Our Values
At Evolution, our motto is “Setting a Higher Standard”, and we strive for that daily with each decision we make and every client we interact with. Since opening in 1999, we have been Albuquerque’s only studio dedicated solely to the art of body piercing. We are Albuquerque’s first members of the Association of Professional Piercers, and we continue to set ourselves apart by offering the highest quality jewelry and safe, accurate procedures performed by highly skilled piercers. We serve a vastly diverse clientele and remain dedicated to maintaining a positive and welcoming environment and to offering guidance through each client’s individual piercing experience.
Evolution as a team is dedicated to maintaining an environment for all individuals to feel welcomed and appreciated for who they are, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, or ability. We value action in learning and speaking up for ourselves and others. Any misuse of authority, unsolicited invasion of personal space, and inappropriate or toxic language are not tolerated within our space.
At Evolution, all needles used for piercing are sterile and single use. All jewelry and instruments used for piercing are properly processed and sterilized in an autoclave prior to use. These items will either be opened from sealed sterile pouches or sterilized in a Statim autoclave in your presence — note that Statim cycles will include an integrator strip so you can see that sterilization parameters have been met. All of our autoclaves are spore tested weekly by an independent laboratory to ensure that they are in proper working order. Records of test results are available upon request.
Location
Website:https://evolutionpiercing.com/
Address:TBD
PH:TBD
Email:hello@evolutionpiercing.com
Exclusive Since:2026
Crystal Sims:
(She/Her)Co-founder/owner
I have been a lover of all forms of body adornment for as long as I can remember. Before piercings and tattoos it was make-up and fashion. Pierced ears in the 80’s led to a pierced nose and navel in the early 90’s – though at the time I couldn’t find anyone qualified to do them, so neither healed properly. My first real piercing experience at the hands of a trained professional was so powerful that I immediately wanted to learn everything I could about the history, ritual, and psychology of body modification and adornment.
I began my career in the body art industry in early 1994, apprenticing for two years under former APP (Association of Professional Piercers) President Kent Fazekas. Eager to learn as much as I could about the trade, I continued my education by attending classes and workshops hosted by industry leaders such as the Gauntlet, Fakir Musafar, and the early APP instructors and board members. I was greatly inspired by the passion of these individuals who were changing the reputation of “body piercing” from a risky underground activity to a respected profession. I too wanted to be a part of this movement.
In the late ‘90s I met Shawn Taylor, a piercer and body jewelry manufacturer who shared my dedication to elevating the standards for the body piercing industry. Together we founded Evolution Body Piercing in 1999. Proudly, we became Albuquerque’s first members of the Association of Professional Piercers and we remain the only studio solely devoted to the art of body piercing.
While I am no longer piercing, it has always been important to me to give back to this industry that has given me such a fulfilling and rewarding career. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the board of the Association of Professional Piercers, as well as the Board that created regulations for body art in New Mexico. I continue to serve on comittees for these and other organizations in an ongoing effort to disseminate vital health and safety information to those who need it. I also regularly teach classes and coach entrepreneurs and managers on various aspects of running a body art studio or other small enterprise.
When I’m not at work, you’ll find me snapping photos of anything and everything that moves or looks interesting to me (I’ve taken many of the photos for this website, including the one featured on top this page). I travel as often as I can, I love snowboarding and wake surfing, and most of all spending quality time with my husband and our shih tzus. They are the loves of my life.
If you would like to know more about the classes that I teach or the coaching that I offer, please visit crystalsims.com or email hello@crystalsims.com. It would be my pleasure to connect and assist, even if we don’t embark on a formal collaboration!
Shawn Taylor
(He/Him)Co-founder/owner, Jewelry Manufacturer
In the mid to late 80’s, body piercing as we know it today, hit Albuquerque. It hit hardest in the small “alternative” scene that frequented pioneering downtown clubs such as Beyond Ordinary, Groove Lounge, and Ritual. Piercing was still way underground. There were only a handful of people in Albuquerque who even had piercings and there were no piercing studios. A friend of mine had just returned from San Francisco, where she had just had her tongue pierced at the Gauntlet. I only remember that I had to have it too.
Myself and a number of friends began taking road trips to Denver and Boulder to see shows and get body piercings. there were a few tattoo shops in Colorado that offered piercing services. I was hooked. With Lollapalooza, Skinny Puppy, and Front Line Assembly came Tongue, Nipples, and Prince Albert piercings. I loved the rush. I loved the look. I loved the whole experience. I began to investigate the “new” art form which grabbed me so firmly and unexplainably. Like many others who searched for answers, I came upon the book. I came upon the book that made sense of this phenomenon of body modification and adornment. The book was Modern Primitives. Among the many things I learned and realized from the book was that I was not alone in my fascination and attraction to body modifications. I was a participant in something that has been shared by mankind in one form or another for generations upon generations. I wanted more. I wanted to share the experience that I had found. I wanted to be a piercer.
In 1993 I met someone who had just moved here from San Francisco, where he attended Fakir Musafar’s piercing classes the previous year. We became friends and I began an informal apprenticeship with him as he pierced friends and clients out of his apartment. At that time there were no city laws or ordinances preventing such an activity. I immediately enrolled in the next available class given by Fakir in San Francisco (Jan. ‘94). In April of 1994, many months after a very vivid dream of owning a piercing studio, Hardware was open for business. Hardware was Albuquerque’s first professional piercing studio. I am very proud of this fact.
As the popularity of piercing exploded across the country, it became harder and harder to get quality piercing jewelry promptly, if at all. In 1995 I began investigating, experimenting, and investing in equipment and materials to make quality jewelry for myself and others. What a project! It consumed me. But I had huge aspirations. I wanted to produce jewelry for studios across the country. In 1997, I sold Hardware to my partner (the name has been sold 2 more times since) to finance more equipment and materials. Around this time I met Crystal, who would become my partner in Evolution.
Evolution Body Piercing opened in 1999 as the most advanced piercing studio Albuquerque has seen. I couldn’t be more proud of our studios and our staff, all of whom are completely dedicated to the safety and well-being of our clientele. We strive to make every piercing experience as positive as the ones which have changed each of our lives so profoundly.
Keara Dayton
(She/Her)Studio Manager, GIA AJP
Hi, I’m Keara! I got my first piercing at Evolution when I was 16 in 2009 and working at Evolution became a goal of mine from that point forward. I’ve always been passionate about body modification and helping people feel good about being themselves, and Evolution has been such a big part of that journey for so many people. In 2022 I achieved that goal and joined the team as the studio manager. It’s a joy for me to be a part of a place that has been a big part of my life for so long! I graduated from UNM in 2016 with a BFA in painting and am always trying to continue my education, whether that is in art, design, or just fun facts about bugs. In my free time I like to paint, sew, spend time listening to music, and read old books with my pets.
Noah Babcock
(He/Him)Head Piercer
My life thus far has been one encompassed by a love for all forms of art. From music to painting to sculpture, most significant members of my family are heavily involved in some type of artistic expression. I too have always been involved in many different kinds of art, however little of what I did seemed like it had any substantial effect on people. Obviously most art invokes emotion of some sort, however it seemed to me that a very small portion of it would truly change peoples lives. Therefore, I began pondering ways in which my art could change people’s lives for the better. The obvious solution to this became immediately apparent: body art. To permanently alter a person’s appearance, whether it be a little or a lot, and at the same time have this alteration improve that persons self-confidence, and set them apart from the status quo. Body piercing was something that had intrigued me ever since I was a child, and so I began researching it further. As I learned more about it’s history, practices, and procedures, I decided that it was my place in the world to become a part of this ancient and beautiful practice.
I began piercing in 1995, after extensive research into the subject, and landed a job piercing at a local studio. It was not long after I started piercing that I realized I needed a more in depth education pertaining to all aspects of the industry. I began networking with other piercers, healthcare professionals, even a local reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon (who shall remain nameless, but to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude) in order to expand my knowledge of cross contamination, sterilization procedures, anatomy, and much more. I worked in a couple of what I now perceive as mediocre studios until September of 1999 when I was hired at Evolution, Inc., and I feel that my all around abilities as a piercer have expanded exponentially since then.
Working for Evolution has not only expanded my knowledge in relation to the piercing industry as a whole, but it has also expanded my knowledge of my own spirituality, and how the practice of piercing can alter and enhance my clients spirituality as well. As a piercer I do not only give people piercings, but I like to think that I also open their eyes to a new sensation, angle of perception, and concept of themselves.
My profession as a body piercer is one that I am very proud of and have the utmost respect for. This is not a typical job, and certainly cannot be viewed as such. People of all types and all backgrounds trust me with their bodies every single day and that is a huge responsibility that should always be respected, and never underestimated.
Jett Bullock
(They/Them)Inventory Manager
My name is Jett, I use they/them pronouns and I am the Inventory Manager for both or our Evolution locations. I have spent the last decade in Albuquerque after relocating from Oklahoma where I received a Bachelors of Fine Art focusing my studies on ceramic art. I have really found a home in the Albuquerque DIY punk scene, playing music, screen printing merch for local bands, and helping organize shows and community events. When I saw the opportunity to work in the body modification industry at Evolution I knew this would be an environment I would thrive in. My personal journey with body modifications has changed over the years from a way to push back against societal norms in a conservative state, to now as an avenue to explore and affirm my gender identity. I am excited to step into my role as Inventory Manager utilizing my eye for design to help clients find unique jewelry pieces that will help with their own personal journey, whatever that may be. Outside of the studio you can catch me hitting the skate park in my roller skates, geocaching, and spending time with my partner and tiny chihuahua mix Ruby.
Ana
(She/Her)Office Manager
Hi I’m Ana! I’m the Office Manager here at Evolution Body Piercing, where I keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. I got my start in the industry back in 2019 as the personal assistant to one of our incredible co-owners (and my dear friend), Crystal Sims. Coming from a background in retail management, stepping into this role was a refreshing change—and one that’s kept me engaged and constantly learning.
I was born and raised right here in Albuquerque, and I’ve always been drawn to the world of body modification. As a teen, expressing myself and claiming autonomy through piercings felt powerful. Now, I’m lucky enough to be part of an industry that celebrates that kind of self-expression every day.
When I’m not at the studio, I’m usually hanging with my husband of 20+ years, our three rad kids, and our sweet pups. I’m a big fan of naps, cheering on NM United, attending concerts, watching true crime documentaries, and getting a good workout in.
At Evolution, our motto is “Setting a Higher Standard”, and we strive for that daily with each decision we make and every client we interact with. Since opening in 1999, we have been Albuquerque’s only studio dedicated solely to the art of body piercing. We are Albuquerque’s first members of the Association of Professional Piercers, and we continue to set ourselves apart by offering the highest quality jewelry and safe, accurate procedures performed by highly skilled piercers. We serve a vastly diverse clientele and remain dedicated to maintaining a positive and welcoming environment and to offering guidance through each client’s individual piercing experience.
Evolution as a team is dedicated to maintaining an environment for all individuals to feel welcomed and appreciated for who they are, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, or ability. We value action in learning and speaking up for ourselves and others. Any misuse of authority, unsolicited invasion of personal space, and inappropriate or toxic language are not tolerated within our space.
At Evolution, all needles used for piercing are sterile and single use. All jewelry and instruments used for piercing are properly processed and sterilized in an autoclave prior to use. These items will either be opened from sealed sterile pouches or sterilized in a Statim autoclave in your presence — note that Statim cycles will include an integrator strip so you can see that sterilization parameters have been met. All of our autoclaves are spore tested weekly by an independent laboratory to ensure that they are in proper working order. Records of test results are available upon request.
I have been a lover of all forms of body adornment for as long as I can remember. Before piercings and tattoos it was make-up and fashion. Pierced ears in the 80’s led to a pierced nose and navel in the early 90’s - though at the time I couldn’t find anyone qualified to do them, so neither healed properly. My first real piercing experience at the hands of a trained professional was so powerful that I immediately wanted to learn everything I could about the history, ritual, and psychology of body modification and adornment.
I began my career in the body art industry in early 1994, apprenticing for two years under former APP (Association of Professional Piercers) President Kent Fazekas. Eager to learn as much as I could about the trade, I continued my education by attending classes and workshops hosted by industry leaders such as the Gauntlet, Fakir Musafar, and the early APP instructors and board members. I was greatly inspired by the passion of these individuals who were changing the reputation of “body piercing” from a risky underground activity to a respected profession. I too wanted to be a part of this movement.
In the late ‘90s I met Shawn Taylor, a piercer and body jewelry manufacturer who shared my dedication to elevating the standards for the body piercing industry. Together we founded Evolution Body Piercing in 1999. Proudly, we became Albuquerque’s first members of the Association of Professional Piercers and we remain the only studio solely devoted to the art of body piercing.
While I am no longer piercing, it has always been important to me to give back to this industry that has given me such a fulfilling and rewarding career. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the board of the Association of Professional Piercers, as well as the Board that created regulations for body art in New Mexico. I continue to serve on comittees for these and other organizations in an ongoing effort to disseminate vital health and safety information to those who need it. I also regularly teach classes and coach entrepreneurs and managers on various aspects of running a body art studio or other small enterprise.
When I’m not at work, you’ll find me snapping photos of anything and everything that moves or looks interesting to me (I’ve taken many of the photos for this website, including the one featured on top this page). I travel as often as I can, I love snowboarding and wake surfing, and most of all spending quality time with my husband and our shih tzus. They are the loves of my life.
If you would like to know more about the classes that I teach or the coaching that I offer, please visit crystalsims.com or email hello@crystalsims.com. It would be my pleasure to connect and assist, even if we don't embark on a formal collaboration!
Shawn Taylor
(He/Him) Co-founder/owner, Jewelry Manufacturer
In the mid to late 80’s, body piercing as we know it today, hit Albuquerque. It hit hardest in the small “alternative” scene that frequented pioneering downtown clubs such as Beyond Ordinary, Groove Lounge, and Ritual. Piercing was still way underground. There were only a handful of people in Albuquerque who even had piercings and there were no piercing studios. A friend of mine had just returned from San Francisco, where she had just had her tongue pierced at the Gauntlet. I only remember that I had to have it too.
Myself and a number of friends began taking road trips to Denver and Boulder to see shows and get body piercings. there were a few tattoo shops in Colorado that offered piercing services. I was hooked. With Lollapalooza, Skinny Puppy, and Front Line Assembly came Tongue, Nipples, and Prince Albert piercings. I loved the rush. I loved the look. I loved the whole experience. I began to investigate the “new” art form which grabbed me so firmly and unexplainably. Like many others who searched for answers, I came upon the book. I came upon the book that made sense of this phenomenon of body modification and adornment. The book was Modern Primitives. Among the many things I learned and realized from the book was that I was not alone in my fascination and attraction to body modifications. I was a participant in something that has been shared by mankind in one form or another for generations upon generations. I wanted more. I wanted to share the experience that I had found. I wanted to be a piercer.
In 1993 I met someone who had just moved here from San Francisco, where he attended Fakir Musafar’s piercing classes the previous year. We became friends and I began an informal apprenticeship with him as he pierced friends and clients out of his apartment. At that time there were no city laws or ordinances preventing such an activity. I immediately enrolled in the next available class given by Fakir in San Francisco (Jan. ‘94). In April of 1994, many months after a very vivid dream of owning a piercing studio, Hardware was open for business. Hardware was Albuquerque’s first professional piercing studio. I am very proud of this fact.
As the popularity of piercing exploded across the country, it became harder and harder to get quality piercing jewelry promptly, if at all. In 1995 I began investigating, experimenting, and investing in equipment and materials to make quality jewelry for myself and others. What a project! It consumed me. But I had huge aspirations. I wanted to produce jewelry for studios across the country. In 1997, I sold Hardware to my partner (the name has been sold 2 more times since) to finance more equipment and materials. Around this time I met Crystal, who would become my partner in Evolution.
Evolution Body Piercing opened in 1999 as the most advanced piercing studio Albuquerque has seen. I couldn’t be more proud of our studios and our staff, all of whom are completely dedicated to the safety and well-being of our clientele. We strive to make every piercing experience as positive as the ones which have changed each of our lives so profoundly.
Keara Dayton
(She/Her) Studio Manager, GIA AJP
Hi, I’m Keara! I got my first piercing at Evolution when I was 16 in 2009 and working at Evolution became a goal of mine from that point forward. I’ve always been passionate about body modification and helping people feel good about being themselves, and Evolution has been such a big part of that journey for so many people. In 2022 I achieved that goal and joined the team as the studio manager. It’s a joy for me to be a part of a place that has been a big part of my life for so long! I graduated from UNM in 2016 with a BFA in painting and am always trying to continue my education, whether that is in art, design, or just fun facts about bugs. In my free time I like to paint, sew, spend time listening to music, and read old books with my pets.
Noah Babcock
(He/Him) Head Piercer
My life thus far has been one encompassed by a love for all forms of art. From music to painting to sculpture, most significant members of my family are heavily involved in some type of artistic expression. I too have always been involved in many different kinds of art, however little of what I did seemed like it had any substantial effect on people. Obviously most art invokes emotion of some sort, however it seemed to me that a very small portion of it would truly change peoples lives. Therefore, I began pondering ways in which my art could change people’s lives for the better. The obvious solution to this became immediately apparent: body art. To permanently alter a person’s appearance, whether it be a little or a lot, and at the same time have this alteration improve that persons self-confidence, and set them apart from the status quo. Body piercing was something that had intrigued me ever since I was a child, and so I began researching it further. As I learned more about it’s history, practices, and procedures, I decided that it was my place in the world to become a part of this ancient and beautiful practice.
I began piercing in 1995, after extensive research into the subject, and landed a job piercing at a local studio. It was not long after I started piercing that I realized I needed a more in depth education pertaining to all aspects of the industry. I began networking with other piercers, healthcare professionals, even a local reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon (who shall remain nameless, but to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude) in order to expand my knowledge of cross contamination, sterilization procedures, anatomy, and much more. I worked in a couple of what I now perceive as mediocre studios until September of 1999 when I was hired at Evolution, Inc., and I feel that my all around abilities as a piercer have expanded exponentially since then.
Working for Evolution has not only expanded my knowledge in relation to the piercing industry as a whole, but it has also expanded my knowledge of my own spirituality, and how the practice of piercing can alter and enhance my clients spirituality as well. As a piercer I do not only give people piercings, but I like to think that I also open their eyes to a new sensation, angle of perception, and concept of themselves.
My profession as a body piercer is one that I am very proud of and have the utmost respect for. This is not a typical job, and certainly cannot be viewed as such. People of all types and all backgrounds trust me with their bodies every single day and that is a huge responsibility that should always be respected, and never underestimated.
Jett Bullock
(They/Them) Inventory Manager
My name is Jett, I use they/them pronouns and I am the Inventory Manager for both or our Evolution locations. I have spent the last decade in Albuquerque after relocating from Oklahoma where I received a Bachelors of Fine Art focusing my studies on ceramic art. I have really found a home in the Albuquerque DIY punk scene, playing music, screen printing merch for local bands, and helping organize shows and community events. When I saw the opportunity to work in the body modification industry at Evolution I knew this would be an environment I would thrive in. My personal journey with body modifications has changed over the years from a way to push back against societal norms in a conservative state, to now as an avenue to explore and affirm my gender identity. I am excited to step into my role as Inventory Manager utilizing my eye for design to help clients find unique jewelry pieces that will help with their own personal journey, whatever that may be. Outside of the studio you can catch me hitting the skate park in my roller skates, geocaching, and spending time with my partner and tiny chihuahua mix Ruby.
Ana
(She/Her) Office Manager
Hi I’m Ana! I’m the Office Manager here at Evolution Body Piercing, where I keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. I got my start in the industry back in 2019 as the personal assistant to one of our incredible co-owners (and my dear friend), Crystal Sims. Coming from a background in retail management, stepping into this role was a refreshing change—and one that’s kept me engaged and constantly learning.
I was born and raised right here in Albuquerque, and I’ve always been drawn to the world of body modification. As a teen, expressing myself and claiming autonomy through piercings felt powerful. Now, I’m lucky enough to be part of an industry that celebrates that kind of self-expression every day.
When I’m not at the studio, I’m usually hanging with my husband of 20+ years, our three rad kids, and our sweet pups. I’m a big fan of naps, cheering on NM United, attending concerts, watching true crime documentaries, and getting a good workout in.
