Ebook Author Details Rae Schwarz BellaOnline's Body Art Editor

Like many American women, my first formal experience with body art was when I got my ears pierced at the age of 11. During high school, it came into style to have more than one earring, and I started to add rings. I was fascinated with tattooing and recall more than one adolescent bout with drawing on myself. I waited until I was 21 to get my first piece of ink, certain that I was mature enough to make an aesthetic decision that I could be happy with for the rest of my life. Slowly, the tattoo collection has seriously grown from there. ...seriously grown....

I moved to the SF/Bay Area in the late 80s/early 90s, just as the "modern primitives" movement was really gaining momentum. Having started with multiple earrings in high school, I currently wear permanent jewelry in a total of thirty ear and body piercings. I also have a complex brand on my left thigh (struck and electro-cautery). I´ve had thoughts about subdermal implants for a few years... I´ll let you know if that happens. (portrait at right by photographer Mark I. Chester)

I´ve painted my fingernails, made my own henna, worn corsets, and dyed my hair nearly every possible color, wearing it in lengths from crew-cut short to below-my-shoulders long. Once upon a time, before I started any other body art, I even did some suntanning however that is the biggest no-no now.

I have a BA in Theater Arts (Costume & Makeup emphasis) from UC Santa Cruz and an MFA in Fashion Textiles from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I am a graduate of the 1989 Clarion SF/Fantasy Writers Workshop. I held valid Certified First Responder credentials from 1998-2001. I graduated from the San Francisco Sex Information Switchboard education program in spring of 2002 and volunteered at the switchboard through December 2005. I lectured at the Body Art Fair in San Jose in April 2005 and was a featured speaker at the first-ever Bellaonline.com Editor Gathering in August 2005 in Las Vegas. Presently, I reside in the Pacific Northwest and am working on an apprentice degree from the Grey School of Wizardry.

• I accept review copies of books, body art movies, tattoo/piercing aftercare products and other tattoo-related materials.
• If you are interested in having me write original body art content for your website or publication, please understand that I only do so as a paying assignment.

Contact Rae Schwarz

Henna
by Rae Schwarz
The basics of the ancient body art of henna, also called mehandi. Includes design samples, a basic recipe and supplemental ingredients, plus tips for application and how to have long-lasting designs.
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Nose Piercings
by Rae Schwarz
Many people decide get their nose pierced and then have a lot of questions afterwards. Educate yourself before you get pierced and have a better experience. Learn why piercing guns are bad and get tips for getting rid of keloids.
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Star Tattoos
by Rae Schwarz
Star tattoo designs with related associations and symbolism. Suitable for tattooing as is, or change and adapt them to fit your custom design.
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Tattoo Flash and Designs
by Rae Schwarz
A collection of symbols, kanji and markings suitable for adaptation into tattoo designs. Plus background and info on designing your own tattoo.
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