Temp Tattoos Inkjet Printer Sheets

While on the custom temporary tattoo kick, thought I’d share another innovative, fun way to create temporary tattoos for whatever occasion

• Parties




• Trying out a new tattoo idea




• Decorate your books, laptop, candles etc
  
  

With special decal paper you can turn any inkjet printer into a tattoo machine.

Customize and configure your own style and expression. Then simply print. If you are crafty with how you cut your tattoos out, the same sheet can be used over and over again.

In my opinion something along the lines of tattoo paper is the most cost effective way for kids, teens and adults to enjoy those fun little temporary tattoos!

Related Links:

Needled Blog
Crafty Computer Paper – UK
Decal Paper – US

Tramp Stamp Tattoo Stickers for Children

Back in February I blogged about women getting tramp stamps, tattoos on their lower back, which some feel accentuate their sexuality.

In doing some blog surfing, I found a hilarious collection of temporary tramp stamp tattoos, targeted at children!

Toys ‘R Us is now selling lower back tattoo stickers in their vending machines in between the Hannah Montana and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse stickers.

For fifty cents your child can now buy their own temporary tramp stamp for that last minute stop at the club.

All joking aside, if it’s all for fun and games for the children I say go for it. But I tend to agree that customization and expression should be involved in the process.

Amazon, E-bay and even Toys ‘R Us sells temporary tattoo sets that invoke a little more creativity from the growing minds.

Google Map of Tattoo Shop Locations in the Area!

In creating the social network for the tattooed, we’ve almost become a resource about tattoos. One thing many people come up and tell us is that they don’t know where to go for their next idea or actual inking.

Our solution is a Google map pinpointing the tattoo and piercing shops in the Md, Va and Nc areas.

Included with the locations are

• Addresses


• Phone numbers


• Web sites


• Shop icons

People in search of their next tattoo stop can quickly access their contact information. I recommend not only calling before making a decision, but also making a preliminary visit.

Your visit to different shops gives you the opportunity to

• See their previous artwork


• Discuss your ideas


• Ask any questions you have


• Most importantly just get a feel for the shop and artist’s atmosphere!

Getting a tattoo is a form of self expression, so be careful about where you go. Get it done the way you want because it’s an everlasting one. Be safe and smart.

Think twice. Ink once.

I’ve also embedded the map below!!!

View The Full Screen Map

Map Channels - Embed a Google Map into your website or blog.

Please comment with suggestions for additions and removals!

Related Links:

Follow the Ink

Ning - create your own social network

Google Maps

Numbing Creams Can Have Life Threatening Side Effects

The question recently arose on Follow the Ink whether tattooing should have pain or be pain free?

So far everyone that has commented believes that the pain should be part of the tattooing process. But there is an option of topical numbing or anesthetic creams.

On February 6 the FDA released a Public Health Advisory alerting people to the potential hazards of topical anesthetics.

The FDA is aware that the topical anesthetics such as AstraZeneca’s EMLA numbing cream and patch are used prior to medical, cosmetic and tattoo procedures to relieve

• pain


• burning


• itching

The topical anesthetics should only be applied by a medical professional according to the FDA. They explain this is because of the adverse effects of mistreating the cream.

If there is an excessive amount applied, it remains on the skin for a long time or is covered increases the amount released into your blood stream.

This chance of course increases when you include a cosmetic or tattoo procedure.

People worried about getting a tattoo like its pain blocking attributes, but the misuse of the anesthetics can lead to life threatening side effects.

High levels enter the blood stream could lead to

• Irregular heartbeat



• Seizures



• Coma



• Slowed or stopped breathing



• Possibly even death from the toxic effects

Back in December 2007 the FDA also released a warning to the five big companies to stop selling standardized topical anesthetic creams.

I think that the pain is part of the rite of passage in getting a tattoo. Enduring that burden is part of what I think is fundamental to having the privilege of such artwork for everyone to see!

Photo courtesy of EMLA

Related Links & Articles:

EMLA Web site

Description of EMLA numbing cream

Wikipedia on the subject

Follow the Ink - New Tattoo Social Network

Last week my Online Journalism partner Taft Nesbitt and I launched our social network for the tattooed. It is a place where people with ink can share their story because,

“Where there’s ink, there’s a story.”

At our social network Follow the Ink we welcome everyone to post about whatever they want, but the overall tattoo topic would be preferred!

It also has a lot of other awesome features!

You can:

• Post Photos
• Post Videos
• Upload Music DIRECTLY from your computer and other members!
• Blog & comment with other tattooed members!
• Interactive Google map showing all the hot tat shops in the area!! (Available next week!)
• Customize your page with wicked pre-made templates!

Just don't forget, keep it decently clean... this is for school! ^_^

We already have members posting pictures of their tattoos, piercings and sharing their stories!

But the feature of our social network will be our video project. We are interviewing students about their tattoos and their stories and posting them for everyone!

Topics can range from...

• How many tattoos do you have?
• Meaning in the tattoo? Reason behind getting tattoo(s)?
• How much have you spent?
• Any regrets?

If you or friends are a student or a recent graduate within the last two to three years then you should check out our table/kiosk in the GMU Johnson Center next week!

JOHNSON CENTER KIOSK TIMES:
4/8/2008 6:00PM 8:00PM JC Kiosk Counter A
4/10/2008 6:00PM 8:00PM JC Kiosk Counter E
4/11/2008 5:00PM 7:00PM JC Kiosk Counter A

This project is a lot about debunking myths about people who get tattoos and why they get them. We hope to help with the evolution and respect for tattoos.

As of right now, most businesses have some form of dress code that addresses the topic of tattoos in the work place. The only way to change that is to change the opinions of the employers.

So let’s talk about it! Join out social network! Stop by the JC! Or just send me an e-mail web cam video of you chatting about your ink!

Related Links:

Follow the Ink Social Network

Surface Piercing Videos!!!

Now that I have surface piercings on everyone's mind, I know you want to see some done! I've scoured up some awesome videos of wrist piercings and a few other popular surface piercings.

**THE SQUEAMISH SHOULD BE WEARY!**

The first videos are of wrist piercings!


Video credit: Alaysia0826


Video credit: helloimkelly

It was actually hard to find a video of a good neck piercing. There were a lot that used the wrong jewerly; a straight bar with no or little curve will reject!

This one uses good technique and turns out beautiful. This was just pierced about a month ago.


Video Credit: hxc281


The next video is the very cute sternum piercing!


Video Credit: erikagrl13

The last video isn't the actual piercing, but just showing off the vampire's kiss.



Video Credit: stfujesskuh

These last two are ones that I am considering, especially because they can be easily hidden.

But I still am weary of another failure... but that's part of the thrill!

Related Links:
BME Encyclopedia
More Youtube.com Videos
So You Want A Surface Piercing?

My First Surface Piercings

After writing about surface piercings in general, I thought I should include my experience.

On July 15, 2006, I got both of my wrists pierced at the Clinton, Md. sister shop of Mystic Piercing & Tattooing.

I had done my fair share of research on surface piercings when I fell in love with the idea of wrist piercings. Since high school I had worn thin, colored plastic bracelets that never came off. I saw wrist piercings as the body modification step up.

After about three months of mental and monetary preparation (wrist piercings = $45 each), I called and made an appointment with Ben, the piercing artist.


On the phone with Ben, I could tell he was excited. He informed me he was experienced and would take care of me and my piercings.

After the piercings he informed me I was his first wrist piercing, which left me a little insecure but happy nonetheless.

Cleaning my wrists was the hardest part. It was quite painful and took anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes to clean them properly.



Also, I quickly found out the wrist if a VERY mobile location and is also a high impact area. At least once a week I would hit a wrist hard enough to bring me to tears.

It was the beginning of the end.

After three months my right wrist piercing began to reject and grow an infection pocket. The far right hole began to expand and push up the surface bar. It was removed the weekend before Halloween.

With the right one gone, I put all my energy and TLC into the left wrist. Shortly, it too got an infection pocket between the two holes and started to reject.

Ben instructed me through regiments of peroxide treatment and then cutting back to washing it. After several attempts, he called it and the second piercing was removed New Year’s Eve 2006.

After they were both removed, I felt I should have:

• Visited different shops and talked with different piercing artists before deciding.
  
  
• Thought more about the mobility of my wrists.



• Thought more about the location. The piercings should have been further up my arm, instead of where the wrist rotates.
  
  
• Started out with just one wrist piercing.
  
  

Overall I was so happy to have the experience and body modification for as long as I did. I honestly enjoyed people’s reaction and questions.

I work in the campus bookstore and a co-worker overheard some students talking about the chick with her wrists pierced that works at the bookstore!
It’s always entertaining to see and hear the impact your life and body has on other people. Could be why body modifications are so popular?!

It may not be permanent like a tattoo, but the experience can be as rewarding.