Since the dawn of man, people have modified their bodies as a way to mark their identity for the world to see. Inserting a large animal bone through a septum or puncturing ear lobes with rows of precious gemstones helps people tell their story on their terms. At Miami Tattoo Co. in the heart of South Beach, body piercing is a true art form practiced by two leading ladies in the game. Jane-Marie Ravelo, a raven-haired piercer with a radiant grin and funky eyeglasses, fell in love with body modification when she was 13. She spent the next seven years honing her skills, including a yearlong apprenticeship with renowned Miami tattooist and body piercer Maytee Bringas. Her passion for piercing took her to Las Vegas in 2011 for the Association of Professional Piercers Conference, where she met and learned from the top body modification artists in America. And even though she became a registered nurse in 2015, Ravelo continues to oversee Miami Tattoo Co.'s body piercing department while grooming the shop's other piercer, Bridgett Dearing, a rising star in her own right. Both women are the only certified members of the Association of Professional Piercers based in Miami. In addition, Miami Tattoo Co. offers top-of-the-line jewelry made from implant-grade titanium, niobium, and gold. The shop also takes custom orders, including requests for Swarovski crystals. Ravelo and Dearing don't play around when it comes to providing clients with a sterile environment. The piercers use a steam sterilization machine called the Statim G4 2000 to sanitize their tools and jewelry on the spot.