Tattoo & Pierced Tribe

[Lexie's Mom]

Wow, ladies, it's been quiet here lately! I'm moving closer to meeting with a new artist to begin the process of my next tattoo. My birthday is in Nov. (35!) and I've asked hubby for a new tattoo to celebrate. :) I think I'm up to three tats I want, however. I have to pace myself! The little buggers are addictive! I'm thinking a small shoulder piece with Chinese calligraphy and a koi fish, then a lower back piece that I haven't designed yet, and a small fairy baby for my ankle or foot (to represent my DD). Wahoo! I'm getting really excited now. :bouncy

I found a tattooist in ME who looks promising; does anyone have someone they like in NH?

[Mindi22]

I recently got a hood piercing (about a month ago), and just the past few days, I've gotten a pinching feeling with it. I don't think it's infected, no redness or anything, just that pinching feeling when I go to clean it. Is it possible that it really is pinching the skin (like one of the balls somehow got skin in the threads)... if so, what do I do about it? Should I go back to the woman who did it and have her help me???

Also, does anyone have a hood piercing and gave birth with it... Did you have to remove it for birth? Did it cause any problems during pregnancy?

TIA for any help. :)
-Mindi

[ishtarmaia]

Mindi, I had a hood piercing for years and yes, I remember that pinching feeling in the healing process. I would try putting some kind of lubricating healing stuff on it like herbal salve (check your local health food store) or neosporin (not highly recommended) and trying to lubricate the jewlery and pull it back and forth as much as you can stand to get some inside the piercing. That should help a lot.

AS far as pregnancy and birth go, my midwives were definitely surprised when they saw it the first time :LOL , but no, I didn't have any problems with it nor did I have to remove it for my son's birth.

[LadyMarmalade]

I posted about 2 months ago saying I was getting a tattoo, but the tattoo place shut! We're getting a new one, and I'm still keen - I've picked out the design (pink daisy thing - pretty boring, but it's a start).

[Mindi22]

Mindi, I had a hood piercing for years and yes, I remember that pinching feeling in the healing process. I would try putting some kind of lubricating healing stuff on it like herbal salve (check your local health food store) or neosporin (not highly recommended) and trying to lubricate the jewlery and pull it back and forth as much as you can stand to get some inside the piercing. That should help a lot.

AS far as pregnancy and birth go, my midwives were definitely surprised when they saw it the first time :LOL , but no, I didn't have any problems with it nor did I have to remove it for my son's birth.
Thanks, Ishtarmaia, for the reply.

It's actually funny, because a day or two after that last post of mine, I went to the bathroom, looked down, and found no piercing.. Hmmmmm... For the life of me, I still can't figure out where I lost it, but I managed to! I returned to the place that I got it done, and had to get a new bar put in - wow did that hurt, 200x more than the original piercing. Apparently, I had closed up enough in just about 24 hours (my best guess as to how long the jewelery was missing) to have to do some major stretching. OUCH!!

She said that the pinching I was feeling was most likely a bead coming unscrewed and catching a piece of skin in the threads. (incidently, just what it felt like! lol)

So, I'm pierced again, and no pinching. Still a wee bit sore from the ordeal of getting it done again, but overall, I feel much better. Haven't had sex yet, but we'll see how that goes. Gotta tell DH to get to work! LOL!

-Mindi

[Mindi22]

I've been dying for a new tattoo (you'd think the new piercing would be enough, but no, it's not!). I wanted to get something in honor of my son, and I'm thinking about a giraffe. His room is decorated in giraffe spots, and we have giraffes everywhere now because of him! I even got checks with giraffe spots on them, but I digress..

Anyway, I'm thinking of a very tribal-inspired giraffe, and I'm trying to find artwork that matches my thoughts. I've done several google searches to no avail. Anyone know of any giraffe artwork that might help me out?

Thanks!
Mindi

[Linda in OZ]

Some awesome tatts ladies :D
I have two tatts, a pegasus on the back of my left shoulder and a tiger's head on my right hip, this one is 12 years old and still waiting to be coloured :LOL . I have plans for one on my lower back, a scroll type with butterflys, faeries, and my children's names, very girly. and a cresent moon on my left boob with 3 stars, taken off a photo my eldest son took one night while experimenting with the camera.
I have my right lobe pierced twice, my left 3 times and my hood is my most recent piercing 11 days old, I love it already :wink :thumb. I wanted to get my navel pierced while pg with dd because I had such a beautiful soccer ball belly but now I will wait until the baby belly has shrunk a bit more first :LOL
I have a friend trying to talk me into a toungue piercing, but I'm a wuss and it's gonna hurt.

[BCmamaof6]

Whew! That's a lot of pages mamas!
I was gonna read 'em all- but only ended up reading the first & the last (although I plan to read 'em all when I have more time...

Got a couple of Qs...
1) Are there any health risks associated with tatoos or piercings (apart from initial infection?)
2) I picked up a few magazines to get ideas on what I want, but it all looked too 'scary', KWIM? Anyone know where to get ideas for meaningful & not 'scary' tatoos?
3) I have 5 ear piercings & want to get my belly button done- but am still trying to get down to my ideal post-baby weight...should I wait to get it done...or does it matter if I'm 10 lbs overweight?

TIA for any responses! ;)

[lunasmommy]

ok, so i've been wanting a tat for quite some time and my dh and i finally went and had it done. :bouncy its the egyptian hieroglyph for birth, everybody asks what it is, but i'm totally in love with it. i wish i could figure out how to post pics. if anyone wants to pm me a quick lesson that would be cool :love

Cat, Mama to Luna Aislin

[mamabearsoblessed]

OOoh I have quesions :bouncy !!!!I've been wanting to pierce my nose as long as I can remember, i really have always wanted the ittiest, bittiest little diamond/gem looking stud so it almost looks like a tiny piece of glitter :p . i have seen the studs with the curled backs that look so easy to change (once the time comes) and I guess my question is- can I start off with that itty bitty stud? will- if ever I decide to remove it for good (i can't imagine wanting to :LOL ) will there be a hole or will it close quickly and completely without much scarring (given no infection etc)? tell me about the care. I am pumped and wann do it for my 31st birthday coming up. dh is not all supportive but :shrug whatever, not his nose :irked: ,about how much can I expect it to cost?
gimme details :LOL
thanks Mamas :love

Emily

[lunasmommy]

I just got my nose pierced a few weeks ago and they did it with the little stud. they just charged me like 10 bucks extra, but as far as the hole question, I havent taken mine out yet :wink , but i'm sure some mama will be able to answer that for you.
Cat, Mama to Luna Aislin

[loveharps]

I can't tell you about how it will look when it closes up, because I havn't been there yet.

The only thing about having a small stud is that the bit that goes in your nose is smaller (don't know techinical names for it) When I got mine done with a smaller one, it was easier to pull out by accident. I did that a few times (just with a towel or my knocking it with my hands etc) and eventually it came out completely, and because it was so soon after I'd had it done it closed up really quick and I couldn't get it back in, and so I had to have it re-peirced. I got a bigger stud (but not too big) and it hasn't come out at all.

[13moons]

mamabearsoblessed--when I had my nostril pierced they would not use a tiny stud and that seems to be common practice. You must start with a bigger stud for piercing so it doesn't, oh crap, what's the word? so, it doesn't get absorbed in the hole...what's the proper word ladies? Very little pain and swelling, and even minimal soreness. You do have to care for it with saline washes which is a little awkward with your nose, but it works.
My experience with the corkscrew that you are talking about though is that I had a heck of a time getting mine in and out because of they way you have to twist and push in or pull out just right to get it to go--maybe just me though. But there was more than one time when I was on the verge of going into the piercing shop to get them to help me change it cuz I had so much trouble (and this was up to 2 years afterwards). I have the hang of it now. ;)
Um, what else? oh, this was the second time I had mine pierced and the first time I did it myself with a safety pin in detention (yeah, dumb I know, but I was 14 then...) and still had no scarring or anything when I let it close, so I would assume there would be even less of a chance when a professional does it, but then everyone is different when it comes to scarring.
As far as cost, I had mine done 3 or 4 years ago and it cost I think 60-65 bucks with the jewelry. I'm not sure exactly cuz my sister paid for it as a b-day gift for me, but I know it was no more than $70--it does depend on the jewelry you choose. And FWIW, my dh isn't a big fan of facial piercings either but he didn't try and convince me not to get it and afterwards he said he thought it looked good. ;) HTH! Let me know if I left some thing out...
:hippie

[Lexie's Mom]

Don't have apic, but thought I'd say that I have avery cool phoenix on my back, moreso at the bottom of neck/top of spine. It's only about 4 inches, though. I do :love it!

If you get a picture, please post--I'd love to see it!

[starlein26]

i have three small stars on my right shoulder....got them as a rebelious and angry act when i was 18...here i am 11 years later still stuck with them... :lol

[fairylotus]

Any mommas into hard~core body modification (branding, suspension, pulls, play piercing...) and find pain to be enlightening in the sense of overcoming fears, inhibitions and discovering that there is more to the self than just the purely physical?

:rainbow

[SleepyMamaBear]

Any mommas into hard~core body modification (branding, suspension, pulls, play piercing...) and find pain to be enlightening in the sense of overcoming fears, inhibitions and discovering that there is more to the self than just the purely physical?

:rainbow

my husband and i are into play piercing and wanted to do a pull for our anniversary, but didnt get the time or location. :(
i plan on having a few brandings (cautery pen not strike branding) and have dreamed of suspending for a few years now.
i dont know if you know, but BME is a great website for info pics, and such. the web adress is www.bmezine.com
none of my body mods or any of the body play we d is ever for the purely physical aspect. its always a deeply moving experience and is incredibly spiritual.
we have a local group that gets together occasionally for pulls suspensions and other ody play, so when we can get a sitter we are lucky to be able to join in.
now if only i could lose 100 lbs, i would suspend in a heartbeat.

[fairylotus]

AddysMama~ I too share your suspension longings! I have been seeking a group in my area of body mod enthusiasts for some time now. A few years ago I did my first (hopefully first of many! :wink )energy pull. Needless to say, the experience was incredible. Ecstatic and deeply moving. A photographer who was present snapped me in my dreamy, trance~like state and the shot ended up his Black, White and Steel calender project. :lol
Also, I am very familiar with Bme. Years back I would surf that site for hours on end. I had dreams of piercing as a profession until navels and eyebrows hit the bigtime and everyone and their grandma was getting pierced for the "cool" factor and the cool factor alone. In fact, friends of mine worked out of a shop called "Bee Cool". :eyesroll The kids who mocked my piercings in highschool, calling me freak and such were now sporting eyebrow rings and tattoos of their own. :eyesroll I wanted to open up a shop where respect was paid to the indigenous cultures where body mod has it's roots and utilize the "pain" of piercing as a tool to heal and explore. The piercer and piercee could discuss and meditate upon the reasons for being pierced and make it a sacred experience for both. More satisfying IMO then rushing into a shop and demanding a labret/tongue piercing/tatty... just because "insert hollywood icon here" has one or "everybody else is doing it"... Just my .02. :love

[weliveintheforest]

Hello!
I am a previously pierced mama :lol I had my navel, tongue and lip pierced but they are all gone now. The tongue came out 3 years ago, because I couldn't stop playing with it. The navel came out about a year ago, and the lip came out because it went all weird while I was pregnant with DD. Did anyone else have problems with piercings while pregnant?
It was really weird, my lip kept swelling up and being really uncomfortable, and eventually I just had to take it out and leave it out. At one point the ring was actually cutting into my lip. It had never happened before I was pregnant. I miss it a lot, but I don't want to repierce it or stretch it (ouch!) just to have the same thing happen with my next babies.
I also have 2 tiny tats, a pentagram and a unicorn, I am waiting until I am done childbearing to get some more. I have always wanted wings on my back.

[luna-mia]

I have 3 tats and other than my ears previously pierced.
I want to get a foot tat next. Just waiting til I'm done with reflexology class. Anyone have any pics they want to share???

[heathenmom]

I have a few tattoos (a bat on my inner right ankle, soon to be covered with an Irminsul; a spider on my left collarbone, covered by a blue & black nautical star; and a Helm of Awe in the middle of my back). My ears are pierced :o . My husband pierced my septum a couple of years ago (he's a professional), but I apparently have an abnormally small nose and the retainer didn't fit right and I had to remove it. I really, really want my nostril pierced, mainly because my old yoga instructor insisted that it helps to ease menstrual cramps :bouncy but work in a corporate environment and don't think it would fly.

DH is very much into piercings and body mod, but I take it in spells. Right now I'm completely obsessed with getting a triangle and/or VCH piercing. I'm also planning my next several tattoos: the Irminsul cover-up, a henna-inspired foot piece, and *something* on my left calf.

[mothragirl]

you can see in my pics i have tons of tattoos. my boyfriend is a tattoo artist. i also have my tongue split and LOTS of branding on my legs.

[tootpapa]

Mothragirl - great tattoos! Does your hubby have a website?

Haven't had time to look through the whole thread for more pics. I have 4 tattoos. A lightning bolt in a stormcloud striking a brain on my chest, the centerpiece (parade with Max) from Where the Wild Things Are as an armband on my left arm, the front cover of the Gashleycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey as an armband on my right arm and a full but as of yet unfinished backpiece of Jack Pumpkinhead of Oz from the bookcover. I have had several piercings, including both nipples and two genital piercings.

I have never done any suspensions but did get to meet Raylin Galena who was a student of Fakir Musafar and saw her do a cutting - a slash and burn. An ex of mine had a great armband cutting done by her. Was fairly up on the modern primitives thing in the late '80's/ early '90's. I seem to be mostly into tattoos now.

DW had piered nipples until late pregnancy. Milk still comes out of three holes! :love

[mothragirl]

no website. i forgot to mention, i've done several suspension from my back and knees.

[SleepyMamaBear]

mothragirl. is your iam name the same?

[mothragirl]

yup. are you tiffanysand? (guessing cuz i know your baby's name)

[mama_nomad]

Mothragirl - great tattoos! Does your hubby have a website?


I have never done any suspensions but did get to meet Raylin Galena who was a student of Fakir Musafar and saw her do a cutting - a slash and burn. An ex of mine had a great armband cutting done by her. Was fairly up on the modern primitives thing in the late '80's/ early '90's. I seem to be mostly into tattoos now.



Sorry to butt in but it's funny i happened to see your post....my husband was dubbed by Fakir the Ear Loop Champ in Body Play magazine and was key leader in the modern primatives movement...Blake of Nomad (hence my screenname). Raylin, Fakir, Jim Ward, Gauntlet...all names that pop out to me as I hear them all the time. What a small world to find others in the know on Mothering forum.

BTW It's great to see a dad on the forum i have to say.

[fairylotus]

Originally Posted by mothragirl
i also have my tongue split
My old roommate split his tongue with ~get this~ bolt cutters! He also snipped his lingual frenulum(tongue web) and did his own penis beading. The split tongue was so hot. He could move both halves independently and flicker them like a snake. I always did wonder what it would be like to make out with him. But, alas, he was my then boyfriend's brother....

[beansricerevolt]

Hi everyone.
Its quite odd that I just found this thread....anyway here I am.
I have some tats and my septum pierced(my only piercing) but I never wear it. I only got it cause I need a tat and couldn't afford one. Many Years ago an old boyfriend broke up with me and I was sooo hurt. I needed to release some stress, thus the piercing.

[mama_nomad]

AddysMama~ I too share your suspension longings! I have been seeking a group in my area of body mod enthusiasts for some time now. A few years ago I did my first (hopefully first of many! :wink )energy pull. Needless to say, the experience was incredible. Ecstatic and deeply moving. A photographer who was present snapped me in my dreamy, trance~like state and the shot ended up his Black, White and Steel calender project. :lol
Also, I am very familiar with Bme. Years back I would surf that site for hours on end. I had dreams of piercing as a profession until navels and eyebrows hit the bigtime and everyone and their grandma was getting pierced for the "cool" factor and the cool factor alone. In fact, friends of mine worked out of a shop called "Bee Cool". :eyesroll The kids who mocked my piercings in highschool, calling me freak and such were now sporting eyebrow rings and tattoos of their own. :eyesroll I wanted to open up a shop where respect was paid to the indigenous cultures where body mod has it's roots and utilize the "pain" of piercing as a tool to heal and explore. The piercer and piercee could discuss and meditate upon the reasons for being pierced and make it a sacred experience for both. More satisfying IMO then rushing into a shop and demanding a labret/tongue piercing/tatty... just because "insert hollywood icon here" has one or "everybody else is doing it"... Just my .02. :love

It sounds like you might be familiar with my DH's work....he began Nomad in SanFran in the 90's the first studio to connect the practice of piercing with tribal culture. He continues to help people create meaningful spiritual and transcendent experiences through their piercings--while also bringing light to the plight of indiginous cultures with his museum. Of course it is the rare client that recognizes this....everything in between is navels and nipples. Really it is his high-end custom jewelry that gives him an edge in the biz and feeds our family. His book A Brief History of Body Adornment in Western Culture discusses many topics including history and our need for pain/modification as spiritual practice. There is some photos and discussion on suspensions as well....I have always compared the thought of "pain with a purpose" with childbirth, an intense usually painful experience that can have deep spititual significance when embraced--and definitely gives one the ability to transcend and a change a person completely.

[its_our_family]

you can see in my pics i have tons of tattoos. my boyfriend is a tattoo artist. i also have my tongue split and LOTS of branding on my legs.


BRANDING!! I so want branding done!! What was it like??

[its_our_family]

fairylotus and Nomad....

Those are the kinds or things I want to look at. I'm supposed to be starting my apprenticeship here soon, I hope, and I'm looking for something deeper than sticking a needle through skin.

I want to open more than a piercing studio, kwim?

[its_our_family]

I was lookinga t BME not that long ago and saw a pic of the guy wh did my first piercing... what a moron. I cna't believe I went to him to begin with.

I go there when I'm bored with nothing better to do :)

[its_our_family]

As for suspensions... i've always been curious. Not all that interested for the "right' reasons at this point though. Like I said, I really need to read up and learn some :)

[mama_nomad]

fairylotus and Nomad....

Those are the kinds or things I want to look at. I'm supposed to be starting my apprenticeship here soon, I hope, and I'm looking for something deeper than sticking a needle through skin.

I want to open more than a piercing studio, kwim?

visit www.nomadpiercingstudio.com ...... you will love dh's book; also available on amazon.com

[mothragirl]

branding is really intense. i like it a lot. i have almost one full leg done and a few on the other leg too. i only have strike branding. cautery branding scares me.
mama nomad- do you attend the APP convention?

[mama_nomad]

Blake was a co-founder of the APP but pulled out a long time ago. recently he has somewhat gotten involved again and in 2004 he was the keynote speaker and did the anthropology lecture... i went with him for support and brought our dd (was 5 mo. preggers with dd #2). it was interesting but i would not go again as vegas gives me the creepies. it was nice to meet a lot of the people in the industry that i hear about all the time, but really piercing is blake's passion and calling and while i have some piercings and deeply respect his work, it has never been my area. blake is considering going this year just to pimp his new DVD that just came out, and he's been asked to speak in Mexico city this Feb for the Latin America conference-- but they didn't offer to buy the whole family plane fare so i geuss i'm sitting that one out!

have you attended any conferences?

[mothragirl]

i've attended for the last 4 years. i was 5.5 months pregnant this year and it was a little too chaotic. i'm also a lot less involved than i used to be so i don't know how many conferences i'll be attending in the future.

[its_our_family]

I just found out about APP about 2 months ago.

[mama_nomad]

i've attended for the last 4 years. i was 5.5 months pregnant this year and it was a little too chaotic. i'm also a lot less involved than i used to be so i don't know how many conferences i'll be attending in the future.


oh! i just looked at your birth pic with your man and babe...how sweet and beautiful. Re: APP, did you just go to hang out or are you associated with a studio or company?

[fairylotus]

Ahhh.... Brandings. I have a heart on my forearm that was performed by strike method about 5,6ish years ago. My boyfriend at the time received the same and we branded eachother. His healed wonderfully but mine~ not so. I'm planning on getting work over it sometime in the future to cover it up. My artist buddy says he can go over it with just the needle no ink to minimize the scar. Any truth to this?

[mothragirl]

thanks re: the picture.
i just go to app to see people i only see a couple of times a year and the only association i have is all the silly people with towels :)
you might be able to minimize your scar tissue with a needle, i depends on what kind of scar it is. my thermal damage wouldn't diminish from a needle but most of it is light enough now (after 5 years or so) that i will be able to tattoo over it.

[tootpapa]

mamanomad - wow, how interesting. Yes, I have heard of Nomad and of course the other names you mentioned as well. This is a really fascinating coincindence. There seem to be some really interesting people in the Mothering community.

I was never fully into the whole modern primitives scene but kind of moved in circles of people who were. It seemed to me that in the mid to late 80's especially, before certain aspects of this stuff got really popular, there was a really vibrant, exciting thing going on. There were so many elements of underground culture that came together and mixed. Hell, if you met someone who had even heard of Fakir, etc, you would be amazed and would start talking to them. Of course, I was in Philly and was lucky that Raylin did regular cuttings/piercings and lectures there. My ex-girlfriend got an armband cutting from her that is truly fantastic.

But I loved that whole Re/Search milieu, though I was more into stuff like Survival Research Laboratories and some of the radical art happenings. My piercings were done around 90/91 by my roommate who knew Raylin from SF. He was not very experienced and having my nipples done was excruciatingly painful! But I always pierced when I felt there was some big transition in my life, even if it had not surfaced in my conscious mind yet. I haven't done it for a long time, but guess I found other ways to express that. I really respect people who do this stuff in a conscious way and not just for fashion (though I do think the aesthetic part is also great).

What do you veterans and other serious-minded folk think of the popularization of piercing and tattoing in the last 15 years, like with belly buttons and facial piercings? :notes:

Tounge splitting with bolt cutters - hats off :bow

[mothragirl]

i love that body mods are more popular. i think its great to see tattooed and pierced people all the time. the rise in popularity comes with a rise in quality. body jewelry is so amazing now compared to 10-15 years ago. the standard on the artistry of tattooing is going up and up. historically in cultures that modified their bodies it was mainstream, it should be in the us too.

[mama_nomad]

I think that non-traditional piercings like navels and eybrows have hit their peak and will probably not be around in generations to come, but traditional piercings like ears and nostrils are probably here to stay in the Western world, like tattoos. Tattoos, although, have become fadish in mainstream society, I think certain sub-set groups are going to make a lasting mark (ha! no pun intended!) I agree that the quality has improved greatly so that body art can be something that is beautiful to look at for decades to come--as oppsed to certain badly done flash art (we've all see the botched Tweety birds and Tazmanian devils...) My main piece is on my forearm, and is like a photograph of the temple of Chichen Itza in Mexico where Blake and I were married and concieved our daughter Mayan. The artwork is stunning, done by a friend who is an artist as much as he is a tattooist, and no matter what happenss in my life the piece will always have meaning, and will always be beautiful, even if I am 90 years old and kicking it in my rocking chair puffing oxygen.

[nata0742]

had to take my nose piercing out for work - we all got snagged by HR...no tats....I think my fiance likes me better without the nose....grrr!

[SleepyMamaBear]

yup. are you tiffanysand? (guessing cuz i know your baby's name)

yep sure am! :D i am taking a major iam break though. so you wont be seeing me around there.
but this thread is starting to rock major.
Hows Alice doin?

[mothragirl]

i take those too. alice is great. i weighed her at the grocery store yesterday and she was 14 lbs!

[mama_nomad]

AddysMama--where in Oregon are you if you don't mind me asking? I'm in Bend, smack dab in the middle. You in the Portland area?

[its_our_family]

I think that non-traditional piercings like navels and eybrows have hit their peak and will probably not be around in generations to come, but traditional piercings like ears and nostrils are probably here to stay in the Western world, like tattoos.

It makes me wonder how it became "fad" to being with . Well I guess I know, but how fast it got popular really surprises me.

So, I have a question for you :) I've been stretching my lobes. I know I'm near the point of no return, or maybe past given my elasticity, but I have something weird going on. I stretched to a 0g about 2 months ago. Once i got to about a 4g I started having allergic reactions with the rubber o-rings. So, I either bought silicone ones, which I always had to order. But I bought a pair of custom blown pyrex that were slightly larger than 0g. The ends of them are near 00 if not larger. But they sometimes slide all the way through. NOrmally stretching isn't all that easy but these seem more than happy to go right through.

DO you think I hit that point of no return (ability to shrink) or is just these rings?

[fairylotus]

The point of no return is different for everybody. I've been stretching for 7 years and have since settled on 23mm. When I remove my plugs though, they shrink down very quickly. I had them out for a week once and they went down to a 10g. The holes looked like wrinkled cat's bums! :lol I think it's totally individual.

[Rikki Jean]

Yay, I like this tribe! I have three tattoos: on my back I have a cross (kind of looks like a sword), with roses wrapped around it. Dh has the same on his arm; taking up most of the outward part of my upper right arm I have a scene from the book of Acts, Chapter 13. Lots and lots of color; on the inside of my left ankle, I have a small skull with a cross under it. This tattoo is shared by about 50 other people. It's my tattoo artist's "mark", and kind of like a symbol of brother/sisterhood.

I only have two ear piercings so far. I plan on adding my nose and lip very soon!

[Rikki Jean]

Oh, wait I forgot. I had my belly button pierced two years ago. The guy that did it kept complaining that my belly button was "really spongy", and he was having a hard time getting the barbell to stay put. It ended up falling through before he could screw the ball in, so I ended up with a hole in my belly that I had to take care of like a regular piercing. "Come back in three weeks" he said. After that, I lost my nerve and never went back. When I was pg, I found my scar very amusing. It moved way high up on my belly, and it stretched A LOT.

[its_our_family]

I'm thinking I should stop strtching but I really wanted to go one more size.

I'm hoping to get my nose done soon for Christmas...I hope :)

I'm planning a few more tattoos for the near future :)

[its_our_family]

I check out the Nomad site. Awesome stuff!

I actuall saw that Discovery channel special :)

[mama_nomad]

I check out the Nomad site. Awesome stuff!

I actuall saw that Discovery channel special :)

yay, i'm glad you liked it. we don't have cable so when they do reruns of shows dh has been on people will be like "hey man I saw you on____ last night!"

so back to your question i just talked to papa nomad and he said it depends on lots of things:

*what you were intially pierced at, and what you wore
*how long you'd been at that size before you started stretching and what you stretched with
*how many sizes up you went in one stretch
*did you stretch with jewelry or with a taper and was it an acrylic or metal taper

i guess all of these factors affect the consistancy of the tissue, and if you stretch too much or too soon or with acrylic it can cause a slippery kind of tissue combined with the heavier weight of your pyrex plug then you get slipping. his advice was to switch to a porous (like horn) plug with a saddle one gauge higher than your size, so a nice deep saddle for your ear to sit in. (and he added that you can call and we ship to anywhere in the world--always a businessman:) )

hope that helps

[mama_nomad]

oh just in case i wasn't clear NEVER EVER use acrylic anything, plugs or tapers. Just say NO.

and only put in porous(natural material, not metal or glass) plugs if you are completely healed. otherwise it will just F* it up even more.

i'm done

[its_our_family]

*what you were intially pierced at, and what you wore
I was pierced with a standard gun :eek at the age of 5. I didn't wear earrings for the most part because I had a hard time, after breaking my arm, with metal. Everythign caused an allergic reaction. I would wear studs occasionally for a few hours at a time. Then Ben said, Why not stretch? I put in a 14g. I will admit I stretched WAY too fast, I went from a 14 to about a 10g in about
a month. After that I slowed down but probably not enough. then I've been waiting more than a month between stretches. I was at a 2g for 5 months before moving to the 0g


*how long you'd been at that size before you started stretching and what you stretched with {/QUOTE] I started stretching 20 years after I had them done initially.

*how many sizes up you went in one stretch NEVER more than one size at a time.

*did you stretch with jewelry or with a taper and was it an acrylic or metal taper I've never even purchased acrylic. Normally I use tapered jewlery to stretch. I've only had one difficult stretch and that was to a 6g.


These new rings just slip right out. I lost them 4 times today. I placed O rings on the back. Where I bought them said that they can slip off in the shower and I was trying to avoid that. They haven't fallen off in the shower :)

Thanks for the help! My ears thank you as well :D

[its_our_family]

I have another question ladies :) (I'm full of them)

I have a snug. It was pierced in August 04 with a 14g needle and a curved barbell put in. It was way too short and caused damage. I didn't change out the jewelry until July 05. I wanted to have it heal enough and I was afraid of the sheer pain of the change. Anyway, it has caused the cartiledge aaround it to be a little misshapen (not cauliflower ear though).

I have had the jewelry changed and it fits well but my cart is still often angry with me. I was contemplating going and having a larger gauge needle run through it and have it sized up one. Do you think that would help??

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b35/its_our_family/IMG_1818.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b35/its_our_family/IMG_1814.jpg

The vertical has grown out....again :( Those pics were taken the day I had the vertical done and the week I had the jewelry changed out. In the second picture you can see my scar from the first time it grew out...well, it was ripped out.

[mama_nomad]

you are talking about two different piercings right? the cartilage in the first pic and the surface in the second?


I have had the jewelry changed and it fits well but my cart is still often angry with me. I was contemplating going and having a larger gauge needle run through it and have it sized up one. Do you think that would help??

No, it wouldn't. Never repierce an existing piercing with a needle. You said you were sensitive to metals and the jewelry you have in there probably has nickle in it and I'm guessing its externally threaded (which means you can see the threads on the outside of the barbell) and all externally threaded jewelry is made from a lower grade ofmetal that would bother anyone with sensitivities while the "speedbumps" tear up the piercing every time it passes through. also no spikes until you are completely healed. (i learned that one the hard way but it's also how I met my husband:) ) because it's a transverse cart. it will take double the healing time so about a year to fully heal, but things like hair products will slow healing by 30% (i saw your cute spikey hair...)

The vertical has grown out....again :( Those pics were taken the day I had the vertical done and the week I had the jewelry changed out. In the second picture you can see my scar from the first time it grew out...well, it was ripped out.

your other piercing is a surface piercing so those are tough. basically your body thinks it a sliver and will push it out--very few surface piercings are long term. also there is a special barbell for that called a surface barbell, and you have in a curved barbell--no bueno. spikes--double no bueno.

you should find a piercer in your area who uses internally threaded jewelry and surgical grade stainless steel (most APP studios do -- www.safepiercing.org to find one in your area) the jewelry costs a bit more but if you are sensitive you gotta do it. plus externally threaded jewelry is bad for piercings. hope you can find a solution. I love my ear piercings but they took a lot of love to heal.

where are you (or is it top secret?)

[its_our_family]

Ok, let me see :)

Yes, the barbell is externally threaded. I had had the piercing fpor a year before putting the spikes in but it was angry :)

The vertical I'm done with. It was pierced with just a curved bb the first time and with a j-curve the second. I think the reason it grew out the second time was the spikes were too large and pupt undo stress on the bar. The first time my kids ripped it out...talk about hurting!!

So, I can't gauge it up with a needle.... The thing is that it is hypertrophic scarring from what I can tell. It drains nice and clear but it has to swell first.

I'm jut outside Cincinnati OH. I go to a decent piercer I jsut don't think he is totally up on everthing. I'm supposed to apprentice under him in the summer. Well, more like tag team apprentice. I'll learn basics from him and then some newer techniques from a different piercer.

And if hair prduct screws with healing time... I'm f-ed. :) Too much product :) The pics in my sig are way old... it is even spikier now :)

[its_our_family]

An odd question but: Are there places to get pamphlets and that kind of thing on things like stretching, piercing and tatting while bfing, keloids, hypertrophic scars, and that kind of thing?

I think it would be nce to have that kind of thing available. I know there are different schools of thought but still.

[snarfywarning]

I like this tribe. haha. Hmm. I took out all my facial piercings for work :shake , but I have had my bridge, my septum, my lips and my nostril done. I liked them all, but am only putting back in the septum once I stop working (once the baby gets here <3) I have had that one the longest! and for now, I just have my lobes stretched (one is a 7/16th, and the other is 1/2!) my 2nd holes, and an upper ear piercing.

I have one big tattoo of this bands albulm cover on my back, and my wedding ring. That is all for now. I was going to start my sleeve when I found out I was pg! :duh

[SleepyMamaBear]

i take those too. alice is great. i weighed her at the grocery store yesterday and she was 14 lbs!

wow, 14?! woohoo! what a good little eater. GO Alice!!!

Addy is just pushing 30. its taken about 6 months to get from 27 to 30. but she sprang up to 27 faster than i could handle!

Addy wont get on the scale anymore, anywhere. too wiggly, always on the go. toddler hood is so much fun. it really is. but man am i tired!

and to the person that asked where i am in OR. i am in Beaverton up by Portland.
not so close to bend :(

[its_our_family]

I talked to my piercer.... he hadn't even thought about a metal allergy for my snug. Weird that I don't have trouble with anything else though. But we are going to go with titanium internall threaded and see how it goes.

I also got my NOSE PIERCED!! I haven't had new metal in sooooo long! It looks great!

[aisraeltax]

ive never posted here but am wondering if anyone has had problems with natural childbirth and a hood piercing? kind of an embarassing question but i have been pierced for a few years and never even think about it, but i dont want to take it out or it will NEVER go back in (too fearful of the pain it caused reoccuring).
TIA
rach

[mothragirl]

i would be afraid of it tearing! maybe this is TMI but my entire clitoral area is the only thing that hurt down there at all during pushing and its still not feeling quite right.

[CookieMonsterMommy]

ive never posted here but am wondering if anyone has had problems with natural childbirth and a hood piercing? kind of an embarassing question but i have been pierced for a few years and never even think about it, but i dont want to take it out or it will NEVER go back in (too fearful of the pain it caused reoccuring).
TIA
rach

I've been with 2 mamas who had their hoods done, and both left them in. One took it out about an hour post partum though, due to the engorgement in that area (from the pushing) it was just very uncomfortable. And fwiw, taking it out didn't offer her any relief. :shrug

[its_our_family]

I know several women with them and they didn't have any tearing issues during labor. But everyone is different!

[AnjelWithPlans]

Hey all. I'm new. Wanted to say hey, introduce myself. I've got 4 tattoos and 3 peircings, plus several in ears. I'll have 2 more of each in January. At least. Glad to see this thread on here!

[mama_nomad]

Well it's basic anatomy...it's the perineum that stretches and sometimes tears, which is of course below the vagina. The hood is above the clit so if there were to be any tearing above the vagina I would be more worried about your clit tearing (OUCH) which is just so completely unlikely especially for a gentle natural childbirth.
I had the same issue when I met with an OB with my first baby and I had to educate them. BTW if an OB ever tells you that you have to take it out to give birth they are stupid and tell them to take a refresher course in basic female genital anatomy, then RUN.

I was recently at a birth where the mom felt like her clit was tearing, and the midwife gently assured her that it was fine and everything was perfect, and it was. It's just at the point of crowning where it fees like your body is splitting in two, and then Voila! it's over and your baby is born!

Happy Birthing!

[its_our_family]

mama nomad-- As dumb as this sounds...that was a really good post. It made a lot of sense.

I have no experience. I have no genital piercing and have never given birth vaginally.... so I'm of no help! :lol

[13moons]

I don't have a hood piercing either so I can't speak from experience there but having had three natural vaginal childbirths, I can say that I agree with mama nomad in that I would think it would be very unlikely that you would have to worry about tearing. That said though, while the perinemum is the area that does the important stretching, really everything is stretched and swollen to an extent so that is something to consider at least. Strictly speaking, you can tear anywhere--I ended up with a large z-shaped tear out my labia from the beautiful natural birth of my second child who I just pushed out too quickly :o --but if you take it slowly in the pushing stage and do everything that you should do to avoid tearing your perineum anyway, I would think you would be fine. I would expect that postpartum would be when you would be most likely to experience any discomfort from it just from the general soreness and swelling that occurs anyway. Good luck!

[twinmum]

I have a few tattoos (a bat on my inner right ankle, soon to be covered with an Irminsul

what is a irminsul?

[twinmum]

oh yes... -and hello everyone! Im new to your tribe, and I have a tribal tattoo on one of my toes and 7mm earlobe expansions.

I used to have piercings in my bellybutton, tongue, ears X4(not counting the exp.), rigt nipple and in my clitoral hood. But I suddenly just didnt want any of them, so theyre all gone.

[heathenmom]

what is a irminsul?

Probably more than you wanted to know, but from Wikipedia:
Irminsul (pillar of Irmin) was an oak or wooden pillar venerated by the Saxons and which was said to connect heaven and earth.

Irmin was the war god of the Saxons, son of Mannus, and ancestor of the tribe of the Herminones. The Old Norse form of Irmin was Jörmun and interestingly, just like Ygg, it was one of the names of Odin. Yggdrasil was the yew or ash tree from which Odin sacrificed himself, and which connected heaven and earth. It appears, thus, that Irminsul may have represented a World tree corresponding to Yggdrasil among the Saxon tribes of Germany. The holy yew at the temple at Uppsala mentioned by Adam von Bremen (11th century) could have a direct relation to the Irmin pillar; the flight of Widukind and other Saxon nobles to Denmark in 777 after the victory of Charlemagne has been forwarded as a means of late pagan cultural exchange between Saxony and Scandinavia. However, at this time Old Saxon and Old Norse were still mutually intelligible, and the two neighbouring cultures probably retained open transmission of ideas.

The actual Irminsul of the Saxons may have been a wooden pillar with an idol on top. Jakob Grimm connects the name Irmin with Old Norse iörmungrund "Earth", and iörmungandr (anguis maximus, i.e. the Midgard serpent).

According to one suggestion, it could have been situated on or near the Externsteine. A 12th century Christian relief on these stones depict a tree-like design at the feet of Nicodemus. It is disputed whether this is simply intended as a depiction of a palmtree, or if it represents the bent or fallen Irminsul after the triumph of Christianity.

By the time of Charlemagne, there were probably several Irmin pillars. One of them, at Eresburg castle near Paderborn, he is reported to have destroyed in 772.

Awareness of the significance of the concept seems to have persisted well into Christian times; Grimm cites the 12th century Kaiserchronik as mentioning several Irmin pillars:

concerning Mercury:

ûf einir yrmensûle / stuont ein abgot ungehiure, / den hiezen sie ir koufman;
"on an Irminsul / stands an enormous idol / which they call their merchant"
concerning Julius Caesar:

Rômere in ungetrûwelîche sluogen / ûf einir yrmensûl sie in begruoben;
"the Romans slew him treacherously / and buried him on an Irminsul"
concerning Simon the Magician:

ûf eine yrmensûl er steic / daz lantvolc im allesamt neic
"he climbed upon an Irminsul / the peasants all bowed before him"
Remains of an Irmin pillar apparently dating to Roman times are found in the Hildesheim cathedral. The nearby village of Irminseul (51°59′N 9°56′E) points to an older connection of the area with the concept. Other placenames in the area like Drachenberg "dragon's mount" and Wormstal "worm's dale" point to the Nibelungs legend.

Association of Wotan with Mercury rather than, being the god of war, with Mars, may have been due to an identification of the Irmin pillars with the hermai dedicated to Mercury.

The design of the Irminsul symbol current in Neopaganism is based on the shape of the tree in the Externsteine relief, but straightened back into a vertical position. The shape of this design has been likened to that of the Tyr (Ziu) rune. Irmin may have been an epitheton of Ziu in early Germanic times, only later transferred to Wotan, or Wotan himself may have emerged as separate from Ziu only in the Migration period.

Here's (http://www.terradegliavi.org/irminsul/Irminsul.gif) a picture!

[mama_nomad]

oh yes... -and hello everyone! Im new to your tribe, and I have a tribal tattoo on one of my toes and 7mm earlobe expansions.

I used to have piercings in my bellybutton, tongue, ears X4(not counting the exp.), rigt nipple and in my clitoral hood. But I suddenly just didnt want any of them, so theyre all gone.

:w

I noticed you measure you lobes in mm not by gauge...are you in Europe?

[Robin926]

:wave

I never really venture into the FYT area, but I decided to today and found this thread. I'm a tattooed and pierced mama!

I currently have 3 tats: kanji of "love" on my upper right thigh; planet, moons, and stars on my right food; and a blue dragon on my left calf. I haven't gotten any new ink in three years though and I am itching for more! I have 3 lined up that I just need the cash for.

I have my nostril, tongue, ear cartilage and earlobes pierced, and I've been thinking of getting a new piercing. I think I'll just settle for more in my lobes though because I don't want to have to deal with taking them out later if I get a "respectable" job :wink:

Anyway, just wanted to say hi! :)

[LotusBirthMama]

HI! New to the tribe and happy to see I fit somewhere! I have 7 tattoos and plan to have many more. I'm in the process of deciding what to get for our gestating babe once he/she is born....no piercings currently, but I really want my nose done...

[twinmum]

:w

I noticed you measure you lobes in mm not by gauge...are you in Europe?

hello mama nomad!! yes, Im in Norway. Being a viking, I should really know what an Irminsul is, Heathenmom! hehe :blush Can anyone tell me what gauge 6 and 7 mm are?

I want to get a tatoo on my back thats kind of a monogram made up of the letters V and E, which are my daughters' initials. any ideas for it, anyone? Pics?

[heathenmom]

yes, Im in Norway. Being a viking, I should really know what an Irminsul is, Heathenmom!
Haha! Then you'd certainly be familiar with the symbol on my back: the Ægishjálmr, or Helm of Awe (http://www.jasonbhall.freeserve.co.uk/helmofawe.jpg). Mine's about 4-5 inches across and in between my shoulder blades.

[twinmum]

its just beautiful! But I realise i should read up on my symbols:) Im a member of Bifrost btw., which is a norse religion (or should I say based upon the old customs of blot and so forth). You pagan? or is that for another thread on this forum, perhaps?

[xkoliex]

Just skimming the forums and found this wonderful thread! I too am tattooed and pierced!

9 tattoos: a star on each forearm, a nautilus (black & skin) on my upper left arm, broken heart on my chest, 3 nautilus stars (black & red) on the right side of my stomach, "empty girl" written below my belly button, sally from nightmare before christmas on my left shoulder, a sacred heart on my right shoulder and last but not least, a heartagram with "dont hurt me dont stop" written around it on my lower back.

2 piercings: industrial in my right ear and my tongue... had my belly button, but got pushed out during pregnancy!

Nice to find this tribe!

[twinmum]

xkoliex, I would sure love to see a photo of that heartagram!!! sounds cool!

[heathenmom]

its just beautiful! But I realise i should read up on my symbols:) Im a member of Bifrost btw., which is a norse religion (or should I say based upon the old customs of blot and so forth). You pagan? or is that for another thread on this forum, perhaps?
My family (dh, dd, sister, niece) are Germanic heathens. Most of our friends are asatru/heathen ... we're planning a Thor's blot for next week and a Disting in February. :)

[twinmum]

My family (dh, dd, sister, niece) are Germanic heathens. Most of our friends are asatru/heathen ... we're planning a Thor's blot for next week and a Disting in February. :)

Nice:) almost envious now, noone has arranged anything in our city for a year or so. But hey, as soon as I feel up to it, Ill step up, hehe. Just real busy with my very new life as mother of two. :heartbeat

[heathenmom]

Just real busy with my very new life as mother of two. :heartbeat
I cannot even imagine. It's a struggle for me to do ANYTHING and I just have one. I always wanted a houseful of kids, but I'm seriously starting to rethink the wisdom of that!

ps There's a monthly pagan-mom thread in this forum (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=13) if you'd like to join us. There are a few there that follow a northern or more historically-based European path (for lack of a better word).

[twinmum]

thanks, but I see I cant get in, why is that?

[heathenmom]

Hmmm ... I wonder if that forum has posting/length of membership requirements? If it does I didn't know about it ... sorry. :o

[twinmum]

no worries:) thanks anywhoo.

[mama_nomad]

hello mama nomad!! yes, Im in Norway. Being a viking, I should really know what an Irminsul is, Heathenmom! hehe :blush Can anyone tell me what gauge 6 and 7 mm are?

I want to get a tatoo on my back thats kind of a monogram made up of the letters V and E, which are my daughters' initials. any ideas for it, anyone? Pics?

Gauge does not match up exactly with the metric system, but that would be about a 6 to a 4 gauge says DH (long-time piercer--visit his site www.nomadpiercingstudio.com) :).

Oh yeah, to all in this tribe: I started a poll that you should check out....don't know how (or if you can) to cross-post a poll....so go here and vote and post pics if you have them, okay!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=396142

[twinmum]

thanks for the gauge-info mama_nomad!!! :D

[13moons]

Okay, I voted in your poll mama_nomad ;)

heathenmom--are you talking about us behind our backs over here? :lol

There is a requirement to have a certain number of posts (or is it length of time as a member? not sure) to post in the spirituality forum, twinmum. But we do a new thread every month if you're interested so check back with us!

I have the $$ to get new ink right now but I can't decide what I want to get! :lol So many ideas...

[heathenmom]

heathenmom--are you talking about us behind our backs over here? :lol
Who, me?! :Sheepish:

We are SO broke right now, but I really really want some new stuff (ink & piercings). DH will be ordering some new needles & supplies soon and will be bestowing upon the kindred a multitude of heathen art -- belated Yule gifts. :D

[13moons]

Who, me?! :Sheepish:

We are SO broke right now, but I really really want some new stuff (ink & piercings). DH will be ordering some new needles & supplies soon and will be bestowing upon the kindred a multitude of heathen art -- belated Yule gifts. :D

Nah, not you! :lol

We have been sooo broke for sooo long--the last ink I got was I think 2 years ago and I only got that because it was a birthday present from my parents and sister. But DH has worked a ton of overtime this last month and I think we might just splurge! I am excited. We got to go out just the two of us yesterday and if either of us knew what we wanted we would have gone straight to the tattoo shop. :lol I think the next thing I want will be something symbolic of my spiritual beliefs but I'm not sure what...

[its_our_family]

mamanomad--- I've been thinking. Can you ask your dh...or maybe you know :) .... are hormonal imbalances at all related to keloids, hypertrophic scars, and just bumps in general?

I was under the impression that there are piercing regulations based on age. I was taught that in the state of OH it is illegal to pierce under the age of 15 even if had parental consent. I can't find it anywhere online. All I can find is that with parental consent it doens't matter the age. Am I jsut insane?

[Godmother]

I was just wondering if anyone here is a tattoo artist or just an artist? i'm asking because i was considering a tattoo of a mother breastfeeding, or just the back of a baby's head while it eats. i don't know, i'm not artistic i was just wondering if anyone here could possibly design something for me. This tattoo won't be done untill much later which keeps me from asking some of the artists at the local parlors, they will probably expect me to then get the tattoo they designed.:p anyways i hope this makes sense. Contact me at Mingalee@hotmail.com Put tattoo in the subject line please so i know to save the email from the junk file.

[Lizzo]

I have my nose done, gauges in my ears, I had my cartlidge, but it kept getting badly infected every so often. I've been thinking of piercing my nipple for some time, but want to be 100% sure it wont affect breastfeeding!
I have one tatto right now, A purplnd Yellow deady bear on my back. I am getting another on the 15th to celebrate my 18th birfday!!!! It's a goddess image coming out of a lotus flower with a something lattice (I've had little sleep!) around her head and these trails coming off her. I half designed it and the dudeman at the tattoo shop half designed it (he's AWESOME and has worked with David Grey...the cray amazing trippy artist...)

[SleepyMamaBear]

hot damn it drives me nuts to hear "gauges". but thats just me. it also drives me nuts to hear "i am gauging" to describe stretching.
or when a stranger asks either myself, or my husband (whose lobes are stretched past two inches) "hey man what gauge is that?" gauges are for wire, thats why they go (in piercing) usually from 18(very tiny) up to 0, 00, and sometimes people call it 000, but its more like 3/16ths.
have you ever seen a two inch thick wire? didnt think so.

Godmother, my husband is an amazing artist, aspiring to be an amazing tattoo artist, he does commisioned work on occasion, i will pass your e-mail address on to him, maybe he can help you.

[shelley4]

i guess i get to join this tribe now! last night i got two earrings put in my cartlidge of my left ear. once they are healed, i'll get one more in this ear, and two in the other side. i got it done at this tattoo/piercing (http://toratattoo.com) place in my town. very professional, everything sterilized. i was very impressed.

here's a pic of my piercing (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gooberific/detail?.dir=/66df&.dnm=8abbre2.jpg&.src=ph)

i want to get a tattoo someday, but haven't decided on a design yet. i was thinking of something with a moon, my kid's constellations, etc??

[Lizzo]

hot damn it drives me nuts to hear "gauges". but thats just me. it also drives me nuts to hear "i am gauging" to describe stretching.
or when a stranger asks either myself, or my husband (whose lobes are stretched past two inches) "hey man what gauge is that?" gauges are for wire, thats why they go (in piercing) usually from 18(very tiny) up to 0, 00, and sometimes people call it 000, but its more like 3/16ths.
have you ever seen a two inch thick wire? didnt think so.

Sorry. I usually say stretching, but I guess I slipped. :blush
One week till I get tattoo #2!!! My first thing that I can show my ID and be like " Yup! I CAN legally do this!!":thumb

[itsajenism]

I have a septum piercing (12g), and stretched lobes. My lobes were at 2's pre-pregnancy, but for some reason I had issues with having any foriegn objects in my body during pregnancy and took them out. I'm currently at a 6g. My naval piercing of 10 years has been retired due to pregnancy.

I have plans for more piercings when I have the money! :thumb

I don't currently have any tattoos. I go back and forth with wanting to get one, so I figure it's best to go with not.

[SleepyMamaBear]

Lizzo, that wasnt specifically directed at you, just unleashed by you, if that makes any sense.
i was having a VERY rough day that day.
how did you get tattoo#1 illegally?

[caffeine_kittie]

hello there!

i have a tattoo on my back uppe left.
its Chinese characters that says : "Women Love Women"

[Lizzo]

Lizzo, that wasnt specifically directed at you, just unleashed by you, if that makes any sense.
i was having a VERY rough day that day.
how did you get tattoo#1 illegally?
I didn't take offense, sweetie! I corrected myself for you, for me and for all toher stretchy mamas out there :love
Well...I went to a festival in August and there was someone doing tattoos. It was perfectly clean, I talked with this guy I made firneds with who'd gotten a tattoo by the dude several times at this festie, and I was like "I like tattoos,I want a tattoo" I was like "Damnit, I got preggo at 16, had the baby 11 days after turning 17, I deserve to be free and rebelous (not that I'm not free,but you get what I mean) at least once more during my teen years." So, I told the dudeman what I wanted and he asked my ID. I said that I was 1 (I said my birthday was a year ahead of what it was), that I have a baby(pointed to Makena) and that I don't drive. I said he could talk to "Terrapin Dave" if he wanted to. He said "Whatever, it's cool."
I feel bad b/c I know he could've gotten in trouble, but it's happened before, I was an(and am) emmancipated minor...my parents were...Ok with it. I mean for goddess sakes! I told them I was pregnant at 16! What's more terrifying to a parent than that. Actually though, my dad cried about the tattoo! Me being pregnant never made him mad or sad or anything. I asked him why the tattoo made him cry and not his 16 year old daughter telling him she's pregnant. He said that I didn't get pregnant on purpose. He said that "You intentionaly got that damn tattoo. And what's worse..I think you even LIKE it!!":lol No dad! I just forver branded my body with something I absolutely HATE :lol
Anywho I can't wait untill I get #2!!!!6 more days!!!:love :thumb
I'd also like to pierce my nipple, but with a nursing bebe and I'll probably have another before he stops (or soon after) I'll just have to wait!

[SleepyMamaBear]

lol yeah when i first started stretching my lobes my dad was freaked. i was 20 for crap sakes!!! he says " you know they will never go back to normal" duh dad thats kind of the point.
i miss my nipple piercings, but they were such a b*tch. really really.
maybe when i am done with kids...

[PinksMommy]

Subbing to read more later.
One tattoo, four 12g lobe piercings, two 8g lobe piercings, one 12g lip/labret...more planned, but $ issues and DH objections are holding me back. I've been fiending for ink for months, but something always comes up.

[caffeine_kittie]

hi.
any tattoo suggestion...designs perhaps.
i want another one on my back..lower part (waistline)
thanks thanks!

[Lizzo]

Maybe I'll just do my septum instead of my nip. I love those!!!
Oh! the stretching is even worse!!!! He HATES them!!! He told me when we out to eat the other night he can't sit next to me and eat b/c he's so grossed out! And they're only a size 10! And they look like normal earings!!! He was fine though!!!

[SleepyMamaBear]

lol.
my septum hurt like a bitch, but i have heard people say theirs didnt.
but the BEST thing about septums, especially if you are a bit grody like myself, the FUNK!
anyone else with a septum know what i'm talking about?!
mmm septum funk. THAT used to make my dh(dbf at the time) wretch.

[JaysMama]

Hello! Yay, this is my tribe too! I have a tattoo on my neck that my aunt and I had done together about 8 years ago. It is Mandarin Chinese characters and they say Love, Loyalty, Respect. I have mine down the back of my neck and she did hers on the side of her neck. Words to live by. I also have 3 piercings, my nose, my navel and my tongue. I am planning another tattoo that will incorporate my daughter. I'm still in the planning stages but it's going to rock!

[Neldavi]

Hey I have a question that hopefully some of you ladies can help me with. I have a tattoo on my lower back that I've had for almost 10 years. Just recently, like the last year or so, occasionally part of the tattoo is raised (just around the perimeter; it's an all black filled in tattoo) and slightly irritated and itchy. It goes away in a day or so but it's just kind of weird. I got it so long ago and have never had any problems, I hardly ever think about it and just regard it as part of my skin now.

What's up? Can anyone shed some light? Thanks ...

[JaysMama]

Mine does that too. It's all black and I get the same bumps and itchiness. Curious to know if anyone has an answer to your question.

[itsajenism]

lol.
my septum hurt like a bitch, but i have heard people say theirs didnt.
but the BEST thing about septums, especially if you are a bit grody like myself, the FUNK!
anyone else with a septum know what i'm talking about?!
mmm septum funk. THAT used to make my dh(dbf at the time) wretch.

Mine didn't really hurt, but it did make my eyes water like crazy.

I definitely know what you mean about the septum funk. Though, now that I've had it for a couple years, I really don't get it anymore. Either that or I'm used to it. :lol

[Lizzo]

I got the tattoo! My second!
Here's a picture:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce9794898e6fa600000016108AYs2zVw3atz
It was taken with my camera, so it doesn't to it justice! It's bigger than it looks and waaaay more beautiful!
Yea!:love

[mama_nomad]

mamanomad--- I've been thinking. Can you ask your dh...or maybe you know :) .... are hormonal imbalances at all related to keloids, hypertrophic scars, and just bumps in general?

I was under the impression that there are piercing regulations based on age. I was taught that in the state of OH it is illegal to pierce under the age of 15 even if had parental consent. I can't find it anywhere online. All I can find is that with parental consent it doens't matter the age. Am I jsut insane?

damn! I replied to this the other day, but i guess forgot to post it.... well again whati said was that, we think, not directly but if any thing is going on in your body hormonally that could cause a low fuctioning immune system. i know that for my dh his left sadhu is his "illness gauge"-- he knows he's fighting a bug when it gets sore. so yeah if your body is out of balance a piercing, even a fully healed peircing could get cranky leading to bumps or other anomolies if not taken care of immediately. warm salt soaks are always a good idea for an unhappy piercing.

about the consent issue, I beleive it varies state to state, so try contacting your local health licensing office (at least that is where piercng licenses are issued in Oregon) and they should be able to clarify the regulations; in fact have them send it to you in writing, b/c people say all sorts of sh*t that isn't true, and you want to be clear.

sorry this came so late! i've been off the boards for a while....cheers!

[lunasmommy]

lizzo, that piece is absolutely beautiful!!!!

[waiting4it2snow]

HI everyone {{{{waving}}}}

I have two tatoos... one is just a generic one, but the one that is on my lower back is black Hindi symbol for the word Prem which means "love" in Hindi... and is my husband's name! ;)

I had my tongue pierced, twice actually, and it closed up both times due to me removing the piercing because of dental issues and not being able to get the rod back in. :( I miss it and would love to get it re-done again... bit afraid of whether my tongue could take another peircing... Can tongues get scar tissue??? I really would like some facial piercing somewhere, (nose or eyebrow is what I like), but my hubby really dislikes that, so I will refrain for his sake. But I am pretty certain I will get another tatoo someday. I would like some kind of tarot picture or symbol.

[tinyti26]

I have 4 tatoo's, and have had numerous piercings most of which were removed when I was 20 weeks preggo with my DS. I had my tongue (still have) both nipples, naval, and hood. My tongue has been pierced 4 times, each time in the same place and it was through the same scar each time. It isn't a big deal and I found that it actually heals faster that way, and I don't get the bad swelling afterwards like some do.

[mama_nomad]

So I think I've mentioned this before, but I have this piece on my left arm, of the temple of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza, where my dh and i were married and concieved our dd (she is named Mayan Grace in honor), plus a chrysanthemum which was my parents and our wedding flower (and a few other symbolisms that I won't go into)..anyways the piece was done by a great artist and tattooist and friend named Nate Hudson. The piece was outlined in black and some grey work was done in the initial session, then I got pregnant and I won't get work done when I am nurtuing a fetus so i waited.....my plan was to go full color. Well, then Nate died suddenly of a heart attack due to a defect that no one, including himself, knew about--left behind a wife and 18 month old daughter. Since that itme I've been struggling hard with how to finish the piece....have someone finish it in black and grey, go full color, just color the flower, leave it alone....totally conflicted! Well on March 4th (ironic date, I know), it was one year since Nate passed, and I decided that if I just went for it and colored the piece I wouldn't have to debate it anymore, and I could move on (in more than one way....). Luckily a very talented tattooist friend from SF who specializes in color work named Hawk Chait, recently moved to town and we sat down that day and finished it. Wow. I am so happy we did.

Here it is before the color work; I had it like this for a year (btw you'll notice that I am in front of the actual temple and tree we were married under):

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/mama_nomad/DSC02029.jpg


And now in color:
(a little blurry)
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/mama_nomad/DSC02720.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/mama_nomad/DSC02716.jpg


Thanks for looking, I had to share.

[PinksMommy]

Mama Nomad, that is beatiful! The color really makes it pop, I think it is so cool that you have something so meaningful.

I'm wanting to get a triquetra or some sort of infinite love type design on my arm and use my mother and father's family names in it, to symbolize that the two combined have made me who I am and as a memorial because all of my grandparents and my father have passed.

I also want to get a tiger lily and tribal vine backpiece over my shoulder blades, with my daughter's name and/or birthdate in it. I've read that the floral symbolism of a tiger lily is similar to the meaning that we chose for her name. Her name is Riley, and I've read that it means bravery, courage, endurance, strength. And I read that a tiger lily stands for passion and courage. Although we chose an Irish-based name for her, we aren't Irish, so I don't feel exactly right using Irish/Celtic style symbolism in a tattoo dedicated to her, it kind of feels like faking it?

I am Czech bohemian/Lithuanian heritage, and my DH is Norwegian/German, I don't know anything really about the cultures. I need to start getting in touch with our heritage more.

[13moons]

My Gods, mama nomad, the color in that is truly stunning! And it really brings out how well done the original piece was. It's beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

[its_our_family]

Thanks for the info mama_nomad! My tats itch and tingle after I ovulate...weird...
I love that color work too!


I need an opinion. I've been toying around with what to do to finish my tat. It was started almost a year ago and I've gone back and forth on ideas. I wanted it to be a shoulder shield and abotu a 1/4 sleeve down. I would still lvoe it but I'm jsut not sure on what to get. I was just going to get the swirls bigger and more covering and then add a few details an such in. Well, we have decided to leave our current tat guy. This was a very vry hard decision for us but we just feel that he hacked our arms up. Our tats are almost a year ol an even after touch ups dh's is STILL raised and grey, not black. Mine is jsut totally disappointing. I look like I'm scarred. I think he used too sharp of an angle when doing the work. I jsut don't know. BUt here is the tat as it was jsut done....

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b35/its_our_family/newink1.jpg

Now, keep in mind that the colors are very very mh faded compared to the ones on this pic. The skin is raised and glossy looking.


I was thinking of having a ball placed around it and make it look pearl-like in the center...make sense?...and then a hand holding it. Then I realized it would look like YAHWEH in a crystal ball and didn't think that would look too great.

I'm just so disappointed and pissed about this tat I just don't even know where to begin design wise. I'm going to go to aguy a friend went to an has really good finished work. I'm hoping they will have some sort of ideas to help me. But I'm fine with this going 1/4 sleeve.

Thanks!

[mama_nomad]

It's pretty and you are lucky you have something to work with. You'll find a way to incorporate it...(I say this with meaning as I have that classic "first tattoo" that I would love to cover but it's so awkward....) A great tattooist is a must. It's hard to go to someone then decided to try someones else, most tattooist have their egos, ya know. Everyone I've ever gone to is an artist separate from just knowing how to tattoo.....they need to have artistic AND technical skill. Take your sweet time deciding, and one day your inspration will hit you and it will be the RIGHT TIME. I love that. It's got to be for something so permanent...

[its_our_family]

It's pretty and you are lucky you have something to work with. You'll find a way to incorporate it...(I say this with meaning as I have that classic "first tattoo" that I would love to cover but it's so awkward....) A great tattooist is a must. It's hard to go to someone then decided to try someones else, most tattooist have their egos, ya know. Everyone I've ever gone to is an artist separate from just knowing how to tattoo.....they need to have artistic AND technical skill. Take your sweet time deciding, and one day your inspration will hit you and it will be the RIGHT TIME. I love that. It's got to be for something so permanent...


Sadly, it ain't my first tat. this guy has some sort of vision. His work is good, which is what I don't get. HIs work is good EXCEPT what he did on us. The whole thing is jsut really aggrivating:

He has rescheduled about 19 appointments with us. We now call before going . Then we showed up one day as he was leaving because he had an appt. somewhere else that he scheduled AFTER we did. THen he has double booked us a fwe times and we are the ones to always get rescheduled.

This is also who I was doing my apprenticeship under and I just didn't trust his knowledge after some of the things he told me about my own piercings.

My firt tat he did some touch up on. He did nothing but rag on that tat and tis "poor quality" but it is a gorgeous tat 2 years later. No scarring, very little color loss....

Note to self...ask your tat artist if they have healed photos that aren't just from newly healed tats.

[familylove]

Hey there fellow inked friends!

I've been loving the pics of your tats! Makes me want to run out and get another one:p

I have one tat on my right shoulder blade, a ring of fire. I'm a HUGE Johnny Cash fan and the song, "Ring of Fire" speaks volumes to me about life, love, etc. I waited until I was 30 to get my tat (can you say indecision?) I don't have any piercings but I love the way they look:D

The funny thing for me about having a tat is that my friends/family are constantly pointing out when its "showing". I have a couple of gauzy, beaded shirts that I wear tanks under. Without fail, my mom will say, "Oh look, your tattoo is showing...it kind of matches your shirt." I feel like I'm supposed to shriek in horror, "No, no....hide me, give me a tablecloth!" :lol

I also have a question...have any of you had one of your tats re-inked? How often? Did you go back to the original artist?

Thanks!
Lauren

[mommy2vegas]

i have had several tatts re-inked (it hurts a bit more but not too bad). i got them re-inked by a diff artist.

i'm new to this board.

i'm ansley (31) and i am almost fully sleeved (only one more session) on my left arm and 3/4 sleeved on my right arm. my left arm is all japanese (koi and flowers) and right arm is all traditional pin-up style type stuff. i also have traditional style swallows on chest and a trad. style butterfly on leg.

piercings: retired: 2 tongues, vertical hood, both nipples, stretched ears
current: hor. hood and inner labia (both i've had for about 10 years).

[SleepyMamaBear]

heya Ansley!!! smootch on Vegas for us.
so glad you made it here!

[mothragirl]

hey ansley, hope you like it here :)

[jessreid]

Hi. I'm new here, but I think I found a tribe I fit into...I have four tatoos...A large tribal (that I drew myself) on my lower back. A closed butterfly on my hip, a rose that looks like a butterfly on my ankle and the Chinese symbol for hope on my neck. I only have one piercing left (besides my ears). It's my belly button, but I'm pregnant, so it might have to go too. The tongue ring had to be removed for my last job and my "hidden" one got removed cause it just plain bugged me!

[SleepyMamaBear]

welcome jess

[TwylaBug]

Hi ladies! This is my first time posting in here. I must say it is so nice to find so many women into tattoos like myself! :D I only have two at the moment but I am planning more hehe. Right now I have a turtle on my bikkini line and a tribal/butterfly piece on my lower back. I plan on adding two more butterflies to represent my kiddos. But I need to find butterflies that I like first. And there is a cross I saw that I want to alter a bit and get it on the back of my neck.

I had piercings but had to remove them for my pregnancy. The holes are so tiny now. In order to get jewelry back in I know I will have to pretty much get them repierced. Does anyone know if that hurts more since there is scar tissue? it's my nipples and navel. TIA!!

Anyway, I look forward to spending more time here ;) I am sure you will be perfect to bounce ideas off of.

Twy~

Oh, here are pics of my two...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/FariesByte/lwrback.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/FariesByte/bikiniline.jpg

[NYC Girl]

Hi all...

I have several tattoos...

1) A pair of dark pink ballet shoes (right ankle)
2) tribal anklet with dark red hearts (left ankle)
3) My husband Billy's name, in purple with a small heart for the dot over the i.
4) A little fairy witch
5) Three hearts, red, green & blue, for my kids. My kids each chose their own color

[caspian's mama]

howdy.

2 tatts; 1 on each arm ... and a "half" one on my lower back that i'd like to eventually finish someday.

2 holes in each ear, one in my tongue, and one in my lip

i regret taking out my nipple rings - i was afraid that it would complicate BFing, but it definitely would've been fine :(

i'd like to get the 3 arrows (symbolizing "reduce, reuse, recycle") between my wrist and elbow ... i'd also like to get a little something representing dh and ds

[natrowmum]

I have two tattoos. A green snake on my right ankle, and a lotus with the "OM" symbol coming out of the top on my lower back. Plan on a lot more tats once I'm done nursing (if I'm not pregnant).
Had ears and bellybutton pierced once upon a time. But, I'm allergic to metal. Can't even wear my wedding ring :(

i have to paint my earring posts with clear nail polish so i can wear it--and steel and gold affect me the worst. my mother spent way much $ buying me things to try to deal but what she bought me made me worse. poor mama trying to take care of her baby.:thumb

i have just 1 little tat--dh and i agreed to take turns but he can't have what he wants until he retires in 8 years (tat on lower arm) so i am still waiting for tat #2--i have a mama dragon standing on her back feet, flaming with her egg between her feet done by another women (for some reason i thought this was soo cool, so many tattoo artists were male) on my right calf on the out side

when i can get tat #2, i will get a maine coone cat & her kitten on my left calf on the out side

[northernmommy]

Wow, HUGE thread!

I'm tattooed! Large tribal back piece + randomly placed others.

4ga lobes, 12ga + 14ga lobes as well. Retired navel and septum.:D

[IfMamaAintHappy]

Im so excited, I am a new member of the tribe!! I got a nosering this evening! I also have two holes in each ear, no tats.

Closeup and with baby (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/JeniBug/IMG_1083.jpg)

the whole look (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/JeniBug/nosering2.jpg)

[mamaroni]

Hey mamas :wave

I have a tribal sun on my back that I adore, and I've love to get another tattoo but I don't have a specific plan for that yet. I also had one ankle tattoo removed years ago. I've got 5 regular ear piercings, and my upper cartilage pierced but lately I've been thinking about having my nose done. Suddenly it's ALL I can think about!!

sooooo, i was wondering. . . any advice on the nose thing? I'm assuming I should avoid the mall piercing shops and go to a real tattoo and piercing parlor (had my back tat and upper ear done at the same place). How much can I expect it to cost? Any recommendation on a stud or a hoop? How long will it hurt? If I decide to remove it, will that be a big deal? can I take it out and put it in as much as I want to?

thanks y'all :hippie

[IfMamaAintHappy]

Hey mamas :wave

sooooo, i was wondering. . . any advice on the nose thing? I'm assuming I should avoid the mall piercing shops and go to a real tattoo and piercing parlor (had my back tat and upper ear done at the same place). How much can I expect it to cost? Any recommendation on a stud or a hoop? How long will it hurt? If I decide to remove it, will that be a big deal? can I take it out and put it in as much as I want to?

thanks y'all :hippie

I dont think the mall pierces anything but ears, but I never asked.

Mine cost $50 before tip and saline solution

They pierced mine while I was breathing out.. he had me take some deep breaths, and then when I breathed out he pushed it partway, and breathed out the second time he did it the rest of the way. It hurt like a MF-er for about 10 seconds, but then it was fine. It hurts less than the "ring of fire" but about the same as tooth pain before a root canal. But again, 10 seconds. Enough to tear up but not cry.

You cant take it out or change the stone for about 3 weeks. Mine is the kind where you remove the stone and replace it to change the look, so unless I want it to close, there's no need to take it out to change the look.

It would seem to me that you could get a clear top to go on it, or you could take the stone off and not have a stone on it, if you wanted it to look like you didnt have one.

[13moons]

sooooo, i was wondering. . . any advice on the nose thing? I'm assuming I should avoid the mall piercing shops and go to a real tattoo and piercing parlor (had my back tat and upper ear done at the same place). How much can I expect it to cost? Any recommendation on a stud or a hoop? How long will it hurt? If I decide to remove it, will that be a big deal? can I take it out and put it in as much as I want to?

thanks y'all :hippie

I think mine was about 65-70 bucks out the door. It depends on the jewelry. You should definitely go to a real piercing place and not the mall. The place I went to didn't do first piercings with a hoop--she used the corkscrew type-- but I'm not sure if that is common practice or not. I didn't feel like it hurt that much at all--it's so quick, and it didn't hurt at all shortly thereafter. I think I slept on a bit once and it was sore afterwards and certainly it hurt when my one of my kids would bump it or something for a little while, but overall, there was very little pain or discomfort. You do have to wait a while (few weeks? I don't remember) until you can take it out and change the jewelry. If you decide to remove it? Do you mean permanently? If so, I had my nostril pierced the first time about 17 years ago and kept it for about 6 months but let it close up...no problems and it wasn't noticeable at all. Then I had it pierced again (same side) a few years ago. Still no problems. HTH:)

[caspian's mama]

depending on where you go, i can't see a reason they wouldn't give you a hoop. the big factor is the gauge (thickness) of the jewelry. a pro won't really do anything less than a 14, i've heard. i think the sizes are the same as wire so if you're curious, head to the hardware store to check it out. :lol

the piercing itself doesn't really hurt a bunch, not like that godawful PINCH you get from the gun at the mall. and, of course, as someone else posted, all pain is now inferior to the "ring of fire". (ot: dh wanted to put that song on repeat while i was pushing... only half jokingly!) incidentally, i had my lip pierced with a gun and the girl who did it did her own nose, but it is NOT recommended. (i was doing a little more than :broc in those days!)

i don't know what pricing's like these days. the last thing i had done was my "wedding rings" (one in each nipple) with dh before we were married. that cost $250 for 4 piercings, with jewelry and tip, AND he did it in our living room. as with anything, shop around, but be wary of anything that seems too good to be true. this is an investment and quality (technique and cleanliness) is CRUCIAL.

[mamaroni]

thanks for the replies mamas :D

kelly, LOL about the ring of fire song during pushing! love that song btw. johnny cash :jammin

I'm really not too worried about the pain, just wondered what to expect. I will shop it around. I know the place where I had my tat and cartilage done is top-notch, and I just found another parlor much closer to home that I'll check out too. I'm not necessarily looking to take it out for long stretches of time, just wondered if it was possible. I am so geeked to do this, I wish I could just head out right this second and get it done. My dh is a little :shake about it and we need to work that out first. I don't really understand what his deal is -- we've never been like "you can't do that" with each other. for some reason this is touching a nerve. my feeling is that he should look at it like a superficial thing, but for me it's a meaningful thing that I've really wanted to do for a long time, and it will being a personality defining thing in this mainstream place in which I live. :hippie plus, it's not permanent like a tat. so, OK, I'm going to co chat with him. I'll post and update and pictures once I do it -- hopefully in the next week or so. :fingersx:

[zoe398]

don't think i've posted in a LOOOONG time here, but got a new tattoo several weeks ago. It's on my forearm. She's a fertility goddess that we added a crescent moon and star to for my business logo. Of course, the kiddos names! Link "the New Art" in signature (not the greatest picture). Now that my friend who's doing them is up and running with his work...I'm totally ready for a new one. Looking for some birth art of some sort. I really like Ina May's site with the babe's head emerging from the flower.

[caspian's mama]

hahaha. not long after i graduated from high school, my mom said something to the effect of "pierce anything you want because you can always take it out." she ATE those words when i came back home from college with a big lizard stud in my lip!


just saw a really cute piece last night: the elvish inscription from the "one ring" ("one ring to rule them all...") done in white on the forearm. it was subtle but really pretty.

[shelley4]

okay, it's been about 3 months since i got my cartlidge double pierced. about one month post-piece, my DD accidently hit my ear, and it hurt like &*&%$# and bled. since then, a hard blistery thing has been slowly growing around the top piercing.. it doesn't hurt, but when i'm cleaning it, it sometimes leaks pus and blood.. it's like a blood blister. today, i noticed that the bottom piercing is starting to form one as well.

can someone help please? i really love my piercings (and wanna get more!), but i don't really wanna be walking around w/ big blood blisters around my beautiful piercings forever :crying

[caspian's mama]

i'm pretty sure that cartilage never really heals 100%. it's not recommended that you use alcohol for piercings anymore, but maybe you do need a little something (witch hazel? tea tree?) to clean it out and dry the pus up a little. after that try happy, soothing stuff like calendula or shea butter. use it LOTS to keep good moisture in and make sure you keep rotating it lots or the skin around it might get stagnant and start trying to crust over and "heal" itself.

some piercings just take forever to straighten out. my husband's nipples were done 6/02 and they're still all crusty. mine still took a while (almost a year), but i faithfully cared for them: cleaned during every shower, then slathered them with vitamin e oil when i got out, making sure to push some through the hole, helping it inside and out.

hth; sorry if i went overboard!

[SabbathD]

5 tattoos and 5 piercings for me! Oh! How symmetrical! I never realized that...:lol

[Bartock]

I have 2 tats,rose on my breast, geko on my shoulder, 7 holes in my ears, use to have my nose done as well.

[buzymom]

ya, I got a tattoo on my leg and 6 peircings. one belly button, one in one ear and four in the other. There was a time when I had nine in one ear but I took some out they were too sore. I would love to get another tattoo, I may this summer:) :thumb

[mamaroni]

got my nose pierced today! I'm so excited and loving it. I'll try and get a pic posted. :D

ETA: here are the pictures:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6db31b3127cce88acf64d8db500000016108McOGbZy1k
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6db31b3127cce88acf6318dc900000016108McOGbZy1k

[hvl25]

I'm planning on having one done in June.........

[tofumama]

I just have to come here and brag about my new tattoo-guy. I cannot say enough about Art Gecko Tattoo in W. Boylston, MA. I had a tattoo done by Jerry, who is truely an artist. I have 15 tattoos to date, and his work is so superior to anything else I have had done it is unbelievable! Here is a pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/tofumama/Tattoos/newpics066.jpg
I have since been back to have a couple butterflies added, and he is going to fix up a tattoo I just had done by someone else next weekend. He is amazing.
Here is the website if anyone is interested...
http://www.artgeckotattoos.com

The store is owned by a woman who has been in a bunch of tat magazines, and she has been on a couple of the Discovery Channel tat shows. She is a little spitfire, and everyone at the shop is truely amazing.:thumb

[caspian's mama]

http://artgeckotattoos.com/jpg25.html

yikes!! i am mad impressed. (judging by the plaque, i'm not alone.) those pics made me itchy. i think i just got a job, so maybe i should save up for a bday piece. west boylston is definitely NOT too far to travel. thanks very much for the tip, mama.

[umami_mommy]

i got my nose pierced on saturday. i had it done at a very highly recommended place. it took just a moment and didn't hurt much at all.

here's the problem, since monday the stud had been disappearing into the hole. i called and the only person there to speak to was the other piercer that works there. she said it was just swollen and i need to wait a few days for the swelling to go down. well, it doesn't really seem all that swollen to me. maybe just a tad. and only a smidgy sore. but this morning when i woke up, the stud head was GONE into the hole. i psuhed it out. it bled maybe a drop blood and really seems fine. but i think maybe i need to (drive all the way back there 45 minutes!) go get a stud with a bigger head put in, i can't see how this is ever going to heal like this.

thoughts? i'm in the dark here. :irked:

[mamaroni]

honeybee, I am definitely not more experienced, but I just had a similar experience and I thought I'd share. I had my nose pierced about 10 days ago. the stud is very tiny. the first couple days I thought it was disappearing in too much. then, a couple days ago, after all the soreness is gone, i'm sitting at the computer playing with it, and I pulled it all the way through! :yikes it bled a bit, but I washed really well and put it back in. it seemed more red for a couple days after that, but I was really diligent about washing it, and I used the antibiotic ointment a few more times, and it's been fine. so, just my experience so you know you aren't alone! maybe give it another day and then go back if it isn't better? I was told by the piercer that a hoop heals out MUCH quicker (have heard this from others too).

[caspian's mama]

had this happen with my lip ring. it scared the CRAP out of me. your body perceives it as a foreign object in a "wound", just like a splinter, and does its damnedest to heal up 'n' over.

motion is good: twist it, spin it, never stop playing with it (after washing hands, of course). that forces your body to accept that you WANT the hole to stay there. above all else, keep it clean and moist. avoid anything petroleum or alcohol based, of course, but tea tree on a Qtip, followed by calendula would probably feel (and work) great.

if that's not enough, get a hoop or a stud with a bigger ball on the end. i resorted to sticking a regular earring through mine for a while, because the gauge was small enough that i could do that. i don't really recommend this, but if distance and $$ are factors, then go for it. (make sure you clean it up nice first- peroxide, tea tree, garlic, choose your poison). if you have anything bigger than a 16, though, i wouldn't bother because it'll take a lot longer to heal around it.

good luck. sorry you have to deal with this. my situation was a little out of the ordinary, but if i had it done in a professional place and this happened, i'd probably go back for an adjustment and some new jewelry... at THEIR cost. you shouldn't have been allowed to select such a small piece of jewelry and it's their business to inform you.

[umami_mommy]

thanks cm, he selected it himself... told me the smaller stuff shouldn't be used until it heals completely. he suggested i leave it alone as much as possible. :lol

i have not spoken to him on the phone, but i am sure he would be happy to do what he can for me. though i'm not sure what's really wrong. maybe i do just need to leave it alone an let it heal. he suggested only using a sea salt solution to clean it. though i must admit i have been using a drop of E oil on it to encourage it to heal. calendula might be good too. i don't see any infection or anything, so i think i'll wait on the tto.

problem is i AM suseptable to inflamation... if it ain't my sinuses, it a huge bug bite!

i'll call him after 1PM and see what he has to say.

thanks again and to mamaroni too.

[13moons]

if i had it done in a professional place and this happened, i'd probably go back for an adjustment and some new jewelry... at THEIR cost. you shouldn't have been allowed to select such a small piece of jewelry and it's their business to inform you.

This was what I was going to say. When I got my nostril pierced, I was eyeing a piece with a small stone and the piercer said she wouldn't pierce with one that small for the exact reason you are talking about. She had me pick one with a larger stone and told me I could change to a smaller one after it had healed sufficiently. I've known people who have had this happen with their ears and the only recourse was to put in bigger jewelry. I don't know if there is another good option or not, but my advice would be to, first and foremost, get a bigger piece of jewelry in there. I know there are people on here though with alot more piercing experience, so maybe see if they have other ideas as well. Good luck!

[13moons]

he suggested only using a sea salt solution to clean it.

Yeah, this I hear all the time too. The piercers I have known all say the same thing--nothing but sea salt solution to clean it. I know lots of people on this thread recommend tea tree, etc. but I have always been told just sea salt as well, so I thought I'd mention that too. :shrug

[shanesmama]

I'm tattooed. I though I have a piece that isnt' done yet, and I really need to get it finished. i'm to embarrassed to say how long it has been unfinished. It is a space your face, adn of course I customized it. Then I have some flowers right shoulder, a moon on the middle right below my neck, and I have Kokopelli on my left anckle, bottome leg. I love all my tattooes. :thumb

[tireesix]

I just had a tattoo done for charity..... Got 5 other tats and a tongue piercing.

[umami_mommy]

i talked to the piercer, he told me to pack the nostril with a small amount of cotton ball wrapped in tissue over night and to take some motrin before bed. he said to do this until tuesday and then if it's not better to come in to have the loop on the stud adjusted or a bigger stud put in.

he was really nice and said not to hesitate calling if it gets worse.

[oldermamato5]

I had the EXACT thing happen to me! I got my nose pierced 4 months ago and chose a 20 gauge stud. It was the tiniest they had. I thought it had healed quite nicely when all of a sudden I noticed the stud going "in" my nostril a little too much. I proceeded to pull on it a little to get it to come out more and the next thing I knew it was completely in my nose!! I could see the stud moving just under the skin! I will admit I started sweating it thinking what if I cant get it to pop back out?? I had quite a bit of blood but no pain and did get it to pop back up. I then took it out and put a stud earring in and went back to the shop and they put in a 16 gauge. My new one is actually flat on the side that sits on your nostril,so like a half circle. It has been fine since I changed.
On another note,I do keep getting these little skin bubbles on one side of the piercing. My piercer finally told me to use peroxide as they just kept popping up for no reason we could figure out. The peroxide worked like a charm!:thumb

[heathenmom]

I haven't posted on here in forever, but I'm planning a new tattoo and could use some advice. I have some scars on my upper left arm that I want to cover. DH has spoken with the 2 tattooists at the shop he's been going to, and they seem comfortable with the idea. Of course, they will need to see the scars first ....

I'm having a horrible time finding a design! I like the old school style, specifically sparrows and nautical stars, but I'd like some trailing flowers worked in too, as I think that those would suit my personality as well as cover the scars. Any ideas? I've never had a custom piece done ... how do you go about accomplishing that? Do you just show up and talk to the tattooist about what you have in mind and they sketch it out? You'd think after 4 tattoos and being married to someone with more than a dozen I'd know more about this ... :o

[hvl25]

I'm getting a coverup done in a couple weeks along with the triple helix. My cousin is a piercer in Ann Arbor Michigan and her boyfriend does tats. Check out The Lucky Monkey if your in the area. Her name is Wendi and his is Corey:)

[caspian's mama]

you should check out some of your favorite books. lord of the rings is obviously a big thing right now... in no small part because the original drawings are amazing. i'm thinking of getting a piece of original illustration from the chronicles of narnia books to represent my son, caspian.

you could also go for something representative of your heritage. i'd still like a celtic piece one of these days. also, try art and design books. all 3 of my pieces came from a book of chinese cut paper designs that i just stumbled across at the library.

good luck and take your time with it. it's on there forever (pretty much), so it's worth investing a lot of thought and love into it. :D

[umami_mommy]

i found a great design in the book "the language of the goddess." it came from the inside of a 25,000 year old bowl found in bulgaria. so i think mythology and symbolology books are great for ideas too.

i love my tattooist becuase i tell her what i want and she draws it, she is very very talented. a man flies to the city she is in from japan for her to tattoo him becuase there are very few female tattooists in japan (he's anglo).

[heathenmom]

Thanks, y'all! I showed my husband some pictures that I liked last night ... he said that the guys at the shop he's been going to would be able to create something for me based on those ideas.

I have a spiritual/ancestral/religious-based tattoo already and will be getting others, but those will be done by heathen tattooists. :)

[AmandaMacK]

Wow thats alot of pages of tatted and pierced people hehe, as for me Ive got 7 tats (if you count the one thats underneath the coverup), ears pierced twice (in middle of stretching them, and my tongue pierced. Here are my tats.

Katydid on right ankle
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/djmackool/katydid.jpg

Horse head and horseshoe small of back (drawn from actual picture of my horse)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/djmackool/horse.jpg

Love in caligraphy on back of neck
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/djmackool/love.jpg

Sagittarius (month we were married) in Kanji with date of marriage (hubbys tat dont have pic of mine, but they are the same tats)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/djmackool/kanji.jpg

Pentagram between shoulderblades I got when i was 16
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/djmackool/pentagram.jpg

Lotus flower covering up said pentagram (pic right after I got it this past Feb)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/djmackool/manda_tat_004.jpg

Lil oriental man holding scroll with both kid's names in Japanese this is the first half of the tat (it wraps from side of left calf all the way around the front to the other side, got this , this past Feb also)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/djmackool/front.jpg

back half of tat (this one by far is my fav tat)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/djmackool/middle.jpg

[lunadoula]

Hi mamas! Happy to have found this thread. We're ttc and I'm pretty tattooed but most are conceled under clothing. I also have gauged ears (4 gauge) and other piercings.

This is a bit :shy for me to ask, but does anyone here have experience/info on giving birth when you have a genital piercing? My hood is pierced at the very top, and I'm wondering will I have to take it out? Answers/thoughts appreciated! :lol

[caspian's mama]

wow...

my guess is that everything would be fine. how big is the jewelry? is it something the midwife (i'm guessing if you go to a standard OB they'll freak out and demand that you remove it) could just sorta grab and move out of the way as needed? since the tearing usually occurs down back at the perineum, it should be okay as far as that goes. how long have you had it? since you're not pregnant yet, that means you'll have had it for at least 9mos pre-delivery, right? some people cite a risk of infection as a reason for taking it out, but if you've had it for at least a year, it's (most likely) sealed up entirely now, so that won't be an issue.

i say, find a comfortable midwife and go for it. one of my biggest postpartum regrets is taking out my nipple rings. (dh and i had only gotten them 1yr before: our "wedding rings" :lol) i was afraid they'd interfere with breastfeeding, but in retrospect, it wouldn't have mattered in the slightest.

[umami_mommy]

yeah, for sure find someone who is okay with you the way you are... my midwife never batted an eye at my shaved smooth yoni. most of the women she deals with have hairy underarms and legs and yoni, but not me! she never said a thing..... now the doc that treated my dh and saw *his* genital piercings is another story........... :wink

[13moons]

lunadoula--The genital piercings during birth has been discussed on this thread a couple times before--I would search this thread for hood piercings and see if any other helpful information comes up as well. :)

[lunadoula]

lunadoula--The genital piercings during birth has been discussed on this thread a couple times before--I would search this thread for hood piercings and see if any other helpful information comes up as well. :)

:lol Duh, sorry I didn't think of that! Having a rather "slow" day, haha! Glad to know I'm not the first to ask, too.

[isulari]

.

[13moons]

:lol Duh, sorry I didn't think of that! Having a rather "slow" day, haha! Glad to know I'm not the first to ask, too.

That's okay--I still forget about the "search this thread" feature all the time.:lol


igbysmom--I love the triple spirals!:thumb

[umami_mommy]

May I join the tribe? I just got my first tatts two days ago. They were my Mother's Day gift. I chose two triple spirals. One for each ds with their first initial in the center. I applied lotion right before the photos... sorry for the shine.
Pics:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ashleighwittfarris/album?.dir=/fac6re2&.src=ph
:love

lovely!

[caspian's mama]

those are really neat. where are they, above your ankles?

[isulari]

Thanks!!:love.

[lunadoula]

Thanks!!:love
Yes, they are above my ankles. I wanted them on the top of my feet, but I could not find an artist willing to do that. I really wanted to be able to see them easily... so above the ankles worked best. I really enjoyed them this morning during yoga.

Curious why no one would do it on the tops of your feet? I know quite a few people with tattoos there. The only place I reguarly hear that people won't tattoo is on the fingers b/c the skin cells shed so often after a year or so it looks like crap - and it does, i've seen one! :lol

[isulari]

.

[mamaroni]

May I join the tribe? I just got my first tatts two days ago. They were my Mother's Day gift. I chose two triple spirals. One for each ds with their first initial in the center. I applied lotion right before the photos... sorry for the shine.
Pics:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ashleighwittfarris/album?.dir=/fac6re2&.src=ph
:love

those are great! I really really like them. :)

[mothragirl]

Curious why no one would do it on the tops of your feet? I know quite a few people with tattoos there. The only place I reguarly hear that people won't tattoo is on the fingers b/c the skin cells shed so often after a year or so it looks like crap - and it does, i've seen one! :lol

i have my fingers, hands, and foot tatttooed and they all look great. my finger tattoos are very simple so that they'll age well.

[OceanMomma]

I;ve got a tattoo on the top of my foot that is probably close on 20 years old - yikes! It still looks as good as my other 20 year old tattoos & that is OK.

[umami_mommy]

my tattoo artist is reluctant to do tats anywhere that will hurt really bad.... when i wanted my first i asked her do a ring of morning glories on my ankle.. down low... where an anklet would lay, and she basically refused. and man was she right anyway, the part in the back was excruciating to have done. basically anyplace that doesn't have lots of "meat." feet, hands, wrists and other boney places. she will do them, but usually not if it's your first and only if you really insist insist that she do it. she never lacks for work, so i guess she can be picky. :lol

[isulari]

.

[SleepyMamaBear]

my wedding ring is tattooed on, and its almost three years old, we had them touched up at a year, but they look just as good as they did two weeks after we got them when they were healed.
also, i think as far as ink goes, it all depends on where YOU are sensitive. for me, its near the pits of body parts, armpits, elbow pits, knee pits, thigh pits, yanno? but fingers, wrists and other "boney" (i am not really boney ANYWHERE!) parts of my body dont hurt.
the dahlias on the backs of my calves only bothered me up near my knee pit, and my pumpkin on the inside of my forearm only hurt the closer he got to my elbow pit.

pain is really subjective to individuals.

as far as wear and tear, if you dont wear shoes often, or stick your hands in pockets, there isnt much wear and tear now is there? but if you wear shoes often, and are constantly rubbing the tops of your hands/fingers on things, they are going to wear a little more than if you didnt.

[Hippiemommie]

Hi everyone! I am currently plain Jane. At my last bartending job they made me remove all my piercings so I've been without for a while now. I had tongue, eyebrow, nose, and labret. I am thinking of getting my labret done but with an 18 guage. Does anyone else have an 18? I had a 14 back in the day and I think that was pretty standard.

[punkinsmommy]

Can I join? :)

I have 5 tats. A Lion, my oldest son's name, my daughter's name, the Japanese symbol for Soulmates (husband has a matching one), and a Lotus flower.
Here are some pictures: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=ncapcw3.16gw7j9r&x=0&y=-r5b6u

I have 11 piercings as well, if you count the three in each ear. LOL. I also have my navel, tongue, nose, and both nipples pierced. :thumb

[Emmalina]

I am getting my first tat next week! It is a symbolic frog which represents my ds. I am really nervous! Any advice for a first timer?:shy

[caspian's mama]

breathe deeply and try to focus on something else (like a tiny spot on the wall, far across the room). have fun!

[amberielle]

I have 7 piercings and 5 tattoos. I feel more tattoo addicted, and already have planned what I'm getting next.

My tattoos~ a yellow rose for my mother, a sun and cresent moon, Winnie the Pooh, a butterfly, and the kids names with stars and swirls.

[schmaela]

Hey ladies, I would like to join the party! I've got 4 tatts: a koi, an om, some flowery scrolly stuff and some stargazer lilies. I also have a heap of piercings: ears stretched to about 5/8ths, 3 smaller lobe piercings, a cartilage ring, nose, tongue, and vertical hood. I had to retire the nipples (they grew in both size and sensitivity when I was about 2 months prego) and the navel (It hung in there till about the 30 week mark but then it felt like it was gonna pop when my bellybutton did :( )

I am glad I'm not the only mama out there who looks a little different....although it sure is fun to see grannies at the grocery store do a double take when they see a tatted up pierced mama slinging her babe while purchasing toilet paper :lol

[shelleyd]

Hello tattooed and pierced mamas! I have a question for y'all. I got my nose pierced about a month ago. It healed fine and I had no problems with it. In the last two days though, I've got this huge red bump on the top of it. I called the shop and she said taht it could be from bumping it or sleeping on it. She said that it couldn't be a reaction to the jewelry because that would have happened sooner. But I have very sensitive skin and react to my earrings rings from time to time. It is pierced with stainless steel. She said to wait a few day and then go in for them to look at it if it doesn't clear up in the mean time. I've been swabbing it with salt water and using neosporin (I know I'm not supposed to, but it always helps with my earrings when they're infected). So my question is, should I try to switch to titanium jewelry or should I not bother because the jewlery probably isn't causing the problem? It doesn't hurt or anything, I'm jsut scared of it causing a huge red scar on my nose. Please help experienced pierced mamas!

Shelley

[spiderdust]

Hi everyone! One tattoo, 5 piercings (nostril, ears, lip).

shelleyd, I'm not sure what's causing your red bump on your piercing, but STOP USING THE NEOSPORIN ON IT!! :soapbox It can make it worse!

You say you've been swabbing it with salt water... could it be irritated from swabbing? Have you tried soaking it in salt water (1/4 tsp salt to 1 cup warm water) or using salt water compresses? Remember, overcleaning it can irritate it too.

Definitely go in to see your piercer to get a better idea of what's going on.

[PinksMommy]

Schmaela, have you got a pic of your stargazer lilies? I've been thinking hard about using a border of lillies on my backpiece, but haven't found a picture yet that really shows what I'm seeing in my head, and I can't draw for crap.

[shelleyd]

Spiderdust, thanks for the reply. While I was cleaning it with the salt water, it slipped out and it hurt too bad to put back in. I only started swabbing it when the red bump appeared. But this has happened to my ears soooo many times. I have really sensitive skin and hesitated for a long time to do my nose for this reason. So my nose ring is closed. I'm no longer a pierced mama :( But I'm still tattooed! So glad I can't react to those. :lol

Shelley

[schmaela]

Pinksmommy I have a couple of pics on myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/schmaela

The profile pic is kinda crappy-I picked the hell out of it while it was healing (I know I know :blush ) There is a pic taken immediately after it was inked in the pics section of my profile.

Have you checked out http://bmezine.com ? They have a whole section of floral tatts to admire :p

[mama_nomad]

Spiderdust, thanks for the reply. While I was cleaning it with the salt water, it slipped out and it hurt too bad to put back in. I only started swabbing it when the red bump appeared. But this has happened to my ears soooo many times. I have really sensitive skin and hesitated for a long time to do my nose for this reason. So my nose ring is closed. I'm no longer a pierced mama :( But I'm still tattooed! So glad I can't react to those. :lol

Shelley

I am sorry your piercing didn't work out. Just so you know not all stainless steel is created equally....if it isn't surgical implant grade (specifically 316LVM ASTM F-138) then it shouldn't be in your body...the cheaper jewelry (99 cents as oppossed to $8) is made from the same stuff they make hubcaps and guns from--but it is cheaper for the piercer, it is the client who suffers. Surgical is made to be inside someone's body forever--hence the name sugical. Also this is from the safepiercing website (the APP, association of professional piercers):

Inappropriate aftercare is one of the most common
causes of a distressed piercing:
• Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, Hibiclens and/or ointment(s) are all inappropriate products for body piercing aftercare
• Over-cleaning can irritate piercings and delay healing
• Daily mild, non-iodized sea-salt or normal saline soaks and/or cleaning with a liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap once or twice a day is suggested for body piercings*
• Daily mild non-iodized sea-salt or normal saline rinses and/or antimicrobial or antibacterial alcoholfree mouth rinses, 4-5 times a day is suggested for oral piercings*


while most will say don't use Neosporin, sometimes it is very helpful to use for two days or so, like you said it helped before, but if the jewelry continues to irritate the piercing..well you know what happens! so don't feel bad for using Neo. Check out www.safepiercing.org for more info and to find a studio that only uses the appropriate jewelry if you want to give it another shot in the future. Don't let a bad experience sour you from it altogether. People come to my hubby's shop all the time complaining that they are allergic to everything and they have never had a happy piercing, then they become loyal and very happy clients, b/c high quality totally counts for those sensitive people like yourself.

good luck in the future!

[schmaela]

Mama_Nomad, I noticed that one of your daughters has her ears pierced. Did you use the tiny hoops initially? Were they ever a problem as far as being tugged on or getting caught on anything? I ask because my close friend (pro piecer at my brothers shop) is going to do my DDs ears very soon and I want to know what kind of jewelry works the best. I imagine a teeny fixed bead hoop would be ideal-I know thats what I prefer for my own ear piercings.

[spiderdust]

Spiderdust, thanks for the reply. While I was cleaning it with the salt water, it slipped out and it hurt too bad to put back in. I only started swabbing it when the red bump appeared. But this has happened to my ears soooo many times. I have really sensitive skin and hesitated for a long time to do my nose for this reason. So my nose ring is closed. I'm no longer a pierced mama :( But I'm still tattooed! So glad I can't react to those. :lol

Shelley

You could always take it back to the piercer and have them fix it!

[5thFromHeaven]

2 Tats and your average peircings. I would like to get one on my nose but the hubby isn't in agreement....giggle. He is tickled about the belly button, he finds it sexy. 32 weeks pregnant, so I think we will wait till the belly is exercised to death and flat again. LOL Nice meeting all of you!
OH!, Does anyone have a good site to look at for a Mother's Knot tattoo? I just heard about these and would love to get one. Five children and would love to represent them this way.

[spiderdust]

2 Tats and your average peircings. I would like to get one on my nose but the hubby isn't in agreement....giggle.

You want a tattoo on your nose?? :duck:

[13moons]

You want a tattoo on your nose?? :duck:

:rotflmao I hadn't read it that way until your response! I knew that new smilie had to be good for something!

[mama_nomad]

Mama_Nomad, I noticed that one of your daughters has her ears pierced. Did you use the tiny hoops initially? Were they ever a problem as far as being tugged on or getting caught on anything? I ask because my close friend (pro piecer at my brothers shop) is going to do my DDs ears very soon and I want to know what kind of jewelry works the best. I imagine a teeny fixed bead hoop would be ideal-I know thats what I prefer for my own ear piercings.

Both of my girls were pierced with fixed bead gold hoops. Later DD#1 went up in gauge and diameter and passed her hoops on to her sister. then sister got the disc-back opals, which very much suit her. you could start with disc-back but fixed bead hoop is optimal. the sooner you pierce the better, with babies--they heal SO fast. but once they "know" about their ears it can be more difficult. my girls have never had any problems at all with pulling but they were done within a few weeks fo birth so they think the earringa re just a part of them. I should say though that once, the diamond in my wedding ring got caught in dd #1's hoop and I didn't know it and pulled my hand away fast--it bled and i cried.

just so you know this topic is extremely sensitive outside of this tribe. but it is very importnat to our family and we take it very seriously. just do it right!:thumb

[schmaela]

Thanks for the reply mama_nomad. I've seen a few threads on MDC and other boards about ear piercing, and it's definitely a topic that people feel very strongly about. For me its kind of a cultural thing, not so much a cosmetic issue. My babe hasn't really figured out her ears yet, and we will be having them done in a couple of weeks. As far as wedding rings go, I had to quit wearing mine-it was more like a weapon than an accessory once the baby came around! I only bust that thing out for special occasions now :lol

[SleepyMamaBear]

schmaela are you on IAM?
and i have to add this cause Addy is begging to see it.:broc: :carrot :broc: :banana :broc:

[mothragirl]

Both of my girls were pierced with fixed bead gold hoops. Later DD#1 went up in gauge and diameter and passed her hoops on to her sister. then sister got the disc-back opals, which very much suit her. you could start with disc-back but fixed bead hoop is optimal. the sooner you pierce the better, with babies--they heal SO fast. but once they "know" about their ears it can be more difficult. my girls have never had any problems at all with pulling but they were done within a few weeks fo birth so they think the earringa re just a part of them. I should say though that once, the diamond in my wedding ring got caught in dd #1's hoop and I didn't know it and pulled my hand away fast--it bled and i cried.

just so you know this topic is extremely sensitive outside of this tribe. but it is very importnat to our family and we take it very seriously. just do it right!:thumb


it is sensitive inside this tribe too :gloomy:

[CookieMonsterMommy]

it is sensitive inside this tribe too

Yeah, that.

[TwylaBug]

I want to have my 4 yr olds ears done. But not sure if she'd handle it too well. I sort of wish we'd have done it when she was a baby. I guess we'll leave it up to her. She might have fun picking out her jewelry anyway. Have any of you been to www.steelnavel.com ? I have oreder my jewelry from there. I may just order her's fronm there too. Any tips on kids getting their ears done? Our friend pierces professionally so there is no issue there. But from you mamas who have already been through it, I'd love any tips you may have :D

[SleepyMamaBear]

it is sensitive inside this tribe too :gloomy:

i second that.
:irked: :gloomy: :(

[schmaela]

Addysmama, I'm not on IAM yet, I just submitted a pic, I'm working on adding more soon. Eventually I'll have an IAM page. I am on myspace...got a couple of tatt pics there.

Just so everyone understands, I am not trying to start a debate about ear piercing, just want to gather information to make an informed decision.

Twylabug, I've never ordered from steelnavel, but I have ordered from tribalectic.com and bodyartforms.com. I LOVE bodyartforms! They ship for free and offer all the big names, industrial strength, glasswear studios, kaos etc-nice stuff.

[mama_nomad]

it is sensitive inside this tribe too :gloomy:

interesting...i'll keep that in mind.

[spiderdust]

you could start with disc-back but fixed bead hoop is optimal.

Thank you for pointing this out! I think piercings heal much better with the fixed bead hoops as opposed to the disc-backs.

That said, my lip piercing is a fixed bead hoop, but I want to change it out for a captive bar ring or a segment ring. Unfortunately, I've had a lot of trouble finding that sort of thing in black titanium. :(

[spiderdust]

Boy, we got quiet.

[TwylaBug]

I just wanted to let you gal's know that I added a slide show to my myspace account of all of my husband's and my tattoos ;)

www.myspace.com/twytwy

[13moons]

Boy, we got quiet.

We must all be thoughtfully planning our next ink and/or piercings.:lol

[heathenmom]

We must all be thoughtfully planning our next ink and/or piercings.:lol
:mischief I'm completely obsessing over my next ink, actually. It's been more than 3 years since I've gotten any new work and I'm SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!

[heathenmom]

double post

[13moons]

You're so excited you double-posted!:lol So have we talked about this yet? Do we know what you're planning?

[its_our_family]

they are a what!!!!


Ok, so a few mnths back I bought some pyrex. I stood there and watched the guy show me the size on his little tool thing, just above a 0g, which is where I was.

So, after wearing the pyrex for some time I decided to get some tunnels. 0g double flare, no go.
00g double flare no go.

The pyrex I bought was 7/16.

My holes are HUGE, well, huger than I was anticipating :D

So, I've had the 00 double flares in for 2 days. The stretchings haven't shrunken. So, did I get to that point of no return or does it take more time?


BTW...Bryce has weaned!! So, in july I'm getting my nips done!!! I've been waiting 4 years for them!

[heathenmom]

You're so excited you double-posted!:lol So have we talked about this yet? Do we know what you're planning?
Yep, that's what happened! :o

I have some very, very old (15 years, to be exact) scars on my upper left arm. I don't hide my arms (HELLO, it's freaking HOT here!) and sometimes the attention they get makes me uncomfortable. I refuse to explain to anybody how I got them, so I'm left stumbling over "they're just really old scars and I don't want to talk about it." So, I made the decision a few weeks ago to cover them with a beautiful work of art. I mean, if people are going to stare, then dammit I'm going to make it worth their while! I've spent hours and hours poring over artwork, portfolios, flash ... you name it ... and finally settled on old-school flowers, starting at the shoulder cap and cascading down my arm to just above the elbow. All that remains is meeting with the artist face-to-face and having him draw out my ideas, then getting the work done.

[Sissymase]

This is super super cool to find all of you!!:wink Okay, so I got my tongue and nose ring just this last year on a mere whim (not good thing when your tat guy and piercing hottie are one block away from your son's daycare).

My tatts have become my 'diary' so to speak. I got my emblem done with my very first child support check (alter-evil ego took over that day) and that's at the base of my neck. My dragon (size of standard sheet of paper) is a multi-colored chinese one with wings about dead center of back, that is blowing flame towards emblem (this got started and done during large bulk of my undergrad education process). Then my last one is my own design of two thin dragons spanning my lower back facing in opposite directions that are cuffed together at the tails by the Lumber #5 vertebrae, which is holding a lotus that has a flame giving birth to the dragon afore mentioned. I have the kids' names written in San Script (not sure about that spelling) within the low back tatt. Now my latest and greatest notion is this idea of 'book-end' stone dragons flanking either side of the middle dragon, so that it looks like everything was done on a stone face/wall. The major issue is making the time for each session with kids' schedules and my schooling process.

I thought that my tatt guy was full of it when he had said that tatts are addictive. I loudly commented that "oh no this will be enough for me!"...yeah right!! Now he's a family friend! Go figure!

[CookieMonsterMommy]

I'm dying to get an OM symbol right above my yoni...like on the pubic bone area....

But I want to get rid of my belly 1st:o ....and I'm thinking how tender that area is after I shave, and I know i'd have to shave for the tat.....ehh...

[smeep]

I have 3 tattoos and, currently, 11 piercings (but I've had countless others).

[smeep]

I got my emblem done with my very first child support check (alter-evil ego took over that day) and that's at the base of my neck.

Haha, I love it! My first child support check went to my parents 'cause they were "broke" (their definition of broke is they don't have as much money to blow as they prefer, my definition is I can't eat this week). However, I'm hoping to use the next one for it. After all, because jerkface didn't pay a dime until he was forced to, I spent all my money prior to this on my son and not on myself. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to get but it'll either be a moon/star idea on the back of my neck or something in relation to my son...probably something about my son just 'cause even though I won't tell jerkface it would be nice just to think how I used his money to show the world just how much I love this baby, hahaha. and he thought my life would go down the tube having a child without a real father around. muahahhaa

[its_our_family]

We are looking for a new artist. Our last tats are full of scar tissue. It is so weird. We checked his abckground. We checked with old customers, we saw his portfolio, we saw his work at just about every stage, we saw work that was 2 or 3 years old.....NO SCARS! Dh and I are both scarred beyond belief!

So, I'm looking for someone to fix my arm and turn it into a 1/4 sleeve, dh is doing the same with both of his arm tats. We are hoping that it will draw away from the scar tissue.

Any ideas on what we can put on to help the scars out? I've been putting vit E on mine when I put it on my snug. But I wasn't sure if you knew of anything else that would work.

DAY 4 of smaller gauges....still no shrinkage....

Oh, and I can't wait for my boys to be old enough to decide on piercings!!

[kjcp]

I don't have any tattoos - yet. I'd like to get one, but the placement is driving me a bit nuts. One of my friends had to be put all the way during her c-section because she had a tattoo on her back and so couldn't get an epidural. So that rules that out if I want another child (I really don't want to be put all the way out and I like to play it safe). I work at a law office and I can't really have big tattoos showing - Do you guys have any suggestions on good places to get them done? :)

Otherwise, I only have my ears done seven times. My job doesn't allow facial peircings so the eyebrow - it wouldn't flow. Ohh, well. :)

[FrozenMommy]

Five tattoos:

Phoenix on back
yin-yang on right ankle
Nighthawk, raven, & celtic heart on left ankle

Pierced bellybutton

ears pierced.

[isulari]

Any ideas on what we can put on to help the scars out?

You should be able to purchase a cream from your local pharmacy called Mederma. You may have to ask the pharmacist for it as they usually keep it behind the counter. It is a bit spendy but seems to work well. I have many scars and this cream has even helped very old scar tissue heal smoothly.:thumb

[schmaela]

Kjcp, not being able to get an epidural because of a back tattoo is a myth. Some medical professionals believe the epidural needle will release a "core" or "plug" of ink into the bloodstream that would be toxic-its a total load of crap. If that were true people would be dropping dead everytime they got a tatt, because the ink is "toxic".

Its_our_family, your holes will shrink up if you give them time. Can you go without any jewelry for a while? The weight of your current jewelry may be keeping them open more than you'd like.

[5thFromHeaven]

2 Tats and your average peircings. I would like to get one on my nose but the hubby isn't in agreement....giggle. He is tickled about the belly button, he finds it sexy. 32 weeks pregnant, so I think we will wait till the belly is exercised to death and flat again. LOL Nice meeting all of you!
OH!, Does anyone have a good site to look at for a Mother's Knot tattoo? I just heard about these and would love to get one. Five children and would love to represent them this way.

:dizzy: Giggle, this is why proof reading is always a good idea!

Still looking for advise on a mother's knot tattoo. Help! I am still working the DH on the nose piercing, but he isn't budging....urg!

[zoe398]

I'm dying to get an OM symbol right above my yoni...like on the pubic bone area....

But I want to get rid of my belly 1st:o ....and I'm thinking how tender that area is after I shave, and I know i'd have to shave for the tat.....ehh...


I'm thinking my next will be the OM symbol, but on my wrist.

[TwylaBug]

One of my friends had to be put all the way during her c-section because she had a tattoo on her back and so couldn't get an epidural.

Did your friend have a fresh tattoo? Because I have mine on my back and have had 2 epidurals since having that tattoo. I wonder why they thought that there would be a problem, wierd.:dizzy:

[kjcp]

Kjcp, not being able to get an epidural because of a back tattoo is a myth. Some medical professionals believe the epidural needle will release a "core" or "plug" of ink into the bloodstream that would be toxic-its a total load of crap. If that were true people would be dropping dead everytime they got a tatt, because the ink is "toxic".

Well I suppose that does make sense.


Did your friend have a fresh tattoo? Because I have mine on my back and have had 2 epidurals since having that tattoo. I wonder why they thought that there would be a problem, wierd.:dizzy:

No, it was about a year old. I guess perhaps it was the choice of the doctor and/or anestegiologist not to do it, then? It was right at the spot where they wanted to insert the epidural. But if you had an epidural then that makes me more optimistic about that location.

[TwylaBug]

:lol Mine is on my lower back and goes up my spine. Both times they did it right through the tattoo. When I had my son in Jan. The anestegiologist even commented on how much he liked the tattoo and he assured me that the epidural would do no damage to it :wink

I have a pic of it on myspace, click on my name in my signiture if you wanna see it. :)

I wouldn't worry about the lower back. I was more worried about my tattoo on my bikini line getting stretched out when I got pregnant, other then a couple very small strtch marks t is fine. And I'm the only one who notices those :lol Good luck on deciding what to get and where to put it!

[its_our_family]

Any ideas on what we can put on to help the scars out?

You should be able to purchase a cream from your local pharmacy called Mederma. You may have to ask the pharmacist for it as they usually keep it behind the counter. It is a bit spendy but seems to work well. I have many scars and this cream has even helped very old scar tissue heal smoothly.:thumb

This will work on tat scarring??

[its_our_family]

2 ideas, 1 to just run by you and 1 I need advice and opinions on...

The idea came to me last weekend....

I want a tat of a pg belly, like a side view, and a small child standing beside the profile, view of child from behind, lifting up a hand to the pg belly. I want it in black and white EXCEPT where the child's hand is, I want that to be red to represent the c/births of my children, I want it to look like the child's han d is catching the blood. It sounds kind of morbid but in my head it sounds beautiful and I've been trying to find a way to represent how I feel about my births. I might even consider just doing the belly from the side and just the child's hand and not full bodies.

The one I need opinions on so I can get it done....

I want it placed on my lower back towards my hip but below my stand pant line. What I want is a barcode, like you would find on merchandise.

So, I'm wondering, should I pick a barcode off of something and just copy it?

The other issue is I want it to look smeared. Kind of like you got ink on a card wet and it smears down, I think I'll have it smear down to the right on my right side.

I want it to represent "nonconformity" or "anti consumerism".

I was thinking of ripping the barcode off of a bag of sugar.

Ideas??

[TwylaBug]

Oh if it works I have to get some for my DH. He has tribal pieces that seem to be bumpy because of scarring. I will have to add it to my shopping list ;)

[Anesidora]

Can anyone give me any suggestions/hints/tips on an eyebrow piercing? I have never had anything pierced and am really wanting an eyebrow piercing. I want something really small and subtle. What type of jewelry would be better? Someone told me eyebrow piercings tend to ease out over time... does this mean you just have to be re-pierced?

Thanks for any and all info!!

[smeep]

I'm getting a tattoo today and I want something of or representing my son. He's a water baby (born in it and loves it). Any suggestions?

[NaturalWoman]

Dear Sisters,

I’m a new member/poster and have enjoyed the many tattoo and piercing postings. For me, I’m a 52-year-old granny, married for 35 years to a wonderful man and have two grown children (both married) and two lovely grand daughters! I also have two tattoos and 3 piercings (if you count both nipples).

I got my first tattoo (a small butterfly) on my right butt for my 30th birthday. My DH loved when I came home, lifted my dress and shared my new art. My first piercing was done on a trip to Seattle (age 48). I hit a little shop over in the leather/SM district where they pierced both of my nipples. I’ve seen some questions about nipple piercing and here is what I learned. 1) They normally come out fine, but make sure they don’t pierce too deep. Mine were and took forever to heal; 2) Yes, for some of us, the piercing makes your nipple stay "pokey", but it works for me & DH!

I second piercing was in my hood and that is one to enjoy! Both my DH and me love it, love it, love it! The pain was just fine, and the healing was just a couple of weeks. I started with a smaller gauge loop and ball, but have moved up twice now and really enjoy the larger ball much more! This more than the nipples is for pure pleasure.

My second tattoo, again on my right butt/lower back is quite large 7” tall and 5” wide of a fairy setting on a mushroom. Sherry out of Texas did in on a visit to Kansas City and what a quality job she did! Lots of color and the size is amazing. DH is blown away now when we’re out or at tattoo conventions and I flip up my dress to show it off. Hate to be a flasher, but do love to share the great tattoo. She means a lot to me dealing with some past issues as a girl.

Just wanted to share with this initial posting. More to follow!

Susan

[Naomi_joy]

tattooed and Pierced here :thumb
...although I did have to take out the belly ring so it didn't stretch out too far. Thinking about piercing something else after Baby Z. is born...and also wanting to find a tattoo design to represent the first baby that we lost as well as Baby Z.

[its_our_family]

Welcome ladies!!

I'm hoping to get my nips done in July. I'm kind of dreading the pain....even though I have NO idea what it will feel like. Piercing flesh has to feel a ton different than cartiledge (ear and nose)

[caspian's mama]

i know people always say this, but it really is a major adrenaline rush. i didn't feel anything else like it with my tattoos or lip/tongue piercings. it certainly hurt like a sonofabitch, but it was cathartic and amazing at the same time. plus, it's all over and done with so fast. good luck! i took out mine to breastfeed, although i'd had them a year. they'd have been fine, but i was nervous and uninformed at the time. i miss them tons. :(

[schmaela]

Ladies...I think I want to pierce my septum. I'm kind of on the fence about it because I have some gnarly allergies all the time and I don't want (this might be tmi) boogers to get stuck to it. :sneeze: Any imput about allergies and septums would be greatly appreciated!

Nipple piercings don't hurt that bad, but they take forever to heal. Mine did anyway. I was also amazed at how often I would hit my boobs on stuff throught the day. Ouch! I had both of mine pierced at the same time by 2 piercers. I was pretty sure I would chicken out if I did one at a time.

[its_our_family]

I had wondered about the septum too.

My nose screw gets some build up but not much and once it gets a tad hard it pulls off nice :)

[schmaela]

My nose screw gets kinda funky sometimes, but its waaay up in my nostril where nobody can see it. The septum jewelry would right upfront where everyone could take a peek. I'm the type of oblivious person who would be walking around all day with snot hanging from the barbell, and wondering what the hell people were staring at me for! :lol

[caspian's mama]

dh hasn't worn jewelry in his septum for years and years (since before i met him, actually). he has a retainer for it, though- looks sorta like a black plug. sometimes people think that's a big ol' booger, but it's a nice change for those days when you just don't want to be flashing the stainless steel everywhere you go.

[TwylaBug]

My nipples heald up fairly fast. I had them for three years. But when I was pg with DD my Dr. made me remove them. :( I want them back so bad. I had actually just ordered new jewelry to get them done again and found out I was pg with my son. Maybe when I am done nursing DS I'll do it :D My fear now is the pain and healing time to have them redone :lol Anyone been through that before?

schmaela - I remember hitting them on stuff too when they were healing! It makes you realize how often your boobs do get in the way and we dont realize it. :laugh: