Get To Know Our Piercing Team
Kelly - “The Westcoast Piercing Guy”
President / Piercer / Jewelry Specialist
Fakir Alumni / Association of Professional Piercer Member
Kelly Brookes, better known as The Westcoast Piercing Guy, has spent the last 25+ years pushing boundaries, setting industry standards, and transforming body piercing from a subculture staple to a refined art form.
Born into Gen X and coming of age in the piercing explosion of the ‘90s, Kelly was drawn to the world of body modification—despite initially having a distaste for blood, needles, and causing pain (ironic, right?). But passion speaks louder than fear, and in 1999, he became a certified piercer, determined to elevate safety, knowledge, and professionalism in an industry that, at the time, was still finding its footing.
Never one to follow the crowd, Kelly launched Canada’s first fully licensed mobile piercing studio that same year, bringing high-quality, sterile body piercing to concerts, festivals, and events. His expertise and commitment to hygiene quickly made waves, landing him collaborations with top radio stations (104.9 XFM, 99.3 The Fox, and Rock 101) and even a political equal rights campaign with MTV titled "Rights to Wear a Ring."
By 2001, Kelly established a permanent showroom in Surrey, BC, boasting Canada’s largest selection of body jewelry. The demand for high-quality modifications skyrocketed, and in 2003, he expanded into tattooing with The Ink Den. Though Kelly admits he can’t draw to save his life, his sharp eye for artistry made the transition seamless. In 2011, he rebranded as Westcoast Piercing and Ink, then in 2014, unveiled a cutting-edge studio—one that set the gold standard for piercing safety, cleanliness, and professionalism.
Always striving for excellence, Kelly made history when Westcoast Piercing became the first Association of Professional Piercers (APP) accredited studio in the Lower Mainland. A firm believer that education never stops, he regularly attends APP conferences and advanced training programs to stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving industry.
In 2019, Kelly made a bold move—refocusing entirely on body piercing, saying goodbye to tattoos, and expanding his team of elite piercers. Today, he specializes in high-end, custom jewelry designs in 14k and 18k gold, curating breathtaking ear stylings, and mastering the art of intimate piercings.
Through dedication, expertise, and a relentless passion for the craft, Kelly Brookes has become a trusted name in the industry. He attributes his success to the thousands of clients who have put their trust in him and his team—helping them turn piercing dreams into reality, one meticulously placed piece of jewelry at a time.
Julie - “Jewels”
Manager / Piercer / Jewelry Specialist
Fakir Alumni / Association of Professional Piercer Member
With over 40 years in the beauty industry, Julie has built an impressive career spanning makeup artistry, hair styling, modeling, and body piercing. Her expertise, dedication, and passion for body adornment have made her a respected figure in the piercing community.
Julie’s journey began with makeup artistry and hair styling, where she established a successful Beauty Consulting business. Her commitment to excellence led her to teaching roles, instructing courses in Makeup Artistry, Exotic Hair Braiding, and Self-Improvement. A strong advocate for safety, she became a Qualified Level One First Aid Instructor and earned her Level 3 in Occupational First Aid.
Her true calling emerged in body piercing, where she apprenticed under renowned piercer Kelly Brookes at Westcoast Piercing. Dedicated to mastering her craft, she has attended multiple Fakir Intensives Body Piercing courses in San Francisco and has been an active member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) for over 12 years, staying at the forefront of industry advancements. In her spare time she volunteers on a "Ask a Professional Piercer" forum, answering questions on how to best care for and troubleshoot problem piercing sites.
Although Julie does all body piercings, she specializes in female intimate piercings and designing custom jewelry curations. Known for her professionalism and calming presence, clients travel from afar to experience her exceptional care. More than a piercer, Julie is a mentor, educator, and advocate for safe, high-quality body modification, continuously elevating standards within the industry.
Pyper DeMarsh - Piercer / Jewelry Specialist
Fakir Alumni / Association of Professional Piercer Member
Meet Pyper! Her journey with body piercing began long before finding her home at Westcoast Piercing. Through her teen years, she used piercing as a way to express her neurodivergent inner self and "decorate her avatar", if you will. Growing into adulthood and in discovering her queerness, she was able to fully embrace her desire to shine outwardly in the ways she felt inside. At 26, she decided she wanted to help others feel as at home in their own skin as she'd come to feel, and began pursuing her career in body piercing.
Beginning with a 3 day course in September 2022, she quickly realised that she had much left to learn and a roaring desire to go learn it. In October, she found herself nervously walking through the doors of Westcoast Piercing in hopes this would be the thing she'd felt was missing. She began her apprenticeship that November, and by December confidently knew she had finally found her calling.
Spending the following months absorbing every minute detail her AuDHD head could handle, in March 2023 she jetted off to San Francisco to continue her education at the Fakir Intensive Basics in Body Piercing course, and then returned once more in March 2025 to complete their Advanced Body Piercing course. Her passion for absorbing knowledge does not stop there, she is learning every day from her mentors Kelly Brookes and Julie Green.
Over the past few years, Pyper has had the joy and the honour to help people from all walks of life decorate themselves in fun, affirming, and unique ways. From caring pep talks to a four year old child facing the fear of pain for their first ear piercings (and Pyper in her fuzzy cat ears) to working on complex curations with unique and dazzling diamonds, she truly is the "sparkle fairy" she claims to be. Her kind and caring demeanor paired with in depth knowledge on both body piercing and fine jewelry allows Pyper to connect deeply with her clients, making appointments both fun and educational. Her passion for knowledge and learning shines through as she answers client's questions and is happy to explain as throughly as they require. Pyper treats each client experience like it's their very own "Piercing Adventure", and that she's just the fairy who has the pleasure of giving them their sparkle.
Kennedy Sawatzky - Piercer / Jewelry Specialist
Fakir Alumni / Association of Professional Piercer Member
Kennedy’s journey at Westcoast Piercing began in 2023, bringing a fresh perspective and dedication to the art of body piercing. With a background in makeup artistry and client service, Kennedy has always been passionate about helping others express themselves and find confidence in their personal style. This desire to empower others was one of her inspirations to transition into the world of body piercing, where she can further support clients in elevating their look.
Kennedy has attended and completed both the Basic (2023) and Advanced (2025) Fakir Musafar Intensives Courses in San Francisco, providing her with a solid, well-rounded education in the art and safety of piercing. Kennedy is a Member of the APP and can be verified at safepiercing.org. She is committed to ongoing education, ensuring that every client receives the highest quality service and care.
Known for her bright, bubbly personality, Kennedy is particularly passionate about creating a safe and welcoming environment for anyone and everyone who walks through the studio doors. She offers a space where curiosity is welcomed, and all questions are answered with thoughtful, informative explanations. Kennedy will educate her clients throughout the entire process, making sure they feel informed and confident at every step.
Outside of her work, Kennedy is an avid reader, a lover of animals, and a huge fan of the outdoors. Whether it’s camping, traveling, or spending quality time with her family, Kennedy’s personal life is rooted in connection and adventure... she’s also a huge Hello Kitty fan! In addition to her passion for piercing, Kennedy enjoys styling clients' looks with curated ear and body jewelry, helping them express their personality through unique and custom combinations. Her playful spirit and silliness adds a fun and lighthearted touch to her appointments. Kennedy expressed she feels at home at Westcoast Piercing and looks forward to continue sharing her enthusiasm, creativity, and expertise with her clients, making each piercing experience not just a procedure, but a memorable part of their journey of self-expression.