In addition to safe, accessible, informed piercing, Nexus is dedicated to providing identity-affirming services for every body. While the umbrella of gender-affirming piercing is wide and always expanding, Nexus focus’ on the importance of:

• T4T: Gender-affirming piercings are for everyone, cisgender and transgender alike. However, here at Nexus we acknowledge that body modification has historically been a part of trans and queer gender and sexuality expression. We know that there can be a specific empowerment in seeing a trans service provider who has personal lived experiences that align with your own. Lynn Loheide has been internationally recognized for their work offering genital piercings for medically transitioning clients, advocating for gender-affirming care in the modification industry, and has compiled the most comprehensive database of transgender modification resources available online here.
  

• Addressing Trauma: Nexus recognizes the link between trauma and body modification, and that many survivors find healing and peace through piercing and tattooing. Nexus is committed to advocating for trauma-informed care and stress the importance of piercers being equipped and prepared to work with clients’ emotional responses, which can be particularly significant for clients undergoing gender-affirming procedures. 
  

• Openness, Transparency, and Realistic Expectations: Whether discussing your options following top surgery, getting the septum piercing you’ve always dreamed of, or considering genital piercing as an affirming procedure, Nexus will be sensitive and knowledgeable to the specific challenges faced by marginalized people and work to maintain accurate expectations. Wherever you are in your journey, Nexus seeks to provide you with as much information, validation, and consultation as you need to execute your modification goals.
  
  

Nexus is not only dedicated to serving clients of all gender identities and expressions within the studio walls, but aims to be the connection point between diverse individuals, experiences, and mentalities throughout the community. Nexus Body Arts embraces community over competition, uplifting those around them and amplifying the voices of those who need to be heard. Nexus prioritizes supporting queer and BIPOC jewelers, vendors, artists, photographers, accountants, and designers for all of their work, as well as sharing community resources, participating in charity, fundraising, and local support, and advocating within local government for safer policies. 

Nipple piercings have always been popular; with roots in indigenous culture, queer history, wealth and nobility, and spanning nearly every generational fad since the 1960s. As body positivity, self love, and self expression movements continue to advocate for this kind of body autonomy, not only does performing nipple piercings become important for any successful piercer, but being able to properly identify what should be considered “advanced” anatomy becomes equally as crucial. Beyond this, being able to work on a variety of anatomy is essential. 

At 18, Lynn found themselves at a loss for getting their own nipples pierced- they saw no bodies like their own represented in piercers’ portfolios or work. Once they began piercing, they set about to document and feature diverse bodies for all of their work, but particularly nipple piercings. Beyond that, they found a focus in working with unique and advanced anatomy for this area. There are many factors that could cause a nipple piercing to be considered advanced; from the above mentioned nipple graft piercings to inverted nipples, downward facing anatomy, piercing after breast augmentation or reduction, piercing after breastfeeding, to even working with scarring from previous piercings or other surgeries. Nexus can help you better understand your options, and support you in reaching those modification goals. 

Lynn Loheide has dedicated a large portion of their career to the identification and practice of advanced nipple piercings. As a trans individual having undergone top surgery in 2024, Lynn understands the importance of understanding the complexities of piercing nipples after surgery. The emphasis on realistic expectations, understanding the emotional aspects, and being able to approach these situations with compassion is what makes Nexus a safe space for all.

It should go without saying (but we’ll shout it anyway), that Nexus is a safe space for every body. All bodies are respected, safe, and welcome at all times. Lynn is deeply passionate and dedicated to making every client feel welcome, regardless of their body type, specialty needs, or trauma. So bring your third nipples and your excitement and Nexus will take care of the rest. 

See Lynn's portfolio of nipple and genital work here and learn more about their own journey with these piercings here. 

Alongside the commitment to creating and maintaining a safe space for individuals from all walks of life, is Nexus’ dedication to forging partnerships and amplifying the voice of BIPOC, queer, and whenever possible, local artists and vendors. It is our hope that Nexus will be a connection point for artisans and makers in and around Seattle, and that every dollar spent here can support our community. Nexus Body Arts is honored to offer implant grade titanium and solid gold jewelry from some incredible artisan jewelers and local jewelry companies. Some of these include:

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• Dusk Body Jewelry - Owned by piercer Stray Johnson, Dusk creates high quality gold and platinum designs, emphasizing transparency and the ethical responsibilities of working with nonrenewable resources. Stray and their small team in New Hampshire has particularly focused on creating modification-industry jobs for those who do not wish to or cannot pierce. 

• Body Circle Designs - Founded in Seattle in 1991, Body Circle has been producing high quality titanium jewelry for piercers for over 30 years. They have built their reputation on a simple ethos: “hand-crafted jewelry, flawless mirror finish.” Music to your piercer’s ears. 

• Quetzalli Jewelry - Queer, POC, and femme owned jewelry manufacturer based out of California. Quetzalli specializes in using natural, conflict-free gemstones to create their unique pieces. As of January 2025, Quetzalli offers two designs whose proceeds are donated to the Trans Justice Funding Project. 

• Mettle & Silver - Since 2018, this New Orleans based BIPOC and women-owned business has been releasing simple but elegant gem settings with some of the most out of this world gems and cuts you’ve ever seen. As of 2024 this two-person operation opened up their studio to jewelry-making instruction for the public. 

• Zadamer Jewelry - A one man operation specializing in the manufacturing of high quality titanium and gold body jewelry; by mechanical engineers, for piercers! 

• 9fingers Glass - Based out of Woodinville, WA, 9fingers offers independently made pieces by a local artisan glassblower with connections to the modification industry. Plugs, pinchers, and custom pieces all crafted by someone with lived experience wearing these pieces, for the most comfortable fit. 

• High Noon Handmade-Owned and operated solely by Dorchaide Spring out of New York, High Noon emerged during the pandemic as an expressive folk jewelry project, near and dear to its creator. Having experienced the difficulty of securing safe, ethical work in the piercing industry, High Noon excelled at creating high quality pieces without compromising integrity.

…and more just like them! 

In addition to offering a wide selection of jewelry and creating a spectrum of accessibility to high-quality products for clients, Nexus Body Arts is proud to work with our numerous jewelry vendors to create custom pieces just for you. ​

Have you been dreaming of an ear curation to express your inner fae? Looking to adorn unique nipple anatomy with custom barbells or stirrups? We would love to help! Lynn Loheide has worked directly with many high-quality body jewelry manufacturers to dream up and design a number of popular pieces you’ve probably seen before. Lynn has completed both an Applied Jewelers Professional Degree and Graduate Diamonds Degree through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This added expertise in gemstones, gold, and fine jewelry has equipped them handily to help clients find (or create) their ideal piece.

If you have a vision or a goal, let us work with you to make it a reality. Nexus Body Arts is proud to work with manufacturers providing both titanium and gold options to our clients; high-quality jewelry does not have to be inaccessible, and we would like to bridge that gap. 

Fakir Musafar defined body play as “the deliberate, ritualized modification of the human body. It is a deep-rooted, universal urge that seemingly transcends time and cultural boundaries.”

For many of us who get pierced, the sensation of the actual piercing is an undesirable side effect on the path to a beautiful, shiny new adornment. But for some, that sensation is an essential part of the process. Feeling present in the body, overcoming an uncomfortable sensation, feeling connected to our skin. There is something beautiful about that for many folks. Those clients may find themselves seeking out play piercings, and exploring unique ritualized experiences in our bodies. 

Play Piercing is an umbrella term used to describe any piercings done with the intention of being temporary, just for an event, an occasion, for fun, as part of a kink scene, or any other number of reasons. The key thing about play piercings is temporary! These are piercings that are not intended to be healed or become long term, permanent fixtures. Often times they are removed in 24-48 hours. Much of the time jewelry is never even inserted in play piercings, but rather the needles themselves are left in since they are so temporary. 

Lynn brings over a decade of experience in play piercing to Nexus Body Arts, advocating that it can enhance the connection between mind and body for informed and prepared individuals. Play piercing, like much body modification, can be used to reach beyond your normal limits and push boundaries, to celebrate milestones, honor cultural connections, or as part of the grieving process. 

Nexus is also dedicated to safety, education, and transparency around play piercings and the kink community. We offer safe needle play classes semi-regularly, for both folks looking to engage with play piercing in a kink lens, and folks just looking to explore body play. Nexus provides an informed and safe space to discuss your long-term goals and help you actualize them (when responsible) free of judgment or inappropriate conduct. 

Whether you’re looking to introduce a new body modification element to your kink dynamics, preparing an art project involving play piercing, or seeking to learn more about a new form of expression, we are here to keep you informed, safe, and on your way to euphoria. 

Piercing as a practice is thousands of years old, spanning multiple cultures, religions, systems of belief, and ritual practices. Piercings can be a beautiful adornment, an affirmation of our identity, an offering to our gods and goddesses, and a cathartic release as part of healing. Piercing as an industry is a newer existence, in some ways based in a legitimization of this craft, but more often rooted in colonization, capitalism, and the constant process of finding profit in all things. As piercing as an industry has progressed, it has often pushed out the people for whom piercing is sacred, cultural, and essential.

Piercing does not exist in a vacuum, and is not free from the effects of capitalism. I believe as piercers it is our job to work toward equity in the industry, decolonization, and challenging capitalistic and classist structures that influence both our industry and the world around it. A sliding scale is one way to take into account these systems of injustice and oppression that many of us face, and to offer economic justice on a personal and local level.

I have included a list of factors to help you decide if this is right for you. You will not be asked to prove anything. I trust you to understand your own needs and intersections when deciding this. If you are unable to pay even the lowest amount, please contact me directly and we can discuss things. My hope is through offering these slots I can make safe piercing more accessible to the Seattle community, and help folks find self-love, confidence, and connection through body modification. 

Sliding Scale Rates: ​

• No Piercing Fee

• 25% off any Titanium or Steel Jewelry 

• One Downsize Included in 25% discount 

• Free checkups for first 6 months

Ex: A Nostril has a 35$ Piercing Fee and an Implant Grade Titanium labret post and simple bead would be 40$ all together, making it 75$ for a nostril piercing. With slicing scale pricing, you would not pay any piercing fee, and jewelry would be 30$, making it 30$ for the entire thing. 

Cheek Piercings, Dahlia Piercings, Custom Industrials, and High Nostril Piercings are not eligible for sliding scale rates due to the risk factors of these placements, the required labor to perform them, custom jewelry, and the multiple downsizes necessary during healing. 

I will accept 3-10 sliding scale spots every month. At the beginning of the month, I will randomly select from submissions placed in the last month. If anyone is unable to make it in for any reason, I will continue to randomly select till the slots are filled. Form submissions will reset monthly- if you are not chosen one month please resubmit next month to be considered. The link to the form can be found below.

*At this time sliding scale slots are for those 18+. Please stay tuned as I work on offering these for minors as well.  

Submission Form

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Consider submitting for a Sliding Scale Piercing if you:

• are a person who experiences racism directed at you, and/or via systemic oppression

• identify as Black, Indigenous, First Nations, and/or a person of color 

• are transgender and experience related discrimination and/or violence regularly

• are gay/queer and experience related discrimination and/or violence regularly

• have medical expenses not covered by insurance 

• are eligible for public assistance 

• are an unpaid community organizer 

• are supporting children or have other dependents

• use piercing as an identity-affirming service, and struggle to access other identity-affirming practices

• work in the industry and have experienced abuse, violence, or other unsafe situations in the industry 

• work in the industry unpaid, and struggle to access safe piercing experiences and education 

Consider paying full studio price if you:

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• own the home you live in

• have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money

• work in the industry and have access to procure your own safe jewelry ​and safe piercing experiences 

• are able to access consistent healthcare and all your expenses are covered 

• can afford to travel, or are traveling to get this piercing 

• have access to family money and resources in times of need

• work part-time by choice

• have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education, gender privilege, racial privilege, class background, etc. Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, I ask you to recognize this as a choice.

When you pay full studio price you support me as a trans piercer, my studio, and you also support the jewlers who make the pieces you wear, and companies that pay ethical wages and create safe working environments for their staff. When you pay full price you also give me the ability to offer things like sliding scale work and help us support others in our community who benefit from these services. When you pay less, you allow yourself to be supported and held by the community. Both of these are acceptable ways to participate. 

This sliding scale was referenced from ABM tattoo.