SD: What would you like other piercers to know, that they might not know
about you?
JV: I am really into sports, but the St. Louis Cardinals are my favorite team. I
was lucky enough to have married my best friend at Busch Stadium, home
of the Cardinals back in 2010. I know she is a great woman because she is a
Cubs fan, and still agreed to marry me there. I am also an avid bowler, have
a great jewelry collection, sneaker head, and into good beer and good food.
SD: Being a veteran piercer, what advice do you think that most new
piercers should be aware of as they climb into this industry?
JV: Work hard, ask questions, and don't be afraid to approach piercers
whose work you like. We are all people, and want to help others.
SD: Is there anything you wish to learn or get better at in the piercing
industry?
JV: I personally am always looking to learn new techniques. There is no one
correct way to perform a safe piercing, and it's good to see the other ways
it can be done that you may not think about. I also enjoy learning about the
way the successful shops run their studios.
SD: What are you currently doing and where?
JV: When I'm in town, you can catch me piercing Thursdays through
Saturdays at Native Rituals.
I want to thank Mikey Collins for running the studio and allowing me the
freedom to travel. I will be guesting at a few places out west over the next
few months. I want to also thank you Sean Dowdell for allowing me to be
part of this article.
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