oboogie

People can do what they like, of course. But try sitting for three days at a tattoo convention paperwork table listening to people wax lyrical about their infinity symbol the size of a dime. It was just funny.
Anyway, we all have our bugaboos, and this is one of mine. You should absolutely feel free to not read this thread. ;-)

So, you have an option?
 

Thanks. You can't go wrong with American traditional! I love it.

Thanks. You can't go wrong with American traditional! I love it.

Congratulations and welcome. But, let me be the first to mention...................pictures are required!!!! lol

I keep coming back to look at your pieces. It gives me inspiration for my next - definitely going traditional.

Hey, all,
I'm Jen, and I'm new round here. I've read a lot of posts here, so I thought I'd join in the banter.
I am a tattoo collector. 90% of mine are by Joshua Henderson at Brainstorm Tattoo in Fayetteville, Arkansas, who I think is crazy talented. I also have been tattooed by Richard Stell, and I'm getting another from him the Oklahoma Tattoo Convention at the end of this month. I'm a big admirer of Richard and Jennifer Stell, who are two of the coolest people I've had the chance to meet. I've been helping Jennifer with proofreading and updating the tattoo convention website. Good times! I guess I'll post a few of my tattoos in subsequent posts.
Thanks for letting me join here, and I hope to become a regular!
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I guess it is a cultural thing because every artist I know would much prefer a cash tip than a "gift," especially if you don't know them very well. *shrug*

I've never seen a tattoo artist decline a tip. Ever. Give him a tip. He has to pay his bills.

@LizBee no one asked you to lift up an other part of your shirt for a better view?

I guess it is because tattoos are so much in the public consciousness, but I don't understand why people feel so comfortable coming up and touching my tattoos, and asking personal questions, completely out of nowhere. This is similar to when I have been pregnant and strangers feel quite comfortable coming up and putting their hand upon my belly. EXCUSE me? I have been stopped in public by strangers and asked to raise the sleeve of my shirt so a better view can be achieved. ????? 
How is this different than if you had a really nice piece of jewelry or outfit on, and I just walked up to you and touched the collar of your jacket or fingered your watch/necklace, asked you where you got it, how much it cost, etc.? How about if you had a nasty scar on your arm and I couldn't quite see the entire thing, and I asked you, a stranger, to raise your shirt sleeve a bit so I could see it all. It would not be acceptable behavior. 
I realize that people assume you have tattoos because you want them to be seen, maybe, and you want to share them with the world, but not necessarily!

How about all those people asking 'should I get this tattoo?' 
If youre asking someone else or even strangers on the internet, you probably shouldn't 

Hello,
I've been reading these boards for a while now and finally decided it was time to join. My name is Nick, I'm, from Long Island and have a few tattoos including a half sleeve and full sleeve in progress. I recently just started the full sleeve with Mike Rubendall from Kings Ave. Needless to say I'm extremely excited and glad to be on here finally.

Very nice collection, I'm new here as well.

I'm new, too. This is a fun place.
Also? This thread title made me giggle. :-)

I guess it is a cultural thing because every artist I know would much prefer a cash tip than a "gift," especially if you don't know them very well. *shrug*

Got my first just a little over a month ago - but at 61, retired Army officer and current college president I'm not in the usual group of folks most people think of getting a tattoo. Mine is not visible unless I'm wearing a sleeveless shirt. As people have learned about my first foray, they've been very positive. I get some of the "why would you do that?" One colleague asked if I was going to start drinking shots of whiskey again/ My response? I never stopped.

Here is a pet peeve: Just got my first visible tattoo. And I really hate all the comments that suggest it is my first one.
"Wow, going big for first tattoo!"
"Wow, when did you decide you wanted a tattoo?"
"Bold choice for your first tattoo!"
 

I think the isolation of living by myself down in Texas right now brought me back to this show since I haven't looked at it really since season 2.  I'm only commenting now to questions Dave's shirt. I have pretty much that same shirt but it is from '88 and says Dag Nasty. Hope those dudes got some credit from whomever made that shirt. 
 

You know what.... TIME shows you either know how to get it done, and you do, or you don't... Oliver is a fast tattooer, he was taught that way. besides a time limit also shows who does stuff out of the comfy zone well and who doesn't...
like the dude that could draw the Fu dog but couldn't tattoo it... I'll watch it, Oliver is family. I'm proud...
side note: pointing out problems with the tattoos educates everyones future clients.... my two cents

Another one (I'm sure a few more will come to me); I find it semi-annoying when someone really wants to know what the tattoos you have "symbolize" or what meaning they have. I guess the old saying is applicable... "I liked the look of this (insert tattoo type), so I got it tattooed". That's usually responded to with "do you think you'll regret that when you're older?" Holy geez. I'm in my 30s, I am a big boy now and my mom told me that I can do anything that I want. She also tells me I'm handsome and special.
But all kidding aside, I've done many other things along the way that I'll regret forever and FAR more than being an inked up grandpa.
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I noticed this weekend at the convention that people with tiny tattoos on their wrist or a small black tattoo outline on their ankle consider themselves tattoo experts. I know they are excited, and they feel part of a club, but dude. You are not an expert because you have an infinity symbol on your wrist or your kid's name written on your ankle. They know EVERYTHING because they have a five-minute $50 tattoo of their sorority name on their wrist or inside of their fingers.  It was hilarious and also very weird. I like that they refer to people without tiny tattoos on their wrists as plainskins. Um, no. Just no.
Also, as an aside, I hate the term "plainskins." I don't judge anyone for not having tattoos. They aren't plainskins. They are just people who don't have tattoos.

I love giving gifts and they've always been well received (Since I'm in the USA I'll tip on top of the gift). Typically I'll only give gifts to tattooers I've seen a few times and have a good rapport with, or if I have a pretty good handle on what they'd like. Things I've given:
-Lots of records
-Documentary on the underground music scene in my area
-Prints that weren't tattoo related but would be up their alley (Haida stuff from western Canada...the real-deal stuff, not the tourist-trap stuff)
-Booze
-Food: my wife and I have brought home-made pies, cookies, even chili once...
As they say, it's the thought that counts. If it's genuine and you're stoked on it, chances are they will be too even if it's not a perfect match. Don't overthink it. If it gets too convoluted, remember that Cash is King. 

The sharpies sound like a nice idea since they are useful and hard to find as you say. I would plan to cash tip on top though.....i have given a gift once but my standard large tip was also offered and accepted at the same time. My gift was maple syrup, since I live where it is made and cheaply available but costs a fortune where the tattoo was done.

I've usually given a cash tip.
Only one artist I've seen more than once I gave a gift.  To which I've given him 2 tattoo machines, custom made business cards with his info on it and a personalized zippo on different occasions.
With regards to to gifts, how bout a bottle of alcohol or business cards custom made with his info on it?