I need ideas for my tattoo

DesertFlower · #1 (**permalink**) 09-09-2007, 02:35 PM

I'd like to get a tattoo, I think, and I know what I want it to represent - but I'm not sure what I want to incorporate into the design, exactly.

I'm thinking of a candle, perhaps, but a candle made of something symbolising love, like... well, I have no idea actually, and something symbolising strength. The idea being, You need love and strength to give your light to the world.

Does anyone have any ideas for things to represent love and strength? Or different ideas for light - it doesn't have to be a candle.

Also I have no idea where to put it. Is there pros and cons for different areas on the body for tattoos? More pain? More likely to change chape over the years? Stuff like that... I have no idea about tattoos really.

Also I'm kind of attracted to the idea of a tattoo that symbolises female strength, but I shan't get that one until I feel I have found my womanhood... I'm searching for that still, but when it comes, I want to celebrate with a permanent symbol of feminine power.

Wilma · #2 (**permalink**) 09-09-2007, 04:09 PM

For my tattoos i spend time searching google imagines and just putting in phrase words etc and see what comes up, then once i have found some bits that i like i try and do them in a line drawing so that its personalised. The other idea is get some images and actually go to a Tattoo artist and see what they come up with?? good luck, after a few months of looking a searching i have found the mix of images i want for my next tat now its just a matter of drawing them.

maya'smama · #3 (**permalink**) 09-09-2007, 06:28 PM

hey desert flower,
are you still breastfeeding?
i got a tattoo a few months ago- my second- to mark the birth of my daughter and my own coming into motherhood. for me it felt important, and i won't say i regret it, but i have been concerned since reading about the possible toxic efects of tattoo ink making it into breastmilk... seems not much research done, but many breastfeeding mums reckon it's best to wait...
but of course it's all up to you- and maybe you're not bf now anyway!

so, as to design, i say wait. it will come to you. mine both have. think about it but don't worry too much, it will come.
have fun!
:-) cat

DesertFlower · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 12:34 PM

Nope, I'm not breastfeeding.

I kind of agree with you that it will come to me, but I'm impatient

and I think talking about it helps to alleviate that some.

I like the idea of drawing my own but I'm not sure I'll be able to... I don't know if my artsy-ness goes that far. But there's no harm in trying, so I should probably at least do some random sketches.

I have a tiger stuck in my head as the symbol for strength, but I'm pretty sure I'd rather have something more in line with my idea of my own strength, so more feminine, I guess...

Can tattoo people do light? So that it looks like things are surrounded in light? That's probably a dumb question, but there you are. I'm a tat newbie, I admit it.

Oh, and a google search is definitely in order.

mumma+me · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 02:29 PM

Just personally, I went with a geisha samurai mix (female with weapons). I.e stereotype female with stereotype male symbol of strength. I get it in my head, no idea if it translates.

Anyway, my point being that I saw exactly what I wanted out of the zillions of designs my tattoo artist had on display. Have you thought of looking at designs your tattoo artist has to inspire you and give you ideas of what they can do? Oh, and I went for shoulder blade. I didn't have to watch and I can choose to show it or cover it very easily. Good luck, it's fun!

**raifaerie** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 02:30 PM

hey, just something to keep in mind too is the size and amount of detail.... the more detail there is, the bigger the at will have to be to do it justice. i never ended up getting one as the design i was passionate about had to be way too big for my liking, and then i was ttc, and then preg and now bfeeding, soooo maybe one day ill think about it again

DesertFlower · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 03:18 PM

I *might* like to go to see a tattoo artist and look at designs, but A)they're people, and people = scary, so... need to muster up some courage there and B)probably the nearest one is in Mandurah, I'm guessing, and we don't get there very often... but maybe next time we go in to buy lentils we can stop off at some tattoo places. I shall ask DH.

I think I want to be able to see it, so although I like the idea of back/shoulder blade, I'd like it to be more in-my-face. I bet doing it on the undersides of your wrists really hurts, huh?

I have this picture in my head of a woman with crossed wrists on my wrists, so that I can hold up my wrists, crossed, and see her doing the same thing and kind of have everything I have bestowed on her become me at the same time... I don't know if I've explained that properly, but basically a reminder... and it would look uber cool. But, I hadn't thought about the size/detail thing. Perhaps that would be too small to have the appropriate detail...

Ahh, I need to go look at some tattoos.

I wonder if I'll actually go through with it.

mumma+me · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 03:27 PM

Um, unless you ask DH to take a quick course in tattooing you're going to need to get comfy with a tattooist at some stage

so why not start with the looking/asking/not commiting to anything yet to get comfy.

Mandurah prob is the closest for you. I have no one to recommend - sorry - mine was done by an awesome guy in Geraldton.

Wrist thing sounds great - I think I follow you, but does sound painful.

tanby · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 03:41 PM

When i think of the ultimate "strength" i think of water and all its powers..... we come from water, made from water, nourishes us, its ability to be flexible, dynamic. I would try incorporating the image of water in there somehow.

DesertFlower · #10 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mumma+me

Um, unless you ask DH to take a quick course in tattooing you're going to need to get comfy with a tattooist at some stage

so why not start with the looking/asking/not commiting to anything yet to get comfy.

Hmm... how long does it take for someone to learn that stuff, anyhow? No, I'm kidding. You're right, of course... Especially because I can take DH with me to do all the talking, and just brief him on the questions I need asked beforehand.. And I could have a couple of shots before I go... yay for bottled courage... oh that makes me sound horrid. Change of subject!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanby

When i think of the ultimate "strength" i think of water and all its powers..... we come from water, made from water, nourishes us, its ability to be flexible, dynamic. I would try incorporating the image of water in there somehow.

You have just given me the Greatest Idea of All Time. Thank you. It never even occurred to me to incorporate the elements into my tattoo, although when I was a kid I actually designed myself a tattoo of a pentagram, and in one section there was a fire design, with flames and tigers and things, and then there was watery things in another section, and air and so on, and I think maybe stuff like cats and eyes in the other sections, all very symbolic and pretty. But I don't want a pentagram anymore.

The elements though... Water is strong, as is fire and all of the natural elements... and while connoting strength, they also symbolise balance, and connection to the basic nature, and all of those wonderfu things that i can't believe didnt occur to me to put into the tattoo.

I wish I had my sketch pad with me, to try some of this stuff out. I'm so bad at drawing water and fire though... hmm... well, I can just draw outlines and label it 'water' for showing to someone later so they can draw it properly.

Oh, I'm excited now!

I think I need two though - the woman on the wrists, and the elemental-light-giving one.