The Idea of Guest Spots

2009-03-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

I have been a very strong advocate for branching out and marketing yourself as a product. It is a very aggressive and very important decision that one needs to make. This is what needs to be considered: Do you feel comfortable enough working out of your own shop and not needing to venture deeper into this industry? and Do you believe your skill(s) will not be hindered if you decided to remain at home base?.

These questions I asked Myself as soon as I entered into this industry. I shall answer them both right now. Indeed, I feel very comfortable working out of My own shop, however, there is so much more outside of My walls. This industry is so large but yet so small and it continues to grow and evolve. It is not uncommon that many piercers or tattooists know each other across the country or even the world. To Me that is one of the biggest benefits of venturing out into the industry and doing guest spots. You get to work out of other shops that shall offer different aspects to the industry you may not have taken notice of. You get to work with others and learn or teach new techniques, skills and share knowledge. That in itself is priceless. Again, it is very important to allow yourself the benefit of networking through this industry. Not only does it help you become better at what you are doing, meet cool and interesting fellow artists and clients but it also helps the industry become that much more mainstream and legit.

I have had the pleasure of working out of some very cool shops and meeting some of the coolest people of the industry. I have also had the pleasure of going to places that did not offer My body piercing services or tattooing services and working out of beauty salons, massage parlors and such that maintained and shared the same mindset in regards to sterilization, client importance and general safety. All in all these guest spots have made Me a better person and a better body piercer.

I have worked out of the following shops:

Iron Lotus - Winnipeg, MB
Phase II - Winnipeg, MB
Infliction Tattoos and Piercings - Windsor, ON
Angie's Cutting Edge - Neepawa, MB
Massage Therapy by Derek - Winnipeg, MB

I have worked out of the following areas:

Las Vegas, NV
Minneapolis, MN
San Fransisco, CA
Thompson, MB

As I grow within this industry I do hope to work all over the world and meet the industry's pioneers. I believe with doing this will only help My own shop, My own credibility, My own skill and ensure My clients the very best in what I do.

Hello world … it’s Body Piercing by Tomkins!

2009-03-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

I am a body piercer from Manitoba, Canada. My clients, ethics, and reputation are much more valuable than money. If the piercing does not come out as best as it can be, it does reflect on Me. It is advertising and I trust My clients will make the effort to ensure they care for their piercing as best as they can. They all represent My work and in the end what I am and what I do is determined by what I have done.

I have been within this industry for over a year now. Within this year I have opened My own shop, “Nineteen Thirty3 Body Art”, and thus far, it has been successful. I believe this industry is smaller than it seems. Eventually everyone knows everyone. That has been one of My goals. Allowing Myself to rise to the top and get My name and reputation out there by attending conventions, doing artist guest spots, and continuing to educate Myself. In time My work shall speak for itself.

You must perfect the basics before reaching forward for the more advanced stages of body piercing. Those that run before they walk find themselves unable to connect with the industry and excel. However, in order to achieve, you must be prepared to work hard. Mediocrity produces failure.

Of course I have made My mistakes in the past, as we all have. At times I would try to ignore the fact that I made a mistake but it would devour Me mercilessly. I found that admitting a mistake not only develops a stronger professionalism, but it also strengthens the trust/bond you have with your client. Furthermore, it allows you to understand what and where you made the mistake. We never stop learning and once we believe we can no longer learn anymore is the day you should leave this industry.

I have been blessed with having some very good friends within this industry that always had My back. They would not sugar coat anything but instead, they would say, “really Tomkins, you really did this” … then they would go over what I did and help Me understand the smallest of errors. Too many people do not know how to take criticism and turn it into concrete advice. For those of you who cannot accept criticism simply do not ask for help or bitch when you feel as if noone seems to want to help you. There is no room for divas - male or female. Simple.

The Body Piercer

The Idea of Guest Spots

Hello world … it’s Body Piercing by Tomkins!