Well, where to start? Probably the best place would have to be at the beginning. I am currently sixteen years old and very much in love with all things to do with body modification, predominantly piercing but I still adore tattoos.
At A Glance Author Zephy Contact zephy_lee@hotmail.co.uk When It just happened Artist I forgot her name, sorry. Studio Cold Steel Location Camden Town, London Before I took the trip up to Camden Town in London I was only the owner of two pairs of gunned lobe holes I had gotten before I knew any better and a conch piercing that had been my first introduction to "proper" piercings.
People watching has always been an avid pastime of mine, and having few friends and a distinctly introverted personality also gave me a lot of opportunities to brush up on my skills.
The more I decided to indulge in this rather boring activity the more I realised it was far more interesting, not to look at the average Tom, Dick or Harry you'd see everywhere, but instead to look at the people who were different. Or more specifically looked different.
I have always adored watching people with funky hairstyles or interesting clothes, and as time went on I realised there was something else I was drawn to.
Piercings.
Just the presence of a small piece of metal in a person would fascinate me, and as I felt my own rather boring pair of ears, reminding myself of the fact all I had to show off was your average pair of studs and a barbell in a hole that wouldn't settle, I felt I wanted more, and so I planned out my ear project.
Since I generally think logically I decided it would be best to start out with the more simple piercings first, to build up my confidence enough to go for the more "hardcore" things I'd planned, so I started to look for a studio.
I went online and searched through BME for inspiration when I came across an experience listing Cold Steel as the studio. I looked at the location and realised that I had planned a shopping spree in the same place relatively soon. Perfect! I thought. I could get pierced there.
I did a little more research and found they had quite a reputation, so I decided to go ahead and book in an appointment.
Up in Camden, after the initial shock of the atmosphere of the place I managed to find the door in the wall I was looking for and followed my mom who had come with me up the stairs, shaking slightly as I had no idea what to expect.
I was greeted warmly by a man who much to my relief had a rather extensive collection of metal of his own. He explained the costs and timings and told me to I could pay my deposit now and come back in half an hour to get pierced. I was also advised not to drink or take drugs and to make sure I had eaten to help stop fainting.
I came back all recharged after a chocolate bar and filled out the forms. I sat nervously on the metal chair and waited until I was called through. The fact that my piercer was female I think calmed me slightly, I don't know why, maybe it was the fact I was a girl myself.
I sat on the huge chair in the room and waited whilst the CBRs that had been picked out for me were changed as my piercer thought they were too large for my tiny lobes.
When she came back the marking up began, she dotted my ears with the pen, looked at them, adjusted them, looked at them again and then asked my approval. I nodded and was very impressed with the level of professionalism. I counted at least two glove changes already, and I hadn't even got to the needles yet.
I lay down in the chair and began to prepare for the worst. The needles.
I was convinced that the pain would be unbearable so I had a bit of trouble trying to remain calm.
I was told to breathe and so I did and the first one went through.
It was a sharp stinging followed by a dull heat which surprised me and I relaxed a lot after the first one. The jewellery was in and I was asked if I wanted to continue.
I smiled and said yes, there was no way I was going to back out now. The second one couldn't be much worse could it?
It was worse, quite a bit worse, the stinging lasted longer and still aches now as I think about it but it wasn't an unbearable pain, thank god. The jewellery was put into place after yet another glove change and I was done.
I sat up again and admired the dainty pieces of metal hanging in my ears and was explained the aftercare.
Salt soaks twice a day, every day for 8 weeks. Fine, I thought. I was doing that anyway with my conch.
I walked out, high on endorphins and smiled for most of the day, my ears have been a bit sore since they were only pierced yesterday but they have been behaving well and I think they are getting better. I am glad to say, no problems so far!
I recommend Cold Steel to ANYONE in or near the Camden area, they are so welcoming and professional, I felt I was in safe hands all the time, despite the fact those hands held needles!
They took care of my ears wonderfully throughout the whole procedure, I'm really glad I chose them.
I expect my 10% discount card may be used a lot in the future...