stick and poke Archives - Page 5 of 6 - Stick and Poke Tattoo Kit®

Blood Borne Pathogens: No Joke

We were all young once.

What a thrill it was to get cut up and bloody and then mash our dripping wound with a buddy's to show our undying loyalty, trust and bro-love (yeah, I never did that). A few friends of mine (who shall remain nameless) have a similar bloody pact with their SnP needles and ink. They SHARE. Gasp! Although I think they are real sweet stand-up people, I can only attribute this behavior to ignorance about a little thing called Biology. There also may be confusion about how BBPs spread from one person to another. I am a former HS biology teacher, so let me break it down fo' ya.

cebc634286242a2c9003f427d5047036 PEOPLE! We are not living in the 1800's when blood was a magical red fluid that played tricks on doctors. Oh, blood! What ARE you?! They'd exclaim as they carted off [...]

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:41-08:00

Open letter to the precious tattoo artist

Ahhh the precious (read:alpha) tattoo artist. Poor guy. You know the one: he has full sleeves, wears dark denim, a bowler hat and shirts with classic muscle cars. He has some Harley's Man facial hair and a bullied-as-a-kid, 'fuck the world,'white boy pseudo-artist attitude. An ego the size of my garden (i have several beds) that everyone who wants a little ink must endure. He's a 'sensitive' (in a large anchor on the arm kind of way) dude in doc martens. These guys are funny because they thought they were all counter culture when they became a tattoo artists and now they are stuck working for the man and nagging SnP kids like a grandpa who wants you off his lawn. But he kinda wants you on his lawn...what is grandpa's problem!?

I might be a lil mad because of the rambling [...]

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:41-08:00

Stick and Pokes: what and why – a short documentary

This is an pretty well-made short film on a few home tattooers - basically - what they got and why. One girl loves her "San Francisco tattoo." I enjoyed it. Please note that these tattoos were likely done in an unsafe manner, and that SnPTK recommends that you use sterile everything and that you follow precautions in order to minimize the risk of blood borne pathogens (who wants an angry liver for life? Not me!)

THIS VIDEO WILL NOT SHOW UP IN CHROME. YOU GOTTA LAUNCH SAFARI OR FIREFOX TO SEE IT.

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:41-08:00

Top Six Things NOT TO DO when tattooing

This is a helpful list to consider before stick and poke tattooing...

What NOT to do when tattooing yourself.

1. Just start poking without sanitizing the area. Maybe you could host some friendly flesh eating bacteria?

2. Use any ink laying around the house (the worst: pen ink and printer ink). Maybe you could just inject some toxic chemicals directly into your bloodstream?

3. Share ink or needle with a friend. Maybe you could be a test subject for the new HIV Vaccine?

4. Be drunk or under the influence of a state altering drug. Maybe you could give yourself a permanent reminder of the night you discovered your affinity for Moscow Mules?

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:41-08:00

BA Girls Rock Camp rocks! And…so do the volunteers

Article by Rach and Nic

Bay Area Girls Rock Camp (BAGRC) is a nonprofit that was formed in 2008 after being inspired by Portland, Oregon’s own Girls Rock and Roll Camp. BAGRC is committed to fostering teamwork, creativity, and confidence in female identified youth through the use of music. BAGRC recently wrapped up its last camp session of 2013, which culminated in a showcase of 16 original songs written and performed by each camp band.

Guiding the campers through the musical week was a group of mentors comprised primarily of volunteers, with several interns and staff members. This venerable group of adults ranged from late teens to mid 60s and encompassed a variety of musical backgrounds from zero experience to decades of musical involvement. In addition to their musical endeavors, many volunteers and staff also were sporting tattoos that ranged from intricate gun [...]

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:42-08:00

How to Stick and Poke Tattoo Instructional Video

This video does not show up on Chrome browsers. Not sure why....click here for the youtube link.

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:42-08:00

In Stores Now!

Yaay. Praxis, dubbed: "a sweet community space and good-stuff shop," is now (drum roll) carrying the Original Stick and Poke Tattoo Kit! This place is real cool for several reasons. Just look at their awesome quilt flag and 'plants for donation,' cart out front. :-D

Jimmy on Yelp says, "Praxis is a wonderful concept--so hard to put into words. Sort of an artist coop, sort of community center, sort of learning-by-doing, DIY workshop place. It's a wonderful place to trade ideas and share your craft with others, and contribute to the community."

I agree.

Pic: Co-owner Aerin (left) with my kit and local seamstress. 3047 24th St, San Francisco, California.

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:42-08:00

Behind-the-ear stick and poke tattoo

Alex has always wanted a stick and poke tattoo. Last night she got it - her constellation of Cancer (inspired by her birthday necklace) behind the ear. She commented, "I never would want a tattoo gun behind my ear!"

Indeed, it is a sensitive spot. SnP's are much more gentle and have that personal done-by-a-roommate quality. This was done from the comfort of her own home/bed. It took about 4 minutes. Looks fierce, Alex.

IMAG0832

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:42-08:00

True Story: Stick and Poke Lyrics on a Butt Cheek

Have you ever seen the angel named Mykki Blanco? She might be in disguise in her track pants. At a recent (amazingballs) concert in SF, I felt the presence of this angel. I even touched her salty sweaty skin! My bold friend Hannah (below) gave the angel a kit. I was too shy. While rapping, Mykki picked it out of her entranced, swaying, offering hand and put it gently on an amp. A few days later, Ms. Blanco tweeted this picture:

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:42-08:00

Must haves for tattoo skin soothing: Witch-hazel, Aquaphor

When tattooing, two things are must haves: something to soothe your pissed-off skin during the poking (alcohol is not soothing, people), and something to encourage healing after your kitten-with-devil-horns sleeve is finished (apple blossom scented lotion is a no-no here, people). These are Witch-hazel Extract and Aquaphor Healing Ointment. These both prevent pain and infection. SEE UPDATE:

{UPDATE/Side note: The newest edition of my kits now include a Witch-hazel wipe and a HUSTLE BUTTER. Armed with these two very popularly-used-in-tattoo-parlors wound care products, you can now poke and wipe with soothing native medicinal plant wipes and follow up your tattoo immediately with healing ointment. No trips to the store! Soothe Safely.}

SnP Team2019-12-18T13:06:42-08:00