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12 Oz. Studios, A.J. Goldman, Adam Richins, Altered Bodies Documentary, apprenticeship, apprenticeships, blood borne pathogens, Body jewelry manufacturers, body modification, body piercing, Brian Decker, Brian Drops Piercing Studio, Comes a Time Tattoo, CPR, Fairfax, first aid, J.C. Potts, jef saunders, mateo way, Pangea Piercing, Percision Body Arts, piercing apprentice, Precision Body Arts, professional piercer, Pure Body Arts, Rockstar Body Piercing, Ryan Ouellette, scarification, self piercing, The Association of Professional Piercers, the fakir intensives, VA, Vaughn Body Arts
Becoming a professional piercer can be a difficult process but all professionals can agree that anyone who wants to become a professional now needs to apprentice under an already established piercer. An apprenticeship can last a number of years. J.C. Potts of Pangea Piercing for example has stated that every apprentice he has needs to train under him for two years and then work for him another two years.
There are many different ways professionals have gotten their apprenticeships. Adam Richins of Vaughn Body Arts stated he got his apprenticeship when he came in for a genital piercing to find out that the usual person who did his piercings had left and the shop owner offered to teach him. Tobias of Comes a Time Tattoo in Fairfax, VA said that he knew someone who knew someone in the industry and moved across the country.
A. J. Goldman of 12 Oz. Studios was interviewed for the Altered Bodies Documentary and spoke about apprenticeships:
The body piercing profession is not a glamorous one so if one is looking to join this industry planing on living a certain lifestyle, they may need to reconsider. There isn’t much pay and many piercers need to find ways to supplement their income within the industry. Some piercers such as Ryan Ouellette of Precision Body Arts and Brian Decker of Pure Body Arts both do scarification. This is a process of removing the top layers of skin in a way that will scar the skin and leaving an image behind. Others like J.C. Potts and Mateo Way who pierces out of Brain Drops Piercing Studio in San Francisco both make and sell their own jewelry. Way has even stated that he wouldn’t be able to afford to support his family without the additional income.
In addition, it is recommended that all professionals be certified in blood borne pathogens, CPR and first aid. The Fakir Intensives and classes available at the annual APP confrences are also recommended courses to take as many respected professionals have taken and teach the courses. Jef Saunders of Rockstar Body Piercing has written a letter to all “would-be body piercers” that is also a suggested read.
Do avoid any piercing schools or classes that are not offered by professionals in the industry are not proper methods for training. Also, claiming to have experience from self piercing or piercing your friends WILL NOT get you a professional apprenticeship.