Interview Monique Kristel

Name: Monique Kristel,
co owner at Tattoo O.K. Corral Amersfoort (NL)

Can you describe yourself in one sentence?
Incredibly driven in terms of piercing technique for the most beautiful result.

How long have you been piercer?
Now almost 22 years working as a piercer. To be exact I started in April 1995.

Why this profession? Dealing with different people, and in particular the personal attention to everyone.

How or from whom did you learn the skills?
I'v learned from a very good piercer Pelusa. And developed myself further on.

Your first piercing was a?
My first piercing was a belly button piercing what really isn't the easiest one to start with.

Who or what inspires you?
I am extremely inspired by Jeanne d ' Arc ( which also drawn up  the regulation of the public health service GGD) . Had  her own shop in the Netherlands Noord-Holland sadly due to illness had to stop.

Can you tell something about your studio/workspace?
Since 1990 I work at Tattoo shop o. k. Corral and Iam  part-owner of this shop.
We have an incredibly fun team of 4 tattooists and since  september first an extra piercer. Very passionate team with lots of talents in a lot of levels.

What type of piercing do you prefer? I think each piercing is a challenge, because every human being is so completely different in terms of Anatomy and personality, try  aesthetically the most beautiful result.



What's the best piece of advice you ever got when you started out and think it would help other starters in this industry?
Try to get as much possible knowledge by watching and listening to the professional piercer. And then learn from every piercing as much as possible to gain knowledge. Be calm, try each piercing step by step to master and go learn the next piercing step by step.

Do you have a nice or weird experience as a piercer you want to share with us?

There once came in a man for a belly button ring that was carrying a large bag, on which I asked what was in it. He had a great beam level with him to see for sure  if the piercing was going to be straight.
And a man who came in for a Prince Albert asked for a particular ornament because he was wearing a chastity belt. stupid I asked if he needed it for his work which of course he didn't.
Also, I had a father who's daughter wanted a belly button piercing. After the piercing I walked with her to the mirror, the father then asked for some water which I brought to him and the man (almost 6 feet) fainted and fell into my arms cause of his daughters piercing.

Does your work involve more than just piercing? 
No I am also Floor manager in the shop answering the phone and mail, and everything a manager does.

How do you see yourself in 5 years?
I want to continue to develop myself in piercing. In addition, I also do more in the field of addiction treatment. That keeps my life in balance.

Do you have a tip or do you want to add something to this interview?
Stay engaged in knowledge, but especially on qualitative terms and don't go for quantity. And especially don't do  things your not comfortabel with.


www.corral.nl
info@corral.nl

Answers and photo's : Monique kristel
-Angie
Published Tattoo Planet eMagazine 115 November 2016

Never stop learning (APP2017)

In my fourth year as a professional piercer now,
I still consider myself as a rookie.
For years I look up to the masters in this industry, not only because they are so much more experienced, but also because many of them have made this industry possible, or others have again improved it in techniek, material, sharing experiences to others, caring for the public health and more.

I have really found my passion, and want to do this in the best way as possible. It takes a lot more then a 3 day (not recognized) course, or at home practicing on friends with cheap materials. If this really is your passion, then you will want to know and learn everything about it.



In this profession you never stop learning, rules, techniques, materials and types change. It is therefore important to stay informed, keep up. This can be done by following workshops, shadow others, network. or you can visit the annual BMXnet (body modification exchange network) in Germany.


No body is the same, so no piercing is the same, this makes the job just so fun, you keep learning time and time again, and getting experiences on doing, you recognize the places and know what fits better with the person, or what maybe can get a problem later on.
Your advices are longer and the troubleshooting is getting shorter.

Are you such a piercer? inquisitive? Then I must recommend this, as you may know, I was one of the lucky ones last summer that was selected for a scholarship to the Conference of the APP 2016 in the USA for me it was really one of the highlights of my career, an experience to remember.

That is why I keep saying, even though you're just getting started as a piercer or have many years of experience, do not doubt , but do it, your worth it !

Until december 18th you can enrol for the Al.D.scholarschip for the APP Conference 2017 on June 11th till 16th. Click on the link below to subscribe:


http://www.safepiercing.org/nl/learn/conference/al-d-scholarships/


Al.D scholarschip:
-free Conference pass including all required classes that you want to follow
-free ticket banquet dinner
-free shared hotel room for all the nights

All they ask in return is to help as a volunteer, what I personally liked very much to do, and it also gives you more of a behind the scenes look, it is a great team.

If you want to know more or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me

links:
about the Conference itself : http://www.safepiercing.org/learn/conference/
about/BMXnet Conference: http://www.bmxnet.org/

Angie contact: info@modernbodystudio.nl

Text Angie
-Angie
Published Tattoo Planet eMagazine 115 November 2016