Bio | Desta Spence | Adorn Body Art
.:: THE DARK AGES ::.
My interest in Body Modification began with an early fascination with National Geographic. I spent my teens begging to be allowed to pierce my ears and nose. I started piercing friends in college, using the crudest of implements: nipple clamps as forceps, cardboard boxes for cork, and needles we were able to procure from more legitimate piercings (Back in the day, they used to give you the needle if you asked, as a way of proving that they did not reuse them.) I did my own navel using a friends ear-piercing gun. (BAD IDEA!)
.:: THE ENLIGHTENED ERA ::.
As my awareness and interest evolved, I realized a need for better education and tools.
* In December of 1995, I attended Gauntlet's Body Piercing Seminar in New York. This very basic week-long introduction provided information on all non-genital piercings, placement, sterilization, healing times, judging jewelry quality and appropriate size, maintenance of fresh piercings.
* In September of 1996 I attended Fakir Piercing Intensives in San Francisco. This course was one week long and focused more on the ritual of piercing, pain management through breathing and practical hands-on experience. While not providing nearly the same quality of information as the Gauntlet course as far as cross-contamination and other issues of cleanliness, they did provide genital piercing information and allowed us to do in class genital and other piercings. The other major difference was their belief in avoiding all unnecessary chemicals during the healing period. A belief I wholeheartedly support.
* In May of 1998 I attended the Association of Professional Piercers Conference in Las Vegas. The conference provided an opportunity to network (and Gamble) with hundreds of other piercers from around the world, sharing information and experiences. We all renewed our CPR and first-aid trainings and got certificates of completion for the OSHA Bloodbourne Pathogens training. Workshops were held on the latest Medical News, Taxes and Legal considerations and Ritual Piercings. I continue to attend this conference annually and have also become a member of the Association.
.:: THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ::.
* In February of 1995, I began an apprenticeship at Rites of Passage in Allston, Massachusetts. I started by doing all the grunt work: paperwork and phones and maintaining the sterility of the tools and supplies. This was a very conscientious shop that complied with all applicable OSHA guidelines. I progressed to doing unsupervised piercings at an all women's night that I initiated.
* In May of 1995, I began commuting to Provincetown, Massachusetts to pierce at Cheap Thrills. By June I had moved there and started working 5-7 days a week as the sole-piercer in this extremely busy shop. I was responsible for training other employees for paperwork and aftercare presentation. I ordered all the jewelry and supplies and I did 15-25 piercings a day until the end of the October.
* In November of 1997, I began working at the Bad Attitude Outlet 5 days a week. I worked there for five months doing piercings after Portland's Queen of Piercing, Katherine left to open her own shop. After leaving Bad Attitude I started my own piercing shop out of a Day Spa named Absolute Indulgence. The best thing about working out of a Day Spa is the slow periods, when I got to hang out and get my nails done. I grew to love the clientele in Beaverton. Every city, shop that I have worked in has had a different clientele and a different feel. I came to realize the Westside is the Best-side.
.:: MILLENIUM ::.
* In August of 2000 I opened "Adorn Body Art" combining my personal professional piercing skills with the amazing tattoo talents of my friend Anne. We set out to create a unique female owned and operated Tattoo/ Piercing shop that would dispel any pre-conceived notions people had about --those dirty freaks--, tattoo arists and piercers. We keep our tattoo reference (a.k.a. flash) in portfolios to allow us to decorate our walls with local artists. We started with just the two of us, using the generous help of our customers to answer the phones when we were in the midst of procedures. As our clientele grew we began to bring on more talent to help meet the growing demand. We continue to strive to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere where anyone from the uninitiated to the connoisseur will feel welcome.