Crystal (She/Her), Co-founder/owner

I have been a lover of all forms of body adornment for as long as I can remember. Before piercings and tattoos it was make-up and fashion. Pierced ears in the 80’s led to a pierced nose and navel in the early 90’s - though at the time I couldn’t find anyone qualified to do them, so neither healed properly. My first real piercing experience at the hands of a trained professional was so powerful that I immediately wanted to learn everything I could about the history, ritual, and psychology of body modification and adornment.

I began my career in the body art industry in early 1994, apprenticing for two years under former APP (Association of Professional Piercers) President Kent Fazekas. Eager to learn as much as I could about the trade, I continued my education by attending classes and workshops hosted by industry leaders such as the Gauntlet, Fakir Musafar, and the early APP instructors and board members. I was greatly inspired by the passion of these individuals who were changing the reputation of “body piercing” from a risky underground activity to a respected profession. I too wanted to be a part of this movement.

In the late ‘90s I met Shawn Taylor, a piercer and body jewelry manufacturer who shared my dedication to elevating the standards for the body piercing industry. Together we founded Evolution Body Piercing in 1999. Proudly, we became Albuquerque’s first members of the Association of Professional Piercers and we remain the only studio solely devoted to the art of body piercing.

While I am no longer piercing, it has always been important to me to give back to this industry that has given me such a fulfilling and rewarding career. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the board of the Association of Professional Piercers, as well as the Board that created regulations for body art in New Mexico. I continue to serve on comittees for these and other organizations in an ongoing effort to disseminate vital health and safety information to those who need it. I also regularly teach classes and coach entrepreneurs and managers on various aspects of running a body art studio or other small enterprise.

When I’m not at work, you’ll find me snapping photos of anything and everything that moves or looks interesting to me (I’ve taken many of the photos for this website, including the one featured on top this page). I travel as often as I can, I love snowboarding and wake surfing, and most of all spending quality time with my husband and our shih tzus. They are the loves of my life.

If you would like to know more about the classes that I teach or the coaching that I offer, please visit crystalsims.com or email hello@crystalsims.com. It would be my pleasure to connect and assist, even if we don't embark on a formal collaboration!