It was at the age of 17 that I discovered what piercing was and that I wanted to do it. At the time I didn’t care to go to a reputable studio and get the piercing done properly, all I cared about was piercing my helix with my mother's sewing needle that I had burnt black with a lighter before sticking it through my ear. Funny thing is, it’s did not go right through immediately, it seared its way halfway into my ear before coming to a halt. I then proceeded to do the whole burn sewing needle black, push into existing stinging hole and proceed to push again. Once through, I then put in a piece of cheap jewelry.

This all lasted a total of 5 days before I went to a reputable studio in the East Rand Galleria at the time. Al, the piercer at the time, explained everything to me with regards to what I had done wrong and why. He also explained the procedure that a Body Piercer needed to follow when doing the piercing and what the client (Me) had to do to look after the piercing and make sure it heals perfectly. I was captivated by everything that was involved and wanted the opportunity to learn a skill that you can travel with.

My opportunity came when I 5 months after I was out of Matric. The owner of the studio I had enquired at gave me the opportunity to come in and see if it is really what I wanted to do. I started off as any apprentice does in the beginning, I was the scrub maid, the coffee maker, food runner etc. I didn’t mind though, because through it all, I got to ask questions, watch what was being done, and learn from an experienced Body Piercer who had apprenticed under the pioneer of piercing Eddie Graham, in a profession that was growing rapidly in South Africa at the time.

I got given my opportunity a year into my apprenticeship, after doing numerous practice piercings on friends and family, to finally do my very first piercing, which was a tongue piercing. It was daunting as all hell, nerves running through my entire body making me feel like I was going to explode. Once I had done the piercing and the client was walking out with a smile on their face, I got that sensation that ran through my body of this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

It was with a sad heart that I had to take a sabbatical from piercing, a vocation I had seen myself doing for the rest of my life, because of irreparable differences between myself and the Studio I was working at, at the time.

5 and a half years ago I was granted the opportunity again to get back into the industry, and I grabbed it with both hands. I have been fortunate enough to work with great artists as well as learn from experienced piercers over the last 5 and a half years. I am the proud owner of Modified Monkey, a company that has taken dedication, hard work and help from friends and family in the business.

I am now based inside the awesome Jaded Ink, with a vibrant and amazing crew that has welcomed me with open arms. I specialize in Daith piercings and I am always up for an ear project or two.