It had been awhile. A year since I had been to anything worthwhile. A few months since I had talked to anyone in reference to tattoos or piercings. I had really lost touch with myself in a sense. Then one day, as I was wandering through Tate's Comics, I saw the advertisement. "YES! The convention is back!"
At A Glance Author Lara Contact Lara@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Mike from Cool Cat Tattoo Studio 7th Annual Tattoo and Piercing Convention Location Coral Springs, Florida I managed to convince a guy friend of mine to attend, as he may very well see/learn something new. Besides, there are always a lot of cool people, bikers, artists, and talented musicians at these shows.
After buying my 'day bracelet' for the event, I wandered around for a few minutes to take in what was what and where and such. My co-workers and relatives had already placed bets on where my next piercing or possibly first tattoo would be placed. I played with some ideas and as much as the thought pained me to get my navel pierced (since it's certainly nothing new, yet I rarely see it around here oddly enough) I decided what the hell. Might as well add another to the 9 I already have; right? That and I was already irritated with how many more jewelry options there are for the navel. Even before the jewelry movement got fully underway, there were a load of designs for the navel ring, rarely anything that peaked my interest for the labret, tongue, or nipples, but I digress...
I stopped by the Cool Cat Tattoo Booth and started talking to Mike. There were already a couple of girls there looking through a photo collection of piercings and wondering about the tattoos he had on his knuckles. I told him I was up for a navel piercing and we discussed what I had initially wanted. I wanted my piercing on the bottom, but he thought I'd have less of a chance of rejection, based on my shape, if I was pierced on the top. He left the choice up to me. I thought about it and how future jewelry options would lay and agreed to the standard piercing.
He eventually had me come over after he had prepared everything. I tucked the lower part of my corset-type top in so he could mark where he would pierce, after cleaning it of course. He then positioned the clamp and had me hold onto it while I popped myself onto the all familiar piercing recliner!
By then, a crowd started to gather and there were already a couple of others asking questions in reference to navel piercing, they stuck by to watch, but I'm not sure if they went through with it. I was also cheered on by another female and I mentioned that this was my 10th piercing and she was like, "YEAH, you GO girl!" My guy friend at this time was sitting in a chair nearby watching what he could. He later complained he couldn't see too much.
Mike went over the familiar piercing chant of what he would do and when. I took my initial breath and on the start of the second he began to push the needle through, top to bottom. I felt the tip of the needle and thought it tickled, but the rest was a breeze. Absolutely no pain. He placed the jewelry in, made sure I was O.K. and then started to go over aftercare procedures. He even asked how it was! I compared the navel to my Labret or even a standard ear piercing, not a big deal. Like getting a shot or testing your blood sugar level with a lancet, one quick 'pinch' and it's over. I thanked him and paid/tipped and went on my merry way to the band room for some random acts of moshing.
It's been about 3 weeks and all is well with my navel's healing process. I can't wait to try out some of the new jewelry I picked up while I was at the convention. I also have 3 digital photos of me at the show from a very kind woman who sent them to me since I forgot to bring my own. If anyone went to the show, I was there all day Saturday. The one with the demon horns, red eyes, PVC pants, and belt buckle platforms. You couldn't have missed me.
Now at work it seems whenever anyone has a question about piercing or wanting a certain tattoo design they come to me. In fact, another lady in my department is going to get her navel done soon; after she received some re-assurance from me that it doesn't hurt at all.
Piercings so far: Standard Labret done a tad higher, both nipples, 3 in right ear of mixed gauges, 2 in left also mixed gauges, tongue, and navel. I also have 3 simple lines scarred into my left forearm.
So if you're considering any of these and need a confidence boost to get them feel free to drop an e-mail.