Hi all- At long last, I am ready to get my first tattoo. I've spent time and a lot of thought on it, and I'm ready to make the plunge!

This is what I would like:
i1143.photobucket.com . . .

Hopefully the picture worked.

I have played violin for 14 years. It is a part of me. My love for the violin will never diminish, so I figure it'll be a good design for a tattoo.

I'd like to get it in either black or a dark brown ink. At first, I was vey interested in getting a white ink tattoo, but after lots of research and talking with people who have them, I opted against it.

My questions are:

I will be getting it done in Charlottesville, VA in January. Are any of you familiar with the area? Is there a website (like the APP website) that has a list of reputable and certified tattoo studios in the area?

Also, do you have any ideas on how much this would cost? I realize each artist will differ in price, but I'd like to have a general ballpark of how much this will cost me. I've set aside $200 to go toward my tattoo fund. I'm hoping that's plenty

Thank you so much and have a great day

Unfortunately I can't help you with your first question, but as for pricing, my friend had a similar size design done on her wrist back in July. She paid $60.00 plus a tip. We priced different studios in the are and they were all around that figure. I think $200 should be plenty, but stop in and ask around to be sure.

Congrats on getting your first tattoo =) Exciting!!!!

That should be plenty!The shop I use would charge around $40 for that plus tip.

Are you getting it on your wrist exactly like in that pic? I'd duplicate it and simplify it a bit - less heavy of a line and have the two of them instead of just one. I know what it is and like the idea but looking from the side having it straight up and down and right in the middle of your wrist kind of makes it king of look like a cut with a stitch across it in the middle of your wrist.

I have found yelp to be a great starting point for tattoo reviews. And your tattoo is probably going to be priced probably at or a little above shop minimum. Unless you're going to like Kat Von D's studio, $200 should be plenty.

I can't help you with a shop, because I'm on the West coast and not familiar with your area. But I agree with the others that 200 will be plenty. I have "let it be" on my wrist in black ink, and if I remember correctly, it was $60 plus tip.

~*~Punkgirl~*~

Long live punk rocK

You'll want to get it in black. Honestly, I can't imagine they'd charge you much more than shop minimum for it, which has been $50-$60 at all the shops I've checked.

You'll probably have enough money in your tattoo fund for the tattoo itself, a tip, and a celebratory dinner afterwards...with plenty leftover!

I think that'll be a cool tattoo and yeah, it'll probably only run around $50 or $60, depending on the minimum at the shop. My first tattoo was only the minimum and I ended up getting it when I went to check on pricing; the guy just said, "I've got an hour free if you want to do it now." I just went with it since I already had the money ready to go!

Thanks everyone for your prompt replies!

I have looked at Yelp- only 4 tattoo studios come up, and only 2 of those have reviews. And they only have 2 reviews each!

I really want to get this done by an amazing artist. I know the design is simple, but if I'm going to get something permanent, I want it done right the first time and want it to be the best it can be.

Also, my husband will most likely be getting a tattoo at the same time. (he is currently deployed and in January he will get to come home for R&R for 2 weeks- we are spending it in Charlottesville.)

Any other suggestions on how I can find a reputable place?

Check out the two that have reviews for yourself. Most tattoo shops don't look clean because that's not "cool", but they all have to adhere to certain health department rules. The basic things to look for are if they change gloves frequently, use disposable ink caps, & what kind of needles they use. Do they use disposable or reusable? If reusable, are they autoclaved between clients? (it seems like a ridiculous question to ask, but trust me, it's not).

As for the design itself, I agree with Brit. From the side, it'll look a bit like a cut with a stitch over it. Probably not the vibe you're going for. Talk to the artist and see what s/he can come up with. They get paid to design after all. Also, definitely get it in black ink. That will age the best.

I'm in the UK but I wouldn't spend more than £40 on that design. I have a little tattoo on my shoulder of a lizard which cost £30 and my foot tattoo cost £40 or £50 and thats a lot more detailed and coloured.

That should be no where near $200. It should roughly be $80-$90. It depends on where you go and how much time it is going to take. It would take maybe an hour or so for that tattoo. It would be best to go to the artist, show them the tattoo, and they will give you an estimate. Go to different tattoo parlours and ask for estimates. I hope that helps!