Schoutout

Dear readers, thank you for visiting, hope you enjoy my blog.

Schoutout:
I would like to explore more subjects:

* interviewing different associations in the world, why / how they started one, what and why they have different criteria for membership, and their goals.

* Suspension,  would love to do a report on location, how it works, feels, and why. Interview the man behind the hooks, and hear the excitement before and after hanging, the intense feeling. Just to give the readers more insight.

*Iam open for all ideas, you want to read, or talk about

* Much more to come :)

If you are interested in one of the above, please contact me
really appreciate the help to learn more

thank you
-Angie

Story behind a known piercer/mod artist Shorty Piercer

Story behind a known piercer / mod artist

 (Interview Style)

When started your passion for piercing? 

Shorty Piercer

Its really difficult to nail down exactly when my passion for piercing started.  As a child I would sit in school and stick pins, tacks and staples into the surface skin of my finger just to see where I could start to feel the sensation of pain and then back off.  It fascinated me how the body interprets sensations in different ways.

When I was a little older I remember watching an afternoon talk show with my mother and in that episode they pierced someone’s tongue and eyebrow.  It really sparked an interest in me.  Like how does someone willingly sit there and allow needles to be pushed thru their body without being in pain.  A few years after that I was watching the Rose Parade on TV, that year there happened to be a group of indigenous people marching in the parade from Indonesia or Malaysia.  They were adorned in their traditional tribal wears but the thing that really caught my attention was they all had these really amazingly long earlobes with lots of brass rings hanging from them.  I mean really long, dangling down past their shoulders.  At that moment I decided I wanted my ears to look like that.  I believe I was probably about 11 or 12 years old.  It just intrigued me so much that the human body can be altered so much.

                                                     
                                                     

                                                      How did you become one? and who was your teacher?

Growing up, my parents were very strict and not approving of any alteration to the human body. When I turned 18 years old I moved away to go to University.  My parents would always say “you can do what you want when you’re no longer living under our roof” so that’s exactly what I did.  I decided one night sitting at a friend’s house it was time for me to take the plunge and get my first modification.  I choose to start with the one thing I’d wanted since I was young, my tongue.  Just so happened my friend had a buddy who did piercings and called him up.  He told us to meet him at his house at a specific time and he’d “hook me up” for $50.  That was pretty cheap back then, tongue piercings generally ran about $80 or more so I was pretty excited.  He took us into his bedroom, had me sit on his bed and rinse with mouthwash.  He told me he didn’t have any clamps with them, he left them at work but he could freehand it no problem.  It never occurred to me that everything that was about to happen was about as unsafe as it could possibly be, I just didn’t know any different, so I stuck my tongue out, needle went thru quickly followed right behind by the jewelry and I was all done.  It was just that easy, no pain, no discomfort, just a new thing in my mouth for me to get used to.  The aftercare I was given comprised basically of just rinsing with mouthwash after I put anything in my mouth for a month.

The next day I woke up in a lot of pain, tongue extremely swollen.  I was a bit freaked out so I went online and searched out tongue piercings to see if this was normal.  I found this really amazing website called “Body Modification Ezine”.  After reading all about tongue piercings I just keep reading and reading and reading.  I got completely sucked in and couldn’t get away!  Every free moment I spent reading every possible thing I could about everything body modification.  It was at that point I decided I wanted to be a part of this community; I wanted to be a piercer.

Of course it doesn’t just happen that easy.  For the next few years I spent as time as I could reading, researching and learning about body piercing.  I spoke with many piercers online and in person asking all the questions I could think of about body piercing and getting new piercings myself.  After about 2 or 3 years I finally was able to land an apprenticeship at a local shop and after only 6 months of practicing and watching I was given my first full days as a piercer.  After working in the same shop for about 5 or 6 years I finally left only to realize that most of what I was “taught” was not very accurate or good, but the experience that I had gained doing 30 or 40 piercings a day was invaluable.

What are your specialities? and why you love them.

I don’t really believe that I have any specialties.  There are a few piercings that I do enjoy doing more than others but I continue to evolve and learn better techniques.  Daith piercings have always had a special place in my heart and I really enjoy doing them.  Beyond that, nostrils are enjoyable due in part to their simplicity but wide margin of error. 

Do you do more then just piercings?

I’m “just a piercer” and I rather enjoy it that way.

You are a real familieman? and you are really short in real life?

Besides piercing, family is my other passion.  I love my family very much and everything I do in life is for my kids.  I have 4 from 21 years old to 7 years old.  They are my world!

I’m really short in real life.  4’11” to be exact!

What is your goal?

My goals are always changing.  I am constantly setting new goals for myself daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and even farther.  The important thing for me is to make sure the goals are realistic and achievable and then set out to accomplish them in the best possible way. 

Is there something you are proud of, in what you’ve been doing?

I am very proud that after 14 years of piercing I was finally able to become an APP Member.  I’m very proud of my current success as a business owner and the strides I’ve made locally to improve the industry.  I’m proud of the goals that I set forth for myself and accomplished quicker than any one ever expected.

How do you see the future? are there plans?

The future is bright!  I have no real plans at the moment other than continue doing what I’m already doing.

Do you have any advice for our readers? or do you want to add something to this interview?

Best bit of general advice is to always set goals for yourself.  Many of goals.  Just as I said earlier, make sure they are realistic and they are achievable and then crush them!

www.facebook.com/piercingbyshorty

www.instagram.com/shortypiercer

www.shortypiercer.tumblr.com

www.PiercingsByShorty.com


Text and photo's : Shorty Piercer

-Angie
Published Tattoo Planet eMagazine 111/Juli 2016

Shorty & me APP2016 Las Vegas

Interview Dana karanelan

Interview

Dana Karanelan

Name: Dana Karanelan (Dana Dead Girl)
Bodycult, Amsterdam

Can you discribe yourself in one sentence?
Helpfull and friendly

How long have you been a piercer?
I pierce since 2010







Why this profession?

Six years ago a piercer from Bodycult asked me  if I wanted to do an apprenticeship, they needed new piercers, I just lost my job at a online webshop as designer, marketing. This was a great opportunity for me.

How or from who did you learn the skills?
By following the apprenticeship at Bodycult, first shadowing and learning the regulations, set ups and later on slowly started to pierce. I had 3 months of training 4/5 days a week 10 hours a day.

The first piercing you did was a?
I honestly don't know, at my training I did 15-20 piercings a day

Who or what inspires you?
The people around me

Can you tell me something about your workplace?
At the moment I work in Amsterdam, Reguliersbreestraat, one day a week as piercer, the smallest studio of Bodycult, but the busiest with piercings. rest of the week Iam the floormanager. Been working for the last 5 years at the Bodycult studio Warmoestraat as fulltime piercer. and often worked at our other locations in Utrecht and Den Haag.

Which piercing do you prefer to do?
I like to do almost every piercing

What's the best piece of advice you ever got when you started out and think it would help other starters in this industry?
The more relaxed you are as piercer, the faster your customer is also at ease.

A lot of patience because people trust you that it is done well.

Do you have a nice or weird experience as a piercer you want to share with us?
Every day something funny or weird happens. But I do remember, the first customer who fainted in the first week I worked full time alone.
The client wanted a large eyebrow piercing, so I followed all my steps to procede and when I was done with the piercing, he stood up and falls down. I was pretty fast to catch him but didn't realize it was dead weight, so there I laid on the floor with the customer on me, calling out to my colleagues, who rescued me.
Fortunately my customer and I had nothing.

Does your work involve more then just piercing?
Like I said above, I also work a number of days as floor manager, also opening and closing shop. Greet customers, post appointments and all things floor managers do in a tattoo/piercing shop. 

And sometimes I do photoshoots as an alternative model. I used to do it for webshops and stores as a model, and also have been in magazines a number of times. But that's really a hobby.


How do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself still doing this job. Possibly as a piercer and shop manager. A lot of people always ask whether or not I want to open my own shop because my boyfriend is a tattoo artist. (Joe Sinner operating at Acid Tattoo Alkmaar) But that's not really the plan.
There are enough shops in our frogy country.

Do you have a tip or do you want to add something to this interview?
You can find my work on facebook

www.bodycult.nl

-Answers and photo's: Dana Karanelan
Angie
-Published Tattoo Planet eMagazine 110/june2016

Story behind a known piercer/mod artist Luis Garcia

Luis Garcia

Story behind a known piercer/bodymod artist
(interview style)

When started your passion for piercing?

My grandfather had a collection of National Geographic magazines, and I was always in awe of how beautiful the body art and modifications were in the various cultures they showed.  I loved it so much that I began to pierce myself at the age of 10.  

How did you become one? and who was your teacher?

I was initially self taught.  I found a copy of PFIQ (Piercing Fans International Quarterly magazine) in a funky head shop, and it had a "how to" article for a guiche piercing.  I used what they said in the article to pierce anything anyone would let me do. Through trial and error I got somewhat of a handle on things.

Once I moved away to study at university in 1995, I got a job at a shop (Perforations in Washington DC, which has been closed since 1999) as a counter person (they didn't feel that I had enough knowledge yet to pierce, even though I had been piercing several years at that point).  Within 2-3 months they took me on as an apprentice.  My mentors there were Andrew Lewis and Onabe Tashi, both of which have retired from piercing at this point.  After apprenticing for 6 months, I was piercing full time un-observed.  

After you moved to Philly and started working at Infinite body piercing how did you end up as teacher for the APP?

I actually didn't begin teaching for the APP until 2003 or so, after I had moved to NoKaOi Tiki Tattoo and Piercing.  I had loved going to conference and learning.  They were introducing the first surface piercing technique class, and asked me to be part of the teaching panel, along with Phish Goldblatt and Jim Sens.  I enjoyed it so much, and apparently did a good job, so I was kept on as a teacher, and still teach every year.  I have also taught for the APTPI in Italy, BMXnet in Germany, and LBPac in Mexico.

At this point I'm also doing my own educational seminars.  I'll be doing 3-4 seminars this year, and hope to expand to more in 2017.  That will be aside from teaching at BMXnet and for the UKAPP later this year.

Why is your teaching different then others?

I have a relaxed approach.  I make jokes, curse, speak my mind, encourage attendee commentary and questions.  I want people to not just learn, but enjoy my classes, and have fun.  I also speak directly from my mind, not from a pre written speech.  I find it more natural, and less stuffy. 

What are your specialties? why you love it?

Surface piercing is one.  I have always loved surface piercing, and developed an affinity for it.  I still teach it all these years later, because too many piercers still think that surface piercings are not viable, when they totally can be when done properly, with the right jewelry (surface bars).

Ear projects are the other thing I'm known for.  I have always loved intricate ear piercings, and have been doing them for 18 years now.  It's challenging, and very satisfying when you design a one of a kind project for someone that will only work for them, that can't be copied.  

Can you tell something about Earmageddon 2012?

It was interesting, that's for sure.  There was some tough competition, but at the same time, it was eye opening in other ways.  It actually made me develop a class for complex ear piercings, because some of the stuff I saw submitted perplexed me.  

You have amazing entries from piercers like Rob Hill, whose projects always have nice design aspects and jewelry combos.  And entries from Cale Belford, whose projects are highly technical, difficult to execute, yet executed with insane precision. I seriously printed out one of her entries and measured all the distancing.  Everything was perfect, down to the millimeter.  

Then there were other entries with clear irritations on the piercings and obvious execution issues.  There were entries of clearly healing piercings with jewelry that would be very difficult to deal with in the day to day life of the client.  These are all important aspects for ear projects, in my opinion.  Piercers are only human, of course, but with some of those entries, I was mystified that someone not only let a client walk out with such clear mistakes, but looked at it and thought it was competition worthy.  It actually made me kind of sad.  How good can a project or piercing actually be if it looks great for the first month, then becomes a constant problem for the client, or an irritated mess, because the jewelry sticks out in certain ways, or the jewelry digs into another part of the ear?  This is an issue I see with the industry in general, not just competitions.  

Some will for sure take issue what I've just said, but I've always been blunt and spoken my mind.  I don't walk on eggshells.  

What is your goal?

My goal is to keep piercing for as long as I can, and continue to teach.  Eventually as I age, I know I won't be able to keep piercing, so then I'll transfer over to piercing education.  I for sure have a plan, but let's just say I'm not ready to go into detail just yet on it fully.  

Is there something you are proud of in what you’ve been doing?

I'm proud that I'm still piercing, and that I still enjoy piercing itself.  Many of my peers have quit, retired, or become burnt out.  I feel lucky that I'm still passionate about it.  

Do you have any advice for our readers? 

If you are a client, research your piercers, make sure you go to a reputable piercer that uses high quality jewelry.  Appreciate your piercer.  A good piercer has worked hard to evolve and learn to provide the latest techniques and quality jewelry. Do some research on what you want pierced, educate yourself a little so you know what to expect.  And lastly, treat yourself right.  Don't go for the cheapest, go for the best.  Don't lower your self worth.  If you need to save, save up and get yourself something good.  You're worth it. 

 
If you are a piercer, educate yourself, and keep doing so.  I've been piercing for more than decades and still take classes and learn new things all the time.  Also, know your boundaries and limits and work within them.  Ask for advice from more experienced peers.  Take a day to shadow another piercer and see how they work. 

photo credit to Autumn Swisher

www.bodmod.net

www.nokaoitikitattoo.com

facebook Luis Garcia 

-Text and photos: Luis Garcia
Angie
-Published Tattoo Planet eMagazine 110/June 2016

Luis & me APP2016 Las Vegas

Interview Sharon looy

Sharon Looy

Interview

Name: Sharon Looy (Stainless Sharon)
Dare 2 Wear, Amsterdam, Jordaan
CLASSIC Ink & Mods, Amsterdam, bij de Dam

Can you describe yourself in one sentence?
I live for arts and beauty, I'm a perfectionist, serious, creative and free minded.

How long have you been a piercer?
Since 1996, so 20 years!



Why this profession?
I'm made for this profession; pierced holes in my ears and nose when I was a child and already had 7 piercings at the age of 7! And I grew up in a jewelry shop; called Sharon Bijoutiek haha.

How or from who did you learned the skills? An American piercer at Body Manipulations (the first professional piercing shop in the Netherlands) thought me piercing and later learned a great deal by various guest spots in America and Japan. 
And of course through the all seminars off the APP in Las Vegas and BMX in Germany.

The first piercing you did was a?
Bellybutton or tong piercing.. It was long time ago, but both placed on my brother.

Who or what inspires you?
All forms of beauty; art, jewelry, piercings, tattoos, all cultures, clothing, travel, my family. And of course my stores and the people who work there!

Can you tell me something about your workplace?
Dare 2 Wear, I own it since 2003 and will always be my 1st child. Easily accessible and just beautiful quality jewelry. Only here pierced by a professional piercer really comes into its own. CLASSIC Ink & Mods is my 2nd shop (the big brother), here we also provide tattoos and do body modifications. This shop is very inspiring with creative and nice people and there's always a good vibe.

Which piercing do you prefer to do? 
A lip frenum/smiley is my favourite piercing to do. Because it's very nice and it's a virtually painless and easy piercing, both to convert as to heal.

What's the best piece of advice you ever got when you started out and think it would help other starters in this industry? Always be open to other/new techniques, materials, jewelry knowledge etc. There is always room for improvement and the customer is King.

Do you have a nice or weird experience as a piercer you want to share with us?
I've been in San Francisco, pierced a man around the age of 70, so after healing, he could wear an ornament he got of his secret lover.

Does your work involve more then just piercing?
Yes, I also do earlobe cutting, scarification, beading, tongue splitting and piercing training when we need a new piercer. I'm also manager of my 2 shops.

How do you see yourself in 5 years? 
Hope to have more time for myself, haha! And I would like to have my own jewelry company, where I make my dream piercing jewelry for my stores and also for other professional shops

Do you have a tip or want to add something to this interview? I'm thankful to my team, for their effort and positivity and enthusiasm!


www.dare2wear.nl
www.classicinkandmods.com


















-answers and photos:Sharon Looy
Angie
-Published Tattoo Planet eMagazine 109/may 2016

Material

Material
piercing jewelry material

You can easily buy or order piercing jewelry, in all kinds of material, shapes and sizes. But what exactly do you know about it? What do you put in your ear, and why does your ear itch from one jewelry and not from the other one?


Buying a new ornament for your piercing can sometimes be more difficult than picking out a ring or bracelet. Because a piercing jewelry goes into your skin, it's best to hold off switching before your new piercing is completely healed. Size, material and thickness plays a huge role. Provide the right width and right material. A piercing should not be too tight, not too long and the material must also be of quality. Most well-known materials are: surgical steel, acrylic, titanium, glass and niobium. But what's the difference? Piercing jewelry with hypo-allergenic material means you do not, or hardly get an allergic reaction to it. It's safe for sensitive skin and for not completely healed piercings.



Surgical steel: The most well-known piercing material is 316L / 316 LVM. It's of high-quality stainless steel and contains 13% nickel. This is necessary to make it stainless. The new legislation however, requires a lower nickel content, so this material can no longer be used for new fresh piercings.

However, the alloy is such, that the issue of nickel is within the standards and can be used for healed piercings.


Titanium: The best material for new piercings! Titanium (G23) is high polished, twice as strong as steel and 47% lighter in weight. For most jewellery it's an alloy used for purposes (Ti 6Al 4V Eli) implantation. That's because it's nickel-free and excellent for new piercings. Titanium is as strong as steel and can be colored (anodizing) via electrolysis. It is the perfect material for fresh piercings or piercings that continue to irritate. It is slightly more expensive than other materials.

Acrylic: Is in relation to other materials relatively inexpensive. This plastic is also fairly light and is available in all colors. A disadvantage of acrylic is, it can be porous and can't be sterilized. Acrylic is not that easy to clean and can't be cleaned with alcohol for example. Clean your acrylic piercing therefore with a mild antibacterial soap. It also damages quickly, leaving cracks and crannies bacteria can accumulate and give you more chance of infection. Only fun if you often switch colored balls, or wear it for a short period. But it's mostly not recommended and especially not suitable for a new healing piercing.

Niobium: looks a lot like titanium, is pure and some what heavier and can also be colored through electrolysis (anodise), even black. Is flexible, but also more expensive. Perfect material for piercings.



Glass: Is a popular material for piercings and rightly so! It's available in beautiful colors and feels smooth to the touch. Pyrex glass, or borosilicate glass, contains no lead. Another huge advantage of glass is that it is easy to clean. This can be done with a clean dry or damp cloth. Since glass can be sterilized, contains no nickel and is hypo allergenic, it's recommended as the perfect material for stretching.


There are of course much more materials used for piercings, such as gold, silver, wood and organic products. But not all of these materials can be sterilized. Therefore it's important to explore more about the material you want to use. The most important thing is that you know what it does, and how you should take care of it. Silver oxidizes (tarnishes) when it comes in contact with air and body fluids. Wood must, for example, breathe and absorbs moisture and dirt. Know when you want to use other materials, to wear them only after your piercing is fully healed. If you get a response after switching jewelry, then the material is bad and switch back. It is worth to invest in quality jewelry, to ensure proper healing of your body piercing and enjoy it a lifetime.


How can I recognize an allergy: a nickel allergy is characterised by red itchy skin disorders. After the skin has been in contact for a long time with nickel, the metal salts on blood-protein ingredients. The formed connections are recognized by the immune system as foreign and there is a counter-reaction, which can lead to sensitivity in the form of skin discoloration, itching, blisters or inflammation..




-Angie
Published Tattoo Planet eMagazine 109/mei 2016

Update

Update

I've received BIG news!!!
So big, that makes me wanna stand on a roof top and shout (as we say in Dutch!)

This little Dutch girl is going to Vegas!!!!

I am one of the (Lucky) chosen ones who received a scholarship for attending the 21st APP conference in Vegas!

After a nerve-wracking month, going through several rounds, I got the call from Caitlin yesterday with the question: "Do you want to go to Vegas?" Didn't even say goodbye at the end of the conversation, I was just stunned!

I can't express my happiness right now in writing, but I'm jumping up and down, dancing and can't get rid of my big smile.

Being able to meet you guys in person now, shake your hand and say thank you in person to the ones who shared there stories with me. Getting the opportunity to learn more, hear more and to speak with more!!!

Can't wait to  get my hands on some fine jewelry and I promise you a big report with a lot of photos!

Thank you so much APP, for giving out the scholarships! It's such a blessing, especially for the ones overseas.

Overwhelmed by joy, I leave you for now
Thank you