CraigPokesU — Local services in Bailey's Crossroads

DO NOT take your business here! I’ve been going to this shop for years I was a loyal customer I referred everyone I love here but after yesterday’s experience I will NEVER come back. I went in and saw Jason for jewelry change. I needed a nose stud put in I had it out for a week but had the piercing for years I knew it should be fine to just put in a new one. When Jason put the new stud he used force and pushed in the taper and it hurt I didn’t think too much of it right away. When I got home I realized that he re opened an old nose piercing I had 10 years ago! Long story short at 17 I got my nose pierced then I took it out and let it “close” idk if it did close all the way or not. But when I wanted a nose piercing again 5 years ago I went to a random shop and for some reason they pierced my nose again right next to my old piercing I use to have they didn’t try to repierce the same spot I had before. So the old piercing left a little dent. Before we started I told Jason this so he knew, he didn’t even check to see if he was putting in the stud in the right hole. So basically he reopened my old piercing instead of putting it in my actual nose piercing I’ve been using the past 5 years. I called the shop back & the lady at the front said he would call me back. No call, so I decided to just go in because I was freaking out I was crying I was in pain! My nose was swollen and I was worried I have to now let this piercing heal all over again. I wasn’t upset at Jason I even told him I don’t blame him even though I did tell him the backstory, it was a mistake right. However, as soon as I told Jason he put the stud in the wrong hole he immediately says “no I didn’t!” Mind you he didn’t even care to look at what I was talking about he kept saying he did not and I kept telling him yes he did! I know my body and I know MY piercing I’m 29 years old I’ve been getting piercings since a young teen I know for a fact I knew what I was saying was true. I even put in a hoop ring when I got home in the actual piercing I needed the stud put in which is right next to where he put the stud in. (See picture) He had NO sympathy, understanding, or even could take accountability that he put it in the wrong spot. He was VERY defensive and said that I insulted him as a piercer? Well I feel insulted as a paying customer and I feel violated honestly. I went in looking for help and just received animosity for no good reason. I left the shop in TEARS. I would suggest you go somewhere else I found a new shop in Vienna please check them out called Brilliance piercing they have the same and MORE jewelry as this place and they have sales too. I honestly can’t believe how rude a “professional” can be especially when im in distress and crying, he literally made it worse. It all could’ve been resolved if he didn’t have attitude and just resolve the issue. He did put it back in the real hole but now im just scared I hope I don’t get a bump from the TRAUMA I endured at my visit. I will be thinking about reporting to the BBB because this is not okay. By the way I wasted a total of 2 hours driving to this place and back home and driving there again and back home again after this mess. I did not once get an apology. These people are sick the front desk as well had no compassion or emotion, very odd...

I have never written a google review before but our experience with the staff at CraigPokesU, needs be shouted from the mountain tops. Amy, Blake and Jason went above and beyond in helping my daughter work through her emotions and anxiety. She was the one who wanted to get her ears pierced and yet she totally freaked out when she went back to the room with Amy and Jason. They both stayed calm, affirming and patient with her. I was ready to lose it in frustration after 40min of my daughter's emotional roller coaster but their calm helped me as well. My daughter kept apologizing for her emotions and both Amy and Jason affirmed her that she did not need to apologize. She was choosing something to happen to her own body and that is a big deal. We actually ended up leaving the studio and going to Heidelberg Pastry Shop just down the street to decompress, process and give her space to decide if she wanted to try again. (FYI: Super yummy place)

When we walked back in, no one gave her a hard time about being back, or being dramatic. They and all other customers were positive, upbeat and encouraging. Blake ended up switching out with Amy and he had so much wisdom in how to encourage my daughter, as he has observed her emotional reaction the first time around. If this had been any other place, especially Claire's, her ears would have been pierced in the first few minutes of our arrival without waiting for her to be ready or truly giving consent. Amy, Jason and Blake take consent more seriously than anywhere I have ever seen. They literally got into position at her ears and then she had to give them permission to actually follow through with the needle(s). Her anxiety got the better of her several times as they were in position but again, no one shamed her or got impatient. She chose to take a quick bathroom break and finally came back absolutely determined to do and she did!!! The whole place cheered for her when she walked out the room. Blake was so tender in his care of her afterwards. He gently wiped her tears, and affirmed her bravery. He even respectfully asked me if he could ask her for a hug. I said yes and when he turned and asked her for a hug, she said "yes!" and gave him a huge hug.

My daughter is so proud of her decision, the way the piercings look and that her body was honored 100%. She is only 10 and when she came back to our neighborhood and shared her story with her friends, several of the girls said they had been pierced before they were ready or without giving their permission, which made her sad for them. Although it was a long, emotional process I am deeply grateful for the lessons my daughter got on body autonomy, true consent and being honored in working through big feelings over something as "simple" as ear piercing. THANK YOU 10x over Amy, Jason and Blake!

PS. every other person we saw come and go during our process was treated respectfully, kindly and they all seemed very please when they walked out the door. 10 out of 10,...

I don’t think I can say enough positive things about our experience. I took my 10 year old yesterday to get her ears pierced after she & I researched options. The space is bright and open with plenty of cute bee decorations and after checking in you are assigned a piercer. We had Matt who immediately put my daughter at ease by joking with her. He showed us the earring options, ensuring it was something she would like for months. After picking them out, you pay & go through the waiver on a iPad. I love that the child has to sign in addition to the parent.

There were plenty of rooms for piercing, all of which were bright and clean. Matt explained the process to her, showed how to tell if the needle was coming from a sterile pack and explained how they used the autoclave. He gave her the option of having both ears pierced at once (which is great for a child with anxiety) and Jason joined for the other ear. Right before the piercing he led her through some breathing and told her when they would be proceeding. It did hurt but he gently talked her through (while I was holding her hands) and it was quickly done. He had her agree on the waiver that she was happy and clearly went through the cleaning process in various ways.

The best part came today, when she was showing a friend the website and talking about all the different piercers and where she interacted with them (this is Matt, this is Jason, Blake & Wade were at the front desk, Danie was helping the people in front of us). She talked about the process and how cool it was. I have no doubts that she will be sharing similar stories at school this week.

The details - it took 30 min. We had a 2:30 appointment and we’re out at 3. And at no time did we feel rushed. Making the appointment was easy and they sent a confirmation, requirements, and reminders. It cost about $400, which isn’t cheap (the earrings are the big price point), but it is worth it for 14k gold that will be in her ears...