I'm A Mom With Tattoos – Lizanne From Clay Jar People

Welcome back to another installment in our series – I’m A Mom With Tattoos.  In case you have missed the last couple, don’t forget to check them out here.

Sherbit, what a week.

As it turns out, little kids don’t really like their parents leaving them for a couple of nights to go and enjoy themselves without them, even if they are staying with their Grandparents (which they often seem to adore even more than us).  We have been spending the entire week trying to get back into routine with lots of tears shed for emotions that can’t be expressed properly by little minds.

Despite that, I am going to say that being able to be alone with my man was so very, very worth it.  (More on where we went and how awesome Stellenbosch is next week).

Today I get to introduce you to Lizanne – who believe it or not is my real life friend (those things still exist!).  We met each other through Myspace stalking (don’t judge) so many years ago and have been basically inseparable since, even though she has moved out past that boerie curtain.  Thank goodness for social media right?  Anyway, I absolutely adore her collarbone tattoo, it makes me want to quite my job, throw caution to the wind and get one too.

Do I still have to tell you what to do now?  Go and get yourself a lovely cup of warm, liquid goodness and then sit back and enjoy.  (Sorry, I can’t stop myself, I think it’s the 5 years I have spent repeating myself to my kids all the time.)

Your name and blog deets:  Lizanne –  Clay Jar People 

Your age: 27

Your Occupation: Homeschooling/unschooling, homesteading mom of 2 (for now) and wife of 1

Tell us about your family: For the past 6 years, I have been married to one lovely handsome, hardworking programmer husband who dabbles in electronics and robotics as well as gardening and building stuff. We have two little people, Elijah, who is 3, loves otees, trains, planes, animals, friends and has an imaginary chicken; and Naomi, who is 1, loves any food especially bacon, playing with dolls, hugging and kissing, saying “hayo” to everyone she sees and is a generally happy baby. We’re hoping to be blessed with more little souls to care for and raise, in the future.

If you work, tell us a bit more about your working environment – are you regularly in contact with new “clients/public”.  I work at home on my business, writing and selling children’s ministry material, I run my household, plod around in the garden, hope to have chickens soon, homeschool Elijah, look after the kids, read a million stories, cook healthy meals, clean the house, oh and I sell books and some homemade toys and things… But no I don’t really see clients.

• Tell us a bit about your tattoo’s, what they are, why you have them, where they are located

I currently only have one (budget constraints) on my left wrist, it’s he verse reference for Jeremiah 31:3 which is my life verse, “3 The Lord appeared to us in the past,[a] saying:

How old were you when you got your first tattoo?  26

Which tattoo is your favourite and why?  My collar bone piece, because of the meaning, and it’s really well done. 

Do you plan on getting more?  Yes, I do, as soon as we have spare cash… But next it’s the husband’s turn.

How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  Husband has his wedding band tattooed, and he’s open to more. My folks aren’t fans, but they don’t really talk about it, or think about it I guess. I have friends with tattoos (Cindy being one) and the ones who don’t have are either in awe that I “could endure such pain” (none have had babies yet…) and others are all, “well what will it look like when you’re 80” (Dawn… Cough cough )

What is the general reaction that “the Public” have towards your tattoo’s?  Have you run into any negativity or adversity because of them?  I think because some of my tattoos are Christian, I don’t get as much negativity, and because I don’t work with people it’s easier. But I have gotten the “you don’t seem like the type to have tattoos” comment…

Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed?  Think long and hard about what and where you want it, if you work with people make sure your company is ok with it, or that it will be easy to hide. Don’t be put off by the pain, it’s momentary, but make sure you pick a really good artist. Good artists will help you design a good tattoo, and give input as to what they think will work, and where it will work. My last two were done by Jose at Hoodoo Tattoos, and he was awesome, he helped me pick a font and helped with placement that made sense, which helped me be really happy with the tattoos.

IF YOU WANT TO JOIN IN ON THIS SERIES PLEASE GET IN TOUCH (cindyalfino@gmail.com)