I can remember the day: I was 5 and we were going to the doctor for my immunizations and health check prior to the first day of school. I was soooo excited. Not because I was getting a shot, but because months prior my mother had promised the next time we went to the doctor, she’d have him pierce my ears.
I wanted it so badly it was all I thought about. I wanted to wear sparkly little posts … unicorns and gemstones and all the pretty stuff I saw my aunt and mother wear in their ears … in my own. I hated clip-ons – They hurt and were very uncomfortable … not to mention clunky and inelegant and I wanted to be pretty … and to me, pierced ears were the cat’s meow of pretty.
So I was very good the entire time in the waiting room, reading my book. Playing nice with the little kids in the office and being very polite to all the elderly women who asked my age and then acted shocked and surprised I was only 5 (I was very tall for 5). They finally called us back into the exam room and I was bubbling with joy 
I skipped behind the nurse to the room and hopped up on the table.
My mother was surprised by my chipper mood. She’d warned me many times over I was getting at least one shot while there, probably more, and my mood was unusual for such promised activities. Still, my happiness would not be dampened. Finally, she just asked me what was up. I informed her with my gap toothed grin that I was sooo happy because I was getting my ears pierced today. She stopped in her tracks. She’d forgotten the hasty promise and was very put off at the idea. She tried to convince me that I didn’t really want it. That this would hurt. That they were hard to take care of — But I would not be deterred. I was getting my ears pierced. She’d promised and it was my joy.
Right then, the doctor (an old gentleman named Dr. Dumont) appeared at the door. My mother, still determined to thwart this adventure for little me pulled the doctor back out into the hallway. A lot of whispering and gesturing took place ending with him nodding and walking over to where I sat. He started the exam and talked to me. Sent his nurse for my immunizations and, once they had arrived, he looked at them and said “So, I hear you’re getting your ears pierced today.” I grinned and nodded affirmatively. He then went into a diatribe about the pain involved, the care involved and finally, as he prepared the immunization injection site, he mentioned that the ear piercing needle was even bigger than this one.
I told him I didn’t care. I was ready. He gave me the shots, because this was back in the day when they actually gave the shots, and left the room. Soon, Dr. Dumont returned carrying a metal tray. On it was a smelly cup of rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs and the longest needle I’ve ever seen (and I see a pretty long one every Sunday!). The needle had to be at least 3-4 inches long and a huge gauge. IDK what they used it for, but it was scary. Mom, understanding the ruse, nodded approvingly.
He held the needle up and asked if I really wanted this. I looked him in the eyes, told him “Yes, I’m ready.” Then I closed my eyes, scrunched up my face and braced myself. I really was ready.
I heard him ask my mom, “Well, Becky, what do we do now.” She decided to let him do it. She took out her own earrings, soaked them in alcohol, prepped my ears and he jabbed that needle in, then, placed the tiny unicorn heads into the holes and I was off.
So, it’s no surprise that, by the time I was 21, I had 21 holes in my ears (all but 4 self-inflicted), a half-finished prison-style tattoo behind my ear, a nearly imperceptible botched nose piercing scar and had dyed my hair every color imaginable
I have grown up a lot since then and leave the skill to the skilled… In other words, now I pay people tomutilate my body (that’s what my mother calls it).
My ink is done professionally by Rhett @ the North Oak Illustrated Man, where he transforms my art into what I consider to be the best tattoos around. I pay Carly @ the Liberty, MO, Salon Bellissima to style and color my hair. There she special orders odd colors just for me and does an absolutely fabulous job with my hair and doesn’t expect me to be super chipper or any thing I’m not.
But the piercings… That was a toughie. I had gone to A-1 Tattoo off of North Oak to re-pierce my nose because he’d been recommended, but he really didn’t listen to me and, although it turned out fine, he seemed a touch primadonna-ish and a little expensive for my pocket book.
So … I hunted. For months I hunted. I found a great shop in Lawrence, KS, where I had a great rapport with the piercer on staff, but it was so far away and she was also kinda higher dollar. I called several places in town asking the following questions:
- How much for a single eye brow piercing?
- How much for a double, side-by-side?
- Does pricing include jewelry?
- Cash or Charge?
- How long has your piercer been doing this?
- Appt or walk-in?
I’d pretty much given up and didn’t expect I’d be getting one any time soon. I was driving down 23rd Street In Independence, MO, between Crysler and 291 Highways, when I noticed the little tattoo shop they’d obviously been remodeling lately. In large neon letters it touted piercings. I dialed the number on the sign as I turned to make the turn around ending up in their parking lot as the girl on the phone answered all my questions with acceptable answers. How much for 1? $25. How much for 2? $50 … Yes it includes jewelry. Both Cash & Charge. The piercer had been doing this 5+ years and I could just walk-in.
So I did …
We went in, sat down and Jennifer played with the positioning of the guide marks until it was perfect. She even left room for the sister piercing I plan at a later date. We did have a slight jewelry mishap where a bar was mismarked on the label and I ended up sitting with a needle poking out of my brow for about 5 minutes while Jenny apologetically found a replacement.
She pierced me in a relatively painless manner and, after it was discovered they did not have the jewelry I’d asked for, offered to replace it and give it to me for free once it comes in (next week).
<< ADDENDUM – August 15, 2009: I went back about an hour ago and she put in a shorter bar (YAY!) with the cutest little balls (pink, fake gemstones). Awesome! >>
So I was fairly satisfied with SoulFire Tattoos & Piercing in Independence, MO (521 E. 23rd St. – 816.252.8717) and would go back for more pokes and prods …
So, yeah, I got my eyebrow pierced. It swelled some. I’m tired … but happy.
~H
