A Long Road to a Permanent Mark

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fragile-inkAfter pondering for a little over 5 years, I finally have my “Fragile” icon on my leg for good. Getting it there was more of a journey than I anticipated.

To start with, I got some gift certificates from two friends on my birthday — even though Shawn had said he would buy me the tattoo, we decided that we could get it done there then he would top up the cost and buy me something else. Except I sent emails and left messages and got no reply inside a week. I felt like that was fate telling me “Nope.” So I pondered my next option.

After another friend got some really nice work on her arm, I emailed the shop she got done at and they replied, suggesting I just drop in. So I did.

There was one person working and he said another artist would be back “in about 20 minutes.” We waited about double that time then gave up since there were at least 4 other viable tattoo shops in walking distance. (Seriously, Victoria has just slightly more coffee bars than tattoo parlours.) We chose one where two other friends have had a bunch of work done, walked in and although both artists were busy, one paused long enough to make an appointment. I left happy with a time and date in mind and an estimate for the duration and cost of the work.

We had made the appointment for noon so we showed up almost spot on time only to be told the artist had “just popped out for lunch” and would be back in half an hour.1 I’ll admit, I stepped outside and had a little bit of a hissy fit.

Really, in a city FULL of tattoo shops, shouldn’t they be kinda fighting to get and keep customers? Why should it be so difficult? I think the biggest issue I had with all three places was that my time was not valued in any of them. Am I out of line? Am I being too uptight here?

2013-07-31 12.52.49Once I was in the chair the actual process went smoothly.2 She suggested outlining the piece in a dark grey so that the red ink didn’t bleed. She placed on the outline and we made sure it was sitting straight and where I wanted it, then the work began. The outlining hurt a little more and only a few pricks really stung and the filling in there was only one or two moments where I just wanted it finished. In the end, it took very little time, we paid cash, and left pretty content with the final product.

I’ve already been asked, “So when is the next one?” and while the actual experience of getting the tattoo was far less painful than I had expected, getting into the chair was far more annoying. In other words, it’s going to take a while before I try that again.

 

1 To be fair, my artist was pregnant, and I totally get the fetus dictating mealtime but when she returned she instead said she was sure it was booked for 1 not noon. She blamed baby brain but it was pretty flaky, even for that.
2 However, I really wish I had read the BC Health guidelines for Tattooing before getting the work done instead of after. While there wasn’t anything majorly out of place (except the lack of a proper dressing when I left — note: a paper towel is not an appropriate dressing), I felt like there were shortcuts taken.  Also, it seems like there are more hoops for hairdressers to jump through in this province than for tattoo artists. This led to Shawn researching how much tattoo gear costs… watch out, Victoria….

2 Replies to “A Long Road to a Permanent Mark”

  1. Their hold on the market is fear. Fear that a DIY job will be a disaster. Moreso, there is some legislation to regulate tattooing. But that barrier is low. Low enough that tattoo tracers / artists can jump the hurdle.
    I thought, “the schools must be hard to get into.” Nope: the common way is through an apprenticeship with an experienced tattoo artist.
    I own some airbrushes and some high end equipment. I thought: “equipment must be crazy expensive.” Nope. A starter kit is less expensive than the minimum fee for a tattoo.

    • I know… like I said, it will take some time before I look for another chair to climb into.