Category Conference

Point #64: Al D. Scholar – Dianna Brown

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Dianna BrownBy Dianna Brown

As usual, I’m waiting until the last minute to turn in the writing assignment asked of me by the APP. This is not because I’m lazy; it’s because I’ve been trying for over a month to put my Conference experience into words. I’m still not sure if I can.

I went to Conference not knowing a single soul outside the realm of the internet, and feeling much like I did when I was 15 and starting a brand-new high school. (I didn’t know what the other kids were wearing, what they had already studied, or if they’d like me.) Upon my arrival in Las Vegas, I was greeted as if I had known everyone for years; it was like starting a conversation with an old friend. In fact, I feel like I didn’t meet a single stranger, and I learned just as much from these “friends” and our late night talks at the bar as I did in the classes I attended.

As a volunteer, I spent the majority of my week surviving on coffee, snacks, and a purely stubborn will to 2013 APP Event (3)make it through the week without suffering the “midweek meltdown” I had heard so much about.  Don’t let anyone tell you differently: Conference is a long, stressful,and expensive week, but it is worth every single bit of time and effort. Not only do you leave Conference with a plethora of new information and new friendships, but you will leave with an overall new outlook on everything you thought you knew, and to be surrounded by so much talent, knowledge, and information is overwhelming, intimidating, and humbling.

As a recipient of the Al D. Scholarship, my experience was mainly financed by the kindness of others. I don’t think it would have been possible to attend without this opportunity, and I am grateful beyond words for it. It has been a goal of mine to attend Conference since I entered this industry six years ago, and it was the generosity of strangers that made it possible for this dream to come true.

  • To those that conducted the interview process and made the decision to give me this amazing opportunity: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My life and career are changed for the better.
  • To everyone at home that gave me the support, awesome references, and constant love before, during, and after Conference, thank you.
  • And to my fellow volunteers: Thank you for being my family. I can’t wait to continue on the tradition of working with you all. I wish you all the best this year. May you all be happy, healthy, and may your crystals always shine bright.

 

Point #64: Confessions from a Conference First-Timer

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badger4By Amanda Badger

Las Vegas is not for everyone. It’s bright lights, crowded streets, casinos, and bars are meant for folks who enjoy the “nightlife.” (For me, the “nightlife” usually consists of seeing how far I can get into the Lord of the Rings movie series before falling asleep—i.e., I’m not exactly a party person.) Vegas is also well known for its fabulous shows. I know that many people also go to Vegas for the shows, however, I plan on returning every year for something I find truly special. Once a year, for one week, Las Vegas plays host to a ragtag crew of shiny, sparkling weirdos with a bad case of collective insomnia. A group of people who dedicate their lives to the happiness and empowerment of their clients, who spend large chunks of their hard-earned money learning how to provide the safest, cleanest studios (which require even larger chunks of hard-earned money), and who do their best to accept others for exactly who they are; this is the group of people that attend the annual Association of Professional Piercers Conference.

I had known about the annual APP Conference for several years before I actually made the decision to go. When I realized that anyone in the industry was eligible to attend, I ended up working between sixty and eighty hours a week for more Point64-Conference 2013 2than three months just to save the money. Some days I was working from 5:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. As difficult as that seemed, I know now that it was absolutely worth every single minute.

Waiting to board the plane to Las Vegas was the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve hung from hooks and, scarier than that, I’ve thrown hooks in backs, arms, and abdomens, but sitting in the airport waiting for my plane to board, I was more terrified than I’ve ever been before. There I was, going to a Conference where I knew fewer than ten people, having landed an internship at a shop a month and a half earlier…I didn’t feel like I deserved to attend.

On Monday I was very nervous, and quite sick—too sick to care about my nerves actually, which worked out nicely. On the way to my very first class I spotted someone with blue hair, a matching shirt, and a nervous excitement that matched my own. We got to talking and pretty much latched onto each other. While sitting in class, we were joined by a third first-timer from Slovenia, which I’d never even heard of. These were my Conference buddies. If it weren’t for these two I would have had a pretty lonely week. I’m so thankful that we were all bold enough to reach out to each other and so amazed that we were all outgoing enough to respond positively. I can be kind of a loner in large groups, but the fact that I was doing almost the opposite in this situation adds to the pile of proof I’m collecting for myself that this is, in fact, my passion.

Once I had joined that small group of awkward Conference virgins, everything seemed a lot less scary. The2013 APP Classroom Exposition (1) classes were amazing. People warned that some of the basic or introductory courses might put me to sleep, but I found them extremely informative and helpful. The “Preventing Cross-Contamination” workshop was phenomenal—with four instructors, all from different areas—I knew this was not something I could learn as in-depth anywhere else, and the minute I stepped into Fakir’s “Making Effective Piercing Rituals” presentation, I started to cry. (The room had been smudged with white sage, and Fakir’s partner Cleo was cleansing each person as they walked in. This is something we used to do before our suspension meets, and the smell of the sage brought so many beautiful memories to mind.)

I took two anatomy courses taught by Elayne Angel, one co-taught by Dr. Jack Ward and the other by Betsy Reynolds. I really enjoyed the perspective of these medical professionals and was admittedly surprised to learn how long they’d been supporters of our community. It’s always seemed to me that the body modification world is on its own, so it was very illuminating to see people with little-to-no modifications at our Conference helping us to better our industry and further our knowledge.

2013 Portraits (4)Honestly, the only thing I was left wanting was more (and longer) classes. Despite my feelings about Las Vegas, I would have stayed there indefinitely if there were more classes to be taken. I also would have sacrificed a weeks worth of sleep for the chance to learn more. However, instead of night classes I got the opportunity to meet tons of people: people I’ve Facebook-stalked, people I’ve never seen before, people from all over the world! I couldn’t believe how welcoming everyone was, and from apprentices to piercing icons, every single person I spoke with was kind and happy to be there.

I have to admit, I was a bit uncomfortable when people asked the “How long have you been piercing” question—to which I would reply “Oh, I’m not a piercer, I’m an intern.” The majority of reactions went something like this: blank stare, “What’s an intern?” I was left feeling a bit like I was at the bottom of the food chain, but it’s a food chain I definitely feel lucky to be part of.

I also came to find that many current piercers did not have a formal apprenticeship, much less an enjoyable one. The more I heard stories about the start of people’s careers, the more I realized how lucky I am for the chance to go about this the way I’d like. I’m working in a studio that meets the environmental 2013 APP Event (9)criteria set forth by the APP, and I was able to attend an APP Conference before even beginning an apprenticeship. I feel so unbelievably thankful to have all of these pieces fitting together so nicely. I don’t believe the journey to a successful piercing career is easy, nor should it be. That being said, due to this experience I now realize that I, unlike so many others, have the resources to create the career I want for myself with relatively little strife, which is priceless. I plan to be a volunteer at next year’s Conference and to become a member of the organization as soon as possible so I can do more to support it and—hopefully—help it to grow and thrive.

My first and lasting impression of this event is that it is something entirely unique. As far as I know, no other industry has professionals who are so willing to share their knowledge with one another for the betterment of the community as a whole. The APP and the various instructors don’t participate in this Conference for fame or notoriety, they do it for the safety and security of clients everywhere. These piercers truly cherish their clientele, and they prove that every year through their attendance to and participation in the APP Conference, among other things. Not many people understand what it takes to be a professional piercer; it takes hard work, dedication and, oftentimes, sacrifice. I’m slowly learning the specifics of that dedication, and I hope someday I will be able to prove myself worthy of the title of “piercer.”

Point #64: The 18th Annual APP Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada — June 9-14, 2013

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CourtneyJaneMaxwellBy Courtney Jane Maxwell

This year, the Association of Professional Piercers returned to Bally’s for their 18th Annual Conference and Exposition. For me, Conference has always been an interesting way to observe growth and change in our industry, so very much can happen in just one year. The past few have been pretty amazing thanks to rapidly expanding technology—mainly social media—which seemingly overflows into every aspect of the piercing community.

Point64-Conference 2013 6Social media is bringing us together now more than ever, and is helping to inspire a surge of new attendees. Our ability to promote safe piercing and the benefits of attending Conference, both individually and as an organization, has been directly impacted by the increasingly broad reach of online networking. As a result, we welcomed an impressive 285 first timers this year, bringing the grand total of registrants to 950. On top of that, the increased online discussion about the importance of booking in the APP room block enabled us to oversell our room block by an unprecedented fifty percent!

One look at this year’s curriculum, and you can see that studios have been experiencing growth as well.  The demand for business-oriented classes was high, and offerings such as “Corporate Branding,” “Photography Tips for Industry Pros,” “Going Paperless,” “Marketing and Social Media,” “Studio Aesthetics,” and “Gold & Diamonds: Knowledge, Sales, and Custom Design,” had attendees inspired and buzzing with new ideas.

The ever-popular workshops have had continued success as well, with four distinct classes (“Preventing Cross Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Room,” “Surface Piercing,” “Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Toolless Piercing,” and “Tools Are Not the Devil”) filling twenty-one time slots throughout the 2013 APP Event (10)week.

The wide variety of core classes, such as “Steel and Titanium” and “Aftercare,” continued in the circulation as well. Added that together with the roundtable discussions (not including “First Aid and CPR”) that brought us up to 110.5 hours of class time this year, presented to us by 52 instructors and facilitators.

This year, fifty fantastic volunteers teamed up with Caitlin and the Conference Committee to bring all of these classes and instructors together and make the magic happen. Return attendees likely noticed that the Sunday evening registration process was easier than ever, thanks to the hard work and fine tuning on the part of these folks. They also brought us a more efficient way of checking into classes: Paper tickets have been replaced with a barcode that a Point64-Conference 2013volunteer scans upon each student’s to the classrooms. As our attendance numbers continue to rise, the ability of the Conference staff and volunteers to grow and change to accommodate us has been appreciated greatly.

This year’s banquet was yet another sign of our industry’s growth. A fashion show, featuring cutting-edge body jewelry design, was a reflection of an industry rushing to keep up with our fashion-forward clientele. (You may have seen photos: if not, check out social media sites using the hashtag #app2013.)

When talking to Conference veterans and newcomers alike, I got the distinct impression that people were extremely happy with their experiences this year. The ability to welcome and accommodate so many new faces while still keeping “repeat offenders” on their toes with new ideas is something that, in my opinion, the APP has had great success with in 2013. It seems that things are looking pretty bright for the piercing industry, and I for one can’t wait to return to Bally’s next June 8 – 14 (2014) to see how much more we’ve all accomplished in just twelve months time.

Point #64: Al D. Scholar – Parker Webb

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parker webb headshotBy Parker Webb

I must admit that I’m not one for expressing myself through written words. My dedication to the industry is conveyed through my lifestyle, so these words may be all over the place, but I hope they convey my love for the work I did at the 18th Annual Conference and Exposition as much as the actions of my work did.

After a two month process of applying for this scholarship, collecting references,and going through the phone interviews, I really couldn’t have had a better learning venture. For the past eight years I have worked in the piercing/tattoo industry, but this experience—by far—reassured the fact that I am in fact in the right field.  All the knowledge I’ve collected has given me more confidence and made me more aware of my trade, and being in a place surrounded by like-minded people in such mass was pretty amazing.

Being that I am not a piercer there has always been a lot of uncertainty about where my place was in the body modification world, not necessarily by others but by myself. However, as soon as I became an Al D recipient my role became clearer; I am very passionate about body modification, and I don’t necessarily need to be piercing to find happiness in this community. The kind of love and welcome I felt at APP is something rare, and something I will always cherish.

The moments, the memories, those few seconds at the dinner when there was a roar of cheer at the announcement of my name, they are all thanks to the Al D scholarship, and for that I am forever grateful.

Point #64: President’s Award – Sarah Wooten

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Elayne Angel_high resBy Elayne Angel

One of my favorite things about serving as APP President is that I have the “job” of bestowing an annual award. There aren’t any formal or established criteria for me to follow, and in some ways that makes it even harder to reach a decision on the winner. That said, when I came up with the idea of naming this individual, I knew it was absolutely the right choice.

I wanted to make it clear during my brief speech at the banquet that it shouldn’t only be the super-sparkly, outgoing, attention-getting folks (such as myself) who are noticed. I wanted to recognize someone who is hardworking and highly participatory, but in a quieter, more behind-the-scenes way than some of us.

This person studied photography at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1992-93. They have been a professional piercer since 1998 and an APP member since 1999. This piercer worked in a studio as an employee for eight years, until 2006 when that business closed. They opened their own studio in 2007. This person is incredibly devoted, dedicated, consistent, and cares deeply about doing quality work.

This recipient has served admirably on the Conference Committee since it formed in 2008; she also volunteered at our annual events before that. She handles a task that is surely one of the most daunting and difficult with grace and compassion: She wrangles all of us speakers and our handouts and PowerPoint presentations so they are ready for Conference. Her patience and diligence are beyond measure. I’m a little embarrassed to admit she’s even had to goad me at times to extract my presentation materials.

Not only is this woman a wonderful piercer, a respected colleague, and a fantastic employer, she is also an amazing mother. She has aptly been described as “The APP’s best kept secret.” This woman has earned my deepest respect and is so deserving of recognition for her efforts on behalf of the industry and this organization.

Sarah WootenMy selection for the 2013 recipient of the President’s Award is Sarah Wooten.

Thank you so much Sarah for all that you do. You earned this award so quietly and gently, yet thoroughly. Congratulations!

Preferring to make receiving the award a positive and pleasant experience, I did not require her to address the audience at the banquet. I am aware that this woman of many talents does not have public speaking high on her list of favorite things to do. So instead I suggested that she write something for The Point and here it is:

“I am feeling honored, humbled, and a little overwhelmed with having been chosen to receive the 2013 APP President’s Award. I like to joke around that I have some sort of obsession with volunteering, but the truth of the matter is that it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of having a career in this industry. I strongly believe that the APP has done an immeasurable amount of good for piercers, both for our industry and for our community. To me, the ability to give back by donating my time and energy in such a direct way is really gratifying. Being a part of the Conference Committee allows me to work closely with people I respect and admire, and to help create this wonderful educational event that benefits fellow piercers. I had no idea in advance just how much hard work goes into each year’s Conference, but the result makes the effort more than worth it.

I’m incredibly thankful for the recognition. It makes me want to work harder and to do more. I’d also like to take this opportunity to encourage others to consider volunteering in some capacity. There are so many different ways to reach out and give something back, and I promise you’ll be glad that you did.”

Well said, Sarah!

Point #64: Josh A. Prentice Volunteer Award

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Caitlin McDiarmid headshotBy Caitlin McDiarmid

I love that I get to give out the Josh A. Prentice Volunteer Appreciation Award each and every year. Unfortunately, as the years go by, there are fewer and fewer people who knew Josh and worked with him at Conference. Josh (then and now) reminds me to reach out and really find out how people are doing in their lives: to be genuine, give with the whole of your heart, smile more, and say you’re sorry when you make a mistake—and move on. He was just one person, but he still made a difference.

This year’s Josh A. Prentice Volunteer Award recipient is Luis Garcia.

Last year, as I was walking through the banquet hall getting ready to give Gus Diamond his award, I wondered to myself who would be the next recipient. At that very moment Luis walked by me, and I immediately thought, “Jesus, why did you not think of this before?”

This is what I know about Luis Garcia:Point64-Volunteer Award

  • He’s always been super friendly toward me.

  • He has an infectious smile.

  • He’s an amazing instructor at Conference.

  • He served as a board member, and he served honestly—with no bullshit, during a difficult time.

  • He can be brutally blunt, but always gets the job done.

  • He’s got pretty jewelry.

  • As a volunteer, he’s stood close to me many, many, many times while we figured out how best to solve complex problems that arose at Conference.  He understands the reason why we are here—and how best to serve the industry, the APP, the Conference, it’s attendees and vendors.

  • He’s got the respect of most—if not everyone—in our community.

  • He’s been an APP member since 1999.

  • He’s able to teach pretty much anything, and has done so at the drop of a hat.

  • He has a very big voice, gives big hugs, and has a big personality.

  • He is blessed with an abundance of passion.

Recently he talked (on Facebook) about his favorite flower being the passion flower. He called them Maypops, which I had never heard of, but somehow made sense coming from him. I don’t take his classes, but he’s taught me just the same—about being a good manager, about facing difficult problems head on, about being direct when you speak, and showed me how passion gives you strength in all things.

I think everyone in the banquet hall felt that I made a good decision in honoring Luis Garcia with the Josh A. Prentice Volunteer Appreciation Award. He is just one person, but he continuously makes a difference in his studio, at Conference, and in his life.

Congratulations Luis.

Point #64: Volunteer Thank You

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Caitlin McDiarmid headshotBy Caitlin McDiarmid

Our 18th Annual Conference and Exposition has come and gone, and I am proud to say it was our biggest success, personally and professionally. It’s been a tough year, and I have to toot my own horn, I f***ing kicked its ass! But I also didn’t do it alone, and a lot of the people who take care of things at Conference took care of me this entire year.

Throughout the year, I felt their love and their support. I got their cards and their presents during a tough time. They were strong, positive, and present. They shaved their heads, they got tattoos, they visited. This year—more than ever—I needed them and Conference. I needed all of the hugs, all of the laughs, all of the quiet talks in the wee hours, and all of the frantic moments solving problems as a team. I needed to know I mattered, that my work mattered, and I needed to know my team could step up and take on just a bit more and still shine, still produce a brilliant event. They could and they did.

I was so happy that I made it this year: happy and grateful.

Moreso than in years past, I need to thank the Board of Directors and the Officers of the APP for their support of me and my family. There really is no way for me to express how much having an employer with a heart can mean in times of need, and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

I also need to thank all the attendees for their warmth and recognition. So many strangers come up to me these days at Conference and thank me, and it makes all the work worth it.  (I’ve received thanks at the Banquet Dinner before, but this year it really was something special.)

This year all the “Super” volunteers went through advanced online training—some more than one session—and many of whom pitched in to help with review of schedules, organization, and training. This year, we added four “Super” volunteers and three “Supers in training” (Al D.’s that we felt were exceptional last year). The Supers really are the backbone of the team; they do all the heavy lifting (so-to-speak) at Conference, and I have learned the more I stand back and let them do their work, the more successful they become—and the better the Conference is.

Registration Supers:

  • Alexander Kumaritakis

  • Anna York

  • David Kelso

  • Kendra Berndt

  • Theo Sheffler

  • Marah Kelso

Booth and Classroom Supers

  • Aaron Foster

  • Casey Hosch

  • Zane Nichols

  • Tiana McGuire

  • Kenny Hughes

  • Chadwick Jackson

  • Luna Duran

  • Autumn Spinks

  • Danielle Greenwood

  • Jezebel Voulé

  • Kristin Young

Our AV Supers

  • Gus Diamond

  • Allen Falkner

  • Brian Moeller

  • Badur Ramji

Supers-in-training:

  • Ken Seyler

  • Andrew Rogge

  • Monica Sabin

Special thanks to Will Spencer and Sarah Wooten; they are both “Super” volunteers and serve on the Conference Committee. They are my friends and work extremely hard in their respective areas of Speaker Wrangling/Registration and Raffle; they have my back all the time, and I could not do this job without them.

We were graced this year with another outstanding group of Al. D. Scholars—they rivaled the “dream team” of 2011! They were extremely excited, incredibly humble, warm, and hardworking. Many of them gave impromptu thank-you speeches at the shuttle stop, and all of them grabbed the Conference experience with both hands and dove in.

  • Mike McInnes

  • Shorty Calma

  • Frankie Pistone

  • Nathan Grosvenor

  • Apple Murray

  • Dianna Brown

  • Jacob Spjut

  • Jane Marie Ravelo

  • Parker Webb

  • Ryan Feagin

If that list seemed longer than usual, it’s because it was. Thanks to JD Lorenz and Industrial Strength Body Jewelry, the funds for two additional full scholarships were made available—in Shannon Larratt’s name.

Believe it or not, I have a few more people to thank. In fact, I have more people each year approaching me to volunteer, and I hope that means that we are doing things right—that volunteering isn’t seen as a burden, and that people are beginning to understand that acting in service to the organization at Conference brings about a different level of joy.

This year’s love volunteers were:

  • Shannon Dey

  • Madicken  Engström

  • Brianna Belladonna

  • Kelly Zeien

  • Megan Naito

  • Chris Smith

  • Eric Grippe

  • Jared Silverman

  • Mark Montgomery

  • Marley Cote

  • Mike Araya Baker

  • Seven Wolfe

  • Justin Naffziger

  • Shea Derifield

I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank Courtney Maxwell and all of the mentors who—hopefully—made Conference a bit easier and more welcoming for our first-time attendees.

A special thanks to:

  • Gus Diamond – for giving “T” the tour, and for being you.

  • Sarah Wooten – for never ending hard work, showing that you’re human, and for introducing me (and others) to Bouchon.

  • Jezebel Voulé – for saving my ass before Conference and for making it sweat after (paddleboats).

  • Theo & Kristin – for schlepping me around Vegas.

  • Jacob Spjut – who got it, truly got it, this year—and shared it with me, so I knew I was doing things right.

  • Will Spencer – for stepping in and up on a moment’s notice when needed.

  • Courtney Maxwell – for showing grace and strength; for showing me how to fall down, get up, make the most of it, and turn it around so fast and beautiful it made my head spin. Now that’s a teacher!

And finally, every year I thank the two men in my life—Paul King and Thaddeous (“T”) Love—and this year is no different. Without these two guys I would not be the person I am, or be able to do the things I do. I was lucky enough to share part of my Conference experience with “T” this year, and I thank all of you for welcoming him, razzing him, hugging him, and making him see how wonderful it all is. (Thanks babe, for being there through all of it.)  And Paul, we’ll always have Paris.

Point64-Volunteers

Point #62: 18th Annual Conference And Exposition — Class and Conference Schedule

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a basic timetable of what courses are being offered, and when. For full class descriptions and registration information, click here. 

Monday, June 10, 2013

9:00 AM  –  10:30 AM
Orientation / Mentor Program
11:00 AM  –  1:00 PM
Basic Steel & Titanium
11:00 AM  –  1:30 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (A)
11:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
ROUNDTABLE: Becoming an APP Member
11:00 AM  –  1:30 PM
Studio Documentation
12:30 PM  –  1:30 PM
ROUNDTABLE: Outreach: Sharing the Safe Piercing Message
2:00 PM  –  6:00 PM
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)
2:00 PM  –  3:30 PM
Customer Service Philosophy
2:00 PM  –  3:30 PM
Stretching: Everything More than Lobes
4:00 PM  –  6:30 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (B)
5:00 PM  –  6:00 PM
Bedside Manner and Grounding: Connecting with Your Client
5:00 PM  –  6:30 PM
Studio Aesthetics

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Aftercare Series: Wound Healing Dynamics
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Marketing & Social Media
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (A)
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (C)
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
The Ins and Outs of Female Genital Piercing
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (A)
1:30 PM  –  3:00 PM
Aftercare Series: Client Home Care
1:30 PM  –  2:30 PM
Roundtable: Interpersonal Studio Dynamics
2:00 PM  –  4:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (A)
3:30 PM  –  4:30 PM
Meeting: Health Inspectors
3:30 PM  –  4:30 PM
Meeting: International
3:30 PM  –  4:30 PM
Roundtable: Aftercare From the Masses
4:45 PM  –  6:15 PM
Aftercare Series: Troubleshooting
4:45 PM  –  6:15 PM
Basic Statim Usage
4:45 PM  –  5:45 PM
Roundtable: Shop Owners
4:45 PM  –  6:45 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (B)
6:15 PM  –  7:15 PM
Roundtable: Legislation
7:00 PM  –  9:30 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (D)
7:30 PM  –  9:00 PM
Anodizing is Awesome!
7:30 PM  –  9:30 PM
Aseptic Technique & Suspension
7:30 PM  –  9:30 PM
Corporate Branding: Delivering on Your Promise
8:00 PM  –  9:30 PM
Initial Jewelry: The “Rules” (and when to break them)

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Ear Projects: The Ear as Art
10:00 AM  –  11:30 AM
Managing Difficult Clients
10:00 AM  –  11:30 AM
Photography Tips for Industry Professionals
10:00 AM  –  12:30 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (E)
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (C)
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Anatomy of the Body for Piercers
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (B)
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (B)
1:30 PM  –  2:30 PM
Roundtable: Statim Maintenance and Troubleshooting
3:15 PM  –  4:15 PM
Meeting: New Attendees & Mentors
3:15 PM  –  4:15 PM
Roundtable: Finding Balance Between Work and Life Outside the Studio
3:30 PM  –  6:30 PM
CPR
4:30 PM  –  6:30 PM
MEMBERS ONLY: Exploring Sexually Functional Piercings
4:30 PM  –  7:00 PM
Preventing Cross-Contamination in the Sterilization and Piercing Rooms (F)
4:45 PM  –  6:45 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (D)
7:00 PM  –  9:00 PM
Making Effective Piercing Rituals
7:30 PM  –  8:00 PM
Social: Members Mingle
8:00 PM  –  9:00 PM
Meeting: Members (APP members only)

Thursday, June 13, 2013

10:00 AM  –  11:30 AM
Gold and Diamonds! Knowledge, Sales and Custom Design
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
The Grieving Body: Does Body Modification Injure or Heal the Psyche?
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (C)
10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (C)
10:45 AM  –  11:45 AM
Roundtable: Breaking Barriers: Building a Local Piercer Group
12:15 PM  –  1:15 PM
Roundtable: Transitioning to and Selling Higher End Jewelry
12:30 PM  –  3:00 PM
Oro-Facial Anatomy for Safe & Successful Piercings
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Minimizing Tools: An Intro to Tool-Less Piercing (E)
1:00 PM  –  3:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (D)
1:45 PM  –  2:45 PM
Roundtable: Working with Vegetarian/Vegan Clients
3:15 PM  –  4:45 PM
Going Paperless
3:15 PM  –  4:45 PM
Medical Risk Assessment
3:15 PM  –  4:15 PM
Roundtable: The Transgendered Effect
5:00 PM  –  6:30 PM
Beyond Ramps: Disabilities 101 for Piercing Professionals
5:00 PM  –  7:00 PM
MEMBERS ONLY: Technique Workshop
5:00 PM  –  7:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (D)

Friday, June 14, 2013

10:00 AM  –  1:00 PM
First Aid
11:00 AM  –  1:00 PM
Tools are Not the Devil (E)
11:00 AM  –  1:00 PM
Surface Piercing: Going Deeper than the Surface (E)

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

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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: Award Winner for Technical Innovation – Jason Pfohl – Gorilla Glass

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By Jimmy Buddha

JIMMY: How did you ever come up with an original idea like o-ring grooves on the back of a single flare plug?
JASON: Most of my best ideas come from my customers. Piercers have been asking for this particular design for quite some time; I just had to get off my ass and start making them!

JIMMY: When you change designs from a functional or technical standpoint, is this usually based on feedback you get from piercers and customers?
JASON: Dude, I already answered that question. Pay attention.

JIMMY: How does your personal experience in body modification influence your work?
JASON: I had my flats punched by Zak Zito at 10mm and healed them with glass in under a month. That helped me to better understand the healing process and also in designing jewelry for conches, flats, and septums. Lobes are so much more flexible than cartilage, and the flares and wearing lengths are completely different.

JIMMY: Do you think there is much more room for “technical innovation” when it comes to jewelry, or are things tapped out? Where do we go from here?
JASON: I think there will always be room for technical innovation. Major breakthroughs such as internally threaded jewelry and surface anchors are landmark events in the modern piercing industry, but there are more subtle technical innovations in jewelry design happening all the time. Check out Morton Manley’s hoop variations, or Quetzalli’s soulful experiments. The jewelry companies and designers are more sophisticated now than at any time in our history.

JIMMY: Now that you are over 40, really old in other words, maybe you could take a minute to reflect…do you feel you have gained some wisdom and insight into why we are all in this industry?
JASON: I can’t speak for you, but I love making jewelry and working with glass…plus there are some great perks like getting to travel all over the world and hang out with my awesome friends.

JIMMY: Since you are in Oaxaca, Mexico full time, do you find it difficult to stay up to date and in touch with how the piercing scene changes and progresses? What do you do to stay current and relevant?
JASON: Luckily for the rest of the planet, Texas has never been the center of the universe. Plus the Internet has really transformed the piercing scene and created an amazing international on-line community that continues to grow. You should check it out! When I design jewelry I don’t follow existing trends, but make technical experiments with glass production techniques.

JIMMY: What other challenges do being set up in Mexico pose for you when it comes to manufacturing your jewelry?
JASON: My main challenges are importing raw materials and exporting finished goods.

JIMMY: I was lucky enough to have visited your new glass facility in Oaxaca recently and was very impressed. Will this allow Gorilla Glass to expand?
JASON: Gorilla Glass has been growing steadily every year since we started in 2002. We won’t slow down as long as there is more and more demand for our jewelry. Owning my own land and production studio is incredible. Thanks to all my customers for helping make that dream real! My newest project is a downtown art gallery to promote glass art in Mexico.

JIMMY: Should we expect to see a lot of new and exciting things from you?
JASON: Stop asking dumb questions.

JIMMY: You have put together an amazing team of workers in Mexico in your office and manufacturing. What are some of the challenges you face managing such a diverse group of individuals?
JASON: The diversity of people working with me has never presented a problem. Generally I try to find what an individual is good at and enjoys doing, and then give them responsibilities that match their strengths and background.

JIMMY: How did you get into glass?
JASON: In 1992 I was living in my van in California and made friends with a group of stoner surfer kids who introduced me to my first glass bong. That inspired me to enroll in a glass-blowing class at Santa Barbara City College. I was attracted to the heat and physicality of working with the material. Later on I met Dale Chihuly and he invited me to study at his famous glass school, Pilchuck. I ended up getting a job there and that’s when things got interesting.

JIMMY: Did you ever imagine that you would be making body jewelry in Mexico?
JASON: Gorilla Glass was born in Mexico City. I don’t think I imagined it. I focus on doing things.

JIMMY: As Gorilla Glass faces more competition from “cheap foreign-made glass,” specifically Indian and Chinese, what is your game plan to stay competitive?
JASON: There has been “cheap foreign-made glass” on the market for at least five years and I have never seen them as competition. My customer base is the best-of-the-best piercing shops that are proud to carry brand name jewelry. Plus we are constantly innovating with new designs and custom work, so we always have something fresh and different for our customers.

JIMMY: How does your company and its products differ from the “cheap foreign made” glass?
JASON: We are a quality company that has been around for ten years; we are passionate about what we do and we take care of our customers.

JIMMY: Knowing that I blazed the glass body jewelry trail in the mid 90s for you with Jimmy Buddha’s Glassware, do you think you would have been as successful as you have been with your jewelry had I not been there to open the door up for you, so to speak?
JASON: I never heard of Jimmy Buddha’s Glassware before…it must not have been very successful. That’s understandable; glass is a difficult material to work with and takes a lot of patience and skill. I’m glad you had better luck with organics, Jimmy!