At A Glance Author Raevyn Contact Raevyn@bme.anon IAM insignificunt When A month ago Artist Matt Cottrell Studio Planet Ink Studios Location Ottawa, ON
Almost 5 years ago, a wonderful artist named Juliette introduced me to a whole new level of self-awareness with the simple addition of a clitoral hood piercing. The piercing gave me a feeling of empowerment, in the sense that I realized I had complete control over my body, but more importantly, I developped the mindset that my body is truly my canvas, and it's up to me to decorate it and express myself through it, and I have continued to do so ever since.Once I had my hood done, I found BME, and with that access, I discovered so many wonderful things a person can do with a piece of jewelry.... and then I saw the most elegant, simple and beautiful, not to mention sexy piercing I've ever laid eyes on... and they call her Christina.
There were many factors that prevented me from getting my christina pierced over the past few years. Primarily financial ones, but if it wasn't that, there was always something I desired just a little bit more at that moment in time. And then there was the healing process. After many failed attempts at healing numerous surface piercings done with both surface bars and curved barbells; whether it was due to migration, keloiding or just constant irritation, nothing wanted to heal, so I remained skeptical that I could heal another one. And on top of it all, Juliette had moved and I was reluctant to see another piercer.
I later met Matt Cottrell ( hellspawn ), who I quickly became friends with and he became my trusted body modification artist. After successful healing of quite a few piercings Matt's done for me, including my wonderful vertical bridge done with surface bar, I regained faith that a Christina might be hopeful. Once getting my price quote from Matt and him placing the jewelry order, it was finally going to happen. It took a few days longer than anticipated for the jewelry to come in and a time that would work for both of us, so of course, that prolonged the anxiety and excitement I had. I had no idea what to expect for this piercing, but I couldn't wait!
I thought at first, that it might be awkward to be partially undressed in front of Matt since we were friends and stuff, but I quickly came to my senses in that Matt has been nothing short of professional with me and any of his clients and his bedside manner is impeccable. So when it came time to get it done, I didn't hesitate - I just laid on the table while he was getting all his things set up and I was breathing trying to get into my "zone", where I like to be for any of my modifications.
For once, actually for the first time EVER, the clamps really weren't the worst part of the procedure. The needle's entrance wasn't even that bad either, but I swear to god that I felt that damn needle though every single fraction of a millimeter of tissue it passed, and it was NOT my idea of a good time. It seemed like it took at least 4 minutes for the needle to find it's way out of my skin, but of course it was much quicker. It must have sounded like a bizarre orgasm, considering I was wincing, and the words "oh fuck" or "oh god" or a combination thereof, being uttered under my breath, all while trying to remain focused on my breathing and relaxation!
The needle finally exited through my skin and jewelry was quickly inserted. A very pretty 'C bar' - like a surface bar but more of a 45* angle where the bar is bent - with a flat disk on top and a bead on the bottom. I knew from previous piercings/modifications that I would experience that all to familiar adrenaline and endorphine rush & crash, but nothing prepared me for how quick or how hard I would be affected by it this time. Instantly, I needed to sit and sip on some juice. Matt has always been wonderful and understanding about this, so we chilled and chatted and caught up since it had been a while since we had hung out. My new piercing had decided to bleed a little bit, not a big surprise, and a pantyliner offered a quick and simple solution to that.
When I got home, I noticed not so much the swelling that had occurred, but moreso instantaneous bruising. I had never bruised from a piercing before. Odd. It didn't raise that much concern though, especially after Matt had told me to consider the placement, length (about an inch) and depth of the piercing, bruising was kind of to be expected. It ended up fading rather quickly anyway, and was pretty much gone within a week or so. For the first 7-10 days, she (yes, I refer to my piercing in the 3rd person) was red,and incredibly tender. But every Christina I've ever known has been stubborn, persistant and full of drama - this was one going to prove to be no different.
It has been about a month since Matt and I brought my christina into this world and she's doing very well. The area around the disc is still a little red, but I figured that's from constant rubbing against clothing, and the jewelry is a little long right now, but once she's better healed, that can be changed.
Although she was more than 4 years in the making, more painful than I've never experienced from a piercing, and quite stubborn at the beginning, she's just as pretty as I imagined, and I'm so glad I got it done. She's now a part of me and hopefully will heal to remain as such.