This week I am super pleased to feature the ever-adorable Chelsea of Seablanket.com! Chelsea is a blogger friend of mine who you may remember from a couple of months ago, when I featured a giveaway from her then-new Etsy shop. Since then, her shop is really taken off and I've had a blast browsing her always-changing vintage and handmade items! Not only is this busy woman sweet as sugar, she's also has some amazing, amazing tattoos. I've fallen in love with her sleeve and I know you'll just love all of her artwork. So, without further adieu, here is Chelsea.
Name and blog name: Chelsea, from Seablanket.com
Age: 22
Occupation: Account Coordinator at an Advertising & Marketing Firm
Age of first tattoo: 18
Favorite tattoo: Stomach piece, reading Freedom
Featured tattoo/location: Deer Totem, Upper Arm Piece
Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Jerry Ware, Atlas Tattoo Parlor, Portland, OR, USA
1) Tell us about the tattoo you are sharing with us- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?
I love this piece. I have a particular fondness for deer, and really feel they reflect an ideal personality and spirit or innocense. I wanted to create a piece that refrenced an ideal person’s character, to keep as a reminder. As an ex-addict, this piece is a constant note-to-self to keep a pure heart, an honest tongue, and an open mind. I think it’s a beautiful.
2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where?
I’ve got many more. On my neck, I have 3 wooden doves. On my shoulder, I have a one-man-band piece. My rib piece is of a compass rose with skelleton keys and wings holding the keys together. Both my hips have bows on them. I have the word ‘Freedom’ written across my stomach. My thigh has an in-progress piece that is a crown with jewels and a shredded banner that reads ‘honesty.’ My left foot has a hand holding a rose, and my right foot has a song lyric “let our passion bleed.”
3) Do you plan on getting more?
I absolutely do. I have a tattoo apt. on July 17th to finish my sleeve, and will begin working on my finishing my thigh piece after that. I have about 5 more in line, but I like to space them out over time.
4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them?
I have faced a lot of negativity from family towards my tattoos. It’s been a big struggle for me emotionally, but has only made me stronger. Growing up in a small town, my family is accustomed to a much more conservative type of girl. I have been able to convince them that tattoos do not define me, nor do they change me.
Friends of mine have been very encouraging, as well as my artist. It’s great to have an artist who encourages my ideas and gets excited along with me. That evens out the scale.
5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?
Work with your tattoo artist. I think finding a good artist is just as important as the image you’re getting tattooed. Express your vision to your artist and ask for suggestions on how to enhance the piece. Think of it as a colaboration, where you both win; you get a more developed, creative piece of art, and your artist gets to be excited about seeing part of his visions fulfilled.
