I have an update on the tattoo progress. I have achieved an appointment with the tattoo artist I wanted, for March!! In the immortal words of TMBG, everyone’s excited and confused.
As I was trying to fill out the appointment-request form under intense time pressure, I realized I SIMPLY COULD NOT choose an upper-arm tattoo from among the many appealing candidates: an upper-arm tattoo was my first choice, but that first choice was not yet Ready, EVEN INCORPORATING the realization that I have TWO upper arms. I could, however, choose with confidence a tulip tattoo on my calf. So I filled out the form for tulip tattoo on my calf, and my appointment request was accepted.
Of course immediately after celebrating I began having fretful follow-up feelings. First fretful follow-up feeling: I think I said TOO SMALL a tattoo. The form required a size, and I said approximately six inches. But I think I probably meant eight. Or ten? I don’t want a WEE MINIATURE. On the other hand, my summer “shorts” are a source of affectionate teasing in my household: the claim is that my summer shorts are about three inches shorter than my winter jeans. And it’s true they are RATHER MODEST, as shorts go, and they do descend BELOW THE KNEES. And I do not want my tulip tattoo to be visible in shorts as only STEM!
The ONLY THING I would need to do to alleviate/justify this fret is go put on my summer shorts and measure how much calf is visible, but somehow I am not doing this and am instead just doing the fretting part.
Second fretful follow-up feeling: the tulip is a pleasing choice to me because I like tulips and think they are pretty, and they are one of my favorite flowers, and I find them psychologically supportive in winter (the comforting anticipation of them coming up in spring, but also they are available from my grocery store in January/February so I buy them weekly) and I think they are fun as calf tattoos. But ALSO, I’m half Dutch, so there is a pleasing little ancestral reference there. SO WHY DIDN’T I THINK EARLIER OF HAVING MY BIRTH SURNAME INCORPORATED INTO THE TATTOO?? Well, I still can! I hope! And if not: I can go back for another appointment and get it added then.
I have to admit that I laughed at the length of your shorts.
Don’t fret about the size or adding your family name, usually the artist will create a draft of the tattoo and you can tweak it. I’m sure you will love it. I got my first one after my 30s because my sister wanted one and my mom would’ve killed her so we both got the same one LOL A few years later we got another one :)
Wear shorts to the appointment. They can size appropriately.
This!! And congrats on making it this far with your resolution! I look forward to hearing all about it.
Every tattoo I’ve gotten is different than I originally imagined because I let the artist guide me in size, location, color, and design. I’m sure you’ll also consider the professional advice they provide so don’t be surprised if you end up with something better than you imagined. I think they’re asking about size and such on the appointment set up to determine how much time to book so as long as you’re not deciding to go full leg I’m sure there’s no problem with size adjustments Can’t wait to see your tattoo!
These are excellent cooing thoughts.
Also my life is made up of “but somehow I am not doing this and am instead just doing the fretting part.” Why do we do that?!?!?
Coping!!!!! Holy hell. I do proofread.
I mentally added an L and read “cooling thoughts” and didn’t bat an eye.
Came here to echo this. The size and placement is likely more to do with scheduling the appropriate amount of time. Your tattoo artist will work with you and can make it slightly bigger or add your name without issue.
When I got my latest, the artist asked for some reference photos of what I liked (in case you want to prepare that) and then we worked together on the final design. Congrats!
I’ve always thought that if I ever get a tattoo I’ll put on my favorite outfits and choose a location/size based on what will show the amount that is pleasing to me in my favorite cuts of clothing.
I am so excited about this!!!!
Here for this tattoo content. Can’t wait to see it!
Some help for the fretting, I hope.
The size is a guideline. They know it’ll change once they do a mockup of the design.
You can send a followup email, with further details. You can get your shorts and attach an image of yourself in them, to the email. You can mark up this image, to show them what size you want.
Including your surname into the tattoo is a reasonable request. You can bring this up, also. If your artist doesn’t like doing lettering, they can design a space for it to be added later. This is all fine!
Congrats on the progress!!
Yay for you! I’ve got three tattoos and did the appointments by phone and didn’t have to state what I wanted. I think most artists book more time than might actually be needed to make sure nothing is rushed. I echo the others. The artist will discuss it with you, make a draft to show you and tweak it from there. Adding a name shouldn’t add too much extra time.
You’re gonna be okay Swistle, nothing is set in stone; the tattoo artist will work it out with you!
AAHHH so exciting!! I’m very jealous! I really need to start doing my research on artists around here so I can get my own tattoo journey in gear….
It sounds like a cool idea for a tattoo. I look forward to seeing it.
So cool! I was in infinite deferral about a design until my son decided he wanted a tattoo for his 18th birthday so I went with him instead of waiting two more years until my 50th. I might not do the same thing again, and yet I’m still okay with what I got. Still haven’t decided if I’ll add to it or get another one. Maybe my daughter will decide to get a tattoo, which will help with that.