About Vie the Piercer
Hello! I am Vie, Pronounced "V", short for, Viera, my last name. Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Scorpio, Rising Gemini for my zodiac placements and birth year is 1997. I am owner of Vie's Jewelry Collection Online and Head Piercer at Inkhouse Tattoo Co. My story it doesn't start with me, but it starts with my parents. I am the first generation American from a mexican/cuban couple, they came to America from separate countries and found each other in California. They made their new home together in Riverside, CA and stayed very close to my Mexican side of the family. I do also speak Spanish and love cooking Mexican food on my free time. My parents and family are everything to me they have worked hard to keep me safe and with food always on my plate. I owe it all to them because they showed me hard work and loyalty. Aside from that, traditionally my family wasn't very accepting of piercings or tattoos. I feel loved and supported by my family constantly but allowing me to get such things were NOT OKAY "especially at my age" (at the time). I was taught to be safe but I was ready for change! I had mentioned body piercings to my parents and it had always ended with "NO".
At 15 years old I pierced my own septum in my bedroom, I know SCARY, but I had this drive in me at such a young age to want piercings and tattoos. Honestly my first piercing I did was on accident. I was trying to see how the needle felt and it went in! Since it wasn't correct match of gauges, I had to forced the jewelry through which made that part very painful. I also stretched my ears from a 20 gauge to a 2 gauge!! When my parents noticed after hiding them, they did not agree with it but I was persistent. I kept asking for more and kept doing them successfully on my own. Yes, I was a rebel and now that I read back I sound like a crazy person. BUT, the feeling of choosing what you want to do to your own body is very freeing and I couldn't get enough. I never advise to try that at home; but do try and do things for yourself, even if it makes you feel different or unaccepted.
I first worked as a barista and I loved being one but, I hated having to hide my piercings during work. I liked switching my accessories once a day (for the piercings that were healed) to match my outfits. I continued to pierce myself at home. I organized and cleaned my jewelry during alone time at home, I even choose new jewelry over new clothes during shopping sprees with my parents. My love for piercings and jewelry was unmatched. As I got older I started realizing people would pay for my experience, compared to them not having any, I knew enough. I had appointments come to my parents house for piercings and got so booked and overwhelmed I reached out to studios around me to help me develop better. Being a barista was no longer my main focus.
I then found Inkhouse, the shop I started and completed my apprenticeship there. Yes, I still consider my apprenticeship necessary and No, I could not have done it myself. The owner of the shop and the association of professional piercers have all played a part in my growth. There were times my strength was tested by (un)professional piercers that made sexist remarks, owners of shops that take advantage of my labor, and even bad comments online; shaming my work instead of giving constructive criticism. As you know, I am very driven, so I never stopped.
Overall, I have worked at 4 locations as a professional piercer and now have 6 years under my belt. My next goal is to be a member of the Association of Professional Piercers to continue learning with more advanced courses. I have been attending piercing educational conferences since 2019 but being apart of the membership will increase my opportunities of work.
