We were lucky to catch up with Lynn Loheide recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lynn, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I have been working as a professional piercer for 13 years, and it is truly a dream come true. However, it is nothing like working a “regular job”. There is that adage, do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. And very often this is true- I wake up full of excitement and passion for what I get to do, and when I am sharing a magical moment with a client in my piercing room it does not feel like work in the slightest, it feels like community, connection, and love. But there is also the take on the adage “do what you love and you’ll never stop working, ” which is also very true. When you are passionate about something, it can become all-consuming. For me, almost every facet of my life is influenced by body piercing from the books I read to the media I consume to my personal conversations and interactions. Working as a creative, I am not just responsible for doing the piercings. I also order the jewelry, keep the books, file the taxes, inventory supplies, post on social media, attend continuing education, keep the licences active, etc etc. The downside of making a living as a creative is I am never “off”. Work is my life, so forget about work-life separation.

But honestly, even on my most stressful weeks, it is beyond worth it. I could not fathom a life where I did not pierce, and where I didn’t get to live in my passion every day. It is worth every stressful week to see the smile on someones face when they see a new piercing in the mirror.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

“Every man is the builder of a temple, called his body, to the god he worships, after a style purely his own, nor can he get off by hammering marble instead. We are all sculptors and painters, and our material is our own flesh and blood and bones.”
– Henry David Thoreau
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Lynn Loheide is a professional piercer currently based out of Seattle, Washington. They have been piercing all over the world since 2012, and focus primarily on education, inclusivity, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their bodies. Whether it is a first earlobe piercing, a full face setup, or a more complex modification, Lynn believes that there is an inherent strength felt when people look in the mirror after a service, and hopes to share that with all of their clients.
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Lynn has become a specialist in gender-affirming piercing, championing the use of body modification to explore and celebrate self-expression and empowerment. As a transgender person themselves, this has become a core tenet of Lynn’s approach to piercing. Their commitment to creating a welcoming and affirming space for all individuals is one they have carried throughout their career and brought to other piercers and industry professionals through online and in-person education.
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Creating their blog in 2015, Lynn has committed themselves to creating resources for both clients and piercing industry professionals that emphasize safety, historical context, acknowledgement and respect, and a diverse approach to body modification. They have spoken at BMXnet in Berlin, Germany; Otautahi Symposium in Christchurch, New Zealand; Piercer Tradeshow in Liverpool, England; and co-host the Pacific Northwest Piercer Meetups alongside Colin O. They write and archive piercing history with Sacred Debris, and have contributed to multiple podcasts and interviews globally.
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In 2022, with proceeds from their Patreon, Lynn launched the Front of House Scholarship for the Association of Professional Piercers conference that takes place in Las Vegas each year. This scholarship aims to emphasize the importance and value of front-of-house employees in piercing studios; from welcoming clients to styling and curating jewelry displays to managing social media and everything in between and beyond.
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When they aren’t piercing, Lynn is pursuing their other biggest passion, body suspension. They spend the rest of their time reading, playing table-top roleplaying games, and hanging out with their grumpy but adorably perfect cat, Girlfriend. Lynn loves to be outside and enjoys kayaking, swimming, and plenty of beach trips. They can always be found expressing themselves not just through body modification, but through fashion, makeup, and hair… and if you have a favorite anime, be sure to let them know during your appointment, and enjoy the geeking out that commences.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Working to support other small artists, creatives, and brands wherever possible. It’s extremely tempting to order all our supplies from amazon or just have AI design some flyers for us. But as business owners and creatives these are opportunities to connect and support other individuals. Wherever possible I try to get away from big companies and corporations and shop small, support local, and keep my money in the creative community. I encourage others to do the same.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I opened my own studio in March 2025, as an act of resistance. As a transgender person, right now is a terrifying time to exist in America, let alone consider opening a business. That is exactly why I wanted to. It is so important now more than ever to use our voices and our dollars to say that we are here, we are not going anywhere, and to create safer spaces for marginalized individuals. In opening my own studio I am very intentionally removing my money from massive corporations and trying to focus it on supporting queer, women, and BIPOC-owned businesses and encouraging my customers and clients to do the same. Under capitalism, we will all participate to some extent, but as a business owner, we have the power to make a meaningful difference in our communities and the world by how we care for employees, who we support, and what we spend. For me, owning a business is all about using it to give back to the community every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lynnloheide.com
• Instagram: LynnLoheide
• Youtube: LynnLoheide