I would like to share with you a personal story of mine with the hopes that it will prevent you from making the same mistakes that I have.
When I was seventeen years old I wanted my first tattoo. My parents would not approve of me getting one. So I had to find someone that would tattoo a minor without parental consent and who would do it cheap. It didn't take very long. I met a really nice guy who said that he did tattoos at his house. He said that he would do the tattoo for $45. Sold!
The next week there I was in his living room as he finished setting up his machine. Which was made with an infant tooth brush, a ball point pen, a motor out of a cheap remote control toy car, a paper clip, a sewing needle, and a nine volt battery. I was intrigued. What an awesome piece of machinery. No I'm not being sarcastic. I really was impressed with the whole set up. I paid attention to how he made this machine, because I fully intended on making my own machine just like that. I got the tattoo on my chest and cheese and crackers did that hurt. He did the entire tattoo with a single point, dull ass sewing needle. I mean everything, even the shading.
I had a new love in my heart and a new tattoo. I thought the tattoo looked good, and I suppose it did if you compare it to the one I soon gave my girlfriend which was supposed to look like a butterfly but looked more like I snorted the tattoo ink then blew my nose on her.
I also thought that I could do body piercings. I did my best to make forceps with paper clips and anything else that I could bend into something resembling a triangle. Needless to say I rarely even got the needle through the person not to mention I never could follow the needle through with jewelry.
Luckily I've never been a part of spreading Hepatitis or HIV, I do mean luck too because the only reason I didn't is because I never came in contact with anyone who had them. The ball point pen that acted as my tip and tube was never changed between tattoos. I thank God every day that my ignorance didn't cause anyone to loose their life. I still, of course, have the tattoo that I got for $45. I refuse to cover it, it serves as a reminder to me to always research everything I want to do in life and never to rush into anything. It also swells up every time it's going to rain so it serves as a nice forecaster.
Nearly twelve years have gone by and I still love tattoos and body piercings to this day. I don't work in a tattoo shop, and I have never been an apprentice anywhere. I do still do tattoos out of my house for friends. All of which do tattoos on me. We do it as a hobby and we do not charge money. We never tattoo anyone outside of our circle. We often have people ask us. We refer them to local professional shops. I have professional tattoo and body piercing supplies. Which includes an autoclave!!! I have spent a ridiculous amount of money on training videos, books, and e-books.
By Curtis Parham
