The 2004 7th Annual Forged In Ink Tattoo Extravaganza was held at the Sheraton in Wyomissing, PA from April 2-4. Pudge, Rocky, and I traveled to the show and were utterly amazed! A tattoo convention is so completely different from anything else that I have ever seen or experienced in my life, and so absorbing that it is almost too much for words...but I'll try and tell you all about it.

     The first thing that got me when we walked into the area in the hotel where all of the booths were set up was that nearly fifty percent of the people that I saw were smoking. I have worked in events management for the past three years, and no where in that time did we ever have a hotel tell us that our attendees or exhibitors could light up! Anyways, getting over that shock, we walked around to take everything in. (Pudge is a big believer in taking time to "take it all in", although half of the time it annoys the crap out of me!)

     There was the constant "bzzzzz" of machinists working their magic all weekend long and the long-lasting smell of Goo in the air that we didn't even realize was there after the first 15 minutes.

     Tattoo conventions are made up of vendors, but not in the typical context that you might think of. The vendors at these shows are your local tattoo shops that pack up all of their equipment and head off for the weekend to fulfill their permanent artistic duties while being watched by hundreds of strangers that walk by. They usually bring their customers with them, working on a backpiece or sleeve that they can continue when they return home, if needed.

     And then there are just all of these people milling around, seeing what everyone else is having done, and seeing who is coming up with a new style. There is an air in the room that holds everyone together, that they have been through the same thing, and all have an appreciation of art that is unique from the general population. And another thing that is unique to tattoo conventions is that exhibitionism isn't anything to stare at! It isn't unusual for a woman to take here skirt off and have on nothing but a thong for you to be able to photograph the black and gray artwork that covers her entire back, butt, and legs.

     During the Extravaganza, there was a raffle being held for an '04 Harley Dyna Super Glide, a side show that included materials not suitable for the wee folk (check out the pictures!), and a machine building seminar so that all of our artists know the ins and outs of their equipment. Judging and awards took place on Saturday & Sunday for tattoos in over a dozen different categories, including Best Traditional Design, Best Sleeve with a male/female breakdown, Best Color with male/female, large/small breakdowns, and Best of Show, just to name a few.

     Forged In Ink was an eye-opening experience in another part of the world that we knew nothing about...and we loved it! I have learned in the past six months that there is no where better to hang out than at a tattoo shop - there's just something about the atmosphere and the lifestyle that is so down to earth and family-like that is unlike anywhere else. This convention was just an extension of your local shop. Check out the Forged In Ink site at www.ForgedInInk.com in early 2005 to see dates for next year's convention.