Interview Eddy Vercaemere

Interview

Name:
Eddy Vercaemere
Owner & Piercer at Eddy Tattoo in Kortrijk (BE)

Can you describe yourself in 1 sentence?
I am very seriously about my work and set myself the question if it can be any better.

How long have you been piercer? 
Started piercing 2 years later then tattooing, so since 1994


Why this profession?
Actually it longs with tattooing, through the many ask for it in my studio, I started.



How did  you learned the trade?
My mentor has took piercing appointments in my studio for 6 months, and learned me the trade

What was your first piercing you pierced?
A belly button piercing.

Who or what inspires you? 
I try as much as possible to do standard piercings, I won't let me influenced by extreme things, like someone that once asked for an eyelid piercing. Who had seen it somewhere on the net and wanted this too. Such piercings are sometimes posted to take a nice picture or just Photoshopped, but certainly gives problems. I always count from the success rate on healing places.. There is no point to pierce a place you already know in advance that it is not good.

Can you tell something about your studio/work place?
We have a separate place for the piercing and also a separate room where we do intimate piercings. With us you can find all types of body piercings. I already have everything, standard such as navel, nipple, tongue, lip, eyebrow etc but also surface, dermal, and all intimate piercings. A wide collection of tunnels and stretch you can also find at us. 



What type of piercing do you prefer?
A nipple piercing I like doing because I do this free hand without clamp, this to the tilting of the nipple. So  it is  correctly placed. 



What is the best advice you've ever received as a novice piercer, and want to give assistance to other who start in this industry?
There are so many things to watch out for, every piercing is different. What I find important is to mark the piercing standing. Because by sitting down this may be slanting. Always do  bother to let the customer standing upright and give them a mirror check.
For a tongue piercing I find that many piercers too little or no account of the tilting of the tongue. By this I mean that if you have the tongue and you put a tip on using a marker, that this point  will get further behind gets stuck in the . As a result, the tongue piercing is  to far behind  and can even be painful. So I know some important tips, but the best is to find a good mentor.



Do you  have a nice or separate story or experience you'd like to share?
We already have done a couple of  Uvula piercings
You need  2 people for his (someone should push the tongue down with a spatula) and agree gestures signs with the client before you start. He cannot talk while you are working on him.
But the strangest thing I came across is a boyfriend who came along for moral support and then eventually itself bland fell at the sight of a belly button piercing of his girlfriend. When they get together after, by the window of the studio, she showed him her piercing and he faint again. 



Does  your work involves more than just piercing ?
I am also a full time tattoo artist and we also remove tattoos with the latest laser equipment. 



How do you see yourself in 5 years?
still busy hopefully.


Do you have a tip or do you want to add something to this interview?
Come all by the studio


-Answers and Photos : Eddy Vercaemere
Angie
-Published Tattoo Planet E Magazine 102/ oktober 2015

Report BMXnet

BMXnet is a great non profit organisation who focus there work as consumer protection, information and helpdesk to the body modification industries customers, and by that they try to do there part in public health and education for a better, cleaner and professional Industry.

Education and the availability of information has always improved different parts of our daily life and it is about time to do that to the whole spectrum of body modification. The goal is that regulations are made with a sense of proportion and that the industry will be involved in this.
To reach all that goals one of our main instruments is the yearly conference we do bring body modification professionals ( tattooist, piercers and so on) together to share, learn and get updated.

Next to this main mission, we want to develop and maintain the cultural aspects of body modification. To bring ancient rites like suspension,Kavadi and so on to the modern aspects of sterile and hygienic approved procedures.

Last September 2015, finally, my first BMXnet conference experience!
An annual recurring event which this year was held for the 9th time on a perfect location in Essen Germany The :"Unperfekthaus".
4 days of seminars, lectures, advice, information and discussions about various aspects of this industry. Surprised at the amount of people who came from so many corners of the world to be at the conference. And made this 4 days one big family, no one looks down on you, consider you as equal whether you are novice or professional worker for years.

As a newcomer I have greatly enjoyed this event and learned and met alot.
Classes that were given by professionals as A.P.P. and A.P.T.P.I. members, experts in Hygiene and other professional artists who wanted to share with us their experience and or investigations. 

After a full  day of classes we were entertained with shows in the evening among other "Superfly Suspension Crew", "Coco Katsura", "pain solution" and others.
Also workshops, and on the roof of the building you could attend or experience suspensions.
On the last day, there were vendors with quality jewelry and  at the end of the day you get a certificate with the described classes that you had attended.
Very sure this is an annual outing for me, not only for  all the information but also for the sheer fun that this event brings.

BMXnet conference 8-11 september 2016
www.bmxnet. org

Stefan- Organisation

This is the 9th BMXnet, Do you see a growth? 

Small growth, not much, but the larger group you find after their first time they come back year after yearat the Conference

How do you see the BMXnet over 5 years?   
We have reached our goal already achieved by a platform where people can network. As non profit organization, we are not out on growth, though we want to grow organically.




Ryan Ouelette-APP-Pricision Body arts
Brian Skellie-President APP-Piercers.com

What is your impression about this event?
Ryan: it is actually the same as the annual Vegas APP Convention only you see  more compatriots. Here it's really an amalgamation of different countries. You meet many people and learn that every one is working in there own way, which we also learn from.





Rolf Buchholz-Dortmund (D) 
Guiness book of record holder, most piercings

BMXnet is one of his favorite event on his list to visit,
not for the seminars, because he works for a German telecom company.
Purely to meet people, the shows and his great hobby suspension










Jose Carlos-Piercer Madrid (Spain)
Here for the 5th or 6th time, am not sure:) it feels like family.
I like to come, share information, meet friends, interesting seminars
Also visited the APP in Vegas 2 times.








Sabrina (piercabella)-Piercer-Tübingen (D)
Sheila-Noelle-Piercer & tattoo artist-Switzerland

Sabrina: for all those nice people to meet, making contacts,
and for the information and seminars.
Sheila: My highlight of the BMXnet, my first suspension! and also to the information of the seminars, meeting people.

-Angie
-Photos by Angie
-Published Tattoo Planet E Magazine 102 Oktober 2015

Interview Renee Donners

Interview

Name:
Renee Donners
owner and piercer at "Staal en Inkt "vof te Heerlen (NL)

Can you describe yourself in 1 sentence?
Friendly, helpful and creative.


How long have you been piercer?
Since two years professionally.

Why this profession?
It's a challenge every day, every body is different and you have to keep that in mind, and I like that. And I also like to be among people, and to let each customer go out the door satisfied.

How did you learned the trade?
My husband, Ed Donners, with whom I run the studio for several years, is a professional piercer. And I rolled in it The first time I pierced  under the guidance of Ed, which ultimately grew into my current job. In addition, we never stop learning, there are always new techniques on the market and it's always nice to be able to exchange information with other piercers. And it's important to regularly refresh old information.

What was your first piercing you pierced?
An earlobe. With needle, we don't use guns!

Who or what inspires you?
Brian Skellie, Ryan Oulette, Bethra Szumski, Elayne Angel. These are a few names, where I've gained a lot of information from, and what I now practice in use.

Can you tell us something about your studio/workspace?
"Staal and inkt" is located in the Centre of Heerlen. My husband and I have been owner of the studio since december 2014.
At steel and inkt we have two tattoo artists as self-employed professionals and a tattoo apprentice. The studio contains two floors, with the upper floor as piercing space, so we can offer  privacy to the customer.


What type of piercing do you prefer? 
I have not directly a preference for a piercing that I prefer.

What is the best advice you've ever received as a novice piercer, and want to give assistance to other who start in this industry?
Not everybody is the same, always take a good look at the anatomy of the body to see what the possibilities are.
To the starting: Create distinction between you and all those other studios what you want to do. Be a reputable piercer, learn don't just screw around!

Do you have a separate story or experience you'd like to share?
That's the great thing about the job,  every day you make fun and have separate experiences with it. Every customer is different, everyone reacts differently to a situation. What I always like about it is when parents with their daughters, +/-7-year-old, come in to do the ear lobes. First of all, I think it is always very nice that parents have enhance in the difference between piercing and shooting of piercings, and that gives me the confidence to pierce the ear lobes of their children.
And the kids never give a kick ☺

Does you work involves more then just piercing?
My work consists of more than just piercing. Next to piercing I do magnetic implant, RFID chips, and regularly busy with scarifications. We also organize 2 or 3 times a year suspension days.
And next to the fun work also administration.

How do you see yourself in 5 years?
5 years I see myself still in the same place. I trust that the display cases are filled with even more quality jewelry.
We already have a large assortment of Industrial Strength, Gorilla Glass, Evolve and Diablo Organics jewelry, but there can always be more ☺
you can never have enough beautiful jewelry.


Do you have a tip or do you want to add something to this interview?

Getting a piercing?  Inform in advance is a good thing, where do they use high-quality jewelry, which ultimately is  better for healing. Do not run in the first best studio, unfortunately there are still enough studios/ piercer who skimp.
Piercing seems so easy, just making a hole, but there is so much more to it.

-Answers and Photos: R. Donners
Angie
-Published Tattoo Planet E Magazine 101 september 2015

Stretchen

Stretchen

An existing piercing hole which you stretch to a bigger size. Most famous stretch  place is your earlobe. you  can have it done at a  piercing shop, but you can also do it yourself. For that you need to learn more about stretching, seek all the information you can before starting, and find out if your earring hole is placed in the middle or if it is skewed. if you're not sure ask a piercer and if necessary let it re pierce . When fresh piercing, wait at least 2 months before you start stretching, to give it enough healing time.

Stretching is a slow process, be very patient to achieve your desired size, too fast can cause trauma for your earlobe, such as sanding out, or a blowout. Stretching is painless, to get results you need at least wait a month to size up. (this depends per person) If you have pain with stretching you should wait longer, your ear lobe needs to be healed.

Tapers are the best tools for stretching, preferably steel or better  titanium and glass, these are smoother than acrylic, you can also be hypersensitive to acrylic, and that makes the process not more comfortable. There are also spirals and there is the tape-wrap method.


With stretching you start with the first subsequent size of your earlobe hole (which usually is 0.8 or 1.0) you start with 1.2 mm after which the successor sizes 1.6 mm 2.0 mm 2.5 mm etc (see size chart)
Do not skip size!

Your stretch supplies:
make sure you have a correct size taper, vitamin E oil/Jojoba oil and  a  plug or tunnel in the right size, have  a mirror at hand.
process :
Wash your hands. Massage your earlobe with the oil, and do a little oil on the tape, slide the tape with the smallest tip first in your earlobe, make sure you have 2 finger points resistance at the back of your earlobe, slide carefully the entire taper through, put you plug or tunnel in place,  a taper is only a tool for stretching , no wear ornament!



Good to know:
* Best time to stretch is after a shower/bath your ear will be warm and soft.
* Stretching may not hurt, if you feel pain, then wait a little longer
* Blood or a too tight feeling, downsize, go back to a smaller size, let your ear heal first
* Have your plug or tunnel out for a longer time, your hole will shrink
* Blowout, (a bit of skin behind your ear) means  you stretch too quickly or used a too big size.
* listen to your body, take care of the earlobe, irritation: use saline soaks
* Safe stretch size, up to 8 mm, there still is  a chance, you can downsize  back to normal, this depends per person. beyond 8 mm the chance is very small.
* Clean your tunnel/plug regularly, it can smell!
* Best is to stretch with glass, and go 1mm at the time, stretch naturally with 3 months apart
* Please consider good material, invest in good stuff!
* when in doubt or need advice ask your piercer
* Stretch no further if you only have about 2 mm to the outer edge, much chance of tearing out.
* Please be patient, it takes time to get to your desired size.

Listen to your body and be patient!
Good luck with your stretch journey

Angie
- Published Tattoo Planet E Magazine 101/september

Report with Bruno BMA

Body Modification Report

Bruno BMA

Amsterdam, March 22nd 2015. I'm at Classic Ink & Mods for my first on location report. We were a little early, but let in by Eva the floor manager. Always nice to visit other studios!

Classic Ink & Mods is a cosy studio, which you would not expect at first glance. It has more space than expected with two floors. 


On this day Bruno BMA from Italy was guest artist. A well-known person in the world of Body Modification and Suspension. You can book him for, traditional scarification, branding, implants like magnets, NFC and silicone, tongue splitting, reconstruction of ear and intimate. The possibilities are endless.

Shortly after us, Bruno arrived. After he was settled in and unpacked on the top floor, and due to cancelation of his first appointment, he had all the time for me and I could ask anything I wanted.

Doesn't he look good

Shortly after our interview, his second appointment came in, Sandor a young man who wanted an implant.Why an implant? Sandor: "It starts with piercings and tattoos and after seeing on TV, I also wanted a tongue splitting. After that I wanted more. It's beautiful and I have been waiting for years to be able to do this."

After figuring out the right silicone implant, a nice star form, Bruno began to prepare for the procedure. Efficient, everything hygienic, all sterilized packed instruments and even Bruno himself looked like a professional surgeon.

After the implant was sterilized, Sandor took place in the treatment chair after, he firmly cleaned his hands and Bruno marked the place where the star would come out most beautiful. Because Sandors hand was tattooed and Bruno didn't want to damage the tattoo, he explained to Sandor that he would cut  from the side for the implant insertion.

Bruno began to make a cut on the side and gently created space under the skin  for the silicone. Because of the marked spot on the hand, he could push the silicone on the desired location. When satisfied on the location of the silicone, he stitched the cut neatly and carefully. Sandor had a huge smile on his face during the entire process and felt absolutely nothing. The hand was wrapped in bandages and Bruno told him about the aftercare.



Smiling Sandor

implant after 3 months

Three months after,  I contacted Sandor to see how the recovery went. Sandor: "Think I had some  pain for a week or so. My fingers were thic

k and turned blue. It was hard to lift or move my fingers and was experiencing some tingling. But I feel no pain these days, but it it's a weird feeling if you touch it. No pain, just weird. All in all, I am very happy with it and I know I'll be getting more in the future".

I like express my gratitude to Bruno and Sandor for letting me sit in on the procedure. It was very interesting to watch, to see the possibilities and different types of implants, It got me inspired and next year I'll be on Bruno's agenda for getting a micro implant myself! :)

Bruno & Me

Facebook : Bruno BMA
Bruno Body Mod Art
www.brunobma.com

-photo's : BrunoBMA & Angie
Angie
- Published in Tattoo Planet Magazine 100 /augustus 2015

Interview Bart Bastiaanse

Interview


Name
Bart Bastiaanse
Owner and piercer at Tribal Trading Tilburg (NL)


Describe yourself in 1 sentence?
Pain is not importent, only results counts and anything goes

How long have you been piercer?
I pierce since 1998

Why this profession?
Before I became a piercer, I had an import bussinus in jewelry, which I bought from Indian tribes. The interest in piercing jewelry was already there. Piercing scene in America was already big, but not mainstream but a living scene. I was caught up in this scene and it's  rarities. Back in Holland I was determined to learn the skills and open a shop.

How did you learn the trade?
I've been searching for a good piercer, but that wasn't easy, to find a good piercer in those days. Via via I found a professional female piercer who taught me the basics, after that full with excitemend I opened up a shop and started.

What was your first piercing you pierced?
My first I ever did, not counting all the stabs I did on myself was a inner conch piercing on my friend. soon after that they let me pierce alone, and I did pierce everything who came in, slowly I learned more and got more skills.

Who or what inspires you?
My big example is Steve Haworth, I took some workshops from him to learn some techniques
He is a man with a mission. Piercing is something you don't just do extra, but it is a call and a profession.

Can you tell something about your studio/ workplace?
I work in a cosy small studio together with my tattoo artist Shennaki.
I have a separate piercing space, with a door, some piercings are intimate or clients like there privacy so I can close it. It's nice to have your own space, and clients appreciate that.

What kind of piercing do you prefer to do?
I pierce everything what they ask, if I find some piercing as risk I discuss it with the client, and they decide to choose to go further with it. But I like to do almost every piercing. I also give piercing shows for big conventions like Frankfurt,Brussel,Barcelona, ... It's very fun to do, people who are amazed, disgusting or enjoy your special creations. and it is a nice switch of the daily job. But sometimes I get people come in with the weirdest ideas, that I have to think over, a challenge that gives your work something extra.

Do You have a separate story or experience you'd like to share?

Have enough stories, but the great thing about piercings, is that almost everyone walks out with a smile and is happy. After the frightened and nerve-racking moments before eventually everyone is happy again, that remains a special feeling.

A very nice experience was, I went to Mexico for a few months, in the Pacific on the coast working as a piercer in a tattoo shop. Great to be in a different culture to be able to do your thing!

Does your work involves more then just piercing?

In the shop I rule all posts and mails of the tattoo artists. So piercer/floor manager is the best description. Further I organise a regular piercing course, for people who want to learn or want to box training in certain things. 

How do you see yourself in 5 years?

Somewhere on a mountain in the Azores, "minding my own business" haha

Do you have a tip or do you want to add something to this interview
Go for piercings to a real piercer. Cheap jewelry shops in the city are no piercers, they give wrong advice and that often leads to problems. It is your body, be good to it.

-Answers and photos: Bart Bastiaanse
Angie
Published in Tattoo Planet Magazine 100 /augustus 2015

Urban Legend

Urban Legend

white wire
In Japan (1980) there was a scare story going around that children fear.
That a teenage girl after much bitching at her parents got permission for earlobe piercings, with the money that she got from her parents she didn't go to a jeweler to have her earlobes pierced. she put the money in her pocket, and together with the help of a friend, she heated a large needle and made the holes her self. she felt a horrible pain, but now she could wear earrings, and was some extra money richer.
A few days later she was at school, when she started feeling pain in her left ear. Her earlobe began to itch, and during the break she went to the toilet to look in the mirror, her earlobe was flaming red and she started to scratch. When she went to look closer to the mirror she saw a piece of white thread coming out of the hole, she found it very strange, and started tho pull it and, after a few minutes there was a very long piece of white thread from her earhole, turned out to be no end.
After a while they picked up a pair of scissors and cut the white wire. And all of a sudden everything went black, she could no longer see. She was rushed to the emergency room of the hospital, where she was checked by a doctor. The doctor was shocked after being told what had happened. And the doctor replies "Sorry, but you will remain blind for the rest of your life, that white thread, that was your optic nerve"

The Prince Albert
Piercing is named after Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the consort of Queen Victoria. The story reads: One wearing during that time to the courts very tight maillot pants and with this piercing the penis could be secured in the left or right leg so that there is no bulge visible in the crotch region

Another story is, that he had it used to hold his socks up?!!

Pirates and Sailors
Some pirates were convinced that if you wore an earring it would improve your eye vision or even give you health. they believed that there was magical healing power in the material.

Another story says that it helped against seasickness, others saw it as talisman, and that they wouldn't drown. one thing was sure, earrings of silver or gold had enough value to pay for a sailor's grave or tombstone, if you washed up on the coast. Some even engraved the name of family from home, so that the message and money would be sent to relatives. Also it reduced the chance if you died on the ship, that your earring funded the transport to the port instead of to be buried at sea

Angie