Local piercer added to 'Olde Town' ensemble

Piercing and poking through people's skin and cartilage using various custom or standard pieces of jewelry is the job of Andy Sandberg, Olde Town Tattoo's newest employee.

Olde Town added the artist to body pierce March 22.

Sandberg, like a lot of body piercers, is mainly self-taught. He has been piercing people for a little more than five years and began his career at Cloud 9 in St. Cloud, where he had his apprenticeship and also worked with Olde Town Owner Scotty Stommes.

"I'd done a lot of research on my own before I became interested in becoming a piercer myself," Sandberg said. "The gentleman that was piercing me was actually working on some projects and he was getting frustrated with it because he couldn't figure out exactly how to do some bending, and to me, it just clicked."

Bending is the art of twisting and bending jewelry to make it work with a custom piercing.

After working at Cloud 9 for five years of his career, it was time to change things up a bit, he said.

"I came to Olde Town for a more creative atmosphere. We are free to share a lot more of our artistic ability at Olde Town," Sandberg said. "Olde Town is a completely custom shop, so it doesn't get much more creative than that, and it's just a better environment for me."

Sandberg and Stommes became good friends while Stommes was working at Cloud 9, and when Stommes decided to open his own shop, it seemed like a logical move for Sandberg to move with him.

Stommes said, "Since I had worked with him before, I knew how good of a work ethic he has, and anyone that works like that, I want to have them working with me. He is the best piercer I know."

Growing up, Sandberg's parents and family members may have had an influence on his career decision.

"Both of my parents have tattoos, so I guess at an early age I become some what interested in it. I definitely wanted to get tattoos," Sandberg said.

Sandberg was also influenced slightly by the guy who he had done the bending for.

"He told me that I would probably be good at it, and that is when I started doing the research on my own," Sandberg said.

As one might imagine, Sandberg has been asked to do some fairly odd piercings, but he said he also does a lot of the more common piercings.

"The most popular spot to get pierced is the navel and then the nostril," Sandberg said. "My favorite place to pierce is probably the nostril."

He doesn't stop there.

"I also like to do some more of the advanced surface piercings, like the more custom piercing, where I need to bend the jewelry," Sandberg said.

Sandberg's advice to any one looking to get some piercing done is to make sure the person you're getting pierced by has a portfolio.

"If the person doesn't have a portfolio of work they have done for you to view, walk out. It is the same for tattoo artists," Sandberg said.

As far as getting pierced and having to go to work with a new look, Sandberg advises prospective clients to check with their immediate supervisor or to look and see if their employer has any policies on facial or body piercings.

"It's not super common, but I hate to do a piercing and then three days later the person comes back in and they had to take it out. It's irritating to them, and then I feel like I had them throw their money away," Sandberg said.

It is better to check it out with an employer first and then make the decision.

What Sandberg said he enjoys most about his work is the happiness that he sees on people's faces after they get a new piercing

"Most people are pretty psyched about getting them done, and afterwards they are totally stoked that it is done," Sandberg said.

Stommes said, "I think having Andy here will make the shop far busier. We'll get more foot traffic, more people just stopping in. It's going to force me to get another tattoo artist, and it's just more fun to work with more people."

Sandberg said he would be interested in passing on the art of piercing to someone who was interested in learning how to become a piercer.

"I would consider apprenticing someone if the right person came along. I'd be super picky, but if you're super interested, stop in and have a little chat with me," Sandberg said.

Olde Town is open Monday through Friday from noon to 8 p.m.

Sandberg does not currently have a set schedule, though he is taking appointments. Appointments can be made by calling (320)255-7305.