Tattoo recommendations

[batskeets]

Yeah, I know, there was a post on damnportlanders like two days ago about this, but I know a lot of you have had work done. For something like this, I value recommendations from y'all, whom I know and trust, far more than those from some random jackass on DP.

So, if you don't mind sharing:
1) Who did/do you go to for tattoo work? Thumbs up or down?
2) How much did it cost? Was your piece big or small? Since mine would be small, is there a minimum rate?
3) If I want to have this work done within a week or two of July 6th, how far in advance do I need to book with this person?
4) I'm thinking of having the work done in the waist-to-hip region, either on the lower back or lower abs. Is this location on the body going to hurt like hell?

Thanks so much, my lovelies. :) Now, off to face the day... of the DEAD! (hurhurhur snort)

Comments

[phasmaphobic.livejournal.com]

we should talk about this in person tonight at the prom!

[sarapada.livejournal.com]

1) The place I went is no longer open - my friend Cylia just got two AMAZING tattoos from Pedro at Optic Nerve.
2) This was about ten years ago, so I don't remember exactly, but I feel like it was less than $100 - maybe $75-$80?. Mine is fairly small (about the size of a half-dollar), and I do seem to remember that it was a minimum fee.
3) We actually walked in the day of, and they gave us a time to come back later that night.
4) Mine is on my lower back, and it barely hurt - I could tell something was going on, but only the lowest-pain-threshold person would be unable to deal with it. I don't think the lower abs would be bad, either - what I've always heard is that it hurts the most where there is the least muscle/fat to cushion it.

Hmm.

[kitfalbo.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I'd recommend that spot simply because any body chances can stretch or shrink the tattoo in that spot even if they are minor and even leave it distorted if returned to same size. I don't know where the best spot would be if you want a tattoo to maintain appearance into old age, but I can't imagine research into that would be too difficult.

I suspect shoulders and ankles.

Re: Hmm.

[skeets.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's true! I have pretty bony shoulders and *really* bony ankles, though, so from what I'm told, that would hurt like hell...

Thanks for bringing that up, though; at the very least, I can go with lower back and have a better chance than if I did it in the abs region :)

Re: Hmm.

[sarapada.livejournal.com]

Yeah, one of the main reasons I chose to get mine on my lower back is that I figured shrinkage/stretching would be a minimal concern there.