Point #64: President’s Corner
Posts tagged conference and expo
Point #64: Maya Coe’s Conference Experience
By Maya Coe
The whirlwind of adjectives that appear in my mind when I go to describe my experience at my first APP Conference is blindingly overwhelming. Ever since my return from Vegas, every time I’ve been asked to talk about my trip I am at a loss of words. So now I’m going to take the time to finally sit down and spill the details of my wonderful experience at Conference.
Let’s back up to how I was even able to attend. I became aware of a scholarship being offered by a group of piercers generous enough to help send those in need to Conference, and so I applied. Soon after, I was accepted as a recipient and my Conference experience began. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was in a state of constant motion, both physically and mentally. At first it was a bit nerve wracking to be amongst so many people I had only read about (and even written reports on), but as I began to meet others the feelings of uneasiness quickly dissolved. Everyone was friendly, relaxed, and accepting. If you at all ever found yourself wanting company it was not a problem, and if you found yourself just needing a bit of solitude, again, not a problem. This being the valuable outcome of being surrounded by people that are just as socially sensitive as you.
Being an apprentice, I opted to take full advantage of my trip and attended 13 classes and two meetings. 
These classes included information on jewelry, aftercare, anatomy, Statim usage, medical risk assessment, how to prevent cross-contamination, and ways to use tools. I also renewed my bloodborne pathogens. The amount of information I was being taught was stunning. The anatomy classes I attended were instructed by Elayne Angel, and it felt totally exhilarating to be taught by one of the original piercers that helped shape our industry. I also felt privileged to receive instruction from David Vidra being that this was his last year teaching courses at Conference. (He is particularly inviting to learn from due to his ability to mix humor with otherwise dry and heavy subject matter.) Aside from the more technical classes, I also treated myself to Fakir’s class on making effective piercing rituals. This class touched on a spiritual level, and is part of what makes piercing so appealing to me. And again, being instructed by such a legend of the industry was very inspiring. I left every class I attended with something new, which has impacted my career much more than if I had only studied the subjects via books and the internet.
When I was not in class you could usually find me relaxing at the little bar in the casino of Bally’s with my beer and cigar, soaking in my surroundings or leisurely chatting with whoever was sitting next to me. If not there, I was getting as much rest as I could! I only explored outside of the hotel a few times during my stay, just to get fresh air and a change of scenery or bite to eat. (One of these nights included the scholarship dinner, in which all of the recipients got to meet the people who helped us get to Conference, and when all 25 of us piled in a van and went off to eat delicious Ethiopian food.)
I often reiterated the following statement when asked how I was doing while at Conference: I’ve never felt so exhausted yet awesome in my life. Not only was I learning and networking, but I was also making new friends and experiencing Vegas for the first time—and the ability to network with piercers from around the world was something I felt extremely appreciative of. It’s safe to say that I feel I have benefited in a HUGE way from attendance. I wouldn’t trade my time at Conference for anything, and I look forward to attending many more.
Point #64: Innovator’s Award Winner for Technical Innovation: Jimmy Buddha – Diablo Organics
Interview by Shanna Dickey
Shanna Dickey: Congratulations on winning the Technical Innovator Award this year.
Jimmy Buddha: I appreciate it, and a big “thank you” to the APP community and everyone who was a part of this year’s Conference. We couldn’t be happier to bring home the Technical Innovator Award. In a craft that has been around for thousands of years, it is difficult to come up with new, innovative concepts, and to be recognized among a community of trail blazers is a great honor.
SD: How do you come up with your ideas?
JB: As a piercer for more than 15 years, I have insight into body jewelry function and design. When I work with people who have specific body modification needs, I love the challenge; that’s what gets me going in the morning.
SD: What is your design process?
JB: It’s really organic and depends upon the materials around me. I just start playing with a design and incorporate function for that specific material. If I like something, I run with it.
SD: Who inspires you?
JB: I get inspiration from our industry’s wide array of individuals. That’s what keeps me here: the independence and originality.
SD: What was your new technical innovation?
JB: I designed spreader hooks for JP. They were created from 28-million-year-old megalodon teeth unearthed in the deltas of the southeastern US. They took about eight months to complete, from sourcing the material to designing the piece.
SD: How are spreader hooks innovative?
JB: People with large stretched lobes want to wear heavy weight without permanently damaging their ears. Heavy weights can leave sore spots and even cause thinning of the lobe itself. The spreader hooks help to distribute the weight over a larger surface area than traditional hooks. It also turned out to be a pretty sexy design element for the piece overall.
SD: Do you create custom orders for a lot of people?
JB: I put a lot of time and energy into custom orders and try not to overextend myself. Sometimes they can take a year to complete. A lot of the designs we create have limited availability, so we have to reshape and transform to stay current. That way even our “classic” products are limited and have a custom feel.
SD: How is working with an individual different than designing for your new lines?
JB: Everybody’s needs are different. With regular catalog designs, I have to compromise. With custom orders, I have the opportunity to really focus on their specific modification needs.
SD: What did you think of this year’s fashion show?
JB: I was really excited to be a part of the fashion show. I think it was a great success and an important direction to move in for body modification, fashion, and jewelry. Everyone really stepped up to the plate, and we made each other look good.
SD: What was most memorable at this year’s APP Conference?
JB: The APP Conference is a family reunion of sorts. I have built some really strong relationships over the years, and APP gives me the opportunity to visit with friends I don’t otherwise get to see. It’s also my chance to make connections with our new clients and continue to build those relationships.
SD: What are you currently working on?
JB: I want to make sure our designs stay fresh and relevant. We are a wholesale company and customers have a lot of different shopping options today. We want to keep our clients in the loop and remain competitive. I have assembled a great team to help with every step of the way.
SD: Tell me a little bit about your team?
JB: Jenny and Shanna are holding down the fort in Austin five days a week, always willing to answer any questions. Lauren is traveling around the States in “La Diablita”—our little red Diablo Organics’ car—and heading to a shop near you. We are really focusing on customer service and providing a good product to our clients. Our designs have been really well received, and we continue to evolve as a company and team.
SD: What do you have in store for the next year?
JB: I’ve been focused on creating a strong infrastructure in Austin. I feel like now I can really begin to search for different raw materials, and continue to look for new methods, techniques, designs for that next big thing. I’ll let you know when I find it…
Point #64: Al D. Scholar – Jacob Spjut
By Jacob Spjut
“You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world.” ― Woodrow Wilson
It has been almost two weeks since Conference ended, and I think I am finally starting to come down from that amazing high.
As a first time attendee and as a recipient of the Al D. Scholarship, I was overwhelmed, underfed, and scared for my life: So many things made it the most fulfilling experience of my young life, and will drive me to attend every year it is held, and to volunteer every year they will have me!
While Conference is known for its wonderful classes, world-class teachers and instructors, and the jewelry expo to end all jewelry expos, the annual Association of Professional Piercers Conference will undoubtedly work towards changing your world view just by standing at the bar. The interactions that take place all week, in all places we congregate in Vegas, will push you towards positive change and help give you some of the tools needed to impact not only your career but the industry as a whole. (In my opinion, the foundation of the whole experience are these positive interactions amongst peers.)
When I first arrived in Vegas, thankfully in the company of a fellow Al D, I did not even remember how to breathe; I was no longer on this planet, and certainly no longer in the world I was comfortable in. I was transported, scared, and alone, but this was an important ceremony to face: the fear that comes with attending for the first time. It reminds you of the magnitude of this opportunity. The sight of the hotel sent chills down my spine; I giggled and screamed like a school child. Upon entering the hotel my attempts to gather myself and regain my composition were laughable, especially when I saw—in person—piercers that I follow/stalk through various social media outlets just sitting at the bar!
Once checked in, my bags placed in room, I took the first of many walks past the holiest of bars in Las Vegas. Soon after I was greeted by the magnificent Caitlin! As anyone who has had the pleasure of dealing with this powerhouse of a woman over the interwebs knows, she is tiny (in size) yet explodes with energy you can feel in your chest.
My experience meeting with the other volunteers was amazing as well. I have never met a group of people so open to new folks, so quick to hug and love and help. It was awe-inspiring to have these strangers welcome you into their fold and not for a second show contempt for their role in the machine that is Conference. That alone has made me more inclined to give myself completely to helping the industry any way I can. The sincere kindness that these people hold inside themselves is magical.
All the hugs and kisses aside, Conference requires a lot of hard work from everyone in order to run smoothly. With almost 300 new attendees, I can see how important the cooperation of everyone involved—volunteers and conference attendees alike—is paramount to an educational and fun Conference. I have never seen so much sacrifice to ensure the level of professionalism that this industry strives to maintain, and I was truly humbled by that gift.
I must send out my thanks to everyone who even took even an hour to help on all fronts; you truly made my experience extraordinary! To the teachers, the love volunteers, the Supers, the registration, the raffle booth, the merch booth, the people who would just stop to talk to me, anyone who I met in passing, or had a few hours with: I want to express my undying and unconditional love. You have changed my life for the better, and made this adventure a hallmark in my journey. You have prompted something great in my life.
To my fellow Al D’s: I could not have asked for anyone better to share my time with, or to struggle alongside of. You are all so special to me now. You are all beautiful people that I know will be lifelong friends. Not one of you was too good for anyone else, and you have all been so open and loving to me. Thank you for being you!
To the Supers and love volunteers: My deepest regret is I did not get to work with as many of you as much as I would have liked. This is something I hope to change next year. I hold so much respect for you, and if not for your leadership, I do not think I would have been able to push through. You are great people, not only in this industry, but in life. You have my deepest thanks for being amazing role models.
To Caitlin, the great protector and leader of the volunteer army: I stand by what I said before; I fucking love the shit out of you! I cannot stand that I have just met you; I should have had you in my life from the beginning. You are strong and motivating and honestly the reason I am who I am today. Your hard work changed my life. Thank you for the patience, the time away just to talk that I desperately needed, and the care and compassion that comes with running such a monumental task. You are a shining example of what we should all hope to one day become! I will happily run your errands forever!
My deepest thanks go out to anyone who gave me well wishes during Conference, and those who helped me get the scholarship. Thank you to my interviewers, Ryan and Tiana, who made it fun and more conversation than anything.
To anyone who has not attended: If any of you have ever told yourself that conference is not worth the money, time, hassle, headache, etc., I kindly assert that you are wrong. I would walk through fire to attend again, and I hope my experience helps push you into attending!
Point #64: Al D. Scholar – Dianna Brown
By 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 
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.