piercing apprenticeship

I got this lovely message, which I guess I have to label "fanmail" from a Facebook friend:

Hey there, thanks for friending me. It's nice to see my biggest inspiration on Facebook. Love the book btw, I just bought another copy for my girlfriend who is starting her apprenticeship. You've helped me with so much in the past, and I feel to be so much more educated because of it.

I'm sure you don't remember viewing my photobucket portfolio, but the comments you responding to me in the return email helped alot, and the fact that you took the time to do it was awesome. Keep doing what your doing. I love it. Educate the world, this industry needs more people like you to go above, beyond, and inspire piercers like myself to do the same. Medical courses, the in depth attention to proper aftercare, and so much more.

It's sad to see some "piercers" that don't take that kind of initiative to achieve what you have. Keep in touch, you're a beautiful person, a master of the trade, and an asset to this industries growth and popularity. Thanks again for everything.

John

I received this email message from a reader:

I saw this new review of The Piercing Bible on the Barnes & Noble website:

Most Complete Piercing Book on the Planet

Reader Rating See Detailed Ratings

Posted September 15, 2009 I am trying to become a body piercer. It is a notoriously difficult industry to integrate into. This book not only gives you a deep insight into the industry but also the standards required. It covers everything from the piercing rules, through to the equipment and different jewellery types, also different ways of aftercare and advice on what to do if something does go wrong with your piercing! Elayne also shares some personal stories from her vast experience of the body piercing world. Some are rather amusing, some not so but it makes for a very interesting read! The author also gives both Pro's and Con's to each piercing or jewellery choice, which is thorough, informative and very well researched. This book is a must for anybody interested in being a piercer or getting a number of piercings!

I received this message on my Facebook page from a reader who is hungrily devouring my book and finding it useful as well:

Hi Elayne Just a quick message to say a big THANK YOU for writing The Piercing Bible. I am still relatively new to the art and felt I wasn't getting enough information from my trainer. Needless to say, your book was a God-send. I'm halfway through and only got it three days ago! I have already applied some of your advice in my work with great success. Thanks again! T

That's absoutely wonderful feedback, but I feel concerned that her mentor isn't providing her with information that she feels she needs....

Today I got an interesting email from an aspiring piercer:

My name is Jordan and I was an apprentice up until a few days ago. I got your book and started reading "How To Choose A Piercer" and the piercing and aftercare techniques and realized that the person that I was learning from was not a skilled piercer. He was recommending baby shampoo as his sole aftercare product! I looked up the ingredients and among fragrances and surfactants were other irritants that were both genotoxic and cytotoxic! So I wanted to thank you because in reading the book twice I increased my knowledge tenfold! My girlfriend and I literally read your book together in bed :) Also the other day I was on the Rings of Desire site and saw that you used to sell autographed posters? Where was I?!? haha :) I'd love an autographed picture or poster! Would Love to hear from you soon!

Hi Jordan, Thanks for your email. I'm so glad to hear that my book has proven to be helpful to you, and that you took the time to let me know about it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad piercers out there, and plenty of them are taking on apprentices to create yet more untrained, unskilled practitioners. My hope is that my book will help to elevate the whole industry. By creating educated consumers, it helps put those hacks out of business. I didn't imagine it was going to be the kind of book couples read in bed together!  That kind of feedback sure puts a big smile on my face. You can get an autographed poster by ordering one through LeRoi. I'll be at their studio in Manhattan June 26-28 having a book signing and doing piercings. I've had a box of posters shipped there, and I can sign one for you and have it shipped out.