New piercer joins Brass Cat Tattoo in Midland 

Brass Cat Tattoo has expanded its self-care services with the addition of professional piercer Maggie Davis, who brings years of experience and a client-centered approach to the Ashman Circle studio. 

Davis found herself piercing in a somewhat unconventional way. She previously worked in healthcare before a shoulder injury forced her to step away from the field, ultimately leading her to pursue piercing as a profession. 

What began as an unexpected transition quickly developed into a love for the art. Davis said the skills she carried from the medical field, like hygiene awareness and client-focused care, translated naturally into piercing, where safety and communication are not negotiable.  

“I think when you do something long enough in an environment that’s not right for you, you can start to lose that magic. There have been a couple points in my career where I almost lost that magic,” Davis says. “Making a transition is helpful when that happens. Then you can look at the craft for what it is and be part of the incredible journey it has undergone, going from an underground culture to something more mainstream.” 

As Piercing by Maggie joins the Brass Cat team, Davis said she is excited to work in an environment that aligns with her values. She emphasized the importance of maintaining high sanitation standards, using vetted jewelry, and following the Association of Professional Piercers guidelines. 

In addition to technical skill, Davis focuses on transparency and accountability with all clients. She believes reputable piercers are defined by honesty, including openly discussing placement and recommending against a piercing when anatomy is not suitable for proper healing. 

“I don’t mind saying the word no when it comes to anatomy, and that can be a really disappointing thing,” Davis says. “I think more people should say no, and they don’t, because they’re afraid of that money walking out the door. Well, for me, I’d rather that money walk out the door than have someone struggling to heal something that’s just going to reject.” 

Her focus on care carries into the experience Davis aims to create for every client who steps into the studio. Rather than rushing the process, she focuses on slowing things down, answering questions, and making sure clients feel fully heard before any decision is made. 

“It is totally normal. I feel like I’m a little more concerned about people who are not at all nervous when somebody that they don’t know is taking a needle to them,” Davis says. “It’s okay to be afraid, it’s okay, we’re going to work through it together.” 

She said a piercing appointment does not have to end with a needle to be successful. For some clients, simply visiting the studio, meeting the piercer, and learning about the process is enough to build confidence for future visits.  

That trust is something Davis has carried with her throughout her career, often seeing clients return years later at different stages of their lives. She said those long-term relationships are a large part of what makes her work so meaningful and reinforces the responsibility she feels to approach each piercing with honesty and intention. 

“I love this place, not just the shop but Midland in general, all the people in it. I’ve had a lot of clients that I’ve been able to see through the years,” she says. “I’ll have somebody come in who’s just 18 years old, and they go, ‘you know, you did my very first piercing when I was 10 years old.’ and I’m like, wow.” 

Outside of the studio, Davis is especially passionate about community involvement. One way she is connecting with her neighbors is by organizing the memorial outreach event at Stratford Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility on Monday, Jan. 26 at 1:30 p.m. 

The event, created in honor of her mother, Twyla Hudson, will offer residents temporary tattoos and faux piercings, providing an opportunity for self-expression and connection in a comfortable setting. 

Davis said she hopes to continue participating in and organizing events and welcomes opportunities to partner with local organizations through Brass Cat Tattoo. For her, outreach is a natural extension of her work; it’s a way to bring creativity and care beyond the studio’s walls. 

“The thing I would want people to know is that I love being a part of things, and I would love to bring part of that to the shop or to the community,” Davis says. “So, if anybody has those opportunities, just a little safe event or something like that, reach out to me, e-mail me, I’m usually 100 percent in before it even happens.” 

As Davis settles into her merger with Brass Cat Tattoo, she brings not only expanded services, but a philosophy rooted in transparency and care for the people she serves.