A Career in the Body Mod Industry?
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Wednesday April 30th, 2008 @ 10:28 PM
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I’m currently 14 years old, I live in Australia and I’m looking to pursue a carrier in the body modification industry. This is not something I want to just ‘jump into’ but right now this is definitely something I can see myself doing in the future. I am extremely passionate about piercings and other ‘heavy’ mods. I have had quite a few piercings myself (15+) and a few dermal anchors. I’m really quite responsible, this isn’t something I just decided, I’ve been interested in it for a few years now.
I already have extensive knowledge of piercings and other mods (especially for my age) and I want to learn more and become a great practitioner. I’m not interested in becoming famous, I just want to be the best I can be at the job.
I’m curious as to what qualifications are needed and
just any general experience anybody is willing to pass on. I’ve read various things online about this matter but I’m looking for a more personal answer, one that comes from a more experienced piercer or even an apprentice. I’m aware that this will by no means make me “rich”, I realize that in general the ‘trend’ comes and goes. I know about studio standards and cost of up-keep. But as I’ve mentioned before, this is something that I’m really passionate about.
Please, no negative comments,
Thank you in advance!
I’ve recently answered a “what to expect out of being a piercer” question, so I’ll piggyback on this one.
My first bit of advice would be to get a standard retail job as soon as you come of age. Customer facing. Learn what it’s like to have to hustle to SELL, while keeping a fickle clientel happy.
Next, I’d say start taking anatomy courses. What goes where, what happens when you cut this or remove that. Reading an anatomy book doesn’t cut it these days- since you’re young, you can tailor your education towards it.
After that- two words: Counter Bitch.
Take that knowledge of retail I’ve advised and apply it to a shop. Learn how to work IN a shop before you work in the industry. More from counter to apprentice. Apprentice to practitioner. MASTER one discipline before you start LEARNING new ones. Just because you love a modification doesn’t mean you have to know how to do it. I tend to respect people who’re masters of their craft not “swiss army knife” practitioners who offer is simply because one has to bleed to get it.
Lastly- while I won’t come down on you because of your age- (since we’re talking an “in the future” path) some folks will. Learn humility. Some people have good reason for doubting the intentions of someone who, at 14, has been into anything for “a few years”. Prove them wrong by committing to be the most responsible artist you can be. Don’t rush into anything just because your weaker willed friends will let you do “free shit” on them.
Put your heart and soul into this, earn your lumps and you’ll come out the other side where you want to be. Hopefully.
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3 Responses to “A Career in the Body Mod Industry?”
As a teenager myself, i find it hard to take anyone seriously that says they’ve wanted to do it for years! Because i want to be something different everyday i wake up practically.
Lucas Reichennek on May 6th, 2008 at 6:39 pmI’m new to the piercing industry. I love what I do. It was a job that throughout my life I have researched and dreampt about.. but never activly persued. Until I fell into it. Since I just started I still have a lot to learn. however as much as I love my job I want more. I want to learn dermal anchoring, and scapaling.. not so much scarification. My town is not to hip to new so there’s no one I can learn from on how to do these things. so i wanted to know where do I find classes.. like at confrences so I can learn the skills I desire and improve me as a piercer in general.. I google it.. but so far havn’t found anything that tells me what or where i can learn
Jezebel on June 19th, 2008 at 5:36 pmTo Lucas, he/she said that he/she was interested in it for a few years. This could mean two or three. The parents could have a few tattoos or piecings. Oh and just for the record, just because you change your mind frequetly does not mean that others are that fickle. To the person who asked this, kudos to you for knowing what you want to do in life and having a set direction. So many kids your age don’t know what they want to do, so to see some one wh does is inspiring. Hell, I’ve been in school for three years learning music therapy because I’m a musician with a passion for music and wants to use her talents to help someone else.
Tara on June 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 pmLeave a Comment