Category Events

Point 80: The President’s Corner

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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!

Point 80: From the Editor: Marina Pecorino

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Marina Pecorino
Point Editor

As with any APP Conference I’ve attended, this year was a rollercoaster of a week. There were times where I was busy beyond words and others where I felt relaxed and totally at peace. There were moments when I was surrounded by people, activity, flashing lights, and a cacophony of sound. And then there were those solitary moments in my hotel room or the volunteer office, where I enjoyed total silence and introspection.

This year also had its fair share of firsts, including the first annual Alternatives To The Bar activities. Most of my work responsibilities occur late into the evening, which usually brings me great joy; I revel in the contrary nature of the Conference space during the quiet times. Unfortunately, it means that I missed out on ATTB: BYOF on Tuesday night. This Bring Your Own Fun evening drew a sizable group to the Grand Salon with board, tabletop, and card games galore. I stopped by several times and everyone seemed to be having a blast. This activity is definitely in my wheelhouse, so I’m planning to bring along a few games of my own and definitely make the time to attend next year. Thankfully, on Wednesday night, I finished up with my work a bit early and had a chance to watch some historic piercing films presented by Paul King during the ATTB: Movie Night. It was incredibly moving to sit in the Silver Room filled with piercing industry colleagues watching videos from the Gauntlet era. The Members Meeting on Wednesday brought a personal first. As part of my administrative duties to the APP, I had the opportunity to stand in front of my peers, assisting during several presentations from the Officers and Board of Directors. We announced the new and upcoming features of our MemberLeap software, which was (and continues to be) a very fulfilling project for me. One of my primary responsibilities for the APP is the maintenance of Member records, and this software makes it easier than ever before. It’s a work in progress; there’s always room for improvement, especially in the world of technology. Watch for future updates and system additions, and if you have questions about how the system works, don’t hesitate to let me know: mpecorino@safepiercing.org / 785.856.4540.

Thursday brings the Banquet Dinner, a time for all of us that work to relax just a bit. The grand prize raffle awards were drawn and marked yet another first. For possibly the first time in APP history, the same person won three of the top prizes, and it was an astonishing event to behold. Paul Rainer’s personal account of the events leading up to his improbable win, as well as video of the drawing and Paul’s reactions, are available later in this issue. It just goes to show that sometimes taking a gamble can be life changing, especially when you have the best odds in Vegas.

Now that the dust has settled from Conference, I am looking toward the future and the changes to come. As my responsibilities with the APP continue to broaden and change, so do the dynamics of my family. A few months before the 2018 APP Conference, I will become a first time parent. The thought is incredibly exciting, but also frightening. It may mean that I miss our last year at Bally’s, but I am still desperately hopeful to attend. Despite all the hard work, that week in Vegas serves to revitalize me. Being surrounded by my industry family has a way of recharging my batteries and refocusing my energy; it truly is remarkable.

Point 80: From the Editor: Kendra Jane B.

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Kendra Jane B.
Point Editor

It’s no secret how much I love donuts (or doughnuts), but to me these tasty little morsels have become so much more than some- thing delicious to stuff down my gullet. They have become a tradition, an expression of devotion and love, and a symbol of family.

Our volunteer team shares a special bond, one that is often hard to describe in words. We have held each other’s hands, each other’s babies, been there for each other through wed- dings and funerals, and of course at Conference. Conference is sometimes the only time we get to see each other, people that come from all around the world to sacrifice their time in order to help put on the best event they possibly can, for all our attendees and industry as a whole. They are the only people I don’t mind sharing my donuts with, and I tend to guard my sugary treats with vigor. So from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to each and every person that gives part of themselves to Conference. I raise a donut in your honour and salute you.

Donuts are (usually) a circle, no beginning and no end, at least until I take the first bite. Our week in the desert is fleeting and before we know it, it’s over for another year. I hope you are ready to dive into this issue, re-living the ah-ha moments, the times filled with heartwarming laughter, the late nights, the smiles, and the hugs. I get to harness all that goodness year round now, so I feel like there really is no end to Conference for me anymore. I have already begun work for next year and the year after that. No beginning, no end; just goodness all around like my donut.

Point 79: 12th Italian SusCon, 2016

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Bruno Valsecchi

English Version

The twelfth edition of the SusCon took place this year September from the 18 to the 20 in Tirrenia, Pisa, a convenient location we have used for a long time. The Conference was good, with 45 suspensions facilitated as well as pulling between six people. On a highly positive note, 30% of our suspendees were newbies, a sign that the cultural practice of corporal suspension is expanding.

Besides Italians, we had participants from Germany, Spain, Norway and New Zealand. The suspension groups that made the whole event possible were APTPI-ST and Wings of Desire (from Norway), whose leader Havve Fjell will officially be presenting the 3rd Symposium on corporal suspension, which will be held in Berlin this May.

As usual, during the three days of the Conference, theoretical lessons were offered. This year we had the honor to host Paul King; professional body piercer since 1991 and one of the few to hold the title of Master Piercer, given by Jim Ward in 1996. He is an active member of the APP and an avid student of ethno-anthropology, as well as the anthropology of the body modification community, having lectured on these topics at various universities.

Paul presented the “Traditions of Hook Swinging in South Asia,” “Suspension of Belief and Piercing Rituals of Plains,” and “Sundance.” The subjects were very interesting and much appreciated. They highlighted other points of view on the practice of suspension, especially with regard to the ritual purpose. Another novelty for this year saw some of the attendees participate in a social and anthropological study, led by the anthropologist Federica Manfredi. She is researching the reasons and feelings involved for those who suspend. From this research they will produce 12 individual projects, all different and all unique and personal.

A special “thank you” to all of the participants in our SusCon, speakers, sponsors, and especially all the volunteers that make this a reality each year. At every event, we see a lot of passion and dedication, rewarding us all with an emotionally engaging gathering.

We can’t wait for next year, with even more surprises planned!

Italian Version

La dodicesima edizione dell’Italian SusCon si è svolta quest’anno dal 18 al 20 settembre a Tirrenia, Pisa, comoda location ormai da molto tempo.

Ancora una volta la partecipazione è stata buona, con 45 sospensioni effettuate durante il convegno ed un pulling tra 6 persone. Nota altamente positiva, il 30 % dei suspendees erano neofiti, segno che la cultura della pratica della sospensione corporale si sta espandendo, anche e soprattutto tra i più giovani.

Oltre agli italiani, si segnalano partecipanti provenienti da Germania, Spagna, Norvegia e Nuova Zelanda; i gruppi di sospensione che hanno reso possibile tutto l’evento sono APTPI-ST e Wings of Desire (Norvegia), il cui leader, Havve Fjell, ha presentato ufficialmente il 3° Simposio sulle sospensioni corporali che sarà tenuto a Berlino nel maggio 2017.

Come di consueto, durante i 3 giorni del convegno, si tengono anche delle lezioni teoriche: abbiamo avutol’onore in questa edizione di ospitare Paul King, body piercer professionista fin dal 1991 ed insignito del titolo di Master Piercer da Jim Ward nel 1996. Membro attivo dell’APP, è anche avido studioso di etnoantropologia e di antropologia delle modificazioni del corpo e su questi argomenti ha tenuto diverse lezioni in varie Università.

Da noi ha proposto: “Traditions of Hook Swinging in South Asia,” Suspension of Believe and Piercing Rituals of Plains,” and “Sundance;” gli argomenti sono stati molto interessanti ed apprezzati, ed hanno messo in luce altri punti di vista sulla pratica della sospensione, soprattutto per quanto riguarda la finalità, non ludica ma rituale.

Altra novità, alcuni partecipanti hanno realizzato un progetto a sfondo sociale ed antropologico, condotto dall’antropologa Federica Manfredi, che ricerca i motivi, ma anche le sensazioni, che intervengono in chi si sospende. Dopo aver contattato alcune persone, ha stabilito una consegna: cercare, attraverso un’opera artistica, di rappresentare cosa, o come, la coscienza elabori l’atto di sospendersi. Sono stati così prodotti 12 progetti, tutti diversi e tutti unici e personali nel taglio e nella realizzazione, che ha coinvolto molto intensamente isoggetti.

Doveroso ringraziare tutti i partecipanti al SusCon, i relatori e gli sponsors, ma soprattutto tutti i volontari che rendono ogni anno tutto questo una realtà.

Vedere e sentire tanta passione e dedizione per una pratica apparentemente poco usuale e male accettata dalla comunità, ricompensa da ogni fatica e contribuisce a rendere questo evento così emotivamente coinvolgente dal punto di vista umano e culturale.

Vi aspettiamo alla prossima edizione, con altre sorprese!

Point 79: BPA: Jewelry Exhibit

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Matte Erickson
The Body Piercing Archive

The Body Piercing Archive will celebrate another first at this year’s conference; we are so excited to have an exhibit booth on the Expo floor.

Yes, we will have jewelry—LOTS of it! However, none of it is for sale. The exhibit will consist of steel and titanium jewelry, merchandise, and advertising from past and present manufacturers. Everything we have was released prior to 2007. This provides ten years of history to allow for a distinct perspective of the past.

This exhibit has been a labor of love over this last year. Many emails, Facebook messages, and phone calls have been exchanged. There was even an awesome day trip to LA to visit a jewelry legend! The outpouring of love for this project has been overwhelming with so many companies sending items. Many private collectors have also stepped forward, offering to bring items to Vegas or ship them to me, so I can include them in the exhibit. All of this, for the love of the jewelry and education. For us, the importance of body jewelry styles and innovations cannot be overstated. The jewelry defines much of how we view ourselves as piercers and how the world perceives body piercing.

This jewelry exhibit is just the start. Over time, we expect to grow, develop, and expand this concept into other materials with harder to find items and obscure companies. That being said, we can’t do it without your help. Maybe you have a box from the shop that you haven’t looked in for years? Perhaps you know a shop owner that is also a hoarder? This is where we find historic gold (literally and figuratively). So, please visit the Expo floor booth, ask us questions, give us feedback. This is your history! This is your exhibit.

Point 79: Update from the Secretary

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Aaron Pollack
APP Secretary

The APP has a lot going on this summer, and we want you to join us! Read through for all the latest updates on Conference, Camp APP, important changes to our Membership Standards, and the Members’ Meeting Notice.

Members’ Meeting Notice

The APP’s Members’ Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 14, 7-8pm at Bally’s Las Ve- gas. This meeting will cover all current APP business for the membership. Voting members will sign in to determine if the meeting has met the required quorum. Non-voting members are welcome to attend, as well as one representative from each APP Corporate Sponsor. If you wish to address the Board and membership, you may reserve a time slot by emailing secretary@ safepiercing.org.

There will be a Members’ Mingle before the meeting from 6:30-7:00pm. Refreshments will be served.

This is shaping up to be the biggest APP Conference ever! You do not want to miss it!

Conference Photography Update

This year at Conference we will have a ded-icated portrait photographer available on Wednesday and Thursday near the registration booth. Portrait time slots will now be available for purchase for $20.00. You can purchase your time slot at the merchandise booth and schedule your time with the portrait photographer at the portrait booth.

This time slot will allow for multiple shots, and you are free to bring a friend and do quick group shots. This fee will guarantee you one or more professionally shot and edited photo(s) for private use.

For those of you who wish to use your photo for business purposes, you may purchase the rights to use your photo however you wish for an additional $30.00.

We are excited to offer attendees a smoother portrait experience and an inexpensive way to obtain a professional quality headshot for their business needs.

New Environmental Criteria for Membership

All piercers working at an APP Member studio, members or non-members, will only use appropriate jewelry for initial piercings as listed in the current APP minimum standard. Any use of non-compliant jewelry for initial piercing by any person, member or non-member, in the studio is considered a breach of environmental standards and can be grounds for losing membership.

All studios will have until Jan 1, 2018 to become compliant with this new environmental standard.

Standards Update: Initial jewelry & Rose Gold This change was made after input from our membership, information provided by a workgroup at Camp APP, and consultation with major gold manufacturers. Please review the updated standard below:

Gold (yellow, white, or rose) is appropriate for initial piercings if it is solid 14k or 18k, alloyed for biocompatibility, and free from nickel or cadmium. Gold higher than 18k is too soft for body jewelry because it can easily be scratched or nicked. Gold lower than 14k, gold plated, gold-filled, or gold overlay/vermeil jewelry is not acceptable for fresh piercings.

3rd Annual Camp APP Members Retreat Registration for Camp APP 2017 will be opening soon. Camp APP will be October 3-7, 2017  at Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, GA.

Camp APP is a great alternative for people who can’t attend Conference or for anyone who wants to add to their educational experience.  It is a week filled with great food, new friends, hands-on educational opportunities and summer camp style fun. To find out about registration first join the Facebook event page

Point 79: The Mentor Program

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Cale Belford
APP Mentor Program Coordinator

If you have ever attended the annual APP Conference, then you know it can be an overwhelming experience; especially if it is only your first or second year attending. To make this transition into becoming a seasoned Conference goer simpler, there is the Mentor Program.

So what exactly is the Mentor Program? It is an amazing outreach system created in 2009 by Ryan Ouellette. Essentially, the idea was to build small families that can work together as a group and lean on each other for support during the APP Conference. We have seen incredible progress and have had wonderful feedback when it comes to this program, and we look forward to continuing this process for years to come.

Our mentors are experienced Conference goers who want to ensure that our new attendees have an outstanding time. To pair mentors and mentees, we use a survey system conducted by the Mentor Team to create groups based on similar interests, areas of knowledge, and class schedule needs. These small groups—consisting of a mentor and three to four mentees—assist and encourage each other while providing a more welcoming environment to the Conference experience as a whole. Mentors are here to provide support if you become overwhelmed, require a little reassurance, or want assistance with your class schedule. They can even give you advice on where to find  the  tastiest  tacos or a delicious vegan donut. It is essential to take full advantage of this opportunity! Many mentors and mentees develop connections with each other that can last for years!

If you plan on attending Conference for the first time and have questions that you would like answered, need help selecting your classes, or you would simply like to have a friend before arriving in Vegas, then the APP Mentor Program is here to help! If you are a first  or second year attendee and would like assis- tance from a mentor chosen specifically for you, please email mentors@safepiercing.org with MENTEE in the subject line. Be sure to include your name, telephone number, and other contact information in the email. There  is technically no deadline to sign up as a mentee, but the earlier you enroll the  more  you will get out of the program! We are thrilled  that you have decided to come to Conference this year and we cannot wait to meet you.

We genuinely want each  and  every one of our new attendees to get the most out of their Conference experience and hope that what the Mentor Program offers makes this possible. If you have any questions about the Mentor Program, becoming a mentor, or being a mentee at Conference, please do not hesitate to contact Cale or anyone else on the Mentor Team. The 2017 Mentor Team includes Cale Belford, Ryan Ouellette, Billy Wood Jr., and Will VonDoome

Point 79: What a Year Can Do – Revisiting Al D. Scholars from 2016

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Maree Fowler, 2016 Al D Scholar
(with Caitlin, APP Administrator)

How time flies, with this year’s APP Conference #app2017 fast approaching there’s no better time than the present to reflect on the past year.

Since attending as an AL D scholar last year, I feel like a new me in my piercing room. After coming  home  and having the confidence to try new techniques, explain things better to clients and suggesting changes to better the daily running of the studio I have found a new confidence that only could have happened because of Conference last year. Getting the opportunity to talk to fellow piercers and the vendors of companies whose jewellery I had admired for the longest time, building friendships, and the chance to network is a wonderful experience.

Since returning I have successfully become  a member of the UKAPP. I’m also a part of the UKAPP online team, running the social media and promotion alongside Seb Wolfe, of which  I am so proud of.

If I have any advice for this year’s scholarship winners, I’d say do not underestimate yourself. You can achieve anything you set your mind too.   You already have, by applying and being successful in gaining a scholarship to conference.

It truly is life changing. I can’t wait to return and see you all in  June.


Jane Absinth, 2016 Al D Scholar

Recalling my first Conference, I have this amazing warm feeling. As we were prepared for the event with the video-chats and info materials, I had the feeling it would be REALLY OVERWHELMING.

But to my pleasant surprise everything went smoothly and was not so frightening at all! Now I have a very special extension of my piercing family. Everyone I met, from the every other part of the world was just as amazing and friendly as you could imagine.

I arrived a couple of days in advance to have enough time to fight the jetlag, but it did not work and I just fell so deep into sleep that did not even hear my roommates trying to get in to check on me, even when they called security. I can only imagine what they thought about me (first time in Vegas, etc…).

I could not have asked for a better roomie than Angie and some colleagues from Germany, who showed me everything. This is how it works: you share your experience to help the newcomers, to not be immediately overwhelmed and get lost in the casinos I am not a party monster and am relatively calm so I found me and Angie were the perfect roommate match!

I had prepared myself for some really crazy hard things during my volunteer hours at the Conference, but I seemed to get along with it pretty good. Except one day I was working the door with John Robberson and he saw my break down coming and he immediately jumped in, offered to take me to the office, where I burst into tears—haha, so well prepared! 🙂 But we Russians are pretty tough, everything was fine, just my eyes were wet because of the air conditioning. I found this very situation a perfect example of our volunteer family and how it should work—ready to give all your support to the person near you.

So after all is said and done, the first and the most important piece of advice I can give. Don’t get stressed! In fact, everything is gonna be fine, you will have the most beautiful and caring people around you whenever you need anything. And moreover, it will be probably the most exciting week of your whole year: so many new things, knowledge, amazing chats with colleagues and even some relaxing at the pool. Oh and stay hydrated and don’t forget to eat! 😉

Angie Dogspot, 2016 Al D Scholar

It has been nine months since my visit to Las Vegas and the 2016 Association of Professional Piercers Conference, but it feels like yesterday. The nerves and the uncertainty I had, the experience of traveling so far alone, it was all worth it.

The welcome I got from Caitlin when I arrived late in the evening, showing me the room, while my roommate, Jane, was so asleep, we called security to make sure she was ok, oops that jet lag can be a real bummer.

It was comforting knowing she had been there a few days, and I was  really  happy that she already had a lay of the land. So she showed me around, letting me know where to find things, like Starbucks, very important! We got along perfectly, and she introduced me to so many new people.

The week flew by. I learned, met new people, laughed,  enjoyed  every  minute.  I  hate  to say I must miss all of it this year, but am more than looking forward to all the pictures and messages you guys will post. I will simply imagine I am there with you.

If I had to give our new scholars any advice it would be don’t be stressed as long as you listen and care for your body, it will be fine. Take it all in, enjoy your time with your new family, and say Hi from me.

Hope to see you all at #APP2018

Point 79: The President’s Corner – Jef Saunders

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Jef Saunders
APP President

I vividly remember my first APP Conference experience. I had about $300 to my name, and I was waiting on a check to clear when I landed in Las Vegas. When I arrived I had no money at all to get to the Conference hotel; this was in the Riviera days. I actually looked through my junk mail, activated a credit card, and took a $20 cash advance to catch a cab to the hotel. When I arrived I was intimidated and excited, but before long I wasn’t amongst strangers, I was with friends.

I image that many attendees have similar experiences their first year. I know that many arrive at our Conference for the first time, low on money, but with an abundance of nerves. I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been there. Everyone has had a first  Conference.  I say it like that, because very few attendees have just one Conference. There is a special kind of magic that surrounds the entire event. We all end up making relationships that last a lifetime. We are learning together. We are buying jewelry and supplies from our hardworking vendors. A lucky few of us will even win raffle prizes that will alter the course of our careers. It is hard to put into words how special our Conference really is.

Until my involvement with the Board, I didn’t have an understanding of all the work that goes into the magic that is our collective learning, sharing, and growing experience. Since Conference continues to grow, more and more thought is required in addition to a tremendous amount of work and cooperation. Our volunteers, instructors, vendors, sponsors, mentors, board, officers and employees put in so much all year for this one week. They have my thanks for all the good times I have had over the years.

I’d love to be able to point to one moment in particular that cemented my love of Conference, but how could I? I was there when Rob Hill proposed to Stephanie Hill during the banquet (I mean right there, sitting next to them!) I was in the 20 years of APP roundtable listening to my heroes talk about the behind the scenes history of the APP. I got to teach a class about nostril piercing with Alicia Cardenas to a room about twice as full as I was counting on. I saw one of my closest friends, Cody Vaughn, win a huge raffle prize within months of opening his new shop. The list goes on and on.

If you’ve attended before, I’m sure you have your own moments like these. If this is your first Conference, I’m sure you’ll make your own memories that will stay with you a lifetime. If you ask me what my absolute favorite experience at Conference is, my answer is: the next one. The next time I get goosebumps. The next time I learn something that changes the way I pierce forever. The next time I cry because Caitlin is crying. That’s my favorite.