In fact, there are so many tattoo designs to choose from that many fans are planning their next tattoo design while the ink work is still healing on their latest tattoos.

"Initially, I was going to stop at this one, but I have since run across a picture of Obi-Wan and Anakin in a similar lightsaber battle from Revenge of the Sith," Bennett reveals. "I keep thinking how good it would look on my other shoulder. Plus it would 'bring balance to the Force' -- or to my shoulders anyway."

"I'm currently working on an Empire Strikes Back-themed calf-sleeve that I hope to have completed by the end of summer," Turgeon adds.

Gillespie confesses that she's already working on sleeving her right arm with a tribute to the ladies of Star Wars, as well as "a top-secret Leia leg piece" currently being designed for a future tattoo shop visit.

Jason Semrau's tattoo art

With tattoos ranging from full back designs of entire scenes from the saga, as well as more personalized images of beloved characters like Chewbacca and Yoda, fans spent the majority of the competition comparing work, taking photos and making new friends.

"I love meeting other fans who have Star Wars tattoos, especially people with large or concept pieces, because there's so much you can do with the whole saga that it's exciting to see what elements people choose to use to represent their fandom," Gillespie says. "The tattoo contest at Celebration III was amazing because there were so many beautiful pieces on display and everyone was really nice -- we could all relate to each other's drained bank accounts."

Not only were fans excited to see the various skin art grace the limbs of loyal Star Wars followers, but also the actors who were often featured in the tattoos themselves.

"Alan Ruscoe was one of the judges and said he thought the detail I had on my Plo Koon was one of the best he seen," New York welder/mechanic Jason Semrau says. "He also commented about the great shade work on the faces and how incredible the detail was.

	Jason Semrau's tattoo art

But the best was when Amy Allen (Aayla Secura) went nuts over my tattoo of her. She kept saying 'Oh my God' over and over just kept staring at it, then called actress Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing) over with her video camera to tape it for her. After that she took a bunch of pictures of it with her digital camera which was totally awesome!"

Semrau's left arm is covered in tattoos of Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Obi-Wan with a half Imperial, half Alliance symbol in the hood of the cloak. The work was done by Dirk Van Vorst of Dons Nickel City Tattoos. On his right arm he has an unfinished full sleeve of prequel Jedi, half young Anakin with half Darth Vader, a young Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul, Darth Sidious with the Republic symbol in his hood, General Grievous, the Death Star, Mace Windu, Count Dooku, Aayla Secura, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Plo Koon and a Jedi starfighter. This work is being done by Steve Christman of Dons Nickel City Tattoos.

The competition not only sparked interest in Star Wars tattoo culture among fans and actors alike, but reminded the contestants of why they decided to get Force-inspired skin art in the first place.

"I don't regret for a moment my choice of a Star Wars tattoo," Bennett says. "Star Wars has always represented a huge part of my life and it always will. My mom asked me once, 'What happens when you're 80 years old and you still have that tattoo?' And I said, 'I hope that there are still other Star Wars fans around to share it with!'"