This is the story of the first phase of my 'ear project'....
At A Glance Author Princess Alice Contact Princess Alice@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Steve Studio Deep Blue Tattoo Location Eastbourne, UK I've had loads of piercings before (tragus, ear lobes, seconds, helix, cartilage, belly, eyebrow, tongue) so I'm not exactly a piercing virgin, but my dream is to have a double industrial: a horizontal that crosses a vertical on my right ear. I don't know why but I think it will look absolutely wicked!
I was walking through town and decided to get it done now.
I had to make up some excuse as to where I was going to my parents, so by the time they have any idea that I'm getting pierced, it's done and they can't do anything about it, so I said I was going to look at stuff for my new flat...
I went into the studio (with a Kinder Bueno milkshake that had so many additives and junk in it that I was becoming a bit hyper) and was greeted by Steve (who has pierced me loads before and I would trust him with any piercing I wanted), explained that I wanted a double industrial and asked if he could do the first one now and he made some joke about that it's really fiddly and he'd have to bend down and he had a bad back! Then he commented on my milkshake, wondering exactly what was in it.
He called me into the studio, where my tattooist was doing something cool on this guy and I sat down in the chair. Steve measured my ear an told me that a double would work and we'd go for the horizontal first. He explained it to me before he got ready (whilst complaining about how much hair I have and next time I come I should shave it off!) and got out 2 needles, which he said is a bit better for your ear because sometimes the needle can blunt slightly so the second piercing could hurt more, and a 38mm bar, and put the tips of the needles and the barbell into some KY jelly. He marked my ear, but I didn't have to look because I know he knows what he's doing, then cleaned it with some antiseptic stuff. Then it was time...
He got into position for the first hole and asked if I was ready (it doesn't matter what the answer is, I know he'll do it anyway) and I squeaked a 'yes' and the needle went in: Ouch!!! It was really painful until he slid the bar in and screwed the ball on and left it alone for a while. So I could chill out.
Then I remembered that it was only half done and Steve got ready (And so did I) for the next hole, making sure it was in line, fiddling around a bit, then he stopped and I knew he was going to ask me that famous question (are you ready?) and once again i let out a really high pitched 'yes' and in went the other needle. Ahh! It wasn't as bad, though, as I had got some idea of the pain through the first hole.
Next was to get the bar through the second hole. There was a bit of pulling on the first hole as he lined it up, but once it was in, it felt ok. Then he screwed the ball on and suddenly went 'ahh!' so I panicked a bit thinking something had gone wrong (I didn't think it had)- it turned out that the piercing was fine, it was just that he'd been bending down for ages and had to straighten his back!
I paid the normal price but he said he would charge me an extra £1500 for the back surgery, which I thought was funny! (He was joking, of course) No, but seriously, I love going to Deep Blue for piercings and tattoos because the prices are great, but you don't just get the piercing or tattoo, you get the conversation and friendly atmosphere that loads of places lack. Also some places around where I live will only pierce what is on their 'menu', but go into Deep Blue and they'll try and do whatever you want. Then I left, slurping on my milkshake and grinning as if I'd just escaped from the mental hospital.
The industrial is so cool, I love it, and it was worth the pain (which didn't last that long, in fact it only hurts now if I bash it). Just after it was done, my ear was really red and hot, but now it looks better and feels better. I didn't even have to take painkillers or use ice or anything, although that might have had something to do with all the chemicals in my milkshake or something!
I can't wait to get the vertical industrial done, hopefully it will be soon!!!