Dutch Ava first time attendee at the APP conference 2022 as a Legacy Scholar

Ava LaBeija

- SHORT INTRODUCTION

Hello everyone, my name is Ava LaBeija!
I’m an Egyptian-Dutch piercer with an academic background in Comparative Gender Studies and Art History, a writer, a restless busy bee and a lover of body modification in every sense of the word.
This year, I was extremely fortunate to be the recipient of the APP and Pupil Hall’s Legacy scholarship, which made it possible to attend Conference in Las Vegas for the first time in my life. In every single way possible, this experience has completely transformed me and my life. 

- WHO INSPIRES YOU?

When you grow up in a restless and unsafe home with little to no money or family but pretty unlimited Internet access, I think one of the websites you’ll find sooner or later is BMEzine. Or at least; that’s what happened in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I had always felt like an outsider (believe it or not: I was the darkest, most exotic looking kid in my village!) and was mesmerized by the unconventional things I’d see on late night television and in the local library, from medical textbooks to BDSM ads. When I found BMEzine at around 8 or 9 years old, I felt two things: like I had found my people, and equal parts disgust and admiration for a good 70% of everything I encountered. If any of you are unfamiliar: BME was the biggest website for piercings and (extreme) body modification – you can imagine my face when I saw a penile split at age 10, very much confused about anatomy in general.
I religiously read every article and believed all of this to be real, including the April Fool’s jokes I was too young to understand. So my initial inspiration comes from those early years spent on the Internet – Shannon Larrat, Fakir Musafar, Bear, Paul King, Ryan Ouellette, Farrah Flawless, Steve Haworth… and it sort of progressed into body modification in a broader sense from there. I started waist training as a teenager, got pierced a lot and pierced and tattooed myself, and then got into the kink scene and started my collection of vintage erotica.
Many of my inspirations have stayed the same over time, with a few notable additions: Fakir Musafar, Ethel Granger, John Willie, Paul King, Mr. Pearl, Michaela Grey, Irving Klaw, Jef Saunders, Charles Guyette, Ryan Ouellette… and I would be remiss not to mention Nahuel Burgos, the person who in one conversation will make you fall in love with piercing and life all over again without you even realizing.

- WHO OR WHAT MOVED YOU TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP?

Since I’m chronically ill and can’t work full-time, there is no way I could ever afford to go to Conference by myself. I live just below the poverty line, so my ex-mentor/boss encouraged me to apply and wrote me an inspirational letter of recommendation. Then more people wrote letters of recommendation. Then clients asked if they could write me letters. And then… I did it. I jumped in.

- WHEN YOU HEARD YOU GOT IN, HOW DID YOU FEEL?

I honestly felt nothing. Caitlin, Mama Duck, sent out an email that said something like “we’ll finish up our meeting at this time, which will be around 3AM your time, so if you would prefer to wait and hear our decision the next day please let us know”. And I did. But because I was so anxious, I stayed up and texted Caitlin at 3AM sharp: “hey Caitlin, umm, I’m still up, so if you want to… you can tell me the results”. Fully knowing that I would not get the scholarship. Caitlin called me back a few minutes later, told me they had picked me, I probably shed a few tears and said thanks and then went to bed. I think it took a few days for me to realize what had happened. And when that did, panic set in. 

- TELL ME ABOUT THE PRE-CONFERENCE, THE TIME TOWARDS THE CONFERENCE.

After Conference, all of the scholars were asked to write a short piece about their experiences. Although I haven’t read all of the other scholars’ letters, I know mine was a compilation of fears and intrusive thoughts instead of a celebration of life – because I definitely didn’t feel like celebrating. So if you don’t mind, I’ll take out a paragraph of that text I sent in to fully describe my pre-Vegas-experience.
“In life, I’m convinced that good things don’t tend to happen to me. They cán most definitely happen, and in most instances I’m a full-blown cheerleader for the people I love and the great things that befall them. I’m just not really built for all of that good stuff myself. So when it came time to tell people I had won the scholarship, I was taking in compliments and seeing the people around me turn into the type of cheerleader I usually am. And when I heard them speak about “the Vegas adventure”, I froze. I counted down the days until my flight, obsessively packing and unpacking my bag, isolating myself from the people around me because I was in high-functioning panic mode. I metaphorically stopped breathing, and planned on holding my breath until it was all over. There was only one thing on my mind: “I need to get through this”. The fear of not being liked, of being an outcast in a group of outcasts, people finding out I’m a fraud who can’t pierce, and perhaps worst of all; having to admit to myself that I ám a fraud who can’t pierce”.

- YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION COMING TO VEGAS / HOTEL.

The airport alone is bizarre, with casinos in between
the gates, American flags as far as the

eye can see and the not-so-soothing background music of the Star-Spangled Banner interspersed with COVID-precautions-announcements. When I stepped outside, it felt like I had just sat in front of an oven with my face pressed up to glass and then opened it. It was totally different from what I had expected: it was dry, beige and other sad shades of brown. Where were the lights and the fountains? Where was the mini Eiffel Tower? 

A shuttle bus took me up to the hotel, a gigantic mall/casino/hotel-combo, and I immediately fell in love. I wish you could have seen the room: I felt like royalty, with a gigantic bed, a view of the Vegas strip, my own bathtub and, most importantly, air conditioning. Wandering through the “hotel”, I started to feel like I was in Vegas. Something a little unexpected: you don’t actually go outside unless you GO OUTSIDE. The ceilings are painted to resemble the sky outside, and they pump a weird sort of air into the casino which means there is no sense of time and you barely get tired. It’s wild. 

- TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FIRST MEETING AND MEET THE VOLENTEER FAMILY

Remember that little paragraph about me holding my breath until it was all over? As soon as I met my volunteer family, and especially the other scholars, I felt like I could breathe again. And not just any old breath, but a deeper breath than I have taken in years. It was also super special that you, Angie, sent a care package for the group with Dutch goodies and an emotional letter that included Aiko’s and my name. 

I haven’t been this happy in years, so surrounded by people who I loved as soon as I met them. It sounds really cheesy and like something out of a movie, but there’s no other way to explain it. When Caitlin (the person who literally IS the conference) told us about this connection beforehand I thought “not this year. We barely know each other”. But there was no need to. There is this unconditional love and admiration for one another that feels unlike any friendship out in the “real world”.

- WORKING WITH AND MEETING PEOPLE YOU LOOK UP TO.

When asked about my favorite people at Conference,
I always mention the Skellies – on my

second night there, I worked registration and had the pleasure to hang out with Serena and Orion. Both kids outsmart any given classroom filled with the smartest piercers in the world, and I was fascinated by their passion and joy and the way they marveled at the world around them. Having met the mini-Skellies, meeting Brian seemed a little less intimidating. He shook my hand, wrapped both hands around mine and really looked me in the eyes to tell me what a pleasure it was to meet me, and it was the epitome of the phrase “it felt like a warm bath”. The other person I was nervous to introduce myself to was Paul King, because his life is the stuff my dreams are made of. He could not have been more wonderful and gave me vegan donuts (for Dave).
Besides these two, I wasn’t too starstruck because I was too busy to feel anything but excitement and exhaustion! I got to meet people I really appreciate and admire, and have come to like them in person even more. Some favorites are my angel baby Monica Sabin, Pablo Perelmuter, John Johnson, Ed Chavarria, Gus Diamond, Cozmo Whitest, Cassi Lopez-March… and I could go on and on! I now look up to a whole new host of people because of who they are and what they represent, such as John Robberson, Lani Soleil, Em Brzakala, Shorty, Ken “Captain Face Ring” Seyler, Sosa, Alicia Lowe, Jacob Spjut and many others off the top of my head.

- YOUR EXPERIENCE at THE CONFERENCE.

Conference is kind of like a high school party that lasts days and days, except for the fact that there are no cliques and you spend your entire day telling people they’re “like really really pretty”. At least, that’s what I did. For the scholars, Conference meant early morning shifts to work doors or help out the more experienced volunteers while looking out for each other and getting each other coffees. We took classes, spent time on the expo floor, worked some more, then had dinner together that turned into drinks that turned into time on the steps of the hotel talking about our lives which in turn turned into a group of scholars gathering in someone’s room for an “after party”. Sometimes, it turned into gathering Escort cards on the streets, writing love notes on them and sliding them under someone’s door. Other days, it was crying while staring at the Belaggio fountain and thinking life is pretty fucking magical. Other days, it was grocery runs and hair-holding when one of your fellow scholars was violently ill. And on my very first night in the States ever, John Robberson and I were stopped in a grocery store because 2 evangelical Christians asked us permission to pray for us. We were shopping for tacky shot glasses.

- WHICH CLASSES DID YOU LIKE MOST.

Not a class, but hands down the Body Piercing Archive tour; both Matt Lodder and Paul King are excellent story-tellers. In terms of classes, I was most excited about a class about Trans Anatomy and (what I expected to be taught was) piercing people on HRT, but that turned out to be a class that had nothing to do with piercing whatsoever. It was still really valuable, but since I already have a BA/MA in Gender Studies I felt like I would have gotten more out of Brian Skellie’s Bevel Theory class that happened at the exact same time.

- DO YOU HAVE A NICE OR FUNNY STORY FOR US YOU LIKE TO SHARE, OR IS IT WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN

VEGAS :)

Let’s just say… that we have a little collection of pictures of one of our group members who
had (or still has?) the tendency to fall asleep naked. In the bathtub, on the floor, pretty much anywhere that isn’t a/their bed. 

- ARE YOU PLANNING TO GO BACK AGAIN?

Yes. There is no place I would rather be. Besides, I left my heart there so I really need to go back.
(not necessarily Vegas though. Vegas itself is not so great).

- WHAT WOULD YOU TELL OR ADVISE TO OTHERS, WHO HAVE DOUBTS OR ARE SCARED TO GO OR APPLY

Do it. Keep in mind that most people who want to apply don’t do it because they think they’ll never make it – so sadly but luckily for you, there is much less competition than you think there is.

Furthermore, you have every right to be there. No matter your skill level, your “connections” in the industry, the way you came into piercing… you belong, and you will find a new family that will wholly understand and unconditionally love you. That alone is worth the stress of applying.Oh, and don’t get intimidated by the fact that you’re not an APP member, or don’t work with high end jewelry, that you’ve never sold gold in your life or that your main supplier is Hollywood Body Jewelry. You’re there to learn and enjoy, not to be perfect.

And if you’re a person of color, definitely apply. We really really need you in this industry. This year felt like a true victory where Egypt/the Middle East was represented for the first time, with two scholars and one attendee from Egypt (Dina Mady, Fatma Tarek and myself). If you’re from the Middle East and want to chat, I’m sure all three of us would be more than happy to help you.

Ava
novemberpiercing

-Angie
Photo's and answers : Ava LaBija

Dutch Mike Leijs, First timer at APP conference 2022

Mike Leijs

 

My name is Mike Leijs, a tattoo and body piercing artist from Sint Willebrord, The Netherlands.
 I’ve been in the piercing industry since late 2006 / beginning of 2007, I first started my own studio by the name Mike’s Body Piercing at the age of 16, which after a year changed to the current name of the studio: Shot of Ink Tattoo & Piercing.
At the moment I’m 31 years old.

I was told to go to Vegas for the APP conference by some piercers from the Netherlands at the beginning of this year, they were all so enthusiastic about it so I thought why the hell not?! Let’s go on an adventure.

After booking my flight tickets and arranging all of the other necessities I started searching for classes that took my attention and i closed the deal. I’m going to Vegas, flying solo, meeting up with people there and especially meet new industry professionals.

After an 18,5 hour flight (due to delays) I finally made it to Vegas, took a cab to the PH hotel and was ready to go enjoy my time. The hotel itself was really nice, big rooms, a double kingsize for myself, ground floor casino, just what you would expect when in Vegas. 

I met a lot of new people, all of them so kind and accepting! Made new friends who i’m staying in touch with through social media, but hoping to see again next year, because once you feel the vibe of the APP conference you’re hooked and instantly want to go back.

Everyone who is a bit hesitating about going there, please don’t hesitate and just go! It will be a life changing experience.

Shot of Ink

Dorpsstraat 34
4711NG Sint Willebrord
Info@shotofink.nl
www.shotofink.nl

-Angie
Photos: Mike Leijs

Mike & Me
Tattoo convention 2022

Interview Eduardo chavarria

Eduardo Chavarria

Name: Eduardo Chavarria

When started your passion for piercing?
I guess I can say it started as a child. Not in the sense of me piercing myself as a teenager, but I clearly remember being about 7-8 years old, I was either in the first or second grade and it was 1982-83. I went to the grocery store with my mom in Katy, TX and as we were walking in out was walking the first punk rocker I had ever seen in my human existence. I remember everything about that moment from their plaid bondage pants, to their stunning mohawk, but most importantly I remember that this individual had their ear pierced from the lobe all up and around their helix with silver ball studs. It was at this point in my life that not only I realized that one could become an adult and do and look how you want, but that you could put holes in your ear and wear jewelry. I also remember the look of disgust on my moms face. I have seen that same look at me several times in my life since then toward me. But without making that sound negative, though it took some time, I have an amazing relationship with my mother, and though she may not like what I do or how I have chosen to live my life she still loves me, supports me, and encourages me to be me and be happy. I am her favorite child and my sisters will tell you that too.

How did you become one and who was your teacher?
So my becoming a piercer story is one of being at the right place and the right time and right moment. I was working a pretty cool career as a baker (as well pastry) and I was pretty good at it. The team I worked with not only supplied bread to all the top restaurants in Houston (TX), but we won best bakery awards consistently. I was doing well in life but baker hours are not the most fun hours and leave you to little social time.
I was a really good client and friends with everyone at Taurian Body Piercing as well as with a tattoo shop named Hot Stuff Deluxe as both places were open later hours than most businesses and they did not mind me hanging out for an hour or two before I went to work. To not sound like a total shop rat I would come to both shops with bags of bread and as I said I was also a client, but most importantly I became close friends with people at both shops which showed me the community side of the industry before I was a part of it.
I had been interested and wanting to suspend and that took me to asking the owner of Tarian, Byriah Dailey, if he would be interested in helping me achieve this goal.
At that time he had just hired Steve Joyner and he suggested I talk to Steve once he was moved and settled.
I did so and that landed me in a room with a few people and thus the birth of a small performance group now known as CoRE was born and eventually I got to do that suspension.
Now more to the point of the question. I was really burning out on baking because of the hours as well as how it interfered with my new performance and suspension hobby. After doing performance and private suspensions for a while and being able to do a lot of hook piercing my interest for piercing became much stronger and out of sheer luck, persistence, patience, and showing a lot of initiative I got to start apprenticing at Taurian. I was able to learn both under Steve and Byriah, but the biggest thank you in that entire situation has to go to Byriah. He was really generous to not only share knowledge but to bring me into his life and studio but also for believing in me and giving me a chance. The rest is all history that I am happy to chat more about at a later time.

Who inspires you?
Gosh, this is a trick question with an endless answer that I will keep in the piercing industry.
I have been inspired by many throughout my time in this game and I will list them all for you.
In the the begining I was inspired by and influenced by many Texas piercers. Pat Tidwell, Ron Garza, Robert Micheal, Cris Cane, Bear, and a weirdo from Indiana named Brent to name a few. They were all amazing people that took me in as family from the moment we and all shared more knowledge with me about piercing, suspension, scarification, branding, and life.
Because my roots to piercing are through suspension one thing that was always the most natural to me was piercing with minimal to no tools, Bryan Skellie was a huge help and influence to me.
I should mention that this was all during a time where internet was not the most accessible so ALL the above mentioned people I either spoke on the phone with them for way to long, or I would have to go out of my way to see them.
Later in my career I was influenced directly by some of the piercers that I worked with or for or because I was able to guest with them. These people would be Jason King, Henry Reuben, Patrick Bogdanich, Marty K, Jim Sens, Peck, Matt Southwood, Kellan Smith, Autumn Swisher, Maralyn Mena, Nate Janke, Chux Time, Chris Jennings, and Danny Petersdorf,
Now that I am entering a new era in my career with opening my own studio I get my biggest influences and inspirations from shop owners like Bethra Szumski, Kieth Krollman, Rob Church, Ian Bishop, Ryan Oullette, and Marc Williams.
The list could continue but I'll stop it there.

Do you do more then just piercings?
Hmmmmm, kind of. I definitely am still involved with suspension. I used to do cutting but to be honest anymore unless it is someone I already know or I just feel that "magical" connection with someone I just suggest other practitioners. I love to brand, but that time I feel has come and gone, or maybe I just don't push myself to market it, but none the less its not a service I have been asked for in several years. So piercings and suspension.

How did you got involved with the APP and the LBP? and volunteering
So involvement with APP is easy. I was an Al D scholarship recipient I can never remember the year, but I think it was 2003. The rest is history. I never stopped after that. I remained a volunteer till I became a board member which is just another level of volunteer, and even after that I stick around. I could not imagine going to APP and not being part of the back of the house stuff. The APP has helpe me a lot in my career and I love giving back to it however I can.
As far as LBP, being bilingual didn't hurt, being a board member during its formative years helped, and then going and teaching was the icing on the cake. Though my involvment with LBP is nothing near the time I have put into APP there is nothing I would not do to help and support the LBP.

Suspensions, why you love it?
For so many reasons. The people it has brought into my life, the experiences it has provided for me, the experiences it has allowed me to share. I love everything about suspension. From buying gear, to tying knots, to setting up, piercing, walking someone or getting walked through fear and emotions. Enjoying feeling the movement, watching all the gear and seeing it work, the euphoria, the endorphins, and the way it allows me to process things. Suspensions in one of the only way I get to trigger certain parts of my brain and it allows me to open doors for myself and learn more about me and what I want.

Have you ever break through to the other side?I have had many "experiences" through several different ceremonies and rituals. They have all taken me to several special places. Keeping closest to the topic of piercing one of my most amazing and ceremony was the first time I did Kavadi.
Here is a link to an interview I did about that experience http://kavadinfo.blogspot.com/2007/12/kavadi-experience-eduardo.html

Tell us about CoRE and "kuh thar sis"
CoRE is a theater performance suspension group. This is where and whom I learned about suspension. From where it started to where its at now are apples and oranges. if you enjoy watching performance art and like seeing suspensions it is a very beautiful show.
As far as Kuh-thahr-sis, this is my most recent and only named suspension project of my own. I did performance for many many years and I have a love hate relationship with it. For the right reason or to help the right people I will do performance, but Kuh-thahr-sis is the opposite. It is about private suspension with the influence on experience.
Suspension can be so many different things and it is its own experience for each individual. I have been lucky enough to facilitate many people first suspensions and you only get one of those so I try to make it as perfect as possible. I do not try and push any of my personal beliefs about suspension onto anyone. If my group and team is suspending you we have already discussed many details and have tried to set up the environment that is the most comfortable for the person suspending. From music, to lighting, scents, and most importantly the lack of a crowd. I ask the person suspending to only bring one or two of their closest support and we all focus on the person suspending and nothing more.

What has been the high point of your career so far? What are you most proud of
Everyday I get to do what I love is a high point. I love body piercing. I love my industry.
I have been fortunate enough to work either as an employee or a guest artist and many of the top studios in the United States and even a few of the best studios in Mexico City.
I was lucky enough to get voted onto an APP board with some amazing people that helped mold me a great deal and that I am still friends with to date.
During my board term I joined the Conference Committee which I am still a part of, and I succesfully started both the Membership Committee, and the Outreach Committee both which have grown far beyond what I would have ever anticipated.

Do you have a nice experience you like to share with us?
No one specifically, I think piercing kids ears always falls pretty high on my list. Its so cool to walk them through the process. Everything about piercings kids ears is so genuine. From their body language, the questions they ask, talking themselves out of the fear and understanding themselves and watching them grow in those seconds leading up to it, then the reaction. The most genuine happy smile comes from a kid getting their first set of lobe piercings.
I would say after that my next favorite is helping anyone that is finding or reclaiming themselves.

Is there something we do not know about you? but like to share?
I am the proud son of Salvadoran immigrants and am so grateful for my parents sacrifices that have allowed me to live my best life.
I struggle in social situations with making the first more or saying hello.

How do you see the future? are there plans? do you have a personal goal?Currently I am in the process of opening my own studio, so I hope to see success in my future.
As far as plans and personal goals, I would like to bring more people of color into the industry so once I have everything settled I will start to work on that.

Do you have any advice for our readers, or do you want to add something?
Live your life, be the best person you can be, challenge yourself, become a better person, drink more water, ask questions, make time for yourself and the important ones around you.
Find things that will make and keep you happy.


Namaste,
Eduardo Chavarria

Instagram: piercings by Ed

-Angie
Photos and answers: Eduardo Chavarria

Eduardo & Me at APP2019 Las Vegas

Interview Zak Dubi DuBois

Zak Dubi Dubois

Name: Zak Dubi Dubois

Can you discribe yourself in one sentence?     Calm and Collected, with a nice butt
-Chelsea Austin

When did your passion for piercing start?
I started putting "jewelry" or random key chain rings around my lip and into stuffed animals at a young age

So I'd say I guess I always had an interest but didnt know what it was yet or if it was anything really. I just thought I and my things looked better with jewelry through its body.

How did you become one and who was your teacher?
16 years ago I got an apprenticeship at a little tattoo shop that I had gotten tattooed at and it was just 1 guy so I asked him to teach me and he took me on. His name was Johnny and he was awesome. My apprenticeship was about 6 months long. I learned very quickly it came pretty naturally.

I moved to Dallas Texas straight away out of my apprenticeship and got a job at a shop in
Deep Ellum called "Skin&Bones body piercing" and thats when I really felt like I was an actual professional piercer. I have always tried to stay open to opinions and trying new thing so I like to say I am always learning and will continue to stay in that mindset so that I continue to progress as an artist.

Who inspires you?
I get inspired by everyone really. I see so many amazing piercers learning and doing new things with jewelry and techniques and that is always amazing to hear and learn about everyones new ideas cause that give me an opportunity to learn again so stayin in that constant progression again. There are so many people to list that I have learned from, looked up to, and tried to work similarly too. To name even a few would not be enough. I am inspired by everyone!



Working as a piercer?
Short answer.
Its the best "job" in the world and if you have an interest I highly encourage you to follow that and see what you are capable of. Id encourage anyone to do that with whatever they are passionate about. But piercing is in my opinion the best job ever!

Tell us about your shop Dubois Piercing ?
"Dubois Piercing", is my new business. Its just me right now and I am actually inside of a local tattoo shop called Chapman Ave tattoo in Fullerton California

I own and operate all of the body piercing and jewelry. I work along side APP standards but I am not yet a member. I use a "freehand/palming/ninja grip" technique, I work out of a Statim, I use only APP approved jewelry vendors. And sterile saline wound wash aftercare from both steriwash and neilmed piercing aftercare

I eventually would like to have my own studio all together and that will happen in time. But right now I am perfectly happy where i am. It gives me the opportunity to focus on my constant progression of my skill set and what i offer to my clients



Do you do more than just piercings?
Yes. My day to day is mostly body piercing but i do offer scarification, earlobe reconstruction, just started offering subdermal implants and soon I will add transdermal implants, tongue splitting, coin slots, and ear pointing as time goes on. But the way I like to do things is strategic in learning and focusing on a step by step or focus on one thing at a time so eventually I'll be able to offer everything my clients could want and be confident in my skills and knowledge that they will be 100%happy with the outcome.

Ambassador, actor and modeling? ....Tell us more
Haha ohhh my other professional/personal life well thats lots of fun too!

I am a brand ambassador for a workout supplement company called The Genius Brand. I spend 4 mornings a week in the gym and care very much about my health. The Genius brand supplements send me free stuff on occasion when I tag them in my photos on my fitness Instagram page @fitnessdubois127 I enjoy working out and they had contacted me so I signed on.

Actor- wellll Ive done some things havent I hahahaha

I have a cousin who works in the movie industry and asked me to be in a movie some years back cause the part needed someone with my look so my cousin called me. I had 2 scenes and 7 lines. I shared a scene with the actress Kate Beckinsale, its was a very cool experience and I got paid very nicely so that was cool, the Lifetime tv network bought the movie, chopped it up, cut me out, and then aired it, but since I was still on the original credits I still got a residual check twice from them too so that was awesome again.

Then In 2017 Halloween time I worked as a scare monster for a haunted house called The 17th door that was a whole bunch of fun too.


Modeling- welll I like to model a bit sometimes its just me in a natural state no makeup or anything but the most fun i have modeling is when I get dressed up as my clown "animal"


You can see that stuff on my modeling Instagram @zakdubois

I go to photo meet up and private shoots too its alot of fun and lets me relax and let go a bit and have a good time. Plus I get really awesome pictures taken by some amazing photographers.

Guest artist/ traveling?
I'm not opposed to it but I like stayin close to home mostly. I have a family too and I enjoy spending time with them as well.


When did you start with scarification & implants?
Ever since the beginning of my career I've had an interest in doing body modification and body art more than body piercings. But the way that I've wanted to work and learn has been to keep focus on one thing and get good at that before you move on to the next step. So as I got more and more experienced as a piercer I kept my eye on scarification art and implant work both subdermal and transdermal. Never going hands on always asking questions and studying in my own off time and doing procedures and what not in my head over and over and over and over and over etc.. and after many years of mentality analyzing, watching videos, asking questions I started doing scarification in 2018. I bought Steve Haworths implant tools In may 2019 so now I happily started offering implants as well.

What do you think about the modification culture these days? Is there something you like to see change.
I think its fantastic that more and more people are learning to let themselves actually become themselves. I love change and evolving so I just love seeing people change and encourage them to just do so in a safe and clean way.

What has been the high point of your career so far? What are you most proud of?
Starting my own business is definitely the high point. Im most proud of my patience and determination to not let anything get in my way.


Do you have a nice experience you'd like to share with us? APP conference 2019.....If you know you know.
3 words though...   It was amazing!

Is there something we do not know about you but would like to share?
When I was 20 years old I worked the door at a bar carding people
Shhhhhhh...... Hahahahahaha

How do you see the future? Are there plans? Do you have a personal goal
The future for me is a big wide open space that i keep my imagination open to all kinds of wonderful great things and each one that i commit to i will achieve.

My plans are to continue to be happy and successful in my work and in my personal life as well.

Personal goal is just to live each day to the fullest and never forget to be thankful for everything and everyone I have and have had in my life.

Do you have any advice for our readers?
Wake up and make your bed every day.

Start with that one accomplishment and continue your day with other small accomplishments until you end your day completely accomplished and can start over again tomorrow on tomorrow's Tasks.

"Its not about how hard you can hit.
Its about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward."
-Rocky

"Life may going to knock you down, its up to you weather or not you get back up again" -Jackie Chan


Duboispiercing website
Duboispiercing instagram






-Angie
Photos and answers Zak Dubi Dubois

24th annual association of professional Piercing conference

 May 12-17 Las Vegas


Finally,
Since I was an Al.D Scholar in 2016, I got my first taste of this conference, amazing, big, awesome, well organized, great team..... it left me with a huge impression, striking experience.
So, back full with knowledge and energy boost, I decided I wanted to be part of that every year.
But still, being a small studio owner, low volume, it's hard to get there on your own.

I had my scholarship in 2016, and so happy for the help. Scholarships are so important, especially for people who want to come, but struggle. It's good to see that the amount of scholarships are growing. So more people can have a chance to attend.




Due to my daughters ilness, I  put the planning aside.
Now that she is doing better, I took the plunge and bought flighttickets.




Finally, I was there again 3 years later. A bit proud, on myself that I did it without help/scholarship.

This year conference was held in  Planet Hollywood for the first time. Must say I like this place better instead of Bally's.

Again it was incredible, reunite with Caitlin again :) and my volenteer family
From friday on, the hotel slowly started to fill up with beautifull and amazing people all with the same passion. Conecting with new and old friends. Networking with peers from over the world.

From monday till friday you could follow classes, seminars, tours and some workshops
classes like: " Safe practices in piercing room", " mentoring aprentices" basic and advanced lip, nipples, nostrils, ears techniques, anatomy above and below the neck, different tips advice about jewelery, marketing and much much more to choose from.




On teusday the expo openend, around 50 vendors in one hall, showing there beautiful new lines of jewelry, showcases and aftercare products. a real walhalla for us piercers.

You also could visit  the exhibit of Fakir Musafar, over 2000 square feet staged with his original iconic images and items, with different tourguys to choose from, friends and colleagues shared there own stories about him while walking around at the exhibit. No tour was the same.

On monday evening the opening poolparty, thursday evening the closing party and in between evenings, you had gamenights, or Forum groups, and vendors organizing parties you could go to. or just walk around and meet others at the bar.

A week with no dull moment from the time you woke up till bed time.

After conference I had the oppertunity to visit some studios as LAink, vaughn body art, Cold Steel america and Industrial tattoo and piercing

 I also visit Anatomatal, and Barry gave me a tour around. Thank you for that, (soon more about Anatometal on the blog!)
And afcourse this came along with a roadtrip, which I loved.

So much to see / visit, so little time.......

Yes, back home again, full with a new energy boost, putting all the knowledge into practice, and looking forward to next year....I wish, hope, saving up....who knows







-Angie
Photos: Angie