Tattoos

Old news is still good news, especially when it's about jewelry. Scarlett Johansson recently revealed her bracelet-inspired wrist tattoo while promoting the Avengers movie.

Much like a rosary, Scarlett's tattoo lays on her wrist and dangles down into a small charm with the scripted verse, "I love NY." Scarlett was born in the big city and still calls it home.

Bracelet and rosary inspired tattoos are one way to wear permanent jewelry pieces. Consider a family heirloom that has been passed down or a cherished Congressional Medal. Tribute and memorial tattoos are a meaningful way to honor family traditions, birthplaces and significant life events or experiences.

As we head to New York for the 15th Annual Tattoo Convention, send pictures of your memorial and tribute tattoos to Jodie at tattoo.guide@about.com and show your love for NY!

Image CC wavelab.b@Flickr

Well my gypsies, we've made a wrong turn and we are now headed BACK to New York City for this weekend's 15th Annual New York City Tattoo Convention. Hollywood can wait my friends and you can always read about legendary actress and exhibitionist Bettie Page by following thislink.

If you haven't done so already, please go to Facebook and LIKE our new page.

Dates of the Show

May 18th, 19th & 20th 2012

SHOW HOURS:

Friday 18: 4 pm to Midnight

Saturday 19: Noon to Midnight

Sunday 20: Noon to 8 pm

Tickets available at the door ON THE DAY OF THE SHOW ONLY.

~ NO ADVANCED TICKET SALES ~ TICKET PRICES:

One Day Ticket -- $20

Two Days Unlimited Access -- $35

Three Days Unlimited Access -- $50

(Tickets available ONLY at Roseland and ONLY on the day of the show)

Full artist list is available here and some book ahead. You must be 18 years of age with a photo identification card, so come prepared. Find out when the next tattoo show comes to your town by clicking here.

Wake up! Let's go to the city that never sleeps.

Image Courtesy David_Shankbone@Flickr

What's not to love about a bit of Capitol Hill gossip ?

In his latest story The Illustrated Congressman, Roll Call Around the Hill Reporter John Stanton explores the politics of body art.

Rep. Duncan Hunter and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. both rock a set of half sleeves under their cuff links and they weren't afraid to roll them up to talk.

Jackson Jr. fesses up on his plans of getting a new tattoo every year, adding to family portraits and his childhood hero Bruce Lee piece. "I believe in body art," Jackson exclaims as he shares a bit of wisdom about venturing into the world of tattoos:

"The key is to plan it. You don't want to look like a smorgasbord of thought."

Smorgasbord of thought and lack of planning on Capitol Hill ?

I daresay.

Read all about it here!

Image Courtesy Johanohrling@Flickr

Embrace your inner tattoo artist with a cedar and pine crayon holder that disperses your very own Crayola ink.

Handcrafted in the United States and available for worldwide purchase at dragonmichael67's Etsy shop, Michael Riley turned out this idea for good friend and tattooist Trey Steelman's daughter, who had an itching to borrow Dad's machine.

I must admit my crayon machine makes the perfect pair for either of the Tattoo Coloring Books from Mommy Has Tattoos author Phil Padwe .

Although I daresay no stencils or books are needed for me to hone my craft.

While this crayon holder works best with broken bits and that part can be frustrating, I couldn't help but find excuses to steal it from my kids to draw up my very own Old School Gypsy Girl.

"Sure I can fix that broken piece," followed by an "oops need to push the paper back to get the crayon in," and then a world-class (works every time), "let me just test it out for a second to make sure it works," helped me finish my piece to perfection.

Budding tattooist-tested, Mom-tested and artist approved; tell the kids to put down their guns and pick up a tattoo machine.

It's cool to be inspired.

Image Courtesy Jodie Michalak

Today's reader mail comes from somewhere far away and mystical.

I suppose there are loud colors, streamers and a parade downtown; singing and drum beats and a murmur sort of sound.

It is there that my reader scurries off to the street to send me this question, which is sort of discreet.

Pssssttt....

This mysterious reader wants to know if she should get a masquerade mask in the form of a tramp stamp tattoo on her back?

I took it upon myself to discuss the masked vision with legendary tattoo artist Shanghai Kate Hellenbrand.

Kate loves travel and history so I know she can pretty much back up anything she has to say about Venetian masks, never mind the fact that she was one of the first female tattooists in America.

Our wise Kate had a few concerns about the Tramp Stamp Masquerade Mask Tattoo.

First, the masks are not a flattering shape to place at such a feminine area of your body. You've got some curve there and seeing that a mask just adds a blob across your backside, nothing is lifted or visually enhanced.

Second, Kate's not sold on the sensual appeal of a masquerade mask. Since you're going to be bending over quite a bit and revealing that tramp stamp, you may want to opt for something that has a visual shape and even a theme that's sexy. Kate suggests you follow the path of your body and opt for a design that mimics and creates a V-shape.

Waves, ripples, wild flowers and tribal or Celtic curves create a much more appealing design for the lower back.

How about something sexy like a big ribbon or bow? Laced, unlaced, unmasked, you know...

The final vote?

It's a don't!

Submit your tattoo and piercing questions to Jodie at tattoo.guide@about.com before it's too late.

Image CC Dawarwickphotography@Flickr

Below is the most current updated list of tattoo conventions throughout the United States.

Please feel free to email Jodie Michalak at tattoo.guide@about.com to add an event or to comment.

Have fun in hell!

May 04th - 6th, 2012 Hell City Tattoo Fest "A Decade of Sin" Columbus, OH info@hellcity.com

May 11th - 13th, 2012 Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention Tattooed Kin Pin Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, MD tattooedkingpin@yahoo.com 1-800-541-8239

May 11th - 13th, 2012Tattoos By The Bay tattoosbythebay.com Corpus Christi, TX

May 18th - 20th, 2012 15th Annual New York City Tattoo Convention nyctattooconvention N.Y.C, NY Info@NYCTattooConvention.com

May 18th - 20th, 2012 Ink Life Tour 2012 inklifetour Austin, TX info@inklifetour.com

May 18th - 20th, 2012 Immersed In Ink Tattoo & Arts Festivals immersedinink Bossier City, LA 512-363-6788 admin@immersedinink.com

May 26th - 27th, 2012208 Tat2Fest 208tat2fest Boise, Idaho 208tat2fest@gmail.com Tel: 208-936-1228

June 1st - 3rd, 2012 Battleship Olympia Tattoo Convention tattooedkingpin Philadelphia Seaport Museum Philadelphia, PA tattooedkingpin@yahoo.com 1-800-541-8239

June 15th - 17th, 2012 Immersed In Ink Tattoo & Arts Festivals immersedinink New Orleans, LA 512-363-6788 admin@immersedinink.com

June 22nd - 24th, 2012 Tattoo la Palooza tattoolapalooza Hyatt Regency Hotel Miami, FL conventionink@gmail.com 954.696.3233

June 29th-July1st, 2012

Ink Life TourJuly 6th - 8th, 2012 Ink Life Tour 2012 inklifetour El Paso, TX info@inklifetour.com

July 20th - 22nd, 2012 Ink Life Tour 2012 inklifetour Denver, Colorado info@inklifetour.com

July 20th - 22nd, 2012 Immersed In Ink Tattoo & Arts Festivals immersedinink Joliet, Illinois 512-363-6788 admin@immersedinink.com

July 27th - 29th, 2012The "United Ink" New York Tattoo Convention newyorktattooshow Nassau Coliseum Long Island, NY info@newyorktattooshow.com Phone: 631-686-5921 Cell: 631-686-5921

July 27th - 29th, 2012Ottawa Valley Motorcycle Tattoo Show motorcycletattooshow Petawawa, ON valleybikeshow@hotmail.com Tel: 613 312-9983

August 24th-26th, 2012

Ink Life Tour

Longview, Texas September 12th-16th 2012OC Bikefest presenst the Needle Art Expo needleartexpo Ocean City, Maryland Johnnyxxxnobody@yahoo.com Tel: (615) 691-3965 or (615) 707-4627

September 13th-16th 2012Paradise Tattoo Gathering Keystone Resort Keystone, CO 80435, Office at Off the Map - (413) 527-6574, TattooGathering gabe@TattooNOW.com

September 17th - 19st, 2012Ink Life Tour 2012 inklifetourAtlanta, Georgia info@inklifetour.com

October 20th - 30th, 2012Immersed In Ink Tattoo & Arts Festivals immersedinink Reno, Nevada 512-363-6788 admin@immersedinink.com

November 2nd - 4th, 2012Ink Life Tour 2012 inklifetour Washington, D.C info@inklifetour.com

Dream catchers and feather tattoos were bound to become webbed together.

Said to trap bad dreams when hung upon a bed or cradle at night, a dream catcher allows only pleasant thoughts to flow.

Thanks to the widespread popularity of the Twilight saga, many more people are embracing Native American spirit and opting for Indian tribal symbols and tattoo designs such as beaded and feathered objects.

Feathered and beaded tattoos are the perfect way to add legend and style to your body's canvas.

Opt for a colorful dream catcher or just keep it black. Dream catchers make unique foot and shoulder tattoos.

Have your artist spin something wonderful!

CC Image

As promised we've provided the expertise for your most intimate questions. Author and APP President Elayne Angel graciously took the time to respond to today's selected reader mail.

Please check out my exclusive interview with Elayne Angel and be sure to read her book, The Piercing Bible.

Guest Reader:

Hi, I have been wanting a PA for sometime. However I have a tight foreskin, which I can pull over the head, but leaves a mushroom shaped head, can this be pierced? Thanks

Response from Elayne Angel, APP President, Author The Piercing Bible

I frequently receive inquiries from men who are not circumcised and are concerned about whether or not a Prince Albert piercing is advisable or even possible. Like many aspects of body piercing, it depends on individual anatomy.

As it says in The Piercing Bible:

If you are uncircumcised, you may still be built for a PA piercing.

You must be able to comfortably retract your foreskin far enough for the piercing to be placed in an appropriate location. The piercer must check your tissue with your foreskin in both positions to be certain the jewelry will fit properly.

If your foreskin fits snugly over your head, a curved bar may be needed for healing. You must not wear a ring so large that it prevents your foreskin from resting in its natural position. The ball at the tip of your penis must not be so small that a curved or circular barbell easily slips into your urethra. This will cause the remainder of the ring or bar to hang down from your piercing, which can irritate your tissue and might feel unpleasant inside. -Elayne Angel, Author The Piercing Bible--

Send over your questions and overcome your piercing fears.

Tattoo.guide@about.com

Some well known tattooed celebs like Ami James and rocker Dave Navarro are bearing their body art to raise awareness and spread the PETA message: Ink, Not Mink.

In other words, be comfortable in your OWN skin and let the animals keep theirs.

Pretty skin deep. How about rocking a leopard, reptile or a tiger tattoo, or painting your body something striped or sexy for a night of wild fun?

What's your thoughts?

Email me at tattooguide@about.com or send me your painted pics.

I got ditched by a vampire.

I'll be the first to admit, it wasn't easy. I reached out and made a cordial offering of welcome and I got nothing.

I wanted to interview Maria Jose Cristerna, the Guadalajara, Mexico mother of four who has morphed her body into a shocking creature of the night.

"La Mujer Vampiro", The Lady Vampire has two fangs, horn implants (inserted without any form of an anesthetic,) tattoos on 95% of her body, stretched lobes and a full set of facial piercings.

I had the questions planned, thoughtfully sealed with wax on a scrolled piece of parchment with my very own calligraphy hand; in which I have practiced since I was of a young age while lurking the foggy streets in search of a companion in the wee hours of the night.

So I thought we'd at least have a few things in common.

Apparently my English did not translate well or the timing was off, but I never heard back from the Vampire Queen. So here I sit in despair, awaiting the day that I shall have the chance to pen my very own, "Interview with the Vampire".

Steal such a title you say?

I will shamefully admit that despite being a writer it wasn't until hearing on yesterday's NPR news that book titles are not copyrighted, that my head has befallen even lower.

My Interview with the Vampire, could have been sold on Amazon in the form of a quick Kindle read.

Perhaps my interview would have sold millions and I could retire to my darkened chambers for all eternity.

Come hither Vampire Queen.

What would you ask a vampire? Leave your comments below or email me at tattooguide@about.com. I don't bite.

Image CC Bigaila@Flickr