regarding piercing:

i have been hearing this a lot: "you do piercings, right?"
ladies and gentlemen, the answer is no. no, i do not do piercings.
however, i have worked at two shops in nyc that do offer piercing and i whole-heartedly recommend either of these places.

Pure Body Arts in Brooklyn on Boerum b/w Graham and Manhattan or Venus Modern Body Arts in Manhattan on E4th b/w A and B and also on Broadway.

like i explain to everyone who walks in my door looking for a piercing: they'll probably be more expensive than other places around here, but they aren't using cheap, turn-your-skin-green jewelry and they know their trade. i've been pierced at both shops. i have brought my friends, family, and my own mother to be pierced at these establishments. not all tattoo artists are the same and neither are all piercers! both shops will special order jewelry for you, as well. go see them!

p.s. make sure you tell them i sent you there so they know i still love them.