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Laizhou grass handicraft industry, according to the tradition, innovation and development principles, to increase capital investment, strengthening technological innovation, changes in family workshop production and operation methods, gradually standardized, large-scale, intensive development. In 2005, Laizhou city of grass more than 200 arts and crafts business, arts and crafts more than 300 professional designers, employing 100,000 people. In order to occupy the international market, Laizhou grass art industry has also successfully developed the Crochet process, machine screw technology, modern bag making technology and other new technologies, keep close track of world trends. Grass art leading development of the industry, promote the local industry, planting grass, leather processing, paper string of production, grass handicraft and tourism related industries to flourish, showing a "one industry-hing, 100 Yip Wong," a good situation, and promoted the transfer of surplus rural labor force employed. In 2004, the city's art industry, the completion of grass industrial output value of one billion yuan and exports worth 53.5 million U.S. dollars, ranking the country grass handicraft industries.
After the establishment of new China, Laizhou grass braid to the rapid development of the site have established the benefits of new grass in the Shahe braided plant and the site of the Ye-ye xian west off the new grass braided sterile plants, Laizhou grass braid of the pattern also increased to more than 2000 varieties of months, to pinch women queue for the industry over the Laizhou village. Straw braid of many rural households the main source of economy. During this period Shahe learning process that has been braided grass all over the country in more than 100 counties, cities and districts. It should be said Shahe braided grass for our rural economy in many cities and counties have made a significant contribution.
50 late on, he corn bran as the main raw material to produce a basket, bag, satchel, tea mat, floor mat, straw hat, curtain, Guo He, basket, baby baskets and other household items has been reached on the thousands of varieties . 70 years later, straw sticker come. It straw dyeing, after cutting, shearing, punching, looting, tearing, etc. Process, made a similar bird feathers, fur and other things cleverly makes up painting. Set of traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, Chinese Painting and other art on the one, good performance of insects, fish, birds and flowers and mountains scenery. In recent years, straw paste box stand out, it is working fine, modeling many, both practical, but also appreciate, as domestic and foreign tourists enjoy the art of high quality goods.
In 2009, Laizhou City, grass arts and crafts industry, has completed the annual output value of one billion yuan and exports worth 53.5 million U.S. dollars, but the traditional, grass straw braid as the main raw material products have become increasingly small. Instead, some woven semi-finished raw materials, corn bran, straw braid, and other new art material. The flowers attract flowers open, flowers are blooming flowers wither a situation has given rise to leaders at all levels attach great importance, has taken many measures, has a long history of mining and non-material cultural heritage protection, so that the Shahe braided straw hat Grass art even many splendours of the first flower, to flourish.
Laizhou known as the raw material of grass willow weaving handicraft tradition, with its inexpensive grass willow crafts, practical, and environmental protection in Europe and the United States and other developed countries and regional markets has been welcomed into Laizhou export commodity, is one of the farmers income an important channel. But because the raw materials used in weaving handicraft are plant products, easy to carry animal and plant pests and diseases, so this manual practiced on a cottage to the product quality model brings potential problems.
In order to carry forward this traditional craft, Inspection and Quarantine Bureau to grasp the leading Laizhou, with comprehensive, quality insurance policy, from the more than 200 small craft enterprises in selected 30 key enterprises focus on helping and help them establish a quality assurance system, Testing at every point from raw material to finished product quality, while helping its ongoing development of new varieties, through efforts to ensure product quality, export volume has increased rapidly. About the Author
I am a professional editor from Chinese Manufacturers
, and my work is to promote a free online trade platform.
http://www.chinaqualitycrafts.com/ contain a great deal of information about
some business idea for a housewife . (M.A., B.Ed., Ph.D. teacher with 7 yrs experience) Not working for 3 yrs?
I live with my husband. He has a full time job so i am taking all the responsibilities of home. Got married 3 yrs back. Since then not working and enjoying life as a house wife. My husband gets a handsome salary. I just wanted to do something for my satisfaction. Not interested in internet jobs like data entry, online teaching etc. Can you suggest me some business ideas. My own business. I don't want a boss ;o) I like oil painting, cooking, handicraft making or something creative.
i was born and brought up in Uttar Pradesh, India and after marriage living with my husband in Hyderabad, India
Should you consider rewarding home based career in Financial Planning, Tax Strategies, Banking, Debit Cards and International Monetary System, we are seeking an individual who will open and operate new Chapter in India.
Providing you are interested in more details, please contact me at my Gmail address listed in my profile.
In today"s economy it"s critical to get the most you can for your shopping dollar. So there"s no reason to over pay when there are hundreds of them for sale on eBay. Plus, eBay is one of the largest and most trusted online shopping sites in the world. This site is authorized by eBay to help you find what you are looking for and show them to you. If you don"t see what you are looking for below. Use the search function on your right.
Thank you for stopping by and please bookmark this site for your future reference.
There are many possibilities, when it come to choosing the right wood patio furniture for your specific patio.
When choosing wood patio furniture some of the most important things to keep in mind are longevity, stability and density of the wood.
The best wood would be one that would last a long time, would not warp easily, would have natural oils and would not be porous, but would be dense.
Your higher quality products will be made of teak. However, there are other high quality woods such as eucalyptus and keruing. Be careful of Iroko wood. It is a good-looking wood and very dense, but is not very stable.
Another important thing to consider is maintenance of your wood patio furniture. There will be some choices to make right away.
One choice is a sealer. With a sealer you will only have to re-seal about every other year.
A second choice is teak oil, but it will require re-treatment about every three months. Some people like to use both. They will use a sealer one year and oil the next. It is a good idea to maintain your patio furniture at the beginning and ending of the season.
Still a third choice is to let your wood patio furniture weather naturally especially if it is teak. Now if you do this, your teak will turn to a silvery gray and will not stay its naturally brown color. But, some folks like the weathered look. Again this is good for teak, but I would not let other woods weather naturally. They will most likely develop dark streaks and not look good.
One mistake that some folks make is to use a marine varnish, but that will cause the wood to crack and it destroys the health of the wood. Your outdoor teak furniture should be kept in a dry well ventilated area. Also you should not cover your furniture with plastic as that might cause mildew.
Teak is a wood that the availability is decreasing because it has been used so much and of course because of this the price is increasing. Also keep in mind that all teak furniture is not of the same quality. The most expensive teak furniture is make from the heart of the tree while other pieces may be made from less desirable pieces.
Some other things that affect the price are the finish, the workmanship, the thickness of the wood and the design.
I hope the above tips will help in finding the right wood for your wood patio furniture.
If you like the information above or need more information on the types of Wood Patio Furniture , check the links above.
Wood Folk Questions
IMPORTANT BLACK FOLK INFO,2 be Afro or not 2 be..this is the question,I have your answer!!!?
Heres the deal,black folk,there are White africans that come to the unieted states and get minority grants,funding for business etc. and are legally african americans, once they become legal. If you were not born in Africa you are not african,we are still subjected to the one drop theroy,I am bi-racial,but I am black,what do we consider Tiger Woods?,You are black folk"..people that say it doesnt matter are wrong it does, we have created our own culture since coming here unwilfully and it is not an african culture,I love africans,black ones and white,but the black culture and african culture are a huge differents!! in fact most black africans do not care for blacks!!! be it black chinese Jew..or African we all have our own cultures the problem is in the sharing and accepting of these cultures..I need my Latino sisters Jewish brothers Asian indians etc..to spice it up!!! so say it loud!!!! IM_____ and Im proud!!!..I wrote this because a few people pose this question this eve....
that is so true i don't understand why a lot of people want to go around calling themselves African Americans when in actuality they have never even been to Africa and most don't ever plan on going. Some people may call me an African American but i am just a American and if you want to add an ethnic group i am a Black American and nothing else because i was not born or ever lived in Africa so therefore i believe that i am not African i am of African descent. Also it is so true that most Africans don't favor the blacks in America and they really don't even like us like that.
width of skirting boards?
recently moved into a new house which has solid oakwood flooring. The previous owners had beading laid down against the skirting boards. The current skirting boards are not in very good condition and i want to replace them but leaving off the beading. I think the wood floor has been cut so it leaves some tolerance just before the skirting board (hence why beading was used)
the question is: can I buy thicker width skirting board so i dont have to put the beading back? and if so, can you recommend where? thanks for you time folks!
I am not accustomed to the terminology you are using. I presume you are speaking of Baseboards and 1/4 round shoe molding.
The space between the wall and floor is designed for expansion and contraction.
What I would probably do, in that situation, is use a double baseboard, say a 6" backer board and a standard baseboard in front of it , which ever you think looks more attractive or inconspicuous.
Other than that, you cannot hide the gap unless you install carpeting or some other covering on the entire floor.
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Bali furniture is nicely recognized worldwide not just for its artistic designs but most especially for its quality. It isn't only beautiful, but it is durable and long-lasting - meant to last a lifetime or a lot more! There are many different kinds of Bali furniture that are available out there.
Bali furniture comes from teak wood that has been planted and harvested on tree farms. This hardwood is natural and also the procedure from planting to harvesting takes about 50 years. It resists water due to its higher oil content, but this doesn't mean care shouldn't be taken so that you can protect it from moisture exposure, just like any other wood. A little teak oil can always be added to enhance the honey glow of the wood. The wood when placed indoors has a nice aromatic smell which lasts for year. Shopping for Bali furniture is really a one of a kind adventure. You are able to find this kind of furniture in many garden shops. You can also purchase pieces specially suited to your unique and discerning taste.
Whatever Bali furniture you get, be assured teak will astound you. It may be a little a lot more costly but only simply because it will last a lifetime. You can also find Bali furniture products on the internet. Make certain if purchasing this way you research - constantly read the feedback from other customers as this will give you excellent insight into what to buy and from where. Always know the comapny's shipping and handling policies - and be really cautious about returns as some companies don't accept them.
The Bali handicrafts business has supplied a livelihood for thousands of individuals and has really boosted the economy there. Appreciating how the Bali handicrafts business functions, you need to experience it and go far off the beaten track. Balinese individuals blend together a harmony of culture, arts, and religion, and they perform hard at their trades, which include turning bamboo, leaves, metal, and clay into beautiful products which are sold worldwide.
This special blend is the root for the creation of what has developed and grown into a really fantastic arts and crafts business. These are the extremely developed talents of numerous artisans within the country of Indonesia. These handicrafts are recognized all the world more than for their viability as show pieces and gifts. You can find literally millions of dollars worth of product exported worldwide from that country yearly. They're picked up by wholesalers, importers, distributors, and gift shops and malls. You can find at least 40 different countries that presently import these products - that's how popular they are!
About the Author
Bali furniture? <a href="http://www.balitradedirectory.com">Bali jewelry</a>? Bali wooden houses? Yup - it's all here. For all Bali handicrafts head straight over to this website to discover what you require - it's everything Bali!
Handicrafts Oil Questions
i am a self taught indian contemporary artist how can i start my art career?
I am M.A., B.Ed. Ph.D. but dont have any art degree. i am an extremely creative person. love all types of creativity like oil painting on canvas, composing poetry, writing, singing, handicraft making, handicraft making, cooking new creative dishes, dress designing etc. oil painting is my passion. i want to strat my art career as a self taught artist what should i do?
As a very creative person you should find the way how to promote yourself, should not you? Listen, I am running a blog at
http://culturexy.blogspot.com
send me a link at your works, if I find them interesting I will feature you in my blog. That's what I can do for you
In today"s economy it"s critical to get the most you can for your shopping dollar. So there"s no reason to over pay when there are hundreds of them for sale on eBay. Plus, eBay is one of the largest and most trusted online shopping sites in the world. This site is authorized by eBay to help you find what you are looking for and show them to you. If you don"t see what you are looking for below. Use the search function on your right.
Thank you for stopping by and please bookmark this site for your future reference.
Wargaming is essentially playing with toy soldiers. Games are played using painted metal or plastic models, typically using 6-30 mm, to represent the units involved and model scenery placed is placed on a tabletop or floor to represent the battlefield.
Miniature wargaming is really a combination of two different hobbies. On one hand it is a tactical game, where one player will attempt to out wit their opponent through superior strategy. On the other hand it is a creative hobby, wargamers will often spend far, far longer painting their units than playing games with them.
A major attraction of this type of game is the large degree of freedom found in miniature wargames when compared to traditional board games or computer games. The appearance of units and the terrain fought over is not dictated by a game designer but by the players themselves.
How does it work?
There are many different sets of miniature wargaming rules. There rules for all periods ranging from the dawn of civilization to the present day, as well as for science fiction and fantasy settings. The three most popular rules at the moment are Warhammer 40K (a science fiction game produced by Games Workshop), Warhammer Fantasy Battle (a fantasy game produced by Games Workshop) and Flame of War (a World War II historical game produced by Battlefront).
Miniature wargames are usually turn based like chess, each player taking turns to move and attack with their units. Different models (soldiers) will have different abilities depending on the unit they represent. They move at different speeds, have different combat abilities and have different strengths and weaknesses. The objective is to use your units strengths against your opponent's units weaknesses. Your opponent will of course be attempting to do the same to you!
One of the major challenges facing wargames designers is ensuring that games are balanced; that one player doesn’t have an unfair advantage over their opponent. In order to ensure that opposing armies are evenly matched it is common for each unit type or piece of equipment to have a points value within a set of rules. The total number of points that may be “spent” on troops is then decided before the start of a game.
What do I need to play a miniature wargame?
The rules and gameplay of miniature wargames vary massively from games system to games system. They tend to always have a few things in common however; for one, similar equipment is usually needed to play a miniature based wargame. Firstly, of course, there are the miniatures themselves and a set of rules with which you can use them, which we have already touched on. In addition to this miniature wargames also need a playing surface, terrain, dice and a tape measure (or other measuring device).
The Miniatures: The models used in these games come in three main sizes, or scales, these are 25mm, 15mm and 6mm. The size refers to the approximate height of the average (human – in the case of sci-fi and fantasy games) model.
The Playing Surface: Miniature wargames are usually played on a table top, usually 6' x 4' (180cm x 120cm), sometimes larger, very large games may be played on the floor (just watch where you put your feet).
Terrain: Model terrain is placed on the table. Woods, roads, buildings, hills, rivers etc affect how the miniatures move and fight. Depending on what the terrain a miniature is currently in it might slow down movement, increase the ability to defend, reduce the ability to attack etc. Terrain can also block movement of miniatures over the table top, or can stop units shooting at each other (assuming they are armed with missile weapons).
Dice: The dice are needed as all miniature wargames rely, to a greater or lesser extent, on chance. Dice rolls are made to decide the outcome of most combat actions and sometimes even to determine troop behavior. It is the use of dice and the introduction of an element of chance makes the game a little less predictable and forces the player to plan for things not going as expected.
Tape Measure: It is important to be able to measure distances in miniature wargames. Distances need to be measured to work out how far models can move and, if they have missile weapons like guns or bows and arrows, how far they can shoot and so on. The distances that miniatures can move and shoot is dictated by the scale of the game being played, a 6mm game will generally have shorter movement and shooting distances than a 25mm game.
But, err…. Why?
But why bother with all this? Well, because it fun. Miniature wargaming is a diverse hobby with elements that appeal to a wide range of people. There are those that spend most of their time painting or building models, then there are others that just enjoy playing games, most wargamers enjoy a bit of both. It’s a hobby you can enjoy on your own, modeling, or with others, the games themselves.
However possibly the best thing about miniature wargaming is that it gives players the opportunity to get together with people they share a common interest with and have fun.
We have two miniature hamsters, they are both white, and one of them is really dirty. The color from the bedding I use got wet with their water thing, and one of my hamsters was rolling around in it. He head is now a orangie color. Is there anyway I can clean him. Can i use a moist hand towel? Thanks !
Do NOT bathe him. That can lead them to get a cold, and die. http://www.hamsterific.com/hamsteruniversity/givingahamsterabath.html
The color is not going to hurt him. He will probably clean it off himself. Get some unscented chinchilla sand (only the sand.. not anything that says dust or powder as it can cause respiratory problems and so can anything scented. rodents have VERY sensitive lungs!).
As for using a moist hand towel on his head that should be fine. Just make sure it's lukewarm.. and just a little damp. Make sure you dry his little head after rubbing it gently with the hand towel. It's just that getting a hamster a little wet can be bad.. and they can get a cold from that, or get really cold.. and get sick. So you always want to be extremely careful. Just make sure it's only a teeny bit damp, and not soaked, and you need to make sure he's in a warm place, and that you do get his face back to being dry.
Edit: I would suggest getting a bedding that doesn't have any color to avoid this. But he will be fine even if you don't wipe his face.
Which barking collar to buy?
There are so many types now, citronella, e-collars, ultra-sonic.... I'm not sure which one to get.
We have a Belgian shepherd and a miniature fox terrier and are just trying to reduce nuisance barking.
Any first hand experience or knowledge on the topic is well appreciated.
shock collar worked for me. citronella they just turned their heads. ultra sonic they ignored.
Miniature Hand Videos
Floyd Virginia, Log Cabin Miniatures hand crafted LCF Group
In today"s economy it"s critical to get the most you can for your shopping dollar. So there"s no reason to over pay when there are hundreds of them for sale on eBay. Plus, eBay is one of the largest and most trusted online shopping sites in the world. This site is authorized by eBay to help you find what you are looking for and show them to you. If you don"t see what you are looking for below. Use the search function on your right.
Thank you for stopping by and please bookmark this site for your future reference.
Tattoo Artists in Oaxaca, Mexico: Lawyer, Fine Arts Graduate Make Strange Bedfellows with Tatuadores
Alvin Starkman M.A., LL.B.
Background to Tattoos & Body Piercing in Oaxaca, Mexico, Through the Eyes of a Lawyer
Lawyer Kaireddyn (Kai) Orta began fabricating his own, rudimentary tools for making tattoos in 1996, while still in high school here in Oaxaca, Mexico. One day a neighbor saw him carrying a shoe box, and asked him what was in it. Kai showed him the adapted motor, needles, ink and other paraphernalia. The neighbor was the recipient of Kai's first tattoo. Kai then began doing tattoos for his schoolmates.
Kai had been interested in tattoos (tatuajes) and body piercing (perforación) since boyhood. It was natural for him, since his father was a history teacher, constantly recounting stories of rituals of Mexico's indigenous populations. There was no shortage of books around the house with images of pre-Hispanic peoples who were accustomed to self-adornment. Kai ate it up.
But throughout Kai's youth, seeing tattoos in the flesh was a rarity. Aside from in books and occasionally coming across a tattooed person on TV, he would only have an opportunity to actually see real live people with tattoos and body piercings when he would catch a glimpse of mainly North American and European tourists walking the streets of downtown Oaxaca, a Mecca for international tourism.
The modern tradition of tattoos and body piercings had been established in countries such as Canada, the US, Spain and Britain, long before it arrived in Mexico. Like so many representations of emerging subcultures, it takes upwards of a decade for them to catch on in Mexico, especially in the more isolated and conservative regions of the country, like Oaxaca.
The state of Oaxaca was by and large physically isolated from the northern half of the country, and indeed
the broader world, until the arrival of the pan American highway in the late 1940s. While the odd adventurer would make his way down to Oaxaca between then and the early 1960s, it was the hippie movement later that decade and into the early 1970s which opened up southern Mexico to the concept of North American and European counter-cultures, including tattoos, and then body piercing. However the prevailing sentiment of the Mexican middle classes was that their children should be insulated from foreign youth, and all that its subculture stood for.
Leap forward to the 1990s. Change would begin to emerge in Oaxaca. Tattoos, body piercings and other non-traditional forms of self-expression had begun to be perceived as mainstream throughout the Western World. The silver screen and magazines promoting its pierced and tattooed stars had become commonplace. Oaxaca had to take notice. And that included its older generation, which was then forced to recognize if not accept that the ritualized behavior of their grandchildren (and to a much lesser extent their children) could no longer be equated with something devious, dirty and wrong, simply as a consequence of changing their physical appearance through piercing and painting their bodies, permanently. Many in the Oaxacan youth culture were becoming critical thinkers through higher education, therefore better able to make informed decisions, stand up for them, and celebrate them.
Kai is thirty years old. Practicing law wasn't for him. By the time he had graduated and had a taste of the working world of attorneys (less than a year), he had already become an established tattoo and body piercing artist, with his own studio, albeit quite smaller than his current digs. And besides, most lawyers in Oaxaca do not earn the level of income that provides for a middle class lifestyle, at least by Western standards.
Kai's current storefront on Calle Crespo, in the heart of downtown Oaxaca, consists of:
The reception area with long desk and computer, tropical fish filled aquariums, display cases with mainly jewelry relating to body piercings, wooden African floor sculptures and masks (as well as a few Mexican masks), a bookcase filled with albums containing drawings and photographs of mainly tattoos, and two comfortable sofas where customers can browse through the "catalogues" at their leisure
A similarly adorned middle room with supply cases by now of course filled with modern, commercial equipment and supplies, and a small adjoining workroom
The back room, with chairs and "operating" table, for attending to tattoos and body piercings
"Here in Oaxaca we don't refer to ourselves as ‘artistas,' Kai explains. "In the United States there's much greater acceptance of the art form and those who are dedicated to the skill, so in the US and other countries such as Canada it's acceptable to use the term ‘tattoo artist.' But in Oaxaca we just refer to ourselves as tatuadores."
Kai & Colleagues Participate in Twelfth Annual Tattoo Fest in Oaxaca, Summer, 2010
During the course of a 3 ½ hour interview at Kai's studio, his friends and fellow tatuadores from Mexico City, Daniel (Tuna) Larios and his girlfriend Angélica (Angy) de la Mora, were in the shop working and otherwise serving customers, while for part of the time Kai was out running errands.
Tuna has been a tatuador for 12 years while Angy began doing tattoos only a year ago, when she began living with Tuna. Together they opened up a shop in the nation's capital. Before then Tuna had been doing tattoos for customers at other studios. He was introduced to the trade from having had his body tattooed. Angy learned the skill from Tuna.
But for Angy learning to be a tatuadora was a natural extension. She already held a degree in fine arts from a university in Chihuahua, and had participated in several collective traditional art exhibits. "But it's easier to make a living doing tattoos than as an artist," Angy concedes. As distinct from Angy and Kai, most tatuadores in Mexico do not have advanced training for other career paths options.
Tuna and Angy had come to Oaxaca to participate in the twelfth annual Tattoo Fest, held on August 21 & 22, 2010, a couple of days earlier. Kai is one of three festival organizers, and was on the ground floor of the concept when the first fest was held back in 1998. "Until this year the event was called Expo Tatuaje," Kai clarifies. "We decided to change the name with a view to attracting more foreigners. But back in the early years we held the expositionso that we could meet to exchange ideas, improve access to modern equipment and supplies, and raise the level of consciousness of the Oaxacan community, so that hopefully there would be a greater acceptance of what we were doing. Now the purposes and functions of the event are much broader, since we are well on our way to achieving our earlier goals."
The success of Oaxaca's Tattoo Fest 2010 was evident from the crowds (hundreds by all estimates) and sales. Tuna and Angy between them did 11 tattoos over the two-day period. "I've been coming to the fair for the past four or five years," Tuna explains, "but this is the first year I can actually say that it was worth my while, profit-wise, to come to Oaxaca. You know I had to close my shop in Mexico City to come here. I think this show has finally turned a corner."
This year there were approximately thirty booths, about a dozen of which were dedicated to doing tattoos. In the course of a one-hour visit on the Sunday, during that entire time each and every tatuador was kept busy working – and in many cases there were onlookers in queue awaiting their turn.
Many vendors had come from other parts of Mexico to participate. They converged on Oaxaca to not only do tattoos and piercings, but to also sell a broad diversity of related materials including:
Tattooing and body piercing equipment, supplies and other paraphernalia
CDs, DVDs and posters all with alternative themes (both Bob Marley and Alice Cooper live on in Oaxaca)
Body piercing and other personal adornments, wrestling masks, and clothing, custom-painted while-u-wait.
The event was much more than a sales opportunity for retailers, however. It provided a chance for those in the business to promote their industry, source state-of-the-art and otherwise imported equipment and supplies (since many tatuadores don't get to Mexico City very often, and most imported machinery, needles and paints arrive initially in Mexico City), and entertain tattoo and piercing collectors, aficionados, and the curious, all under one roof, the Salón Señorial located across from Oaxaca's renowned Abastos Market.
As Kai contends, there appears to be three classes of people in Oaxaca, and presumably in other countries, who get tattoos:
The colecionista who usually ends up filling most parts of his or her body, attempting to adorn with as broad a diversity of designs as possible, or with a particular class of design or artistry (i.e. demons, pre-Hispanic figures, animals, famous faces), often seeking to get the work done by several different top tatuadores from various states and countries if possible
The aficionado who wants a few tattoos strategically placed on select body parts
The casual individual who desires one or two tattoos for self-expression or to make some kind of statement, having seen a tattoo he or she likes, whether on a celebrity, friend or stranger on the street, or electing to do a specific design; a tattoo of the logo of one's favorite sports team exemplifies this type work
It's not unlike other hobbies and interests. Human nature remains the same. The first category represents an obsession with collecting, just as in a class of antique, salt and pepper shakers, folk art, weigh scales, and so on. The second is an enthusiast who imposes boundaries, either by design or subconsciously based on personality trait. The third does only selective thinking about it, whatever the product, holding some interest, often fleeting but long enough to result in a purchase or two.
In the course of the two day celebration of all that is still somewhat considered counter-culture in Oaxaca, there was:
Live entertainment including seven predominantly rock and reggae bands, as well as belly dancers and other forms of choreographed performances
An outdoor makeshift restaurant serving beer, soft drinks, and real barbecued hamburgers
Panel discussions and forums with themes including methods for advancing the reputation of this alternative art form in Oaxaca, and dealing with allaying health and safety concerns through the adoption of US-style norms
Health & Safety Issues a Concern of the Body Piercing & Tattoo Trade in Oaxaca, Mexico
Throughout the US there are health and safety regulations relating to tattooing and body piercing; not so in Oaxaca, though it's a hot topic throughout the Mexican tattoo and body piercing community. The word "normas" is constantly being bandied about. The tatuadores at Tattoo Fest, and more particularly Kai, Tuna and Angy, made a point of indicating that most in the industry follow US norms for health, safety and hygiene. According to Tuna, the United Kingdom has the strictest, all-encompassing laws relating to tattooing and body piercing, which he views as a good thing.
It appears that virtually all tatuadores are sensitive to the clout carried by the authorities, even without specific laws relating to tattooing and body piercing. In Oaxaca it's the Secretaria de Salud (ministry of health) which does in fact conduct spot checks of studios, much the same as it does of restaurants in Oaxaca. It has the ability to shut down a restaurant, eatery or comedor, on the spot. And the same holds true for a tattoo studio.
The threat or perceived threat of incarceration perhaps serves a positive function in the tattoo and body piercing milieu. While Oaxaca's inquisitorial, Napoleonic legal code is slowly changing (oral trials arrived in the state of Oaxaca in 2007, albeit for only the most heinous criminal offences), the attorney general's office still has the right to jail alleged offenders of virtually any rule, law or regulation, where a personal injury has resulted. Without specific laws relating to tattooing and body piercing, perhaps Oaxaca's current legal system, as high-handed as it might appear, serves an important function for the tattoo-buying public. Certainly it appears to keep those in the industry in check.
"We won't work on a minor, plain and simple, without parental authorization," Tuna stresses. "And in fact, rather than relying on written permission from a parent, for me, I personally want the father right there in my studio when I'm working on his son or daughter."
Having been trained as a lawyer, Kai has a special appreciation for the implications of not ensuring a clean, safe work environment in his studio, and following health, safety and hygiene procedures established in other jurisdictions, "to the tee:" packaged needles; equipment kept under wrap; gloves and masks; first aid, fire and related health, hygiene and safety equipment close at hand; a "surgical" workspace segregated from the retail portion of the shop; etc. The back of his business card lists steps that should be taken by recipients of tattoos from the moment they leave the studio, to reduce and hopefully eliminate the risk of infection or other complication. Other tatuadores hand out leaflets listing the same or similar precautions that should be observed.
According to Tuna, in Mexico City one can take courses in tattooing and body piercing at a couple of different institutions. But they are for learning the trade, and are not government regulated. Tuna views an inconsistency between government treatment of dental offices and tattoo and piercing studios, and unfairness: "There are a lot of dental offices around which are much less clean than our studios, and whose staff do not follow the most sanitary of practices; and yet the dentists are not subjected to the suspicion and innuendo that we are." [At least dentists are required to have a minimum level of training regarding matters of health, safety and hygiene.]
Kai, for one, is clearly an expert at his trade. From the outset, dating to his high school days, he would invariably read and otherwise learn before starting to work on someone. He would always work in consultation with a doctor, a relative of the family. The doctor was a most valuable resource for Kai in terms of guiding him through all the appropriate health and hygiene procedures, for every step. Kai has never worked on anyone without approaching the task with a high level of confidence. But, he acknowledges, "you never stop learning."
The Economics of Tattoos and Body Piercing in Oaxaca
Angy is working at the counter, doing a pencil drawing of a 1950s pin-up – with a twist. A young woman had come into the studio the day before, wanting a tattoo on her leg of a vintage pin-up girl, but part of the body to be non-traditional, as in one leg and half the head perhaps with skeletal bone exposed, the rest shapely and feminine; as in a Mexican catrina, as Angy puts it, "but with a bit of flesh on her body." The customer is due back today at 4 p.m.
Two men in their twenties come in to look at tattoo samples. They sit down and browse through two albums for about 40 minutes, then arrange for one of them to come back the next day for a fairly large black tattoo of the Pumas Mexican soccer team logo. Then two younger girls come in looking for eyebrow rings or other similar adornments, in the 250 - 300 peso range.
Kai's studio does a brisk business. He charges a minimum fee of 400 pesos for a simple tattoo, a tribal, literally "tribal," as they're known, or perhaps a letter. It was the same minimum charge at the Tattoo Fest: "Sure, some tatuadores will do a tattoo for 150 – 200 pesos, but most of us prefer to start with prices where we can take our time to do quality work that the customer will definitively appreciate, and therefore want to come back, show off to friends, and so on. I've been doing tattoos long enough, and my quality is such that I should command that kind of price, and the customer is more than satisfied."
Kai and Tuna charge within the same range. They both are happy to work by the job, or per daily session. Kai charges 1,000 – 1,500 pesos per session, which can result in a fairly substantial, detailed, color image. Tuna will do a full back for 10,000 – 15,000 pesos. Each has done large, complex multi-color tattoos for as much as 20,000 pesos. That seems to be the top price in Oaxaca.
There appears to be a desire to reinvest profit into securing a better work environment, and higher end equipment. Regarding the latter, in most cases it's simply a matter of imported machinery and supplies commanding a higher price, and the fact that the options for Mexican-made equipment and supplies are much more limited. Hence the desire to search abroad for more diverse product lines. "Don't get me wrong," Tuna cautions, "there is high quality equipment manufactured here in Mexico, but we lack the range in products, and of course everything imported is perceived as better and therefore fetches a higher price."
Continuing education also seems to be a priority for tatuadores. A few years ago Kai traveled to Guadalajara to take an intensive course. According to Angy, sometimes tatuadores will take a brief, area-specific art or drawing course to enable them to keep up with market demand. Most tatuadores do not have training in fine arts, so seizing the opportunity to learn is something to which many aspire. In some cases rather than turn away a prospective customer for lack of particular expertise, it's better to invest in learning a new aspect of the trade through training.
It's rare for a tatuador to turn away business, but it does happen. It's usually a result of the artist not being able to do quality work based upon the requested design, than finding it repugnant. Perhaps it's simply that tatuadores do not often encounter someone who wants, for example, a swastika on the forearm. "Usually what happens is someone comes in and wants a small tattoo, of whatever, on a finger or arm, and I know that I cannot do a good job given the requested size, or that after a short period of time the quality will diminish," Kai admits. "So I suggest something different, something larger or with a different color scheme, or for a different part of the body. Sometimes the customer agrees, sometimes he leaves, and sometimes he insist, in which case I decline the job."
"We can all use more business, but it's a skilled trade which we want to elevate in terms of its reputation, so we must all strive to maintain standards, as well as our personal integrity;" Kai asserts.
The main reasons that customers do not return is lack of funds for either additional tattoos or to continue with the same project, or pain. "Different people have different pain thresholds," Tuna advises. "The sex of the customer sometimes is a determinant of the pain one can expect will be felt, depending on the particular part of the body. Working on the same part of the body can affect men differently than women." Only 50% of Tuna's work is repeat business.
Kai has a preference in favor of working on men rather than women. Why men? Men tend to want larger tattoos, which translates to more artistic license and a greater ability to produce a true masterpiece. "But don't get me wrong," Kai adds defensively, "I love working on women, and do just as high quality work, always."
Customers in their twenties make up the largest age group. Otherwise, occasionally a teen comes in with a parent, perhaps 20% of tattoo-seekers are in their thirties, and a much small percentage comprises an older clientele.
Advice for Americans, Canadians, Europeans and Those from Further Abroad Wanting a Tattoo in Oaxaca
Tuna admits that in Mexico there are perhaps two high quality tattoo artists per 300 tatuadores, stating that in the US the numbers are very different, two per hundred. It's difficult to accept his figures, having seen several quality tattoos on the bodies of Oaxacans, and having had an opportunity to speak with many Oaxacan tatuadores and evaluate their dedication to the skill, and their desire to elevate its reputation through self-improvement. Tuna contends: "If someone wants a tattoo that I know another tatuador can do better, I refer him to a colleague. That builds public confidence. For me, I know that in black, I'm at the top of my game."
The triumvirate of tatuadores is ad idem when it comes to passing along advice for tourists visiting Oaxaca and wanting a tattoo:
Don't rush; spend as long as required with the "tattoo artist," chatting, looking at his or her designs, and examining the surroundings of the studio
Ascertain if the tatuador has a particular specialty, or higher level of competency in one area versus another (i.e. color as opposed to black)
Address any health, hygiene and safety concerns, since while the ministry of health does have rules and regulations of general application, and spot checks of tattoo studios are conducted, no specific body exists for policing the tattoo industry
Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated the lion's share of the tatuadores in Oaxaca do follow the American normas, those in the industry wanting to elevate their trade to having a more mainstream perception amongst the Oaxacan populace
Look for instructions regarding how to care for a tatttoo, starting with the moment after leaving the studio, to reduce and hopefully eliminate the chance of complications – either on a flyer or on the back of a business card
Ask questions, questions and more questions until satisfied that both the process and the end result will meet or exceed expectations
Tattoo Removal in Mexico
Tuna confirms some obvious reasons for seeking to have a tattoo removed:
As required by an employer (i.e. change in job position)
For the purpose of attempting to secure employment
The individual was very young when he or she received the tattoo, and later had a different attitude towards this type of body adornment
The quality of the tattoo was poor or questionable from the outset
A change of mind regarding the image or towards body alteration, conceivably later perceived as adulteration
With the modest cost of quality plastic surgery in Oaxaca, tattoo removal in the state proves to be an attractive option for those wishing a return to a tattoo – free existence.
References for Tatuadores in Oaxaca & Mexico City, & A Oaxacan Plastic Surgeon for Laser Tattoo Removal
Dermografics, Primera Calle de Crespo #106, Centro Histórico, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, cel: 0449511198642; e: casadeldolor@hotmail.com (Kaireddyn Orta)
Toltecan, Eje Central #191, esq. Dr. Duran, Col. Doctores, Mexico City, tel: 55 31266558 or 55 31469578; e: sucubus6@hotmail.com (Daniel Larios & Angélica de la Mora)
Dr. Filiberto Fajardo, Circuito la Cascada #1|03, Fraccionamiento la Cascada, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, tel: 513 8921 or 515 3715
About the Author
Alvin Starkman received his Masters in Social Anthropology in 1978. After teaching for a few years he attended Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, thereafter embarking upon a career as a litigator until 2004. Alvin now resides in Oaxaca, where he writes, leads small group tours to the villages, markets, ruins and other sites, is a consultant to film production companies, and operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast. ( http://www.oaxacadream.com ) .
Mexican Folk Art Questions
How do I paint an old dresser? Is it necessary to do more than just clean and lightly sand the finish?
I bought an old walnut dresser. I want to give it a funky southwestern look by painting it a variety of colors- turquoise, yellow, red and brown, with some mexican folk art on the face of the drawers. Any suggestions?
As you said, the first step is to clean and sand. Use a 60 grit to scuff it. This will help the paint to adhere. Next, roll on a coat of a good primer, such as Zinsser 1-2-3. Finally, apply 2 coats of your finish. Hope this helps.
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Mexican Folk Art Videos
A Collector's Passion: Five Decades of Mexican Folk Art
Oaxaca Masters of Folk Art exhibit at Mexican Cultural Institute
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