My Ear Project

April 21, 1998

I had never thought of stretching any of my pierces until recently. A week ago, I began planning my next pierce that I planned to get in NYC this May. But I wasn't really excited about anything, and I am still healing 3 pierces anyway. Then I thought of stretching. I wanted a larger hole, but not huge jewelry (a gold 6 gauge CBR would be expensive). I have always liked the look of eyelets with smaller CBR or CBB through them, so that's what I'm shooting for. The stretching experience was much different that I thought it would be. I had assumed I would wear acrylic plugs because they would be cheaper and I would need several pairs. I also thought I would begin stretching at 14 gauge, 12 gauge at most (from my current 16 gauge). But K&K assured me that going to 10 gauge would be fine, and the SSS were only $5 more than the acrylic 8 gauge (and I'm really glad I didn't go for 8 gauge--ouch!). Coco used an 11 gauge taper, and the sensation was very much like a pierce. They have been sore since last night, and I still can't move the jewelry. I was also surprised that the plugs don't look that big. The O-ring makes it look like some sort of disc earring, but it doesn't look too weird.

May 16, 1998

I was among the many that headed to New York City for RABcon98. On Saturday, my Colorado group headed over to the first annual New York Tattoo convention. Wildcat, a British jewelry maker, had a booth. I was lucky enough to find some beautiful blue 8 gauge titanium plugs for only $5 each. I brought them back to Keith's shop (Modern American Bodyart) and he autoclaved them. Chef was nice enough to insert them. The stretch was pretty easy and hardly hurt. But I can't say enough about how wonderful Chef was. He had the best bedside manners I've ever witnessed. It was a simple stretch, but Chef still explained everything he was doing and asked me several times if I needed him to stop. The plugs went right in and look great. By that night, I could rotate them again. Also, the blue metal looks much better than the 10 gauge SSS plug with all my other gold jewelry.

At RABcon, I also had the opportunity to see other stretched ears. I now think that 6 gauge isn't big enough for the look I want. I'm thinking I'll probably go up to 2 gauge. I'm still having a hard time finding anyone to make the gold eyelets, but I think I'll wait a bit now until I'm positive about how big I want to go.

June 12, 1998

This stretch was a bit of an accident. I had intended to leave the 8 gauge plugs in for a few months, at least until August. But a few days ago, I went back to my old piercing store, which had been replaced by a different business 2 weeks ago. I had been very curious about the new store (Tribal Rites) and was surprised that they were moved in already. I spent 20 minutes talking to the owner, Jason, about the store. I was very impressed with their credentials. While not members of the APP, they had attended the last meeting in Las Vegas and are planning on joining sometime. Jason had spore test results from the autoclave. Their information sheets and aftercare pamphlets were thorough and correct. They stocked high quality jewelry. And they won't do underage piercing without parental consent (unlike the previous store). Jason himself was very friendly and didn't mind answering all my questions. He also said that he would be able to help me find my gold flesh tunnels. I was late for an appointment, so I had to cut our chat short. But I left extremely happy that a great shop had moved to Boulder.

Two days later I had an itch to get stretched again. I was already in the area getting my bike fixed, so I walked over. I had intending to get clear acrylic plugs, since I already had one. But the one I had had a blue tint, and Tribal Rite's were completely clear. So, I decided to buy a matching set in green. The stretch was slightly painful and a bit sore for a few hours afterwards. I really like the plugs. They usually look dark green since the back doesn't let much light get through. But if I'm outside, or shine a flashlight through my ear (fun fun fun), they turn light green. I really am intending to keep these in awhile. If I stretch too fast, it will be over too soon.

July 15, 1998

Nothing major today, but I bought more jewelry for my lobes. I'm a little closer to figuring out how I want my ears to look. Right now the plan is:

2nd holes: 16 gauge gold CBRs, 7/16" diameter
3rd holes: 16 gauge gold CBRs, 7/16" diameter
4th holes: 18 gauge gold fixed bead rings, 5/16" diameter
I'm probably going to buy some 14 gauge gold CBRs to put back though the flesh tunnels.

I'm putting this on my stretching page because insertion hurt on all 4 holes. I hadn't been wearing jewelry in my 3rd holes, so getting a 16 gauge in there took some coxing (and a taper). Last week I shoved a 16 gauge CBR though my left 4th hole, which also hadn't had jewelry in for a while. It was still sore when we exchanged the 16 gauge for the 18 gauge. My right 4th hole wasn't too bad, but it was the one I had done this February by shoving a stud though, so it's still a little grumpy. Now that I have CBRs in all my holes, I noticed that my right 3rd hole is too low. It was pierced several years after my left 3rd hole and apparently gun girl didn't get it even. I hadn't noticed it before because I had only worn studs in my top 2 holes. In a few weeks I'm planning to ask if there is enough room to re-pierce it higher. Right now it's driving me crazy because the 3rd CBR hangs lower than the 2nd (yes, it really is that uneven).

October 12, 1998

I finally got around to ordering some 4 gauge jewelry. I had wanted plugs, but Infinite Body only had bullets, so I settle for those. They popped right in and were definately my easiest stretch so far. I'm wearing the bullets with the pointing end on the back side. They are a bit longer and a bit pointer than I expected, so I might not leave them in too long.

October 31, 1998

I just finished stretching my ears to 2 gauge by inserting my new ice blue talons. This is by far the most painful stretch I have ever had. In fact, I think this hurt more than any pierce I can think of. I've been walking around the house yelling, "Fuck fuck fuck..." and so on. I even took some Tylenol, something I haven't ever done for a pierce or stretch. And it didn't help that I bumped my new conch piercing twice today, so my entire left ear is throbbing. Thankfully, there isn't any bleeding so I don't think I tore anything. So now I'm done stretching. In two days, I'll order my 2 gauge gold flesh tunnels and then my ears will look beautiful again. Fuck, fuck, fuck. It still really hurts. But, I'll just keep telling myself that it's worth it and that the pain should be gone in 4 or 5 hours. Fuck.

November 9, 1998

So I'm not really done after all. My left ear hated this last stretch and was crusty and tender. So, I put my 4g bullets back in on the 7th. Two days later they are almost back to normal. I'm hoping they will be healed by the beginning of next week so I can stretch up again. If I'm lucky, my 2g flesh tunnels arrive at my house at the end of next week.

November 18, 1998

I stretched back up to 2 gauge this morning after my shower. The stretch definately hurt, but not nearly as much as last time. Now, three hours later, the pain is almost gone, unlike last time when they hurt for a good day or so. I will get my flesh tunnels in a few days and I'm very excited. Yesterday I got the 16 gauge CBRs I'll be putting though them. Of course, last night I realized I have enough jewelry that I can start stretching my second holes. Not sure if I will, but definately something to think about.

December 16, 1998

My 2 gauge gold tunnels finally came today. They are single flanged with a small lip and are 3/8" long. The 16 gauge gold CBR looks great in them. I guess now I can say that I'm done stretching, at least for a while.

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