The Art of Hand-Poked Self-Tattooing
The Art of Hand Poked Self-Tattooing is a 2 day, immersive journey into the art of hand-poked tattooing, designed for thoughtful beginners who feel the call to mark their own body with intention.
In this intimate, ritual-focused training you will:
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Learn the history and traditional roots of hand-poked tattooing across cultures.
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Understand hygiene, safety, and setup so you can tattoo yourself responsibly at home.
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Explore design, symbolism, and placement, creating a personal tattoo that truly means something to you.
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Practice hand-poked technique on practice skin before ever touching real skin
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Spend the second day tattooing a small and simple design on yourself under guidance and ritual.
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Receive clear aftercare instructions so your tattoo can heal beautifully.
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Experience tattooing yourself as a form of self-development, creativity, and challenging yourself to try cool new things as you step into this new year.
Level One is exclusively for self-tattooing. You will not learn to tattoo others in this training—that is reserved for my Level 2 Course. This is an initiation: a safe, supported experience into the world of hand-poked tattooing yourself, and creating permanent stories on your body.
There will be a maximum of 8 in-person spots available for this training.
Breakdown of Days
Feb 7 & 8
9am - 5:30pm
There may be some slight adjustments between the days depending on how slowly or quickly we progress on day 1.
Day 2: Feb 8
1. Check in and group discussion
2. Choosing your self-tattoo design
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Connecting to symbols and their meaning
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Creating intention and story for your tattoo
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Drawing your own or choosing a pre-drawn stencil for your tattoo
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This will be a small and simple
3. Set-up
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Review hygiene and set-up
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Set-up your own self-tattoo space
4. Choosing your tattoo location
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Questions and considerations
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Placing the stencil or drawing the stencil
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Checking your work
5. Self-Tattoo
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A slow and mindful guided start then allowing space and time for you to find your flow
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I will be present and available for each person's specific questions during this time.
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Aftercare
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Tear down and clean up
6. Closing
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Discussion on experience
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Further question and answer period
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Closing ceremony
Day 1: Feb 7
1. Opening Ceremony & Story sharing
2. History
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Traditional / historical roots of hand poked tattoos
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Why hand‑poked tattoos?
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Understanding your story - Creating ritual, atmosphere, and opportunity for self-growth
3. Hygiene, Safety and Full Set-up
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How to make a hygienic space to tattoo at home and clean up safely
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Further considerations in setting up space for comfort, ease and NO cross-contamination
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Explanation of each necessary tool in your tattoo kit
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Demonstration on how to set up and tear down appropriately
5. Aftercare Instructions
6. Choosing body locations to work on
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Highlighting areas that are best for self-tattoos
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Trouble-shooting different positioning for specific locations.
7. Your Skin Education
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Understand the different layers of skin
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Understanding the depth of where the needles is meant to deposit ink
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Learning how your skin changes on different parts of your body
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Expected sensation
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Self assessment of skin and group discussion
8. Stencils:
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Different types of stencils
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Self-placement considerations
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Body positioning and how to place on appropriately
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Practice drawing stencils
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Practice placing stencils
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Group discussion
9. Tattoo Needles and Technique
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Understanding different types of needles and their purpose
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What to consider when choosing your needle
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Learn basic line-work and pointillism technique
10. Practice:
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Practice full set-up
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Practice different needles and techniques on fake skin
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Discussion while practicing
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Tear down
10. Closing Circle
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Homework: If you want to do a hand drawn stencil for tomorrow, draw it out.
Cost: $999+gst
What's included:
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Two intensive days of training from Marni who has almost 10 years of experience tattooing herself and others professionally
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Your very own hand-poked, self-tattoo kit to use and take home with you including pre-made stencils
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Two days spent in a gorgeous Yurt, overlooking the mountains, surrounded by nature and in an intimate, small group setting
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Not only is this a weekend of learning but an unforgettable self-growth experience of tattooing yourself!
