Category From the Editor

Point 79: From the Editor – Marina Pecorino

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Marina Pecorino
Managing Editor of Content & Statistics

Conference is coming!

It happened last year and it’ll happen next, but each year is a unique opportunity to meet new colleagues, share information, and purchase some of the best body jewelry available. Personally, this year, I’m most looking forward to the in-person support I get from my industry tribe and the volunteer family.

As we prepare for that life changing week, here are a few updates and things to you may want to consider:

  • Register for your preferred schedule— Classes are already filling up and the wait list system has been activated. The sooner you register the better your chance of getting all the classes you want.
  • Book your hotel room—We strongly encourage you to book in the APP Room Block. You’ll be closer to the excitement. Resort fees will be optional (covering in-room wifi and fitness center access), so you can choose to have more moola to spend on pretties in the Expo. And to top it off, you’ll be helping the APP maintain our privileges and position at Bally’s.
  • Alternatives to the Bar (A.T.T.B) are new this year!—For many of us, the Splash Bar can become tiresome, but we still want the opportunity to network and hang out, sans cigarette smoke and drunk shenanigans, please. Now you have more options; games in the lounge, Statim discussions with Brian Skellie, an after-hours Talk APP session, and a Body Piercing Archives pajama movie night! Check the Conference mobile app for more information.
  • Opening Pool Party Upgrade—This year, head over to the beautifully updated Go  Pool at the Flamingo Hotel across the street. Also new for this year, there will be a strictly enforced wristband policy for the pool party. You’ll find your wristband in your registration packet, so please remember to grab   it when you don that Speedo.
  • Conference mobile app—This year, along with the handy maps, schedules, and speaker information in our Conference mobile app, you’ll also find a fun new game. Play “Click” to win prizes through a photo scavenger hunt designed to get you to network and socialize. This is an especially handy addition for new attendees and those of us who favor the shy side.

Still feeling unprepared or have questions? Our ever-evolving checklist of don’t forgets and survival tips has become a staple reference guide for Conference goers. If you’re ready for a reminder, check out this checklist/ survival guide from Issue 71.

Shifting gears to non-Conference news,

Kendra, Jim, and I are very happy to announce two new additions to The Point team. We would like to welcome Ryan Clark and Badur Ramji to The Point committee. Ryan’s experience with editing and InDesign are already proving useful in the final stages of our publication processes. We will be utilizing Badur’s expertise in social media and web management to further engage our readership and develop the publication’s online presence. If you have ideas for any of us or just want to welcome our new committee members, please send an email to editor@safepiercing.org.

All of that said, start drinking your water and taking your vitamins now; I can’t wait to see you all in Las Vegas in a few short weeks!

Point 78: Letter from the Editor – Kendra Jane B.

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When you hear the word “sustainability,”  your first thoughts might be of recycling soda cans or composting your vegetable scraps. However, the idea of sustainability is one that can be applied in a much broader sense to every aspect of life. Things such as maintaining a sustainable work life balance; which in our industry seems very difficult for many. Creating a healthy balance of piercing and non-piercing related activities is something I struggle with myself almost daily. However, I believe it is important to realize that we all need downtime and we all need to foster the passions we have in life outside of our piercing room. In the long run it makes us better piercers.

We can embrace the idea of sustainability in our piercing room by ensuring an ergonomic work environment to take as much stress off of our bodies as possible. We see many very industry specific issues that seem to arise due to the repetitive nature of our tasks. Making sure that you take care of your body will go a long way to ensuring a long and happy career.

We also need to build sustainable businesses by creating business plans and practices which ensure constant and continual growth at a calculated pace. Unchecked growth in a business is neither realistic nor sustainable, and therefore should be avoided.

We can also strive to lessen our overall carbon footprint within our shops. By making small changes in our environment and routines, we can lessen our impact on the planet. It can be as easy as not printing unnecessary receipts, switching to LED lightbulbs, or installing a lower flow toilet.

This issue will explore the idea of sustainability in its many forms and how it can impact our careers and the body modification industry in more ways than you may have thought possible. We would love to hear how you have made changes for a more sustainable career! Email us at editor@safepiercing.org

Point 78: Letter from the Editor – Marina Pecorino

1 Comment read From the Editor, Issue 78

Sustainability touches many aspects of our daily personal and professional lives. In this issue, Kendra Jane provides tips for reducing our carbon footprint through structural improvements and office upgrades. Also, Jared Karnes of Onetribe discusses sustainability and his discovery of permaculture from a manufacturing perspective. Christina Shull shares some wisdom about how to establish a solid business and personal budget, with a focus on financial planning and retirement.

For the safety of our clients and ourselves, it is an unfortunate consequence that our industry is a heavy producer of waste. I’ve often been morbidly curious to know how much weight in garbage an average piercing room generates in a day, but that newfound knowledge would more than likely make me sad.

As we look toward the future of our profession and our planet, I think it’s important to bring sustainability to the forefront of our minds. Some studios are taking on this challenge by reducing the use of supplies and tools, and thus reducing the need for additional processing and disposable products. For some piercers, this is a perfect solution, but for others, this may not be a change they’re prepared to undertake.

There’s also the unfortunate truth that our work takes an emotional and physical toll on us, making burnout a very real possibility. Long hours on our feet and standing in strange positions can lead to muscle fatigue and joint pain for many. Hectic days when breaks are scarce and meals may be a fantasy can leave us without the resources our body needs to maintain our pace. Add to that the emotional strain of taking on an especially challenging client, and you’ll be ready for bed as soon as you get home. Even some of my most enjoyable and meaningful client experiences have left me feeling drained. If we intend to sustain this profession, it’s important to remember our self-care regimen; as the Volunteer ducklings say, “What Would Paul King Do?”

 

Point 76: From the Editor – Kendra Jane B

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The Point: Issue 76 - Cover

Kendra Jane headshotKendra Jane Berndt
Managing Editor of Content & Archives

With a blink of an eye it is over; another Conference has come and gone. The 21st annual Association of Professional Piercers Conference was my sixth, and these six years have been quite the journey. I have gone from apprentice and Al D. Scholar to Board Member. This year’s Conference had me wearing more hats and running more steps than ever, but it also came with the chance for me to share what I do with my two daughters (and show them off a bit). Being able to share the one week of the year that makes me feel the most alive and like myself with the two people that I love more than words; I have to say it was the most rewarding experience. It was an honor to introduce them to a wonderful group of people, my community, my family, the most beautiful people I know. After all they say it takes a village to raise a child, and I belong to a great village.

I consider myself very fortunate to have grown up in a household with a mother that is not only educated, but owned her own business, travelled the world, and can change a tire or build a deck. She set me up for success without even realizing it. She allowed me to learn from my own mistakes while still showing me compassion. She may not have agreed with all of my life choices, but she always supported me. As a female leader in our community, I feel that I have a responsibility to be supportive, compassionate, and to encourage the growth of those around me.

I am so fortunate to be one of just a handful of women to have served the APP as a member of the Board of Directors. My way has been paved by powerhouses like Bethrah Szumski, Alicia Cardenas, Elayne Angel, and Ash Misako. This gives me some very big shoes to fill. These amazing ladies have shown that intelligence, hard work, determination, and perseverance will succeed. So I want to take this opportunity to say how fortunate I feel to have had the support of these fierce ladies in my career. It is no secret that our industry has been a male dominated industry since its inception (as with the majority of industries). Now that I have the opportunity to set an example for generations of young ladies, it is difficult to find words to express my appreciation. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be my best, both personally and professionally.

Point 76: From the Editor – Marina Pecorino

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The Point: Issue 76 - Cover

Marina Pecorino headshotMarina Pecorino
Managing Editor of Content & Statistics

“Good morning. Today is going to be epic!” A note with these words is how my conference experience started, and they couldn’t have been more true. is conference experience for me was epic. As my third APP Conference, this one takes the cake, but I’m sure future Conferences will be even sweeter.

I started the rough draft for this editorial after attending the week’s opening festivities at the pool party. As early morning light started peeking through my hotel window, I had an almost giddy appreciation of the events of the previous evening. For the first time at an opening party, I felt like I finally broke out of my shell. I willingly and enthusiastically floated between groups, sharing conversations about professional and personal topics; social media marketing techniques, obstacles faced by international piercers, organizing state-wide groups for piercers. I credit the awesome APP unisex underpants largely for my brazen approach.

Truthfully though, the credit should go to the incredible people in our industry, this community, and my tribe. Conference is a week of hardcore learning and aisles of unbelievably gorgeous merchandise, but it’s also a week for connecting with a much larger family. We welcome new people from around the world with an open attitude and without judgement.

My first class of Conference this year was a round table about disorders in the industry, and I heard many attendees mention social anxiety. This is certainly something I face especially in such a large crowd in such an overwhelming city, but support is strong with this group, and I feel that is a vital component for many of us. This support and lack of judgement allows Conference to serve as a safe space where ideas can flow.

Every year, I’m continually impressed by our international attendees traveling so far to share in the event. For some, the experience was only possible because of generous donations from others in our community. As an industry, the self improvement of one piercer benefits us all. The give and take of knowledge is a communal effort. Sitting around the “Splash Bar”, there are never ending opportunities to learn from exposure to new perspective through a casual conversation.

On Thursday night at the annual Banquet dinner, everyone was sporting their most futuristic attire. Quite a few folks won life-changing prizes. The scholars and volunteers cheered each other on for a week of hard work. The Board of Directors had another changing of the guard, allowing some great leaders to move on to new projects and others to take on new responsibilities. We said hello, goodbye, and thank you to members of our industry family.

And then, before we knew it, the week was over. The vibe died down and the piercing tribe dispersed. We all trickled back home and started counting the days until our next chance to gather. For many, this count-down will be short, thanks to opportunities like guest spots, Camp APP, and conferences like UKAPP (congrats on the second annual!) and BMXnet. Personally, I can’t wait to see you all in Vegas for the 22nd annual APP Conference; mark your calendars now for June 11-16, 2017.

Point 75: From the Editor – Kendra Jane B

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The Point Issue 75 Cover

Kendra Jane headshotKendra Jane Berndt
Managing Editor of Content & Archives

On May 1, 2016 the province I live in was struck with the largest disaster in my country’s history. What I have also seen come out of this tragedy is a special intimacy, and openness to help and to share with those in need. Although I do not live in Fort McMurray, where this tragedy occurred, it is a city that has supported my family for decades and is home to many of my friends. As this tragedy and the recovery efforts unfold, we are all coping in different ways, as is the case when struck with grief, sorrow, or any other very intense emotion. When I am sad or happy or anywhere inbetween I work through my feelings in the kitchen.

I have also been reading a book that has struck a chord in me. It is is both about life and cooking and I would like to share a little of it with you, our readers.

When we cook, we are expressing ourselves completely, for we always cook within the context of our lives. If we are feeling lonely, stressed, generous, too busy, happy—whatever is happening in that moment—when we step up to the stove, we cook with these circumstances as much as any ingredient or recipe. This kind of attention to the particulars of the moment won’t be found in the recipe we are using, yet it will have an enormous influence on the final product and how much enjoyment we will receive from both the doing and the consuming of it.

I want to encourage and support us to look more deeply and experience more deeply, in our everyday lives. There is a hunger for a more considered life, one where our everyday circumstances are not a series of inconveniences to get through (or around) as quickly as possible, but rather a source of awakening and pleasure. We don’t have to go looking for it, we don’t have to purchase it, because it’s right here. 1

I think I have already read the above passage a hundred times and the contents of its message makes me look more forward to our Conference than ever before. This is the one week a year I soak in every minute, every $6.00 bottle of water, every smoke filled casino, and every tired morning. There are absolutely no inconveniences, and everything is a pure source of genuine happiness and awakening.

As you read our pre-conference issue I urge you to change your mindset as you pack and prepare. In this issue you will find excellent tips from our mentor team to lessen the stress before you even leave home, setting yourself up for a successful week. If your worry is about leaving your shop while at Conference, April Thomas and Julie Taylor have put together some advice on ensuring your studio will be more than prepared for your absence.

As I wrote, edited, and compiled this issue I felt the butterflies start in my stomach, but this year I will be approaching Conference from a different perspective, one that will allow me to see my conference family in a whole new light. I urge you to do the same; open your hearts and minds, let down your guard (as hard as it may seem) and experience the week, really experience it. Amazing things can happen when you do. I look forward very much to hugging my family, my friends, and the best colleagues on the planet. So whether this is your first or your twenty-first Conference, I hope you will allow yourself to find the extraordinary in the mundane, the irreplaceable in what others dismiss as irrelevant; to have a deeper life experience.

1 Velden, Dana. Finding Yourself in the Kitchen. Rodale. New York. 2015.

Point 75: From the Editor – Marina Pecorino

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The Point Issue 75 Cover

Marina Pecorino headshotMarina Pecorino
Managing Editor of Content & Statistics

I was born and raised in north Florida, which unfortunately is not known for its diversity. So, having the chance to experience a convention space filled with piercing industry professionals definitely has a unique impact on me each year at Conference. Seeing so many members of a subculture in close proximity is incredible on its own, but experiencing such a high level of colleague support and strong eagerness for professional growth makes all the difference. As we all prepare for this exciting week of classes, camaraderie, and fun, please take a read through our pre-Conference issue. Julie Taylor and April Thomas have provided some tips for preparing from a business perspective. Frankie Pistone has written some very important things to consider if you are covering at a studio during Conference as well.

As I get ready to embark on my second Grand Summer Adventure and a shift in career directions, I find myself thinking about the role that APP has played in the past several years of my life. I can honestly say that volunteering has forever changed me. The support I’ve received from my fellow volunteers and colleagues has helped provide me with the confidence to take professional risks, from which I’ve had some incredible experiences. It has been quite a journey to learn that there is a place (or several) for the real “me” in the workforce. In this issue, Stephie Von Hütter Thomas describes a similar sensation during her graduate studies. The people I’ve met and worked with as a result of Conference and the APP have played a significant role in my professional identity and the course of my work life.

As I prepare to embark on a summer’s worth of exploration, culminating in our shared week in Vegas, I reflect on all the professionals I’ve connected with since my first APP Conference in 2012. Since then, I’ve witnessed and been a part of industry collaborations at all different levels around the world. As a result, I am finally learning that travel and consistent work are not mutually exclusive.

Conference is a family reunion of sorts. Every year piercers save up, plan, and buzz about seeing all of their industry family. The volunteer family is already buzzing with talks of hugs, coffee runs, nerdy late night puzzling, and Legos. It truly is an amazing week, I can’t wait to see my industry family and meet new members of our tribe in just a few short weeks!

Point 74: From the Editor – Marina Pecorino

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The Point - Issue 74

Marina Pecorino headshotMarina Pecorino
Managing Editor of Content & Statistics

I initially struggled to come up with direction for this editorial, partly because I feel that I’m somewhat of an outsider. I’m connected to the industry, obviously, but for now, I live my days in corporate America. On an issue geared toward technology in the industry, my brain immediately jumped to marketing, as this was one of my primary business roles during my time as a piercer. Honestly though, I think the biggest impact technology has for me currently is allowing me to connect so easily with all of you.

Throughout my life, I’ve found it difficult to stay in touch with friends when there is physical distance; I have great intentions, but my follow through can be lacking. Social media allows communication with my distant friends to become seamlessly integrated into my day-to-day life. I can now feel connected and do my introverted “lurk and like” while allowing people I care about to do the same.

Recently, I was trying to explain to my partner how supportive and appreciative the volunteer family is, even though many of us have only met in person a handful of times, if that. We’re not a daily face to face interaction in each other’s lives, but we still feel like family. I believe this to be true throughout the body modification community, which is one of the things I love most about having chosen this path. In many ways, my continued involvement in the industry is made possible because of the technology we have at our disposal.

It amazes me to realize that, as a result of my involvement with this industry, I’ve developed friendships with awe-inspiring people all over the world. Unfortunately, the last year seems to have dealt a lot of hard blows to our community. Having friends that span the far reaches of the globe can be extremely tough when someone is going through a particularly hard experience, and all I want to do is give them a hug. Technology makes connecting over these vast distances a little less difficult and allows us to show our support, even when physical proximity isn’t possible.

I have to admit that this editorial started out as a quick comment in the APP volunteers group, while curled up in bed. I only got a few words in, when I suddenly realized that what I wanted to express is my appreciation for the chance to feel so close, despite being so far away. What started as a quick comment, ended up evolving into a rough draft for an editorial. It’s pretty incredible what you can create with technology.

Point 74: From the Editor – Kendra Jane B

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The Point - Issue 74 - cover

Kendra Jane headshotKendra Jane Berndt
Managing Editor of Content & Archives

We are in a world where we double tap dozens of times a day, use our smart devices to track the most minute details of our days, and start to sweat at the thought of no wifi. In a relatively short amount of time our industry has embraced technology. We as piercers know what an important role social media and technological advances have on our jobs. As someone that has been given the good fortune of being able to reach many of my peers on a regular basis; I want to take this opportunity to hopefully provide you all with for some food for thought. A few “rules” if you will to navigate the waters of the tech ocean we are all trying to stay afloat in.

To be engaged in ones work, ones passion to apply oneself fully and wholly is an amazing thing. This used to mean spending hours pouring over books, old letters, even microfiche, or (yikes) actually talking to people. The art of the spoken word is no longer what it was. The internet has made so much possible. With information a click away, one can fulfill every need and want for knowledge in seconds enabling our passions to ignite and take off. The flip side to this 24/7 access to internet anonymity (you can become someone you are not, omit the parts of your person at will, or remain completely anonymous) is that the rules of social engagement seem to be faltering; no tone or body language to accompany it. In this issue, you’ll find an article by Miro Hernandez explaining how to put your best foot forward while communicating online.

When I was younger my mom often told me if I had nothing nice to say I was to say nothing at all. As much as it may pain me, I have to admit my mom was right. This statement has saved feelings from being hurt, friendships from being ruined, and embarrassing things from happening. Inevitably, we all face some form of negative online criticism in our professional lives. Courtney Jane Maxwell has shared some tips to help you stay cool and collected when dealing with a bad review on a social media platform.

We live in a world where we are force fed the idea that more is better. I firmly and truly believe moderation is the key, not just when it comes to the donuts I eat or the coffee I drink, but very importantly in the social media I use. I choose to be choosey which means I do not use every type of new and fancy social media that pops up. I do not snap, tweet, and in fact I do not spend the same amount of time tumbling or booking that I used to. I have chosen the types of technology that work best for me and I make them work as effectively and efficiently as possible. This means that as much as technology has become part of every facet of my day to day life, it is not my life from day to day.

Read on to see how technological advances have helped to make our industry safer for clients and piercers alike; how the etiquette of more formal times in the past still have a place in our conversations on the internet today, and don’t forget to double tap and share this publication.

Point 74: From the Editor – Jim Ward

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The Point - Issue 74

Jim Ward headshotJim Ward
Art Director

One of the joys of having been a part of this industry since its beginning has been seeing the technological advances that have brought it to such an astounding degree of professionalism.

Young piercers have no idea what things were like when Gauntlet was born in 1975. For starters, imagine a world without the cell phone, personal computer, and the internet. As the old cigarette commercial said, “You’ve come a long way, baby.”

When I first began my piercing business, I had to use a pressure cooker to sterilize instruments, later graduating to ever more sophisticated autoclaves. With the advent of the Statim, you are now blessed not only with more reliable sterilization, but are able to accomplish it within mere minutes.

The first piercing needles were veterinary hypodermics with the syringe couplings cut off. We sterilized and reused them over and over while they became duller with every use and often had to be used with a needle pusher. Nowadays, you have access to disposable needles that are so sharp they pierce the toughest of tissue like butter.

Even though I made every effort to provide the highest quality body jewelry, in those early days we had little understanding as to which materials were most suitable for the purpose of piercing. The industry is now blessed with an abundance of jewelry choices produced to the most stringent of manufacturing standards.

Many of you are familiar with Gauntlet’s publication Piercing Fans International Quarterly (PFIQ). Thanks to the personal computer and the marvel of desktop publishing, I’ve been able to say goodbye to the typewriter, the T­square, the drafting board, and all the art supplies that were used for years to produce the magazine. With a few mouse clicks, design and layout has become a breeze.

Technology is here to stay, and will continue to benefit our profession. I only hope that one day human kindness and compassion will catch up.

On another subject, for the last several issues of The Point I have participated as one of the Managing Editors. With this issue my title changes and I become the publication’s Art Director. I will still be an occasional Contributing Editor, and while I’m busy doing the layout and design, I get to edit the editors.

Over time I also hope to be able to bring some fresh design ideas to these pages. Enjoy!