Category Editorial

Point 83: Conference, 2018 from Editor Kendra Jane B.

Comments Off on Point 83: Conference, 2018 from Editor Kendra Jane B. read Conference, Editorial, Events, From the Editor, Issue 83

By Kendra Jane B., Point Editor

It is hard to believe that yet another Conference is right around the corner. It is always so odd to me that something can feel so far away and yet so close all at the same time.

As you dive into our annual pre-Conference issue I know each of you are excited about a different aspect of Conference. For some of us it is the once a year family reunion. For others it is the endless supply of knowledge at hand. Yet for others it offers a break from the everyday; a week to get away from the everyday humdrum of life and revitalize themselves for another year. This will be my  eighth  Conference  (I have attended every one since I began piercing) and every year I take away a different and yet equally valuable lesson which often not only applies to piercing but to life as a whole.  This year as I prepare for Conference I am trying to do so in a more mindful way.  I am going into it knowing what I want to get out of it. This is what I urge all of you to do as your compose your check-lists and cross off the to do’s as we get closer and closer; think about what it is you want to gain from our week in the desert. I urge all of you to be mindful of the process, the preparation, and the prospects that will all be a part of your conference experience.

This year I hope to find a renewed connection, a connection with the people of our industry. I want to know why you do what you do. The fact that we are highlighting performance art means I can gain a better understanding of others’ connections to the industry. I am beyond thrilled that we have so many great classes as well as the Body Piercing Archive (BPA) exhibit devoted to performance art. To me performance art is the physical embodiment of someone’s connection with their emotions as art. I can’t wait to hear their stories and learn why they do what they do. So turn the page, read on, and get a taste of what this year’s Association of Professional Piercers Conference has to offer.

Point 83: Conference, 2018 – from Editor Marina Pecorino

Comments Off on Point 83: Conference, 2018 – from Editor Marina Pecorino read Conference, Editorial, Events, From the Editor, Issue 83

As a brand new mom—my son will be less than four months old in mid-July—the decision to attend Confer ence this year was a difficult one. I absolutely adore my newfound role as a full-time caregiver, but maintaining my work responsibilities while caring for my son is certainly a balancing act. I look forward to the reprieve of Conference, where for a week, my only responsibilities will be to the organization and community that I’ve worked for and been passionate about for over ten years. That said, I have plenty of photos and videos of my Tummy Monster to share with anyone who’s interested.

Again this year, I’m looking forward to experiencing the Body Piercing Archive, delving deeper into our rich history and learning about interconnected art forms that make up the body modification community. Another high point for me is reconnecting with my Conference volunteer family; we stay connected throughout the year online, but it’s different to be able to give and receive hugs and in person support.

Beginning last year, the Alternative To The Bar (ATTB) activities are offered in the evenings; a perfect fit for the more introverted among us and those hoping to avoid drinking and smoking. Unfortunately, my Conference responsibilities often keep me late into the night, but I do my  best to participate. Playing board/card/table-top games and watching body mod related movies with fellow piercers is right up my alley, so this is my favorite place to be after classes are over and my work has been completed.

And then there are all the amazing classes to get excited about. My agenda this year includes Photography For the Modern Studio: Crop it like its hot!, In the Beginning There Was Gauntlet, Investigating Cross Contamination, Color Theory for Body Piercers, and Women in Leadership. Honestly, the registration process is always a struggle for me. The class offerings are expansive and there are only so many hours in the day. Inevitably, I can’t attend everything that I would like to, so prioritizing is important. This is one of the many ways that the Mentor Program assists new attendees; providing guidance during the class selection process, to tailor fit the needs, skill level, and schedule of participating mentees. Read further into this issue to find out more about the Mentor Program.

For those of you attending Conference this year, I can not wait to see you. If we haven’t met yet, don’t hesitate to stop me in the halls or find me after class to say hi. If we have met, chances are I’ll be too shy and introverted to strike up conversation first, but don’t let that stop you from taking the lead. For those of you who can’t be with us, I encourage you to try for next year. The experience is unforgettable, and the knowledge and networking is unsurpassed.

Point 82: The President’s Corner: Bethrah Szumski

Comments Off on Point 82: The President’s Corner: Bethrah Szumski read Editorial, Issue 82, President's Corner

By Jef Saunders, APP President

This issue of The Point is focused on Women in the Piercing Industry. There are countless women who have  inspired  me and  who I could thank for my own personal voyage. That said, I’d like to put the spotlight on someone who I couldn’t imagine the Association of Professional Piercers without: Bethrah Szumski.

Bethrah served the APP as Secretary for many, many years, and it was Bethrah who called me when I was elected to the Board to give me advice. Being a Board Member involves a lot of responsibility, and the learning curve is steep. Were it not for Bethrah explaining the ins and outs of joining the Board, I would have been lost. In hindsight she may regret making that phone call to me, because I have leaned on her for advice in all aspects of my life ever since. Very rarely does more than a month go by without me reaching out to her for insight, advice, or just a shoulder to lean on.

For those not in the know, Bethrah has been with the APP since just about the beginning. She has served as President and Secretary, but also was deeply involved in our Conference for years. She also spearheaded some of our organization’s forays into international Conferences in Amsterdam in the early 2000s. These Conferences helped inspire piercers in Europe to start their own organizations. There is virtually no part of the APP that has not benefited from Bethrah’s involvement.

It is tough for us today to remember that the APP was once a very young organization that could have disappeared without spectacular leadership and tremendous sacrifice by our early volunteers. Bethrah’s commitment to the APP and its mission led her to put in countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears. As someone who has benefited tremendously from the efforts of the early APP, I have huge amounts of gratitude for all of the early Board Members and volunteers. That gratitude knows no bounds when I think of Bethrah.

As she segued out of her role as Secretary (and in the process trained our current Secretary, Aaron Pollack), Bethrah pitched the Board a new idea: “Why don’t we do something for our Members that is different than Conference. Something in nature where they can learn and bond and relax together. It can be a Member’s Retreat where we all camp together”. A lot of people would have come up with the idea and then asked other people to do the work. Not Bethrah. She immediately found appropriate locations, developed a budget, figured out all of the things that would go into a wonderful camp experience and then made it happen. To say it has been a success is a gross understatement. Camp APP has quickly become a must-attend event, and once again it is due to the vision, leadership, and hard work of Bethrah Szumski.

Along with Bethrah, I’d like to send a special thank you to all of the women who make the piercing community a better place. The APP and the piercing industry as a whole are benefactors of your leadership, intelligence, strength, wit, and talent.

Point 82: Women of our Industry – Editorial by Marina Pecorino

Comments Off on Point 82: Women of our Industry – Editorial by Marina Pecorino read Editorial, From the Editor, Issue 82

Marina Pecorino, Point Editor

There have been a large number of influential and instrumental women in modern body piercing. This issue has been cultivated specifically to highlight some of these figures. As you might expect, it would be impossible to cover all the incredible females of our industry’s history within one issue, but we hope to initiate a dialogue and bring awareness to the often overlooked female pioneers.

From the early years of Gauntlet to current, women have played an integral role in the development and progress of our industry. All too often though, these piercers and body modification practitioners have not been represented in the forefront of the movement.

My personal journey within the body modification world has been greatly influenced by my female clients, coworkers, and predecessors, but probably the biggest impact on my life within the industry has come from Caitlin McDiarmid. Without her, this organization and my own personal journey would be in a very different place.

As you read through these pages, we hope you find knowledge, inspiration, and empowerment.

Point 82: Women of our Industry – Editorial by Kendra Jane B.

Comments Off on Point 82: Women of our Industry – Editorial by Kendra Jane B. read Editorial, From the Editor, Issue 82

Kendra Jane B. , Point Editor

I could not be more proud to showcase a topic so important to me in this pivotal issue. I give you  The Point: Journal of Body Piercing; not only a new name but a new, modern look!!

This issue and the exciting new changes we are bringing you have been in the works for months, as has my “From the Editor”. The women of our industry; an issue dedicated to the women who came before me, who made my role today possible. Wow! What an honor and a privilege for me to be able to highlight some of these groundbreaking powerhouse female figures. It has also been the most daunting task to this point in my career and by far the most difficult. I felt that I needed to provide the 100’s of female (and female identifying) piercers that would read this worldwide with something profound, especially since we just celebrated International Women’s Day. So I have written and erased more times than I would like to admit, and I have decided that instead of attempting to be profound I will be REAL.

Lately everytime I read through my social media, I read account after account of how females in our industry are treated in their shops. They are made to feel unsafe, they are harassed by clients and co-workers, they are made to feel inadequate and sub par. Well I say enough is enough. It is time to stop walking on eggshells because of your employer and this industry. Many of you constantly worry that they will let you go over ridiculous little things. They often treat many of you as disposable and do not respect your boundaries or you as a person. I think it is time we turned the tables.

Instead of going to work everyday worried you may lose your job or be belittled or what have you, turn those tables. Make your bosses fear that everyday you may find something better and leave. Let them feel the stress of “not being good enough”. It is time for us all to know our worth.

I know many of you are terrified of not piercing or not finding a job. But in all reality our industry is greatly lacking in high quality Piercers and there are many great jobs at great studios for those that are willing to work hard. It is time we all saw our value and worth and stopped letting our bosses tell us or use their actions to show us they see no value in us! Instead of telling you all about the accomplishments I have had over the last 8 years of my career, here is my definition of a successful female leader. They are someone who believes in who they are and what they can offer. They are able to fully utilize their skills and talents to capture the imagination and win the hearts and minds of those that choose to follow them. They are a role model. We hope the women leaders we have highlighted in this issue inspire you to start kicking ass and taking names.

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” -—Dolly Parton, singer-songwriter

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles contained in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of The Association of Professional Piercers.

Point 81: The President’s Corner

Comments Off on Point 81: The President’s Corner read Editorial, Industry History, Issue 81, Other Conferences, President's Corner
Jef Saunders
APP President

“The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) is an international health and safety organization. It is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. Governed by a voluntary elected Board of Directors, the APP is a united group of piercing professionals that freely shares information to help fellow members, piercers, health care professionals, legislators, health inspectors, and the general public get the best and most up-to-date information about body piercing.”

You’ve probably seen the preceding text so many times that you may  already  know it verbatim.  As a piercer interested or involved with the APP, you aren’t surprised by what our mission statement is. But have you really considered the importance of that mission? I can tell you, as a Board member, that the Mission Statement is a compass that always points to the kinds  of  decisions we should be making. The Association of Professional Piercers is a health and safety education organization. Our job is to openly share with anyone who might care to learn. This is a powerful mission, and one that touches me deeply.

Fakir Musafar speaks about body art, and body piercing specifically, in a way that few others do. To him, modification of the body isn’t just a fun thing we get to do to ourselves, it is an innate human right. That is something far deeper and far more important that can get lost in the day to day routine of a piercing shop. But I like to think about this art of ours the way Fakir taught me to think of it: a human right.

That puts our mission as an educational organization in a very unique light to me. By providing education in so many forms, we are trying to assist the entire planet to safely express themselves. What a responsibility! Yet, so many from our community rise to the occasion again and again. Some of us provide education at the Association’s annual conference, of course, but there is so much out there for piercers and the public alike. From sister organizations, to independent schools, and even online forums; our community has embraced the mission of the APP and run with it.

Imagine where we might be if the earliest members of the piercing community had attempted to keep  their  techniques  entirely secret? If they had refrained from writing magazines, publishing books, producing tutorial videos, and making piercing schools? The piercing community wouldn’t be anything like what it is today.

In this issue of The Point you will read about body piercing education not only through the APP Conference, but outside of our organization as well. To those who have given so much of their hard work to help improve the art of body piercing, we say thank you.

Post Script: I am writing this just a few days after the passing of a career-long educator, Rick Frueh. Rick was an APP Board Member, an instructor for our conference, an instructor for Health Educators, Inc., an enormous part of the 2013 APP Procedure Manual, creator of the Body Modification Learning Forum, and a friend. He’s left a legacy of body piercing education that we have all benefited from in one way or another. He will be missed.

Point 81: From the Editors: Kendra Jane B.

Comments Off on Point 81: From the Editors: Kendra Jane B. read Editorial, From the Editor, Issue 81, Lifestyle
Kendra Jane B.
The Point Editor

“Let the improvement of yourself keep you so busy that you have no time to criticize others.”

—Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Many piercers will tell you that once you are an apprentice you are always an apprentice; that there is always something to be learned or improved upon. Yet our career choice has an odd dichotomy that sees many of us not only as the student, but as the teacher as well, sometimes in the same day.

From our earliest school days, most of us can recall specific teachers or mentors that had a profound effect on not only our learning, but on what is the core of who we are and what we believe. Some people were simply meant to teach others, to give the knowledge that they have to the masses. The need to share what they know is in the core of who they are and how they go about their day to day business. It is their archetype.

The psychologist, Carl Gustav Jung, used the concept of archetype in his theory of the human psyche. He believed that universal, mythic characters—archetypes—are contained within the collective unconscious. Jung defined twelve primary types that symbolize basic human motivations. Each type has its own set of values, meanings, and personality traits. The ones I am most interested in currently are those that further our learning; The Mentor, The Teacher, and The Student. What I hope is that I can get each of you reading this to find the parts of yourself that identify with each of those three archetypes; embrace them. If you identify the most with the mentor, nurture that – use those traits to enhance your life and career and those around you. If you identify as the student, open your mind to all that is around you and think outside of the box to become the best that you can be.

The Mentor

The mentor archetype not only invests in the student learning certain material, but takes interest in the route the student goes with the knowledge. By definition, the mentor imparts advice.

The mentor is the person you go to for help in making a decision. An empowered mentor artfully guides the student to an authentic resolution without getting in the way. The student not only attains their answer, but understands how to get there on their own the next time.

Intimately tied with wisdom, the mentor archetype uses their experience as a teacher, showing rather than telling. They consistently encourage their mentees to try things for themselves. The enlightened mentor is able to stand aside and watch mistakes happen, because they know that their role is not to control every move made by their student. A mentor feels that their job is to help the mentee learn how to think for themselves.

The relationship between mentor and student is one-on-one. The mentor dedicates a great amount of time to taking one student under their wing, accepting responsibility for them. Thus fostering that student through the entire process of learning a craft or skill. The goal is to see students fully fledged in the world, a master in their own right and no longer in need of advice.

The Teacher

On the other hand, the teacher archetype has to do with a classroom full of students. Thus, the teaching style is more generalized than customized. This is a common point of struggle for the teacher – wanting to reach every student, but not being able to given the constraints of working with so many personalities at once.

Teachers commonly  take  students  through  a specific phase of a learning process (such as a school year), unlike the mentor who covers the beginning, middle, and end of a topic. With the teacher archetype, the focus is shifted from mastery of a subject to measurable progress in ability. Like the mentor, the teacher also prefers to teach through experience, but understands that no two students learn alike. Some students need hands on activities, others need time to read information, and others still need to talk through things.

However it is very important to remember that the teacher is a constant student in their own way. They are always learning how to read their students needs and how to better meet them. For example: learning how to manage the classroom and teach life skills alongside algebra. The balanced teacher understands that lessons of conscience are as important as grammar lectures.

The Student

The student archetype is primarily interested in learning, period. Sure, if someone wants to hear what has been learned, they will be glad to share, but they often lack the patience needed to wait for someone else to get it. The student relishes acquiring new knowledge.

For the student, good grades and being the top of the class can be everything, leaning towards being a perfectionist. The enlightened student accepts oneself as a work in progress and knows when they have enough knowledge to stand on their own two feet. A true student sees everyone as an equal regardless of who may know more or less than them. It is important for the student to understand that there are many kinds of intelligence – including emotional intelligence, common sense, and intuition – and to be open  to learning on all levels. The student must walk in the world with equal doses of confidence and humility, understanding the difference between knowledge and knowing; the difference between wisdom and information.

So whether you identify more with the student, teacher, or mentor, we are positive that this issue will hold something to grab your attention and make you want to learn something new.

Point 81: From the Editors: Marina Pecorino

Comments Off on Point 81: From the Editors: Marina Pecorino read Editorial, From the Editor, Issue 81
Marina Pecorino
The Point Editor

This issue of The Point is primarily focused on extended learning opportunities. Unfortunately, since I spend very little of my  life in the piercing room these days, most of my learning opportunities now present themselves in the form of a computer screen and software tutorials; databases, spreadsheets, mail merges, and the like. Oh, how my career direction has shifted in the last few years!

That being said, I had the amazing opportunity this year to attend Camp APP. Since its inception, I’ve been eager to attend, but the circumstances never quite worked out. This year, it finally happened, and as I expected, it was a revitalizing and perspective-shifting experience. Read on to find out more about my time spent in the Georgia woods.

Over the past several months, our international colleagues have also celebrated extended learning with many other seminars, including annual conferences for the UKAPP, LBP, and the 1st annual GEP Brazil. If cross-country or overseas travel is outside your current budget and schedule, don’t fear; there are still plenty of other learning opportunities, which we talk about later in this issue.

Keep in mind that even within your own studio, surrounded by your regular clients, there are a plethora of opportunities to expand your knowledge. Our industry is ever-evolving and everyone’s individual experience and perspective play an integral role in their understanding. Don’t forget to keep your mind opened and be introspective. Some of the most groundbreaking epiphanies come from within.

Point 80: When I Give the Best of Me

Comments Off on Point 80: When I Give the Best of Me read Conference, Editorial, Events, In the Office, Issue 80
Caitlin McDiarmid
APP Administrator

“When I give the best of me, that becomes my legacy” – Karen Lopez McWilliams

This was the 15th Conference that I have attended and worked at for the APP. The job I do today has changed drastically from the first Conference, and I am certain will continue to change and evolve as the Conference does.

One of my main responsibilities at our Conference is to manage and oversee the training of the volunteer staff members. This started out pretty simply with a handful of volunteers and now we have just over 50 volunteers each year – some of whom have even more experience than I do at Conference.

I started referring to the volunteer group members as ducklings years ago and at some point I became Momma Duck; and in some cases just “Momma” or “Mom.” I suspect it was when I started being a better manager, when I moved from being a hardcore boss lady and started doing more mentoring. I didn’t come by it naturally, and it took a while. I am forever grateful for the volunteers who stuck out those harder years when I was not in control of my emotions, when I was angry most of the time, when I attempted to control everything and everyone and did a poor job of both.

When I started relying on my team, giving them the tools to do the job and then staying out of their way – I became a mentor. When I realized that emotions in the Conference environment were contagious even more than the Las Vegas flu and took steps to work on this flaw in my own life – I became a mentor. When I stopped trying to make everyone do the work the way I would, I stopped having to do everything, and the work got done better – and I became a mentor.

The pride I have when a volunteer becomes an APP Member, applies to a job in a premier shop, joins a committee, becomes a parent, learns to ask for help and support when in trouble, runs for a Board position, or reaches out to assist a fellow volunteer, is never ending. It validates the work I have done with the team.

Let me be clear, I love being a mentor to the volunteer team. To see a group of individuals who dedicate a huge amount of time and effort to a single cause – strangers who come together and through service work become friends and family. The team who goes on each year to celebrate each member’s victories and mourn each member’s losses; to be there for each other in their daily lives for counsel, laughter, instruction, and support.

But I don’t just mentor them – they mentor me. The whole of APP mentors me. I would not  be  the  person,  mentor,  administrator  that I am without this mentoring. Every challenge, every criticism, every little bit of feedback from an attendee, has lead me to work on myself personally, to grow professionally, to search out new technologies and tools to manage our event and attendees. The volunteer team more than most has both supported me in the challenges of running the Conference, and made it clear that I could do better. Do better by relying on them, trusting them, and allowing them to do their jobs. Do better by doing less, stressing less, being happy, and relaxing more. Do better, by doing things differently than my brain says to do them.

At the very basis of Conference is the belief that everyone can improve themselves with more knowledge and everyone has knowledge to share with others. Everyone can Mentor; and everyone still needs mentoring.

I encourage everyone reading this to find ways to mentor another piercer or another person. I encourage everyone to find someone or many someones who can be a mentor for them. Not just in piercing, but in life.

“If you’re not reaching back to help anyone then you’re not building a legacy.”—Germany Kent

Point 80: The President’s Corner

Comments Off on Point 80: The President’s Corner read Conference, Editorial, Issue 80, President's Corner
Jef Saunders
APP President

Again and again I heard the same sentiments echoed throughout this year’s APP Conference. “This year  has  a  great vibe.” “There are so many new people, and they are all about the classes.” “Everyone being so focused is making this my favorite Conference ever.” It really was remarkable.

I have to say, as President of an organization, going into something like our annual Conference comes with no small amount of nervous energy. You want it to be successful, but what I really want is for the attendees heading home to have that infectious energy that makes them want to improve their piercing techniques and health and safety. I want our attendees to be overjoyed about the goodies they are bringing home to their shops from our incredible Expo, and most of all I want them to leave excited to come back again.

In my humble opinion, this year’s APP Conference truly delivered. This was a top to bottom group effort, and really speaks to how well our community works together when focused on a common goal. I was blown away by the size of the Expo and the continued ingenuity of our Vendors. In addition to our vendors’ commitment to improving and innovating their products, the APP receives awe-inspiring support from sponsorships of our Conference activities and our raffle prizes. My deepest thanks goes out to our Vendors for all of their support. The Mentor Program continues to grow and continues to support our new attendees. This year I was able to see Mentors meet their Mentees, and watch how that system works. I was very impressed to see how it was managed, but I was also stunned by the size of the undertaking! It is a genuine pleasure to see so many new faces in classrooms and in the halls. The volunteers, no doubt, have established themselves as the glue that holds Conference together. I tried to say it as much as I could in person, but my gratitude to them for all their hard work knows no bounds.

There were several times that I ran into Caitlin’s office, panicked, asking if something was done. On every single occasion, not  only was everything handled, it was handled months previous and I left her office thinking “how does she do it?” Thank you Caitlin, and thanks for making me look prepared even when I wasn’t!

A lot of this year’s success can also be credited to Kendra Jane, our new Vice President. It is a pleasure to serve with her on the Board, and I’m sure she is as thrilled as anyone at how well this Conference went.

Of course, when we look back at each Conference we also do so with a critical eye, imagining what we can do better. It has been this constructive criticism, from within the organization and from our attendees and vendors, that have made each Conference work a bit better than the one that preceded it. We will continue to develop, innovate, improve, and experiment, and I’m excited for what we have to come.

Which brings me to Camp APP 2017! As a camper in 2016, I can’t heap enough praise upon Bethrah Szumski and the Camp APP volunteers and instructors for the quality of experience they are able to deliver. It is absolutely one of my most treasured moments in my piercing career. I strongly recommend it to all of our Members.

There is a lot of wonderful activity happening within the organization, and I am very much looking forward to discussing it in the next President’s Corner. Enjoy Issue 80 and thank you for supporting safe piercing!