How we miss Nick… our old pal may have moved onto bigger and “better” things over at Complex, but we still keep in touch. An “Eight for the Holidays” allows us the opportunity to pick his brains about the very best in his world today – rather,  goods and items that he would love in his world. Like Mr. Yang’s eight items, Mr. Schonberger’s range give us a nice mix. Expect vinyl records, live mammals and more.

Read and see more of Nick Schonberger’s “Eight for the Holidays” after the click.

There are a few great books about tattoo shop life and its related social history out there. Most notably, Samuel Steward’s Bad Boys and Tough Tattoos, based on his experience in Chicago street shops during the mid-20th century. Jeff Johnson’s approach might be a touch different – he’s not scholarly as Steward – but the passed knowledge in his new book, Tattoo Machine, is no less engaging. Johnson has 18 years experience under his belt and is co-owner of Portland’s Sea Tramp Tattoo Shop. It’s safe to say, in his years, he’s seen a lot. And, in the books pages he revels in passing along the stories, lore, and a few basics that make tattooing one of the most amusing things to discuss and read about.

Out now, get it from Amazon.

Opening tomorrow at Philadelphia’s Independence Seaport Museum Skin and Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor gives a nuanced view of the connections of sailor and tattoo in American culture. The comprehensive exhibition features historic documents, flash art, and biographies from some of the most important sailor tattooists. Included are looks into tattoo life on the Bowery, and life at liberty in Hawaii.

Skin and Bones runs to January 3, 2010.

Tattoo magazines usually feature a lot of tattoos – as you’d expect. But where do you go from there? Tare Lugnt, a swedish magazine, have gone beyond the call of duty by making their third issue a tattoo. It’s a little extreme, to say the least, but it is an eye catching way of making a magazine. No word yet on what they’ll do for issue four.

Watch the making of Issue three after the jump.

Tobias Wong and José Lapage (a regular curating duo) have teamed up with Aric Chen ( a highly regarded design journalist) to produce a temporary tattoo parlor during Art Basel Miami titles “As Long As It Lasts”. The tattoos will be permanent, so you better think about it before going for it. But it will be a tough choice, as the line-up of artists is impressive – Vito Acconci, Kaws, 5.5 Designers, Yves Behar, Hella Hongerjuis and many more. If you ever wanted one of Kaws’s characters somewhere on your body, now is the time.