Jaded Ink launches - Tatts abound

The man who has done most of my ink is called Jade. Jade is a genius and a gem of a gent. His work is impeccable and his attention to detail is fantastic. So how could I possibly not go to the launch of his new Tattoo Parlour called Jaded Ink.Here's Jade doing my most recent piece that he now needs to complete (3/4 sleeve):And here's the piece:I was fortuitously invited by one Don Packett who MC'd the event.Don is a brilliant MC. He is, by nature, a funny guy but knows when an event is not about him and his talents and humour. Last night's event was about Jade and Don made sure to focus events as much as possible on what was at hand, or in this case leg, thigh, full sleeve, half sleeve, bionic arm, ankle or any other body part you could imagine with ink on it.Here are some videos from the Tattoo Fashion Show that Jaded in put on:After this event the most incredible thing that I realised is that the culture of tattoo bonds people. It brings like-minded individuals together no matter how far removed from one another they are.Jaded Ink will definitely be doing my sleeve in the very near future.

Get inked - SIX in Cape Town

I am an addict, I have confessed before but do it again now: I am addicted to Tattoos, and I am pretty bleak that I didn't make my way down to Cape Town for the Southern Ink Xposure event.The event looked huge and it's really fantastic for me to see how widely accepted and practiced tattooing has become. I will definitely be making my way to the event next year. Maybe the Missing Link crew will come down for the ride too.

New tattoo - help me create it

So I have been thinking about this for a while now. Not the actual getting of the tattoo, that's been decided, it's going to happen. What I've been thinking about is how much of this whole event to publicise on my blog.It's tricky you see. I want input and as many brilliant minds and artists to help me out. I have started on the design and have a clear idea of what I want, where it will go and what to include. But it's never enough.But at the same time, putting a tattoo design on the Internet is tricky. I am not saying that the design is going to be so wonderful that it will be downloaded and copies. But I am saying that there is a chance that happens.So my question is this; If I post it will you help?Basically, if I post the developments of the tattoo and design on here will you give me input and do you think that there is any risk of my design being hijacked? Or am I just being paranoid?I want your help to ink me, permanently. Collaborative online tattoo design. What do you think?If you are a tattoo designer, know a tattoo designer or think you can help me design my newest tattoo then leave a comment on this post and I will contact you!

Tattoos

I am somewhat tattoo obsessive. I love tattoos, I love getting them, having them and designing them. I recently got it in my head that I want a new one (I have 3 already and got my first one done at age 14). So I started to design it. Below you will see the initial stages of the design for my upper back between shoulder blades. I have a couple others that I have designed for shoulder add-on.

But then I thought about the money that I wanted to spend on my new addition to my body work. I was aiming at designing something that would cost me close on R2000. After some thought I honestly think that this is a complete and utter misuse of cash for me right now. I am not saying that the money would not be well spent on the tattoo. It's just that at the moment the money would be better spent in other areas and interests. Like buying a DSLR Camera for work purposes. This would make me money not make me look cool.So after much internal debate (Jen you will be happy to know) I have opted not to get another tattoo right now.

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