So this is how the story goes: On this dark and dreary Irish day... back in January... I was visiting Ireland on my lonesome and decided to get a tattoo as a memory of my travels. So I yelp some tattoo shops that might tickle my fancy. So I see this tattoo shop that is also a tea/coffee and barbershop as well. Who am i to judge, considering I come from the hipster capital of the world (San Francisco.) I take a look at the artists work, and am super impressed. So I decide to walk the mile and a half to the shop, while getting lost and rained on and almost blown over by the wind.
I finally approach what I am hoping is the store front to Ink Factory (I almost went back a few times.) As I walk in, there is this SUPER cute sprite looking woman named...Babs. First of all, Babs is amazing. She handles the front area. Immediately, she was like how can I help you, with all smiles. I knew I came to the right place. I had no idea of what i wanted to get, except for a huge board on Pinterest that I wouldn't mind just randomly picking from. So long story short..er. Babs let me hang out with her, and let me use the computer to pick a design that I wanted. She never ONCE made me feel like i was bothering her, or feel like an idiot for walking into a tattoo shop and not knowing what I want. So after about an hour, we picked out a beautiful Claddaugh design and was able to set me up with Ian.
Ian. Ian is the prince charming in this story. First of all, when I gave him several ideas, he gave me real feedback on what would look good, take a long time, painful, blah blah. He was extremely patient and all smiles on helping me figure something out. I was making this simple Claddaugh design complicated with Ombre colors...on every design. He took it like a champ.
So as we are getting ready for the tattoo, i'm super nervous, and both Ian and Babs are taking it in stride and making me feel comfortable. (Thank you again for that!!) So Babs helps me pick out where i'm getting my tattoo and we decide on the back of my thigh (I was definitely regretting my choice of pink Minnie Mouse panties at that point.)
As Ian is working on my tattoo... my body starts to tremble then shake. On this trip, I did not eat very much or sleep a lot, so Ian mentioned my body was going into shock. I was extremely embarrassed and was having panic attacks. He just pretended not to notice and kept on working. He asked me once if I was okay, I responded I was. Babs then comes over and is like, I can go across to the shop to get you some food or a sugary drink? (Like I said, the people here are freaking amazing!) The tattoo was almost finished, so I declined.
My tattoo came out more amazing than i had thought in my head. It is exactly what I wanted and I absolutely love it. I will try and post a picture on here another time, when I have someone able to take the photo for me. Ian's vision was amazing, and i am forever grateful for the Ink Factory team for making my trip and my body art, memorable, and for placing one of my most favorite tattoo's on my body.
I highly recommend this shop. The artists are talented, and the shop is fun to be around.
If you go in, tell Bab's and Ian, Jenna says Hi :) read more