Meet Ariel Sweet | Professional Body Piercer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariel Sweet and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariel, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks in life can bring us to places, people, and experiences we never could have dreamed of. I started a career in an uncommon line of work , a mountainous risk financially, socially, and mentally. Going from a career in the medical field to pursing my passion with body piercing was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken. There were a lot of unknowns and uncertainty along the way. There is a substantial level of risk when choosing an art or creative line of work over more traditional career paths. Pushing through any fears to do what makes me happy, regardless of the outcome. Letting go of who I thought I was and embracing who I have always been was a risk I didn’t know I was capable of making before. Now that I am comfortable taking those risks I feel driven to discover more about myself and my career, to push myself further in every aspect of my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It wasn’t easy to get started. I knew I wanted to find a quality apprenticeship that used the safest practices, the highest quality jewelry, in an environment I could feel comfortable in. Finding those things proved to be a challenge. There are very few studios who met those specifications and I was not willing to settle for anything less than what I felt clients deserve out of these services. Things seemed to fall into place at the right time when my mentor was looking for an apprentice and I was looking for a mentor. The work I had to put in was difficult and more challenging than I anticipated it would be. I wasn’t a natural at this, I had to go slow and learn about every aspect of body piercing over and over again until I got it right. I spent about 2.5 years apprenticing which might seem like a long time but is mostly the industry normal for a quality apprenticeship. There were many setbacks and moments of reflection or self doubt but, I was not going to let those setbacks crush the dreams I had. I would stay up late every night reading anything I could about the history of body piercing, joining online forums dedicated to body piercing professionals and going over my notes I made throughout the day. Mistakes I had made and how I could overcome areas I was struggling with. There are so many facets to body piercing that I feel most people don’t realize. Learning about the tools and materials we use and why we use them. What is safe and unsafe practices. Learning about hundreds of genuine and lab created gemstones. Sterile technique and proper knowledge of safety practices. How you can’t just stick a needle through someone and put jewelry in expecting it to heal. There is an art and science to this. Everyone’s bodies are different and the approach you take is different for every single person. A slight mistake may mean a clients piercing won’t heal and could cause permanent scaring. The responsibility I have to set clients up to have happy and healthy piercings. I am working with peoples bodies and their image of themselves, it should not be taken lightly.

What sets me apart is the love I have for my clients and the work I do for them being the highest quality. The best quality body jewelry, safe piercing practices and skill. My dedication to continuing my education with seminars, learning from other professionals, and making changes along the way as I learn more and more. I will never stop learning. Giving people a space to express themselves freely and without judgment is the environment I strive to provide everyday. It can be such an incredibly empowering experience for people to face their fears, express themselves in a way that they have always wanted to. The freedom to express yourself is not only mine but the clients I serve. Empowering others is at the core of why I chose this path and career every day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many great places to see and visit in the east valley these are some of my favorite places to bring visiting friends and family.

-Flancers near Downtown Gilbert has the best French onion soup and sandwiches

– Boba Cutea Bubble Tea House in Chandler, it’s such a unique and adorable tea house with a huge selection of bubble tea and treats

– Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek specifically during their chili pumpkin festival in the fall

– Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert is a beautiful and tranquil place to walk around and even see some wildlife

– Tempe Festival of the Arts is a great annual event to see and connect with a lot of local artists

– Dulce Vida Coffee in Chandler I love their Lavender Chamomile tea l

– Joya Spa at Omni Resort in Scottsdale would be the perfect relaxing end to a great week in the east valley.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Rob Wilson, my mentor, gave me the knowledge and strong foundation I needed to be successful. Along with the time and dedication he put into ensuring the work I did was the highest quality.

Emily Lake, for sharing the same dreams, passion and dedication to this industry that I have. For setting an example that pushes me to work hard and elevate myself every day. I am proud to work for such a driven person.

My husband, Matt Nelson, for the unconditional support, love and encouragement every step of the way. Even when things were challenging for me, he cheered me on, and continues to do so with every milestone and accomplishment.

Website: https://www.redarttattoopiercing.studio

Instagram: @A.SweetPiercing

Facebook: A. Sweet Piercing

Image Credits
Candids of me done by Emily Lake Photos of my work are photos I’ve taken