Never one to turn down an opportunity to further her art, MrsC has decided she wants a tattoo for her birthday this year (and presumably every one thereafter...). Not a full sleeve or the names of her children with the Chinese symbol for "Dry Cleaning, open Mon-Fri" underneath, charming though these are.
She wants a text phrase of 20 letters and spaces around her upper arm and it is my job to find someone who'll do a good job...

Does anyone know how to judge whether a tattoo parlour is any good? Or better still, can anyone recommend a good one in Cambridge?

Much obliged, as ever..

Of the 3 people I know who have a tattoo, every one regrets it. One had started painful laser removal. COnsider semi permenant is the advice they would give.

My best friend from school is a tatoo artist and people travel literally from all over the country (or the world) to see him, but he's based in Newquay, how about a short holiday treat?

You need to browse some web sites showing examples of what people have done, so at the risk of flouting some forum rules, here's a link to Dud's place http://www.dnatattoo.co.uk/index.php

But do think carefully about the size and location of any tattoo, and whether it would still seem a good idea in 5, 10, 20 years time, might your circumstances/family/outlook have changed? Tat's don't all fade to blue any more and some of the designs are truly amazing, but you need to find a good tattoo artist not just someone who's handy with the machine

I reckon it's a fantastic time-saving idea.

I'm assuming it's "Not tonight Mr Clennell" she's going for

Is your wife a sheep?

Tattoos are popular with sheep

How about "Property of Mr J Clennell", you could offer to contribute to the cost?

Interesting comments; my, what humourists we all are! Not quite sure I understand the "sheep" comment from Daniel; if it is suggesting that having a tattoo doesn't mark someone out as individual, then I'd agree. If, however, it is suggesting that MrsC is someone who blindly follows others and doesn't think for herself, then I suggest you have no idea either who you're dealing with or the many and varied reasons behind having a tattoo...
I appreciate the concern about regrets - I too know quite a few people who have undergone removal and it's expensive and nasty. However, those who know anything about MrsC will know that the prospect of pain, regret, danger, etc won't put her off anything. She did marry me, after all as well as buying a Land Rover. Not to mention spending time in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc...

Thanks for the link, Dave, I'll have a look, although it will have to be Cambridge as we won't be getting a break anytime soon!

I won't reveal the wording, but I can reassure all those esteemed members concerned for my nuptial health that it relates to art practice, Jean Baudrillard, Magritte and others.

I'll let you know how it goes...

If it's just going in a band around the upper arm 20 letters will make each character borderline on being too small to look decent and detailed, especially as it ages. Unless she has an upper arm the size of my thigh.

I'd make the chars a bit bigger and wrap it right around maybe 1.5 or 2 times, that way you could include some background shading or some details like vines around or behind the letters. Maybe use colour for background and black for the letters, or just do the whole thing in black/grey shading.

Consider getting something that can be expanded and flow into other pieces later, it's easy to end up with lots of poorly placed, unique designs if you don't plan ahead.

I bet there are at least 10 tattoo studios around Cambridge and the level of experience of the artists will vary a lot, half of them probably only opened in the last 5 years or so.

Try to get a personal recommendation for a specific artist who's good at the kind of design you have in mind. Go talk to them in person about your design, before making an appointment.

Spend at least a few hours browsing tattoo pics online + check out the photo books every studio will have and hopefully you'll end up with a better idea of 1) What's possible 2) What you want 3) What you definitely don't want

I don't know much about them, but the advice from my missus is to find a tattoo parlour that is well booked up rather than one with immediate slots!

Gives a hint of the quality.

Recommendations and seeing other people's work is the way forward.

Thanks for the tips. I know that she wants it to be plain script (though for some reason my suggestion of "Comic Sans" wasn't popular), but I take your point about the size of the lettering. There are a couple of long-established studios in Cambridge, but as mentioned, I'd rather go by personal recommendation.

Certainly if I was going to allow my skin to be permanently marked through the magic of having somebody who looks like a cross between a Hell's Angel and a Big Issue seller attacking me with a protracted series of ink-coated needles I'd want a personal recommandation as well.

Unfortunately, I'd never take a personal recommendation from somebody who thought it was a good idea to let the above happen.

Oh Andrew, you old stick-in-the-mud.

Afraid I'm with the redoubtable Mr. R.

I think having a tattoo is the equivalent of declaring, during the summer of love, that you would wear a big heap of tie-dye every day for the rest of your life. But then being unable to change your mind unless you pay a big price in both money and pain.

But don't let me put you off! Do as you please, Mrs C.

Or as someone previously posted (AndrewR), "most of us tired of drawing on ourselves at aged 4"

IIRC

Not one of mine, Mr B. I think it's a Shiny quote.

Get one yourself too Jim while you're at it, may I suggest the words,
'Check the roof before you drive away!'

OMG you have my sincere apology Andrew

I have to agree with the "not for me" camp, but - not for the first time - MrsC is quite happy to go her own way. Having said that, I have nothing at all against tattoos for those who want them. I'd hope that she is grown up enough to understand that a tattoo is either for life or until you have the time and money to complete laser removal.

As I mentioned, her planned tattoo is closely linked to her art practice and her feelings about herself as an artist. Without knowing her as I do, I would probably advise against it, but I understand where the idea comes from (and I can recognise an exercise in futility when I see one!).

Thanks TBirdX - the only tattoo I would ever consider would be "I've been out with Nicholas Parsons" on my forehead. (Name that reference - without googling, you cheating wretches!)

There's a tattoo parlour on Mill Rd, I walk past it every day on my way to the station. There are always plenty of people in there which is probably a good sign.

Also, I have a mate who is friends with a tattoo artist. She only ever gets tattoos done by him and they look pretty good. But I'm no expert. She lives just north of Cambridge but I can try and find out some more info if you want?

Hi Boosted, thanks, I've had the Mill Rd studio recommended by a friend with a lot ot tattoo experience! I called them earlier today to have a chat.

Old women with tattoos. Nothing gives me a stiffer erection in the morning.

So you look at nothing in the morning then SB?

Cheaper than Viagra.

Other than shabba?

Ah good old Shabba.

Provide.

Word of mouth is a great place to start listen out for the same tattoo artist name, and how busy they are, a really good artist can design your tattoo from scratch which then makes it original to your wife.
I have a small rose tattoo myself on my wrist and don't regret it but just make sure the place she wants it she is 100% sure as when we get old and wrinkly they don't look great.
Tell her good luck and post a pic up when it's done

Idea for tattoo text -

If you can read this you're too damn close

Tee-hee!

"All the things she said"

"honk if you are horny"
"baby on board"

I suggested "May contain nuts".

Anyone know how to stop a nosebleed?

I wish my van was as dirty as this wife?