Category: Photo inspiration

February 12, 2013

Issue 2 – The Face Issue with Cassandra Frances. Things&Ink magazine

So it’s time to reveal all. Our issue 2 cover star is Cassandra Frances who works at End Times in Leeds. She is one of my faves, my sister and I got tattooed by her last year – blog post here.

Issue 2 Things and Ink COVER starring Cassandra Frances

I first met Cassandra in 2012 and I instantly fell in love with her warm nature and dedicated work ethic. She put me at ease while she tattooed me, chatting about life, music and magazines. We were like old friends, talking away, of course the conversation always returning to ink.

When the decision was made to make issue 2 ‘The Face Issue’ I knew I wanted Cassie on the cover. With her fiery red hair and delicate porcelain skin, you almost don’t notice that she has facial tattoos. Her tattoos are so pretty and feminine and will certainly make people think twice about their preconceptions about women with facial tattoos. The image on the cover is powerful, beautiful and innocent. I really hope you like it. You can read a full interview with Cassandra in the magazine, find out about her tattoos and how she felt about being on the cover.

Order your copy now from Newsstand.

Photo: Samuel Butt
Make-up: Keely Reichardt

September 16, 2012

Alice in Wonderland and Snow White tattoos

Photo: weheartit

September 1, 2012

Things and Ink – a new style of tattoo magazine

Things and Ink – A compendium of thoughts in ink, launching 1 November

So, it’s time to tell you all about what I’ve been up to for the past months. I’ve been busy planning photo shoots, fashion and lifestyle features, homewares sections and columns, looking at pretty pictures of tattooed ladies and chatting about tattoo history and magazine design. All for a brand new tattoo magazine called Things and Ink.

Things and Ink is about tattoos, art, culture, stories, diversity and emotion.

Things and Ink is a new style of tattoo magazine that embraces female tattoo culture. The aim of the magazine is to give tattoos more context, to give the point of view of not only the tattoo artist, but the wearer, too. Tattoos should be viewed where they sit on the body and the story behind them should be told. Things and Ink will satisfy the reader’s curiosity and tell the intimate stories. Things and Ink will be pretty and arty and shatter tattoo myths. It will welcome collectors and tattoo virgins alike.

And here is a sneak peak of a photo shoot with Laura of Babb Photo and Rachael of Marry Me Ink…but you’ll have to wait until 1 November to see what it’s all about…

Location: Into You, London Makeup: Hayley Fell

August 15, 2012

Some more girly art and tattoos from CFB Tattooist

As you all know I love the artwork of CFB Tattooist (aka Cassandra Frances) who works at End Times in Leeds.

My sister and I got tattooed by her (blog post here) and I have blogged about her on numerous occasions…but her artwork just keeps getting better. So I couldn’t resist doing a quick post with a couple of her recent painting and tattoos.

Photos all taken from Cassandra’s Facebook page

July 16, 2012

Birthday girl – Dutch friends, faraway sisters and domestic bliss.

Sealed with a loving kiss xxxx

So yesterday was my birthday. I celebrated with some old and very good friends in Holland (I blogged about them and their forget me not tattoos around a year ago). There was one special person missing and that was my sister, Olivia, who is currently in Australia. But today I received a lovely package through the post…

The hand-drawn card is beautiful and it has the little envelope design from our matching tattoos! I think she also kinda has my fringe.

Matching sister tattoos – rose and envelope

I also got some lovely earrings from my sister’s Gypsy East jewellery range that she runs with her friends Emily (I think Emily is the very talented artist who drew the card, she also has ace pink hair) and Sylvie. They make pretty jewels with the treasures they find on their travels…here is picture of all the gypsy girls together…

Oh and here’s a picture of me in my new Dutch birthday apron from my Dutch friends. I like to call myself a tattooed domestic goddess, although I am somewhat lacking the domestic bit.

Tattooed (domestic) goddess

Thanks to all my friends and family for the birthday love, I am a very lucky girl (and don’t ask me how old I am…)

xxx

July 15, 2012

Thomas Hooper’s tattooed twins – Jordan and Caleb

Jordan and Caleb

I love matching tattoos – and I adore these identical twins (Jordan and Caleb Kilby) who have been tattooed by Thomas Hooper.

Tattoos: Thomas Hooper
Photos: Richard Ballard, Damon Allen Davison

I discovered these tattooed twins because of an article by Dr Matt Lodder Tattoo you and me? Body art can be good to share.

July 14, 2012

Friday 13th tattoos – did you get yours?

Are you superstitious?

So tattoo shops have a tradition of celebrating Friday 13th by offering lucky (or maybe unlucky) tattoos from a sheet of flash for £13 – you can also give an optional £7 tip if you like. (I think some shops might charge £30 now – times are tough!)

Unfortunately, I am on holiday with some family friends, so didn’t manage to get myself a Friday 13th tattoo, but here is a selection of yours…

My Twitter friend, Daniel Vane aka Grandmaster Tash, was a little greedy and got himself the dagger (by Julia) and the candle (by Naresh) from Flamin’ Eight, in Kentish Town, London.

I love this little dagger – it’s on Bethany, who runs one of my favourite blogs ever, Arched Eyebrow. She got it done at The Circle, London. And picked from the sheet of flash below by El Bernardes…

Lucky rabbit foot, by William Corvidae Sparling, who works at Exile Tattoo, Benfleet.

Friday 13 cattoo

This little cat is on Lou LaLa, she got it done at This Old Skin, Wymondham, Norfolk.

Noose by Scott Move, Haunted Tattoo, London.

These cherries are on the lovely ReeRee Rockette, who runs Rockalily Cuts. Tattoo by Stewart O’Callaghan, tattoo apprentice at Prick Tattoo, London.

July 2, 2012

Cute matching envelope tattoos

forever & always no matter how far.

Photo: sarpearbear.tumblr.com

May 28, 2012

Get your tats out – Ruby Confusing

Name: Amber
(Ruby Confusing blog, @Ruby_confusing twitter)
Age: 29
Occupation: Manger of hairdressing academy
Location: Norwich, UK

I had my first tattoo aged 17 and it was on my hand! It was tiny a little butterfly from Bambi, which has since been covered. I always found them fascinating and knew that I wanted at least one – it has now turned into quite a lot. I can’t say I remember seeing many on other people, and it was a good few years until they became more mainstream. I suppose it was when I started to meet friends who worked in the tattoo industry and who had a lot of tattoos that I started to collect more and more. I think this is due to feeling more comfortable in my own skin and finding good artists that I trusted. I’m pretty lucky that with my job in the hairdressing industry, I’m allowed to have them in visible places, although I think in general employers are becoming slightly more relaxed about tattoos.

My first experience with a really good artist was Wink Evans, in Norwich, who is amazing and responsible for a considerable amount of my tattoos – pretty much all of my right arm and a flamingo piece on my left calf. He works at Factotum.

I guess I prefer being tattooed by people who are local to me, as it is easier to make appointments and get work done. Norwich has some brilliant artists, so I don’t need to go further afield. I do have pieces from other artists – Eric Michalovicand Dawnii Fantana, but this was at Norwich Body Art Festival or guest spots.

I’m currently being tattooed by Brad Ward from Factotum, who did the Russian dolls on my shins and the man and lady with animals on their heads and J’adore on my lower fingers. I really like his style and have been super happy with all my work by him and plan on more.

The fact I had tattoos before I knew much about it has left me with a few that I’m not so keen on… I have had one covered up by Mike Boyd at Indigo in Norwich and it’s amazing and no one ever notices the cherries that were there before! I plan on dealing with the rest at some point in the future.

My style is colour, the brighter the better! I get inspiration from all around me, sometimes it is things I see, tattoos on other people or even things I read! I’m not one of these people who really think about what they want and research it – I just have an idea and then want it done as soon as possible.

I get asked if my tattoos have meanings quite a lot and they don’t really, I like them and that’s why I get them.

I have lots more planned for the future! The main thing being a back piece which will cover up some horrible pink tribal I had when I was 19. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time now, but know it is something I’m going to have to commit to, and before that I have lots of smaller projects I’d like to get finished.

My favourite tattoo is whichever one is my latest one, so right now the man with the fox on his head.

May 11, 2012

Teeny tiny tattoos – I would love a little thimble tattoo

I love these little tattoos by artist Guen Douglas, who works at Magnum Opus in Brighton.

tiny teacup tattoo Guen Douglas — A little teacup tattoo on the back of an ankle

Teeny teapot tattoo Guen Douglas — A teeny teapot tattoo on a back just below the collar line

I have been on the search for an artist who could tattoo a tiny little thimble tattoo on my vintage arm. So I may have to book an appointment with Guen.

I would like a little thimble tattoo in memory of my lovely Gran who sadly passed away when I was younger.

I was always fascinated by her collections – she collected Toby jugs, pink glass, thimbles and many other random things. Her house was always so cosy and welcoming. My sister and I used to love spending weekends at Gran’s house – eating digestive biscuits in bed, reading The People’s Friend, making dens and eating Gran’s amazing meat and potato pie. Plus Gran used to let us decorate her Christmas tree however we wanted, mum always had a theme!

I miss you Gran. When I get my thimble tattoo, I will forever carry with me a memory of you.