April 2011  
In This Issue
These are a few of our favorite things...
Meet Anatometal
How to choose your piercer
Ask a Piercer
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Help however you can
JapanUsually we like to start our monthly newsletter off with fun and witty commentary on the season we are entering or the holidays that are near, but this time around there is an issue that just can't be ignored.

While the earthquake and tsunami that has devastated Japan hit weeks ago now, the country and it's people are still struggling to get things back to normal.

We were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief when we found out that all of our friends and family in Japan are safe and accounted for, but we also know that many others were not so fortunate. Immediately after the disaster  struck, we started looking for ways to help and would like to share some with you:

Japanese Red Cross Society

American Red Cross

Paypal

Amazon

We know that not everyone has lots of extra cash lying around but we ask that everyone donate what you can. Every little bit counts and is appreciated! Thanks everyone!
These are a few of our favorite things...
Polaris- Polaris Eyelets - 
Choose from ASTM F-138 stainless steel or solid 18k gold for the outer setting; the center star can be cast in silver, 18k gold, or bronze. Any of our round gems can be set in the star: see our Gems/Metals section of our main site for full selection.

Bezel-set Navel Curve- Bezel-set Navel Curves - Available in ASTM F-138 stainless steel, titanium, and solid 18k gold; 14ga and 12ga. Both cabochon and faceted stones can be set into this style. Our Bezel-set Navel Curves have a smooth, flush finish between stone and steel allowing for smooth transitions and comfort. 6mm is our standard gem size; 4mm or 8mm stones are also available in this setting.

- Gem Star Nostril Screws - Machined out of solid stock material, our Gem Star Nostril Screws are made in ASTM F-138 stainless steel, titanium, or solid 18k gold; 20ga and 18ga. Super annealed for easy bending: your choice of any faceted gem stone can be set in the star.

 - Gem Star Plugs - Available in stainless steel, titanium, and solid 18k gold; 16ga - 00ga. Our Gemmed Star Plugs have a removable flat disk on the back, providing an ideal way to wear plugs without a back-flare or o-ring. Any round gemstone can be set in the center of the star.

Single Stone Teardrops- Single Stone Teardrop Eyelets - Choose from ASTM F-138 stainless steel, titanium, or solid 18k gold; 7/16" - 1". All faceted stones options available to be set in this style: your choice of single or double flare. 
Meet Anatometal
Tracy
We know how much you love your Anatometal and what it stands for: handcrafted right here in the USA, made with only the highest quality  materials. There is so much that goes into each piece as it moves from our machine shop, to the polishing room, to the gold room, through quality assurance, packaging, and to our shipping department. We thought you would like to get to know the people who make that Gemmed Eyelet, Heart Navel Curve, and Nostril Screw possible! In the coming months, we will be invading all the departments here at Anatometal Headquarters and bringing our hard workers right to you!
This month we bring you...


From The Gold Room, Tracy Babb!






Anatometal:
What do you do here at Anatometal?
Tracy:  Let's see... I set stones, weld, help with casting, grab parts to be set. I pretty much help Tony with whatever it is he needs.

Anatometal: How long have you worked for Anatometal?
Tracy:  Almost a year now.

Anatometal: What is your favorite piece that Anatometal makes?
Tracy: 7/16" Super Teardrop Eyelets, they are just so cute! I was just setting a pair and I love the 1.5mm stones we use in them, adorable.

Anatometal: Tell us 3 things about yourself.
Tracy: Smiles and raises eyebrows I was a competitive rock climber when I was a kid, I am terrified of dolls, and Anatometal saved me from biting my tongue off.
Anatometal: Uhhh could you elaborate on that?!
Tracy: Well when I was 18 I was in a really bad car wreck and the impact caused me bite down on my tongue real hard, so hard I bent the barbell that was in my tongue piecing.
Anatometal: cringing  Whoa, there was a lot of force in that bite.
Tracy: Yeah, I broke 2 of my molars and put a nice big gash in my tongue but that barbell stopped my teeth from going all the way through

Anatometal: Ninjas or Pirates?
Tracy: Pirates for sure!

Thanks for letting us get to know you a bit Tracy! Who will be featured next month? Be sure to check back to find out!
How to choose your piercer
Let's say you have just moved to a new area and want a new piercing, or maybe this is your first piercing and you have no idea where to go to have it done... Choosing a piercer can and should be a very personal thing, but there is a check list that you should always keep on your mind and questions you should ask before you let someone modify your body -
Neon sign
Gut feelings are a good place to start; when you walk through the door of a studio, how do you feel? Are you comfortable? Are you nervous (besides that little twinge you have about that new piercing)? If you have a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach as soon as you arrive, that's a good sign to leave!

So the studio you are in has passed the "gut feeling test", now what? Ask the piercer/counter person/manager if they have an autoclave in use at the shop. An autoclave is an instrument used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure satuAutoclaverated steam at 121 �C or more. No studio should be operating without this piece of machinery. If you want to take your inquiry a step further, you can also ask to see the spore tests for the autoclave. A spore test is the only way to see if the equipment is working properly and the shop should have the most recent test results on hand. Along the same lines, take a look around and see if the shop is clean. Are the walls wiped down? Are the floors swept/carpets vacuumed?  Is everything neat and tidy?

Some states require piercing studios to have a license, the standards of which vary from area to area. You can call your local Health Department to find out what the requirements are for your state and if a license to operate is needed, make sure the shop you are looking into has one!
piercing gun
Asking about the shop's aftercare guidelines is also key. Read their instructions before you actually get the piercing. If they recommend caring for your piercing with things like alcohol, ointments, or harsh soaps, they are not keeping up with industry standards and that is never a good sign.

Although this may seem obvious, make sure the shop is not piercing with an ear piercing gun. Most of these guns can not be sterilized in an autoclave and many states have outlawed them for use in body piercing.  There are so many reasons to avoid piercings guns... but that would an entire article in and of itseNeedleslf.

Finally, check out the piercer. Piercing is not easy! Whether through an apprenticeship or self-teaching, piercing is not a trade you can pick up overnight. Don't be afraid to ask them how long they have been piercing, how they learned, or if they participated/continue to participate in classes. Ask to see their portfolio as well. Thumbing through photos of their past work, you can take note on placement of piercings they have done and how piercings have healed.

When it comes down to it, choosing your piercer is your choice but don't settle! Acting impulsively can leave something to be desired, ask around for recommendations from friends  or even your local Health Department (some shops work closely with them). Just because a shop is advertising inexpensive piercing, does not mean it is the place for you. Remember it's your body, treat it well!
Ask a Piercer
Spare Parts
The Question: I swallowed/lost/broke the ball on the end of my jewelry. What now?

The Answer:

It goes without saying that if you lose/break a ball, the best thing to do is see your piercer for a replacement, but what if it happens at work or in class? A lot has to do on exactly what piercing we're talking about.

 

 - Many piercings that have rings in them will survive without a captive bead in place for some time (most ear piercings, septum, lip as examples). If you're really worried, try using a piece of medical tape to close the gap. Other piercings can pose greater problems by losing a ball such as a tongue piercing. If you're comfortable with it, try flipping the barbell so the ball you have left is on the bottom until you can procure a replacement.

 

 - Nipple and navel piercings can be held in place briefly by some gentle medical tape or an adhesive bandage until you can visit your local piercer, as with certain genital piercings (obviously these can range from a simple fix listed above to more complicated measures).

 

 - In each of these cases, there are McGuyver-like moves that can help you in the short term, but they are no substitute for a quick visit to your piercer to fix the problem. Are you prone to losing your captive beads or threaded ends (ie: is this not the first time it's happened?)? Make sure ends are threaded on tight and there is no 'play' on the bead in your ring. If all else fails, next time you go to replace a bead, make sure to buy *two* of them and keep one with you, just in case.

 



*To have your questions answer by one of our resident piercers just send in email form to [email protected]



Thanks for joining us once again everyone! See you next month!

Sincerely,

Your friends at Anatometal


Questions? Comments? Please send them to [email protected]. If you know someone who will enjoy this publication as much as you do, don't hesitate to pass it along.