Next best thing to a tattoo?

November 13, 2023 1:40 AM

For someone who's not quite ready for a tattoo, what's the next best thing? I love quotes and sayings and such and I would love to order, say, a custom poster or engrave some words on a custom bookmark or a keychain or what have you. Like, just something I can mount on my wall at home or carry around with me where I can read some healing words. So like a tattoo but not (yet)!
posted by thelasttango to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (15 answers total)

A stamped metal bracelet? Or make your own.
posted by evilmomlady at 4:05 AM on November 13, 2023 [7 favorites]

Get yourself a nice small wind-up wristwatch.

All it will ever say to you is "17 jewels", which is a little ambiguous as uplifting spiritual messages go, but on the upside it will only ever say it very quietly and discreetly and it will never attempt to upsell you on Candy Crush. Plus, they really are true marvels of mechanical ingenuity and you'll never lose the charger.
posted by flabdablet at 4:18 AM on November 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

You can order custom “neon”(actually LED) signs—I have actually been wondering about doing so myself! I’m also a big fan of getting customized mugs.
posted by pie_seven at 4:19 AM on November 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

I have a few of those cheap silicone wristbands that are given out at events and such that carry a similar purpose to me. To anyone else they just look like random colored wristbands (or with the name of some event on it) but to me they carry a lot of significance.
posted by firefly5 at 4:29 AM on November 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

You can get custom temporary tattoos. A tattoo with the added advantage of impermanence (and no needles) and possibly becoming really unique if you mess up the application.

You can get custom silicone wristbands. I thought they'd only sell in bulk but they offered one for $2.18.
posted by Awfki at 4:55 AM on November 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Engraved medallion (random link, not a recommendation to specific items or shopping outlet). If you don't want to shop online this is something your local jeweller should be able to do. Pretty much every mall (or these days, every other mall) is likely to have an engraving place.
posted by sardonyx at 6:51 AM on November 13, 2023

you could embroider a talisman on some fabric. using the needle and thread to make a simple shape could be like a tattoo
posted by mosswinter at 7:06 AM on November 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

I have a very simple stainless steel cuff, much like the first link above, but mine has some words on the inside and only a tiny symbol on the outside. It is inexpensive, plain enough that nobody asks about it, appropriate for any gender presentation, and i've worn it continuously for about 5 years now.
posted by juliapangolin at 7:16 AM on November 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

well...sharpie lasts a few days. I have been known to draw on myself and others...

in fact, before I got my first tattoo I drew it on myself with sharpies to see if I liked it. (I did). this tattoo was on my ankle so easy to do, maybe you could have an artistic friend draw a tattoo idea you like on you, as a trial.
posted by supermedusa at 8:10 AM on November 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

Etsy's custom cross stitch wall art. DIY assembled kits or completed by seller. StitchyAesthetic, WickedStitchCo. as an examples.
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:12 AM on November 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

Seconding a temporary tattoo. Basically a decal for your skin that fades relatively quickly.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:34 AM on November 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

I buy these recipe card holders and write quotations I like on index cards for them.
posted by FencingGal at 9:40 AM on November 13, 2023

Signet ring, traditionally worn on the little finger.
posted by Hogshead at 10:53 AM on November 13, 2023

You could get a bracelet that's welded shut so you can't take it off without breaking it. Google "permanent jewelry". Definitely there's someone out there who will engrave whatever you want on it.
posted by potrzebie at 7:13 PM on November 13, 2023

Henna? They don't have to be the classic Indian designs.
posted by creatrixtiara at 9:05 PM on November 15, 2023