I remember holidaying in Lanzarote when my dad got his first tattoo. I thought it was the most beautiful and intruiging art form i'd ever seen. I was gobsmacked at the thought that you could actually get ink punched into your skin and make a beautiful picture!
At A Glance Author Michelle Contact mishshshel@hotmail.com When Three months ago Artist Neil Studio Swineline Location Waterford, Ireland It was a couple of months ago when I got it into my head that I wanted a tattoo. Although i didn't have any money I got one of my very good friends to lend me the money. I decided I wanted something original so I came up with a musical note with a rose wrapped around it. I originally heard of Swineline from a friend who had gotten all her piercings there and highly recommended them saying they were very professional.
So I walked into Swineline with my friend and told them what I wanted. The woman at the counter showed me a treble cleff with a rose through it amongst the artwork on the wall and I instantly fell in love with the design. We discussed placement and I decided on my forearm, just above my wrist and booked an appointment for the following week. Unfortunately I had to reschedule as my friend couldnt lend me the money till the week after.
I met up with some friends on the day and was extremely nervous and excited. Being a wuss I was freaking at the thoughts of the pain. I had to have a can of Coke to try and stay calm. Didn't work lol.
So half four came and found me standing in swineline waiting to be tattood. I met my tattooist, Neil, whom I instantly liked and trusted. Then my stencil was printed and I showed him exactly where i wanted it and discussed colouring.
He started off by shaving my arm (which I thought was very weird but I had read beforehand that they had to so it was all good) then smeared vaseline on the area. So far so good.
I was all clenched up as he prepared the ink and the machine etc. but he quickly told me that I had to relax or I couldnt be tattood. I was so eager I just flopped to try and relax haha. The machine started and my heart started going 90.
I lay there waiting for this big burst of shocking pain that I had heard do much about but instead felt a light scraping and a bit of warmth and had to ask my friend if he actually started tattooing yet haha. Well, he had and I must say it was the best feeling ever. I thouroughly enjoyed that 30 minutes spent in that chair. A few times he would hit a nerve and i'd squeak a bit but other than that there was no actual pain to speak of.
He cleaned me up afterwards and inspected his work, then allowed me to look at it before wrapping me up in cellophane and taking me to the counter where I paid a tenner below estimate. A pleasant surprise (: .
The aftercare was easy, it scabbed up a fair bit but subsided in about a week. I then started the lotion (I used Nivea) at regular intervals throughout the day.
All in all it was an amazing experience that i'd recommend to anyone. I also recommend Swineline to anyone who wants a trustworthy tattoo artist, a clean, friendly atmosphere, exceptional artwork and good prices.
Ill defenitely be going back there soon with all my plans for the blank canvas I call my body (:
Next I plan to get two angled hearts on the back of each hip and 3 coloured stars across my stomach but thats a christmas present.
I did hit a snag when my dad found out as he didnt want his daughter with tattoos. He didnt want me to have piercings either but here I am with snakebites and a tongue bar.
If you are reading this and are considering getting a tattoo my advice is to go for it. I'm a complete wuss yet cant wait to get new ink over and over again.
There is no pain, just a light scraping an a bit of warmth thats very far from unbearable. The only thing i would say is to get something meaningful like i did as i know people that thoroughly regret getting a band name/partners name etc.
Im not saying ALL tattoos dont hurt as im sure a lot do but mine didnt hurt as much as I thought it would which pleasantly surprised me and I also got to witness a tongue piercing being done as I was sitting there (:
It also helps your first time if you dont look at the needle. I started feeling anxious when I saw it even though I was fine beforehand haha but overall a truly amazing experience that everyone should have the fortune to experience. Also a BIG thamk you to Swineline and Neil for making my first tattoo experience truly unforgettable.