Karen's Tattoos Blog

"My wife had her nipples peirced about 6month ago. Despite the pain of the initial piercings and long healing process she tuffed it out. About 3 1/2 months after the piercing she tried to switch from the standard 14g Bar recommended by the piercer to a ring with bead. She said the pain of trying to switch was too intense and had problems getting the curve of a ring through the nipple (it wouldn't come out the other side) She also still experiences soreness in the nipples from time to time. Any suggestions on what she might be doing wrong?" - Awood23

Blood Thinners and Tattoos
"My mother recently had a heart attack, and is now on blood thinners. She wants to get a tattoo on her ankle. I know that you aren’t supposed to get a tattoo when you have been drinking, and I figured that prescription blood thinners would be the same thing. My mom is determined though. Is there any advice you could give me and my mom about this?" - mandy9r

Man Arrested for Not Telling Tattoo Clients he Has HIV
Gerald Campbell Jr., 32, of Crystal, Michigan, has been arrested for not informing his sex partners or his tattoo clients that he is HIV-positive. He has a criminal record and has already served prison time for attempted murder, so I'm guessing this guy didn't work in a professional studio. This is the risk you take when you get tattooed by someone out of their home just to save a few bucks. Anyone who came in contact with Campbell is being urged to be tested for HIV.

More News This Week:
Man Killed in Vegas Tattoo Shop

TX Tattoo Shop Shooting Caused by Mistaken Identity

Man Accused of Illegal Tattooing

Lizardman Walks the Red Carpet at Ripley's Museum

Artist Sells "Living Tattoo" on Another Man's Back

In 2000 or 2001 , I got a tattoo of Jesus Christs' face on my left shoulder blade by Tiny @ Electric Pencil in Whittier, CA. I moved away and lost track of the shop because it is no longer there. I got another tattoo by Body Illusions in La Mirada, CA. Due to unfortunate events, they closed down. I'm assuming they might have had ties together because they both shut down around the same time. I've been trying to locate Tiny for more work because his work is EXCELLENT and would like for him to put some more ink on me. I can send a picture of his work for proof. He should remember his work (all shading). Do you know where he works @ now?

Does anyone know where Tiny works now or how to reach him? Please leave a comment below or shoot me an email!

Update! The kind people at Goggles and Glasses have created a special discount code for readers of this site! Use discount code ABOUT and receive 10% off your order!

I love sunglasses. They're probably my favorite accessory and I have quite a collection of them in varying styles, colors and designs. So, when the Ed Hardy line came out with their vintage tattoo design sunglasses, I drooled a bit. But at $200 a pair, I just can't justify getting them. I'm too abusive on my shades, throwing them in my purse, in the car and inadvertently leaving them somewhere never to see them again. So, when I came across Goggles and Glasses' new Tatt Shades line (which run $14.99/pr), I was very excited! I emailed them right away, and within 5 days I had 3 new pairs of tattoo sunglasses to try out. Did they meet up to my expectations, or does the cheaper price reflect cheaper quality? Read my review and see how Tatt Shades held up under a week of my abusive behavior.

"Alcohol will thin out your blood and cause you to bleed more. Depends on how much you drank and how long it takes the alcohol to get throughout your system. Excess bleeding can make it much harder to work because the blood will push out the ink... or it can mix in while you're trying to put the ink in, thinning out the ink and basically 'watering it down'... which makes it more transparent.

Your clients are also (or should be) signing a contract. Can't sign a contract if you're not in your right mind. :/ Drunk people make hasty, impulsive decisions. And yes, they may come back the next day complaining or worse.

Drunk people often don't sit well. It's difficult enough to tattoo someone... then add alcohol. They move, can't stay in one position because they forget, talk with their hands, can't or won't listen when you need them to, jump, twist, twitch and this whole time you're working on them with your fingers two inches away from their BLOODY NEEDLE. 0.0 It's a big health risk. Just not worth it IMO.

Besides... the only time I can really put up with drunk people is if I'm drunk myself. I can't stand working on someone and having them breathe alcohol on me the whole time... because sometimes they just have to see what's going on as close as they can get. Ever try to work on someones arm when they're trying to see it themselves? Heads and hats get in the way. lol" - Sharptattoos

Oklahoma Artist Offering Free Barack Obama Tattoos

Warning about Innisfil Tattoo shop

Injectable Cream Removes Tattoos?

Tattoo Parlor Owner Shoots, Kills Intruder

Shandi Child Pleads No-Contest to Indecent Public Display

Although there have been major improvements in recent years, the body art industry still remains heavily dominated by men. When a woman is able to work her way up high enough to stand out in the crowd, it's always worthy of recognition. This week, that recognition goes to Tattoo Factory artist, Beth Snyder. Beth still works at the the same studio that gave her that first break - the Tattoo Factory in Chicago, Illinois. Learn more about Beth by reading her bio and then visit her photo gallery to see some great examples of her tattoo and fine art.

While putting on a show at the Deerfield Beach tattoo convention, suspension performer Jimmy Pinango broke his leg when the rigging that was supposed to hold him up broke, sending him falling 12 feet to the ground. Fortunately, emergency personnel was already on the scene as part of a regular precaution to this type of event.

More News This Week:

Men Charged in Scissors Attack to Remove Tattoos

Tattoo Shop Hosts Benefit for Seniors After Blaze

wyldthang95 writes: "I had my nipples pierced some years ago. I had them pierced for a few years when I had to remove them due to being in the hospital for a major surgery. I was in the hospital for some time, and by the time I was well enough to re-insert the nipple ring it had closed. Now I have what I would call two everlasting 'white heads' on each side of the nipple where it was pierced. I can squeeze the nipple to get out the gunk but I can never get it all so it always comes back. What can I do to help these 'white heads' heal? I'm really concerned because I'm now pregnant and would like to be able to breast feed my baby without having to worry that they will be sucking that gunk in along with my breast milk."

If you're looking for a great convention to attend this year, there's still several coming up. The events calendar has been updated with the latest conventions that have been submitted for 2008 and 2009.