Posts by Elayne Angel — Contributing Editor

Point #61: BMXnet 2012 Review – Essen, Germany October 12-14, 2012

Comments Off on Point #61: BMXnet 2012 Review – Essen, Germany October 12-14, 2012 read Conference, Events, International

By Elayne Angel

The sixth annual Body Modification Exchange Network (BMXnet) Conference in Essen, Germany October 12-14, 2012 was well attended by piercers, tattooists, and body modification artists from around Europe and beyond. Given its great distance from the US, there was a strong representation of American speakers present including Jim Ward, James Weber, Bethra Szumski, Brian Skellie, Ryan Ouellette, Steve Haworth, Paul King, Allen Falkner, and myself. There was also a “Sponsors Expo” featuring vendors of body jewelry and supplies for piercing, tattooing, body modification, and suspension, with merchants coming from as far away as Mexico to participate.

Photo by Rolf Buchholz

The eclectic and wonderful venue, for this years festivities, Unperfekehaus (imperfect house) is a large converted Franciscan nunnery in the heart of Essen. Now it is a combination artist’s colony/gallery, hotel, and  a restaurant/internet coffeehouse. It contains five floors of artists’ studios, plus meeting rooms, performance spaces, and more. The hotel rooms share common bathrooms, a full kitchen, and also a sauna, which was put to good use in the evenings. There is free wireless Internet throughout.

A vast buffet was available in the restaurant 12 hours a day to keep the conference-goers fed, and coffee, cappuccino, and tea were free flowing to keep us warm. Unlimited sodas, juices, and sparkling water drinks were also provided to the participants in this welcoming establishment with the “all you can eat and drink” BMX package deal.

There is no way to impart how incredibly cool the setting was if you weren’t there to enjoy and experience it, and even the best photos won’t do it justice. (One example being the large open space on the upper level had a huge skylight in the ceiling.) Some of the vendors were housed in this area, and others were set up on two of the floors below, which were surrounded by artists’ workshops.

Photo by Rolf Buchholz

Each studio is open to the visiting public and has a plaque out front explaining the individual’s background and artistic philosophy. Costume and jewelry designers, sculptors, and painters shared their colorful creations in the series of connected buildings which form the Unperfekehaus. Artworks of all types (much of it for sale) lined the halls and walls, as well as the studio spaces, lending a festive and creative vibe to the scene. Three separate dining rooms and several other public spaces provided plenty of opportunities for hanging out and socializing.  A rounded alcove filled with comfortable pillows and surrounded by psychedelic paintings was a popular retreat. A well-equipped theater complete with lighting and stage was the location for some classes, suspensions, and the entertainment in the evenings.

The wide array of courses, roundtables, demonstrations, and workshops included advanced body modification topics not in the curriculum at APP conferences such as Ear Reconstruction, Flesh Stapling, Wound Suturing, Advanced Scarification, Tongue Splitting, and Electrocautery and Laser Branding. More standard subjects were covered such as Jewelry Design, Anodizing, Sterilization and Instrument Management for Piercing, Stretching, Aseptic Technique, Troubleshooting and Scars, and Surface Piercings.

Photo by Rolf Buchholz

James Weber presented “A History of Body Piercing US Periodicals: from PFIQ to The Point,” which was a great precursor to Jim Ward’s talk later in the day, Gauntlet and the Evolution of the Modern Body Modification Movement. Many of the conference-goers were very excited to have their photos taken with the “Granddaddy of the Modern Piercing Movement” and have him sign their copies of his book, Running the Gauntlet. Paul King shared his knowledge with a fascinating presentation on the Piercing Rituals of the Plains Native Americans.
Offerings for tattoo artists included Hand-poking Tattoos, Automatic Sketching, Tattoo Machine Tuning, Lasers and the Tattoo Industry, and Sterilization and Instrument Management for Tattooing. Some classes were suited to all of the attending professionals, such as Marketing and Managing Difficult Clients.

Photo by Rolf Buchholz

As the conference progressed additional sessions called “barcamps” were scheduled into the times and spaces allotted for them. Once planned, they were announced via a bulletin board in the entryway. This permitted a useful spontaneity for new topics to be covered, or more in-depth discussions held on subjects of greater interest. I was asked to do a barcamp session of my Safe and Effective Female Genital Piercing course with a German translator present.
This allowed the students who were not fluent enough in English to understand the entire content of my class. Jim Ward, Paul King, and I also gathered for a showing of  “A Social History of Body Piercing,” an MTV documentary in which we all appeared.

In addition to the numerous educational courses, there was plenty of entertainment in the evenings. Fetish-pinup-glamor model and burlesque performer Courtney Crave graced the stage on both Friday and Saturday nights. The first evening she played doctor with a teddy bear to Weird Al Yankovic’s song, “Like a Surgeon” and eviscerated the stuffed animal to find it filled with sex toys.

Photo by Rolf Buchholz

Coco Katsura gave a dramatic performance as a flying ninja suspended from hooks while brandishing a flaming sword. And finally, in the Superfly Suspension Show, two young men, hanging one from the other, swung around the stage at length with contented expressions on their modified faces. On Saturday night, Courtney performed her  “Sympathy for the Devil” floor routine to the Guns ‘n Roses cover of the tune. It was a dark and sexy show full of back bends and contortion work. CoRE staged their Embers of the Lotus suspension performance, and SchmerzMöbel (the “Pain Furniture Performance Crew”) created their Living Harp for the audience as a lyrical finale for the evening’s festivities.

There was widespread accord among the repeat attendees that this was best BMXnet gathering ever. Warm thanks and hearty congratulations to Stephan Stresik and his crew for hosting a truly wonderful event!

Point #60 From the Editor: Elayne Angel

Comments Off on Point #60 From the Editor: Elayne Angel read From the Editor

By Elayne Angel

The Point has gone through quite a number of changes since it was first launched as an undated newsletter in the mid 1990s. At that stage, it was little more than a half-dozen photocopied pages stapled together. I’ve personally been involved with this periodical for over a decade. I’ve authored numerous articles, served as editor from issues #17-32 (2001-2004), and co-editor with James Weber from issues #46-55 (2009-2011).

James did a truly commendable job during his years at the copy desk. Taking the helm in 2005, he brought issues #33-59 into print, and the most obvious and sweeping changes took place during his tenure. He transformed the publication from a black-and-white newsletter into a full-fledged, glossy journal with color covers, a full-color online version (starting with issue #46/47), and a full-color print version (starting with issue #55).

After devoting countless hours to overseeing twenty-six colorful and informative magazines, James has now retired from the position—and he is surely deserving of some rest. There’s currently an ad out for a new editor, but as of this writing, the vacancy has yet to be filled. So here I am, jumping back in–briefly–to bring to fruition this issue, #60, the last in our quarterly print schedule.

Our grandest makeover in quite some time is forthcoming: The Point is becoming an online publication. We are putting the final touches on the technology that readers will use to access our digital content. Don’t despair if you prefer traditional ink and paper; we do plan to produce an annual Best of The Point print edition.

It’s been a great run, and I know that a tremendous amount of useful piercing-related information has been widely circulated as a result of the efforts of everyone who has contributed. There have been multitudes: a pack of proofreaders and assistants, scores of writers, an assortment of graphic designers, and the hardworking volunteers and staffers who have mailed out piles of publications. The Point has been a true collaboration, and it will continue to use a teamwork approach. In fact, you are invited to participate. Content submissions are open to members and nonmembers alike, and really anyone who has relevant material to share with the piercing community.

We have had our current and back issues posted and available online for free download in .PDF format for quite some time now (thanks to additional volunteer work). The figures show that digital viewing has vastly surpassed our print circulation. I am confident that going forward we will be able to do an even better job by making use of the latest technology, and employing the immediacy and enormous scope of the internet. More timely and extensive sharing and facilitated networking bring increased opportunities for exposure. We will also be able to have richer content with more photos, slideshows, and videos. Then there’s clickable ads, which are undoubtedly more effective than print ads for our advertisers, and easier to use for our readers.

Let’s not disregard the desirable detail that this is an eco-friendly move. Sadly, the piercing profession is not even a pale shade of “green” because we must use so many disposable and non-recyclable items. Therefore, I feel it is important that piercers be as conscientious as we can in other areas of our lives to protect the environment.

Since we’re saving money by eliminating substantial quarterly printing and postage costs, the Board of Directors has decided that the online Point will be free to everyone who wishes to view it! After all, the core mission of the organization is to disseminate information.

If you have issues remaining on your Point subscription you have a few choices: 

  1. You can donate the balance to our non-profit educational organization, which is preferred by our treasurer and deeply appreciated by the association.
  2. You can let it ride and apply your balance to the annual print issue. (The actual cost will be determined when the project is undertaken.)
  3. You could use the balance as a credit toward other APP merchandise.
  4. You can request a refund of your subscription balance if need be.

We all know that the Internet has become the hub from which most personal and commercial interactions across the globe now take place. The web has affected the way we do nearly everything, including live, work, and play. Technology is not just changing how we furnish The Point, it is actually affecting the topics we cover in the magazine.

Just two issues back, in The Point #58, my President’s Corner article addressed the problem of online videos showing bad piercings, and I made an appeal for readers to inundate the web with videos of safe and skillfully done piercings. In that same issue there was an article penned by Bethra Szumski about the online photo sharing site, Pinterest, and the impact it had on the popularity of the triple forward helix piercing. Now, a host of articles in this current issue make it abundantly clear that the writing is on the wall, or rather, on the web:

Internet Posting Etiquette cautions us to think before we post; Social Media for Piercers discusses pros and cons of a number of the common websites we use in our online marketing, and Making Safe Piercing Viral is a dialogue with several savvy piercers who provide suggestions for achieving good metrics in reach, share of voice, engagement, and more. To round it out, we have a piece on the legal risks of performing adult piercings on minors and also a legislation update. And naturally, since this is the post-Conference issue, we have coverage of our absolutely astounding annual affair.

Feel the silky smooth pages, inhale the distinctive aroma of ink on paper, and revel in this historical moment, knowing that you are currently reading the final quarterly print issue of The Point. Look for us online.

Point #60 President’s Corner: Elayne Angel

Comments Off on Point #60 President’s Corner: Elayne Angel read President's Corner


Elayne Angel
APP President
Yucatan, Mexico

Our yearly conference marks the culmination of a massive amount of preparation and effort by the organizers and also the attendees. Sometimes the aftermath of a highly anticipated experience can be a downer, but I feel elated and effusive about the whole thing. Since I didn’t write the review of Conference or the other coverage about it that appears in this issue, I feel that our crowning achievement is deserving of additional consideration.

I’ve been to many piercing conferences over the years, but there was something special and different about this one. From my personal perspective, it felt magical to spend a week in huge rooms filled with others who share my calling and passion for piercing. It is a high contrast to the isolation of being the only piercer in any given crowd during the early part of my career. From a professional standpoint, I’m impressed with the apparent development and maturation of our industry.

This year’s Conference had a palpable vibe of positivity that ran like an electrical current throughout the venue. Being in the presence of so much upbeat energy was moving and inspiring. During other conferences, I’ve felt that I was simply at a gathering where piercers from various places had assembled. This time, unspoken barriers came down and there was a notable atmosphere of genuine community. It was great to watch piercers form connections and excitedly communicate about vocational matters with their contemporaries. I also noted heightened tolerance and respect for differences in the piercing methods and styles of others.

The fact that over one hundred piercers traveled from other countries speaks highly of our organization and our reputation. (Come to think of it, I was one of them!) Living in Mexico is fabulous in numerous ways, though I don’t pierce when I’m at home. Between guest-piercing visits I’ll go for weeks or even months having no live interaction with other piercers. I don’t realize how much I miss the company of my own kind until I get back into a studio. But there’s no place like Conference to get a colossal dose of fellowship with a throng of like-minded associates.

Piercers of varying skill and experience levels were present, as always, yet there was an overall tone of dedication as compared to previous years. It seemed that higher numbers of studious pros were taking their craft more seriously than before. These piercers are not just going through the motions of making holes in peoples’ bodies; they are aware of the need for safe practices and honoring our clients’ trust with integrity. They applied themselves by attending as many classes, round table discussions, and workshops as they could, and obtained a lot of valuable knowledge in the process.

Another thing I noticed is that we’re starting to realize our potential and take our place in the world as legitimate professionals, and acting in ways that command the respect that we deserve. This progress was demonstrated during our interactions with others—hotel staff and the guests who were not part of our cadre. I saw a lot of heavily modified body artists comfortably conversing with everyday folks from around the country. As individuals and as a group, we handled ourselves with decorum, and we were treated accordingly. I didn’t witness a single incident involving any negative reactions as I have in the past.

In a society that does not always honor its elders, I also loved seeing the enthusiasm and reverence the attendees showed for my colleagues at the authors’ table—a new feature at Conference. Industry pioneers Jim Ward and Fakir Musafar, along with veteran photographer Charles Gatewood, posed for countless photos and exchanged an abundance of hugs and handshakes with their admirers.

One other aspect of the convention I want to touch on is the vendor Expo. When I first began my career, we didn’t even have curved barbells; styles were simple and extremely limited, so I never envisioned there could exist the vast variety of body jewelry that is available now. It was a delight to see innovation in this field continuing to expand. Not only was the selection at the Expo truly incredible, but also the quality produced by many manufacturers was superb.

Yet another aspect of the event that deserves recognition is the excellence in overall organization, pre-conference planning, and preparation. This was handled phenomenally well. It may sound like I’m tooting my own horn, but that is not the case. Though I am President, I’m not a member of the Conference committee, and the accolades are theirs.

The amount of labor that goes into putting on such a multi-faceted happening is outrageous: from coordinating pre-registration to developing the curriculum and wrangling the instructors and their course materials to arranging for catering; dealing with room blocks; designing and ordering signage, programs, and APP merchandise; generating raffle rules; designing the expo floor layout; scheduling volunteers; and on and on and on. The enormous number of tasks—and the details that must be dealt with—is beyond overwhelming, yet the Conference committee hashes it all out. What we see at Conference are the results of thousands of small decisions made and duties handled.

You know what they say about the “best laid plans,” so it also bears mentioning that the on-site execution was equally outstanding. A large crew of tireless volunteers contributed tremendously and reaped the gratifying rewards found in providing such service.

The talented magician who pulled the levers and knobs behind the curtain at Bally’s was the remarkable Caitlin McDiarmid, APP Administrator. She is worth her weight in gold. Possessed of a peerless skill set, cast-iron commitment, and flair for multi-tasking, she kept it all rolling smoothly. I want to also express my appreciation and admiration for Bethra Szumski, APP Secretary and Conference Committee Chair. She negotiates our contracts with the hotel, which is a tough job. I don’t know whether she was naturally blessed with the talent or if she developed her expertise, but we are so lucky to have her. I have one final shout-out going to Sarah Wooten, the previously mentioned wrangler of instructors. Thanks for your patience and diligence.

Congratulations team, on a job remarkably well done! Attendees also deserve acknowledgment since the majority of people in our industry did not make it a priority to be there.

The 2012 APP Conference was thoroughly enjoyable, but more importantly it delivered a substantial amount of vital information for piercers to do a safer, superior job. Additionally, it provided a setting for us to interact and socialize, and a terrific expo, too. Having used every superlative I could think of, I’ll finish by encouraging you join us at next year’s event if you weren’t already planning to attend. I hope to see you there!

Point #59: President’s Corner – Elayne Angel

Comments Off on Point #59: President’s Corner – Elayne Angel read President's Corner

Recently someone asked me about what it was really like back in the “good ol’ days,” when I first started piercing professionally in the 1980s. Reflecting on the ensuing discussion, I am reminded of how truly new our industry is in the scope of history, yet how far it has come since that time.

Think about it: Body piercing is so young that there are still many areas without any legislation on the subject. One must study and practice for hundreds or even thousands of hours to qualify for a license to cut hair in the United States, but in plenty of locations you can pierce the body without any training or oversight whatsoever. This is because our fledgling field and the agencies regulating it are still getting their footing and figuring it all out—but it really doesn’t make sense. I expect that piercing laws will become the norm in the coming years—and the APP is actively assisting body artists and lawmakers to see that only appropriate legislation is enacted—but it simply hasn’t been prevalent long enough for this to have happened yet.

It is hard to appreciate the widespread acceptance of piercing in modern culture if you don’t know how misunderstood and ostracized it once was not so long ago. Any piercing other than the ears (or sometimes a nostril) was a rarity, and was considered disturbing and aberrant.

For young people today, piercing has always been around. They grew up with it as an ordinary and unremarkable part of the world—just like computers and the internet. It can be difficult to imagine a reality in which these were uncommon, or didn’t even exist. I have a number of clear memories that can help to clarify what a different world it was where piercing was concerned.

Imagine this: In 1981, even though I was legally an adult, my gynecologist broke the ostensibly sacred pact of doctor-patient confidentiality to call my parents and tell them that my nipples were pierced! Why? Because they thought I might need to be institutionalized for harming myself. Piercing was so foreign then there was grave concern for my mental and physical health—over something that has become commonplace today.

One of my other favorite illustrative accounts from that era is how easily I was able to convince people that my tongue piercing was an acupuncture stud for weight control. No one doubted me, since tongue piercings were unheard of at that time, and they couldn’t fathom the idea of doing it for fun. The public had not yet been exposed to body piercings, and when I began my career nipples were by far the most prevalent spot to adorn. It was several years before the navel outshined all the other pierceable body parts put together.

One of the biggest challenges I experienced in my early years working at Gauntlet (the first piercing specialty business in the world, founded in 1975) was that I couldn’t procure enough steel body jewelry to satisfy the fastgrowing demand for piercings. There was just a single supplier for it then, so the quantity of manufacturers now making body jewelry is astonishing. There is an overabundance of the stuff, really—especially if you include the mountains of cheap junk that are being produced, mostly overseas.

I can still remember the moment I saw the first steel 18 gauge 3/8” fixed bead ring. Up until that point, all of the small rings Gauntlet produced were white or yellow gold. It was novel and, well, adorable. I knew with that first glimpse I needed to put it somewhere on my body. I came up with the idea of a horizontal eyebrow piercing, which I’d never seen before. It actually healed well (even with the small ring for initial jewelry), and I had it for many years. I only removed it to get my eyebrows tattooed, and didn’t reinsert it afterward. Now this was before curved bars were available. Imagine doing navel, eyebrow, and other body piercings without curved bars as a jewelry option! Yes, it really was quite primordial in a way, but the world of piercing was just starting to evolve.

I feel like I should be recounting these historic tales from a rocking chair on a porch, my head crowned with gray hair. Yes, I am an “old-timer” in this industry—somewhat ironic since I’m just one notch into my fifth decade of life and by no means elderly. I’m the next generation down from our industry’s founders Jim Ward, Fakir Musafar, and Doug Malloy. (If you want to learn all about the formation of Gauntlet and the launching of our industry, read Jim Ward’s amazing memoir, Running the Gauntlet, available at safepiercing.org.)

Since its humble origins, thousands upon thousands of people worldwide have joined the ranks of “professional piercers”—but I do use the term loosely. Some are hacks who cast a shadow over the whole field, but others have advanced it to an art, melded with science and practiced with fervor and expertise. President’s Corner ElaynE angEl APP President Yucatán, Mexico one of my other favorite illustrative accounts from that era is how easily I was able to convince people that my tongue piercing was an acupuncture stud for weight control.

High-tech materials and production methods have made body jewelry available that approaches true perfection. Innovations in design have brought countless new styles to the market. Now there is even a profusion of aftercare products specifically designed for our customers. (I shudder when I recall the instructions for care of my new nipple piercings: apply rubbing alcohol liberally and rotate the rings. Ouch!)

I’m incredibly thrilled that this “wild and crazy” fringe activity I engaged in back in the 1970s and 80s has become, more-or-less, normal thing to do, and I’m proud to have played a role in that. At the same time, I must admit I have a particular disappointment about the subsequent generations of piercers who are working today.

As the nascent business of piercing began to spread and mature, I expected that piercers would join their industry’s professional organization as an ordinary matter of course. I envisioned piercers becoming members of the APP as a natural part of working in the field, the way professional librarians join the American Library Association. And so I address this message to the piercers who are not (yet) members of the Association of Professional Piercers:

Obviously you’re acquainted with the APP because you’re reading this publication. But in case you are unfamiliar with our precise nature and purpose, I’d like to clarify it and elaborate a bit. We are an international non-profit health, safety, and education organization. The APP is the professional organization for those in the piercing industry. We are a respected and reliable resource that has set the standards for the industry.

Piercers who are “Professional Business Members” uphold a safety agreement that encompasses minimum standards for using quality jewelry, maintaining cleanliness, and behaving professionally. They meet certain personal criteria, such as training with certification in First Aid, CPR, and bloodborne pathogens exposure. Their studios must also pass specific environmental requirements, such as having a separate sterilization room and a spore-tested autoclave.

I can’t help but wonder, and want to ask any piercer who is not a member of the APP, “Why not? Do you fail to come up to the organization’s standards, are you unfamiliar with your industry’s professional association, or are you apathetic?” All of those are poor qualities in a piercer.

Since the publication of my book The Piercing Bible, the number of consumers seeking APP members has skyrocketed, as the public is becoming more educated about what constitutes a competent, qualified piercer. If for no other reason than an increase in business, I’d think more piercers would want to become members.

Perhaps you believe some of the rumors and misconceptions I’ve heard about the organization; I would like to debunk them. We are a group of very diverse piercers who are passionate and caring about our work; we are not an elitist clique! If you place importance on what you do, join up. If you don’t feel that being safe, hygienic, and doing a good job are important, please find another field of endeavor.

The APP is not the piercing police. We do not dictate which piercings our members do, what particular aftercare they are to suggest, or whether our members also practice other forms of body art (where they are allowed by law).

The organization is run by volunteers who are elected by the members. If you are dissatisfied with aspects of how the APP operates, you can join, get involved, and change things if enough other members agree with your perspective. That’s what I did.

Below is some of what the APP does:

  • Provides information to consumers, piercers, health inspectors, medical and dental professionals, legislators, and anyone who wants to learn about safe body piercing.
  • Hosts an amazing annual educational conference for piercers (and you do not have to be a member to attend).
  • Offers piercers, legislators, and the public support and assistance in drafting appropriate legislation for the industry.
  • Disseminates educational and informational materials, including numerous brochures and a Health and Safety Procedure Manual for piercers.
  • Attends health-related conferences and body art conventions to share information.
  • Conveys information and professional opinions to the media when requested and in response to erroneous articles and press about body piercing.
  • Presents lectures to students, health care professionals, and other groups.
  • Publishes The Point, which is dedicated to sharing piercing-related news and information.
  • Staffs an email and phone response system for individuals with questions regarding piercing.
  • Maintains a comprehensive website with information for anyone with questions about body piercing, safepiercing.org.

Among other things, the APP website contains a complete list of current members (you will be on there after becoming a member piercer), a section on getting pierced, FAQs, our brochures and publications, legislative links to all states, applications for membership, a job board, links, and more.

In other words, the APP shares information and works to help make piercing safe and keep it legal. I frequently hear that piercers (or their studios) aren’t “ready” to join. The good news is that when you apply, the membership committee will work with you by making suggestions on how you can bring yourself and your studio up to minimum standards.

We genuinely do not want to keep piercers out; we welcome you into our community of caring professionals. If you have questions, please contact me at president@safepiercing. org, or our Membership Liaison, Sarvas Berry, at members@safepiercing.org.

As I observe and hopefully foster the next phase of development in the body piercing industry, it would be a dream come true to see more piercers take pride in their work and elevate themselves professionally by joining the Association of Professional Piercers.