Penelope, a Long Island New York Native began piercing herself at the age of 13, but quickly decided that she enjoyed piercing others more... partly because she is a bit of a baby, but mostly because enjoys helping people conquer their own fear. She first came to the valley in 1994 to attend Hampshire College, but instead ended up with a piercing apprenticeship in 1995. After searching relentlessly for a shop to call her own, Penelope founded Lucky's in 1999 with the support of owner and business man, Skip Traverse. After working for him for over a decade it became quite clear that this was NOT her shop, as she was abruptly fired. Now the search has come to an end and Penelope will finally be able to bring you the service she loves in a shop that represents that. Haven body Arts opened November 20th 2009 with an amazing staff, a beautiful location, & a huge selection of the highest quality body jewelry! HBA is the missing link to how body art SHOULD be done & now after the long wait & journey, WILL be done.

Penelope has now been piercing professionally since 1995 and is one of 4 piercers in Mass. to become a member of the Association of Professional Piercers. She attends the APP conference every year in Las Vegas since 2001 where she confers with piercers from all around the world to keep up to date with the latest health and safety information and piercing techniques to make sure your body modification experience is the best it can possibly be. This year she will have the pleasure of  giving back to the APP, as she will be facilitating  a round table discussion on implementing change in your studio after attending the APP conference. Through the APP, Penelope has been fortunate enough to learn from and befriend some of the most talented and well known piercers in the industry. She travels not only the country, but the world, learning about all aspects of body modification...feel free to ask her about her journeys.

Known for her gentle bedside manner, Penelope is the MOST experienced piercer in Western Massachusetts and the ONLY piercer in the valley who is fully trained in ALL piercings including, male and female genitals and single point piercing. Penelope is the first woman in the world to have transdermal horns implanted, and traveled all the way to Phoenix AZ to have them done by Modification Specialist Steve Hayworth. She also has sub-dermal implants that were done by artist and good friend Phish. Feel free to come by and check out her 3-D body modification, because you won't see it very often in these parts!

Penelope specializes in complex surface work, custom bent multiple ear piercing projects, branding and scarification. She is also the first piercer in Mass. to offer Single point piercing as well as free check ups and piercing maintenance. She is very involved with the local Legislature and regulations of Body Art in not only Northampton and Amherst but in many of the surrounding Towns. Penelope is well known in the Area for setting the standard for technique, cleanliness and constantly raising the bar as she goes... She has a soft spot for anyone willing to challenge the unknown, if you can dream it, she can make it a reality.

A master pumpkin carver, Penelope is also responsible for opening New Englands longest running Goth-Industrial night, Haven. You can find her spookin' up the tables every Tuesday night at the fabulous Diva's nightclub.www.thehavenclub.com

When she is not spinning, piercing, or practicing underwater basket weaving, she can be found playing with her poochies Kinda, Gertie,& Nacho and the rest of her zoo or dancing about in her many gardens.