Let me start by telling you, I'm not a total newbie when it comes to Body Mods, I have 5 tattoos, my helix, 6 lobes and my navel pierced(and a retired 2nd navel, lip and tragus.) Anyhow, the first time I got a tattoo it was purely because I thought they were "cool" and me and my friend got them done together. Since the first I tried to make sure that any others would have a meaning behind them, and this was no exception!
At A Glance Author Hayley When N/A Artist Steve Studio Graven Images Location Birmingham, UK In Feb '06 my family received the wonderful news that my big brother was expecting a a baby! I was completely over the moon, mainly due to the fact that I am the youngest of 3 and have never really looked after a younger child. Also I was very much looking forward to being "Cool Auntie Hayley". So after around 4 months of preparation for the new arrival we learned the devestating news, that the baby had died. This hit me like a ton of bricks, and whilst on holiday around a month or so after it happend, I had the ideato get a memorial tattoo to remind me of that little life we lost.
After deciding on the design I wanted me and my boyfriend headed down to Graven Images just outside the center of Birmingham. I'd had my previous tattoo there (on my dad's recommendation), and found that Steve was absolutley awsome! So I strolled into the store, which to be 100% honest doesn't appear to look like much, he's re-decorating the shop, so there wasn't much on the walls and everything looked a bit bare, but as I thought to myself before, appearences CAN be deceiving. Steve came out and greeted us, we made a little small talk but he got straight to the point and asked me what I would like. I explained my idea to him, and as I hadn't drawn the design up myself, I wanted him to do it! So, after giving Steve the direction that I wanted a small Daisy-like flower head with 6 even petals, about the size of a 2 pence piece, he emerged around 10 mins later with what I could only describe as a; simple, but absolutley perfect design! He dissappeared again to get himself set up and the proceeded to call me through. In Steve's place he doesn't allow anyone to come back into the room with you, which, if thats how he likes to do his job, then who am I to complain!? Steve then asked me where I wanted my tattoo, I told him on my left foot, on the left hand side down by my toes. He then went on to rub my fake tan off (hey! this IS England! we dont have a great deal of sun!)After cleaning the area, he placed the design got out his pre-packed needles and we were good to go. Now, after having a tattoo on my inner wrist and tummy, thought I may be able to handle this, but it was nothing like I expected! Especially when he got down by my toes! I gripped the sides of the bench throughout most of the procedure but luckily enough, he didnt take too long in doing the outline. Then it came to colour, what colour did I want? I told him I wanted varying shades of pink, from baby, to magenta. I always seem to find that the colouring in always hurts less than the outline! From what I can remember I was only in there about half an hour, seemed like hours though! So once he finished he cleaned me up I then enquired about the healing process, as I was going back to work in a few days I was a bit concerned that my footwear might irritate the tattoo. Steve put me at ease and advised me to wrap the lower part of my foot in cling-film for a few days, whilst changing it regularly. So with my new shiny foot, I limped out of the shop having got a bargain too at only thirty pounds!
Walking was a little painful, and my foot swelled up a bit too but other than that I was pretty pain free. I am so pleased with my little tattoo, it has healed wonderfully, the colours are just so bright and vivid and it attracts so much attention! I proceeded to follow Steve's instructions with the cling-film, in the morning I would gently wash the tattoo with warm water (boiled from the kettle), pat dry, apply some Preparation H and wrap up my foot in the cling-film. I would then change the cling-film at lunch then repeat the process when washing of an evening. I think the general idea behind the cling-film was to stop my shoes from rubbing on the scab, this way the tattoo didn't scab essentially. Anyhow brilliant result!!
Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you guys the meaning of this little tattoo, The flower was to be pink with 6 petals, as my little Madeline was born sleeping at 6 months into the pregnancy. And now, being on my foot, she'll be with me, wherever I go and whichever journey I take, I'll never forget the little niece I've got, just cant hold.