About fifteen years ago a jeweller friend of mine made a number of rubber pieces. The most popular of these was a double ended black rubber spike, cut in half and held together by a small stainless steel pin. This could be worn in ears, or in clothes. I used to wear mine on the sleeve of a shirt or sweater.
At A Glance Author blend Contact blend@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Brad (piercer) Studio Steel Lotus Location East Sydney Come forward to the new millenium and suddenly you can get just about anything pierced. I started to wonder if it were possible to pierce my arm to wear jewellery as I had done years ago with my spike. I thought about asking people if it would be possible, but thought I would be laughed at.
I asked my local Dr who just happens to be a body piercer. He didnt see why not and even checked with a plastic surgeon friend of his who seemed to think it would be alright. I still wanted to think about it.
One day I decided the time was right. I went to a piercing studio and asked if they would do it. They were reluctant as previous experiences of surface piercing had not been promising. I told them I was prepared to accept all responsibility, and they agreed to do it.
The piercing procedure itself was simple, and almost painless. I chose a curved 16 gauge niobium barbell (I liked the colour) about 18mm long. Brad, the piercer marked out the entry and exit points, across the upper arm about half way between elbow and shoulder. Using a curved needle to go as deep as possible to reduce migration, the piercing was done very swiftly, the jewellery inserted, and that was it! Brad took a photo and I was on my way.
I had been advised to avoid swimming pools. As a pool and openwater swimmer I saw this as a potential problem so decided to use Opsite waterproof bandages whenever I went swimming in chlorine - which unfortunately was for about 5 hours a week.
I was extremely satisfied with my piercing. To me it was subtle yet it defined a statement of personal strength, perhaps this is something only I can fully appreciate. I received mixed reactions to my piercing. Some thought it was great, others, just didnt get the point. Needless to say, my parents, thought it a totally unnecessary disfigurement (and at my age!)
For a little while it was OK, but the healing process didnt seem to be advancing. Suddenly everyone seemed to be a self confessed expert on surface piercing and knew the "right" way to do it. I got lots of mixed advice. Finally I decided to change the niobium bar for Tygon tubing. The studio where I bought it (not Steel Lotus) cut it too short and the balls wouldnt stay on!
I decided to get the balls modified and a stainless steel bar made to fit inside the Tygon. In the meantime I had to tape the ends of the bar to my arm so that it wouldnt come out. This scratched the piercing points many times. The piercing continued to be tender, red and inflamed. Occasionally it would improve or look "sick" for no apparent reason.
I had the new jewellery inserted without any problems. Soon after one of the balls worked loose and I lost it, and the bar slipped out. I had to make a quick trip to the hospital where I work to get it put bak in. One of my Dr friends sat there with a fist full of cannulas which we exchanged until we could get the remaining jewellery back in.
Back to the jeweller to get more made. In the meantime I had to tape the exit points to hold the bar in again. I really wanted to persevere, I thought if I could just get it to heal, it would be alright. I had the new jewellery inserted and was determined to let it settle. All the surgeons at work said it wouldnt last, I was deetermined to prove them wrong.
Sadly it failed to thrive. I bumped it quite badly by getting it caught in a door latch at work one day, just when things were going well, this was much more painful than the initial piercing. I eventually decided the techniques were not sufficiently advanced enough yet for this kind of piercing.
So...I pulled it out. I have spent quite a bit of time researching the internet for the best way to do this type of piercing and I am currently undecided. When I have more confidence in technique, jewellery shape and materials I will gladly give it another try.
A few of us at work xrayed each others piercings, which we downloaded onto disk. I have this as a record of my experience, a couple of photos, and a small red scar.