ItsNewport

That sounds rad as hell @ItsNewport!! I'm sure he'll be super stoked on something like that. I can also guarantee you that Marius will want to go as large as you'll let him. He's known for being very persuasive, hehe.

I should be home that weekend, so let's hang out. I might be free to drive you around to some of the tourist spots on Sunday if you want. Most shops are closed on Sunday though, but museums, restaurants and bars should be open. Will you be traveling by yourself?

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Oh, and I know that Nico, Morten and Hanse primarily does walkins on tuesdays, wednesdays and thursdays at Blue Arms Tattoo. I think they're closed on sundays though.

I will be travelling alone so it would be awesome to be shown around a little, i wouldn't like to put you out though!

Man, this could end up being huge if Marius is as persuasive as you say. I'm certainly not the type to tell a tattooer to go smaller. Fuck it, if you're gonna do it you may as well do it right!

Awesome @ItsNewport!! What are you getting, and how big are you going? Tobacco prices in Norway are most likely the most expensive in the world (no joke!). I'm not familiar with golden virginia being sold anywhere here either.

I'd love to meet up while you're here dude. Keep me posted!

Going pretty big to be honest, i've got my whole back (and arse if required) to fill, so i'm interested to see what Marius comes up with to fill the space. Gonna be some sort of battle royale, definitely want an eagle included so thinking eagle/snake most likely, maybe a skull in there for good measure if it all works together. Honestly though i just love his work, so i'm trying to go in to it with as vague an outline as possible to just let him run with it.

Will definitely keep you posted, i'm going to be in Oslo from the 13th, appointment is on the 15th then i'll head back home fairly early the next day. I have no plans on the saturday/sunday so if you are around at all on either of those days, count me in.

And thanks for the baccy info, definite no go! At least that means i won't have to change up quite as much money.

I don't smoke either, but @Iwar recently told me that tobacco prices are pretty crazy there (as compared to the US).

I thought this might be the case! Luckily for my bro and dad i'll be in France in January, so they'll just have to pay full price until then

Oh and i almost forgot, what is the price of tobacco like out there? Specifically pouches of golden virginia (is it even available in Norway?!)

I don't smoke but my brother and father always insist on loading me up like a god damn drug mule every time i go abroad, so if i don't find out prices i may be excommunicated from the family

OK so not strictly a get together thread, more a me-being-lazy-and-asking-you-guys-for-info-rather-than-googling kinda thread, but bare with me please!

I've got an appointment with Marius Meyer to start a back piece on December 15th (monday). I'm planning to fly in on the Saturday prior to check out some of what Oslo has to offer. Any hints and tips for things i absolutely should see and do? I'd maybe like to swing by blue arms to pick up a little something but i'm not sure about that yet, how are they for walk ins? Also any advice on which airport i should fly in to would be great, i gather they all have good bus/train connections to norway but any local information would be appreciated.

Obviously, if any of you are around that weekend and feel like showing an English dude around, i'd be happy to meet up with you!

Worst part of the healing process is being unable to swim. Hate not being able to start my mornings that way

Elbow is itching like a prostitute's nether regions at the moment. Tonight i have kickboxing practice for the first time since being tattooed, so i'd say the odds of catching a kick/punch there during sparring are at least 99%

I'm surprised how well my leg tattoo is healing. With past tattoos I've removed the wrap after 4 hours and then dry-healed whilst cleaning it 2-3 times per day. This one I left the wrapping on for 12 hours (tattooist's recommendation) and have barely got any scabbing so far. Not sure if it's because it's a less meaty area or what, but I'm happy.

I've never found my leg to be too bad, aside from quite a lot of swelling. I guess different people react differently so maybe i've been lucky in that regard.

Holy shit that backpiece is ridiculous! Congrats on the prize and having that incredible piece of art on you.

Damn @Russ way to raise the bar there!

I saw a guy who just got a panther/rose piece from Paul as i was being tattooed, thing looked so fucking solid!

Yeah, but good for them! FST is obviously fantastic, but the ultimate goal in life is progression, and as long as you aren't burning a bridge or opening up across the street, it can be a good thing. Frith Street is still solid, and it isn't like they will probably never sit in there from time to time.

Oh absolutely! That probably came across negative and i didn't want it to at all, it's awesome to see people starting new things and branching out on their own.

Just got my elbow done this past weekend. This is going to blow

Looks like Valerie Vargas & Stewart Robson are opening up a new shop soon: Modern Classic Tattoo | Coming Soon!

Man Frith Street is being gutted lately! First frank and sarah, now stewart and valerie!

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perhaps Flash from the Bowery: Classic American Tattoos, 1900-1950: Cliff White: 9780764339288: Amazon.com: Books ?

That's the one! I knew my shitty description would be enough for someone here to figure it out, thanks man.

No photos from the convention unfortunately as my phone is being something of a bastard at the moment :/

Managed to get a walk up from Forrest from Cobra Custom, filled in a spot on my elbow that i've had open for far too long. Really nice dude (as were all the spider murphy's guys, Jeremy in particular was hilarious) and obviously a solid tattooer. I'll throw a pic on as soon as i figure out how the hell you take a good pic of a tattoo on your own elbow! So if any of you guys saw the dude getting his elbow tattooed around 1 o'clock onwards on Saturday, that would be me.

Got to meet Freddy Corbin briefly while i was being tattooed, spoke to Ed Hardy, again briefly as he was very much in demand. Other than that i kinda kept myself to myself this year and took it all in, had a great time just shuffling around from place to place looking at all the incredible work on display.

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I wish i could remember the name of the american tattoo flash book Forrest brought with him, it was utterly ridiculous. He told me it was a book you could flip open to any page and find something brilliant, and he was absolutely right.

All i recall is it mentioned something about American tattoo flash up to the 50s or so and had a kinda beige hard back cover (vague i know, sorry.)

Definitely! I'll be instagramming it up - username is @ Chambers.

So you're the sickeningly handsome chap who just followed me! Another beard i have to be envious of

Reminder that you all should be taking lots of photos and sharing them here or on instagram. Thank you.

I'll be taking a few pictures i'm sure, instagram is the same as my username here.

Seeing some good shots pop up already from @jade1955

I'm totally up for meeting up with any LSTers on the saturday!

Hey @ThatGuy, I'd love to get a sneak peek of your back at the convention if you don't mind?

Seriously considering asking Valerie to do mine once I decide what I want.

I don't blame you, that backpiece is out of this world.

I feel like less of a man now. I'm gonna have to watch some Clint Eastwood movies tonight to feel better about myself.

Incredible piece, i've been all but convinced to contact Marius about starting my backpiece.

Love the music, too!

Just got an appointment with Eli Quinters on the Saturday. Can't bloody wait!

Did he announce he was taking appointments on instagram/twitter or something? I'd love to get booked in with any of the Smith St guys

Ended up breaking my right collarbone on saturday, so have effectively halved the amount of spots i have available to get tattooed at the convention, now i'm really hoping i'll find some things in the smith street book that'll fit!

If anyone wants to say hi i'll be the one in the stupid foam sling.

I feel your pain man (bad choice of words!).

I had an appointment with Javi Rodriguez a year or so back at frith street, managed to break my wrist a couple of days before and was supposed to be having a cast fitted the day of the appointment but i put it off for a day because i did not want to lose the chance of being tattooed. Certainly didn't enjoy the 3 hour drive to London or the return but it was worth it!

Hope it's not too uncomfortable for you to sit

Should be along on the Saturday, haven't booked in with anyone yet and i'm beginning to wish i had. I always seem to miss out on the walk ups!