long as it would have with no breaks (and us catching up on what we'd been doing the last 7 or 8 years) but it was physically exhausting to sit in that position for very long. Plus I'm totally excited to be there getting tats so I have to force myself not to bounce in the chair which is also kinda tiring.
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Friday, December 30, 2005 - 3:57 am
All I can say is No Pain; No Gain. The end result is always so worth it to me; I love my ink. You really need the breaks to catch your breath and unclench your body so you can continue, but they seem to have been put to good use in your case with catching up.
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 5:57 pm
I've scheduled my tattoo for this Friday. I was quoted $125 & 1 hour of work. The tattoo is going to be about silver dollar size and on my right hip. Does this price sound high to you? And if not, what makes it so expensive?

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Irishtxgrl
Member
12-07-2005
| Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 9:31 pm
it sounds really high to me...is that a pic of what your getting usually the price goes up for color but if that is it then that is only 3 colors so it doesn't make a lot of since....i have one on my shoulder about that size with four colors a butterfly and it only cost me $35 and the work is great...as a matter of a fact i have two more only two colors in each of them and they were $35 and $40
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 3:54 am
Vacanick, that price is not high at all. Always remember: A good tatt ain't cheap, and a cheap tatt ain't good. Depending on the shop and the artist, prices vary widely. I know of one shop that charges based on size alone. They have a grid which they place over the item you want tattooed and base their price on the number of grid squares. Your heart could have been empty, solid black, or 16 different colors; the price would not change at that shop. Most places have a minimum charge of something like $60 or $75 so they can cover their own expenses. It would not matter if you want just a single dot, you pay the minimum. Many places charge an hourly rate which can vary. I have heard of anything from $125 up to $500 or even more, depending on the tattooist. Some artists are booked for months ahead, or may not even take bookings. Some are so good that they can pick and choose. I know of people who communicate and arrange with some tattooists to travel many miles for their appt. You can also find some places that charge on 1/2 or full days if you are getting a larger tattoo. The place I go to now charges $125/hour or $300 for 1/2 day (4hours). I asked the owner who does my work how come his rates are so low. His reply was that I am here because I want to be, am more interested in doing the best work I can, and why bother soaking the customers of their cash. I had a problem with my 2nd sitting and lasted about an hour when we had to stop. When I went back to finish his work, he did not charge me for that last sitting because he said I had paid for my 4 hours the last time. He may be a great artist, but he is a lousy businessman. You can call around to some other shops and tattooists for their price lists but the cost is the least of your worries. If you do call some places, ask them about size, colors, time, and whether different artists at the shop have different rates. You can expect to be paying less for 'the new guy' than you would if you make an appt with the owner and have to wait months to get in. You want to see the artist's past work, you want to ensure the shop is following proper tattoo shop health standards, and you want to feel a sort of connection with the tattooist doing the work. Ink is for life so don't go for cheap. Go for good work that you will still love in 40 years from now.
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 5:14 am
Thank you Shadoe for all your information! I am keeping my appointment on Friday & am very happy with my artist choice. I've seen her work and when I ask who to go to her name comes up over and over again. I feel confident with my choice and am excited about getting this done! I'll post a picture of the finished product Friday night!!!! 
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 5:36 am
I have a thorny rose on my ankle that I got when my daughter turned 18 and wanted to rebel and get a tattoo... so I rebelled with her. I am thinking about getting a small purple butterfly somewhere celebrating my 2 year anniversary of sobriety. The butterfly is a symbol of sobriety and the amythest is the stone of sobriety... the only thing I have to decide is where I want it....
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Saxywildcat
Member
05-30-2005
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 5:51 am
Just another note about my tattoo. I know I mentioned something about it in my update. Mine cost me 90 and if I remember, it took about 45 minutes. I got mine out on Long Island when I was home with husband (we weren't married last Christmas yet.. lol). I didn't do any searching around for different artists, but, my sister-in-law had had 4 tattoos done at that place, the last 3 done by the same guy and she really liked him. I *did* look at his other work before I made a final decision though. I think that checking out their work is a very good idea. Lots of luck on F riday, Vac! RG, GL finding a place to put the butterfly. Do you want it visible?
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 6:05 am
Resortgirl, I would say to take your time about the butterfly tattoo and where to put it. I would suggest looking at some sites online such as bmezine.com for some butterfly ideas. Maybe by seeing some other butterfly tattoos, you will see a specific one with the blue you want. At the same time, you may be able to picture it in a spot on you. There are so many varieties of butterflies that it's hard to suggest a spot. I have to say that this tattoo will have incredible meaning and importance to you, so take your time. There is no reason why you cannot mention your idea to your tattooist because they have done several tattoos of similar importance. Once you have found a few you like, print them out and arrange for a consultation.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 7:44 am
Kool idea Rg.
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Irishtxgrl
Member
12-07-2005
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 1:25 pm
Shadoe...I think you make some great points however all my tatts are the same size as the pic above and did not cost me a fortune. Both artists I used have been in buisness for over 20 years and are running their shops above standard in their paractices. I think if you do your research you can find someone great who isn't going to fleece you out of too much money and it also may depend on how much work you want done as well. I was informed by both artists that is does depend on color because black ink does not cost them as much as colors do and neither artisit used any kind of grid to determine price with my tatts. Hope it works out and you have a great experience!!
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 2:12 pm
Irishtxgrl - I know that the grid use is an odd one; that's why I mentioned it. Through my experiences with ink, I have seen quite a range in prices and their calculations. I have to say that I really don't have many small tattoos the size that Vacanick posted; mine are quite large. I refer to them as works in progress. You are correct about shopping around for the price. It's not the most important to me though. If you go to some of the tattoo conventions, you may have an opportunity to get something done by the likes of Paul Booth or Pat Kelly, but only if you are willing to plan ahead making your appt and be prepared to hand over a bit more cash than at the normal parlor. There was one show I attended where I met a fellow from the Maritimes. He had two complete drawings he wanted done and came to Toronto to track down Pat Kelly for one and some other big name for the other. He tracked down Pat and literally begged her to do his tattoo. She looked at the art and told him OK but only because the artwork intrigued her - she was already booked solid for the entire show but she fitted him in. The style you want will have to be considered when you come to selecting your artist. If you want celtic, you don't want to go to someone whose strength is tribal or something. The same goes for portraits - you want to go to an expert in portraits for sure. My first sitting for the below is Jan21st The size will be about half my back.
Below is my right side almost completed in December

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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 2:22 pm
Oh my goodness Shadoe ... your back is beautiful! What do the Chinese symbols say?? And my tattoo will not be as small as the picture I posted. It will actually be about silver dollar size.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 2:24 pm
I have a tiny one on my chest that cost $60 I think in Vegas. That was the minimum price I believe and it has 3 colors but neither color is as much as the one you're getting V.
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 3:16 pm
Vacanick, the Kanji is my grandmother's name with her birth and death dates underneath. The tattoo is dedicated to her. It runs from my hipbone and over my ribcage. Make sure you get a picture of your tattoo to show us once you are done. I am sure it will look great!
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 6:44 pm
Thank you for the advice Shadoe. I will definitely do some research. I know that butterflies are kind of cliche, but I like em! And this one would have a very specific meaning to me. Rebirth, Renewal..... Here is a picture I found of how I think I would like it to look. Some things a bit different but in this style

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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 7:14 pm
that is a very nice butterfly. it's a good start to take with you too. If you want some changes to the colors, see if you can find another few pictures to take with you. Most times, the artists can trace your item and then make some changes to the tracing to be exactly what you want. Always remember that what others think of your choice, it must have meaning to YOU. Each and every one of mine has significance to me and are representative of parts of my life journey.
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 7:30 pm
I thought I would show you one of my favorite butterfly tattoo pictures.

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Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - 10:09 pm
Two of them look like moths. But cool concept. It would be very cool to just keep adding butterflies every year or whatever. RG, I like your butterfly!! I like what it represents to you too! Very special indeed.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 12:32 am
And in the wing of your butterfly is an "R" for resortgirl or resourceful 
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 5:20 am
Shadoe, those are very cool butterflies! I'm thinking about putting mine on the inside of my wrist so "I" can see it, and then it will remind me of how far I've come. I don't want a large one, probably between a quarter and fifty cent piece. I wonder how much detail they can get in that small of one. Another idea is to put it by the rose I already have. I guess part of the reason I chose the rose is because although the rose is beautiful, the thorns hurt! And that's what I felt about myself then... pretty thorny! But that one I can't see unless I do a yoga position! LOL! Oh, well... I've got a few months before it's time to do it...
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Irishtxgrl
Member
12-07-2005
| Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 6:30 am
LOVE LOVE LOVE the butterflies very beautiful....I guess I get to be apart of the cliche group then cause I have a butterfly on my left shoulder....my tatts are my own personal pieces of art and each one means something to me. Mine aren't big cause well they just aren't...he he he. The butterfly is supposed to symbolize freedom as well and at that juncture in my life I was starting a new journey so that is it's meaning for me. The clover on my ankle is for two reasons...one, I am Irish and then it has the names of all three of my girls' and says "My Angels" cause that is what I call them ....on their good days ha ha ha. The celtic one on my chest was originally green shaded with yellow in the artists book (so this is where I agree with Shadoe again on another point most artists will adapt a tatt to be what you want so change away when it comes to color)but purple is my color so I changed that ahead of time.
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 6:39 am
I love the butterflies as well. My friend got a beautiful butterfly and tribal symbol on her lower back and a butterfly each on the top of her feet. She looks so pretty in flip flops!!!! Irishtxgrl, I love the celtic symbolism! I may have to get a clover for my Irish son. I'm doing the same kind of thing with my tattoo. The Union Jack is for my English mum who passed away almost 3 years ago and I love that it's inside a heart. I thought about putting her name in it but I'll know what it's for. Resortgirl, I love the idea of the butterfly on the inside of your wrist so that you can look at it. It's a wonderful idea!
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