In my time, I have tried many types of nipple clamps as an addition to various forms of play. But my favorite style of clamps to use have always been the Japanese Clover Clamps.
And now I have a black pair!
The Uberkinky Monarch Noir Nipple clamps are almost identical to the standard Japanese clover clamps, but the fact that they are a very suave and gothic looking black with a lovely little black chain attaching the pair together makes them far more pretty to use. Which is a big bonus in my book.
The tips of the clamps are rubber coated with 5 little nodules to assure a decent grip and unlike some clamps that I have seen on the market, these are not adjustable. They essentially bite down as hard as they can from the first moment you use them and the more you flick them or move them around, the more settled and tighter the clamps become.
One thing that I feel a need to point out is that part of the pain and sensitivity that any nipple clamps cause comes from the restriction of the blood flow to the nipples. When they are removed the pain can end up being worse than when they were applied as the blood flows back into the nerves around the previously clamped area and they begin to rage at being squished and deprived of body fluid for so long. It is never a good thing to leave them on for too long.
When used correctly, nipple clamps can be an exciting and attractive addition to many forms of BDSM play. I highly recommend that everyone has a pair added to their arsenal of toys.
Benjamin and I have been on many Shibari and Kinbaku training courses over the past 9 months. We have had private tuition, attended workshops, demonstrations, performances and events or have even simply met and managed to discuss rope one-on-one with Riggers and Rope Models who have dedicated their lives to it and are simply amazing at what they do. Names like Bruce Esinem, Nina Russ, Gorgone, Kasami Ranki, Vinciens, Kirigami and Peter Slemrian to name but a few. However, I always seem to avoid going into depth about our experiences with them as it is often simply training or technical discussion; which can sometimes come across as tedious for those not interested in that particular subject or too much of a single type of study (Which is not always the best thing to fill up a blog as diverse as mine with; I prefer to mix in as many different aspects of my BDSM practices that I can).
I hope to change things and add a little more to my blog in the way of personal and lifestyle experiences. It has been suggested that I should write more; Ergo, I shall!
Dr Phil’s London Shibari Workshop:
Dr Phil is a French Rigger who has had a passion for bondage since the age of 24. Benjamin seemed eager to attend the rare opportunity of a rope workshop in London hosted by him at Chez Esinem, and we jumped at the chance when a couple of our friends announced that they would want to go along with us.
The class was quite small, consisting of only 5 Riggers and 4 Models (not including Dr Phil and his Model), so it allowed for discussion and getting to know people, which is always a bonus, and primarily concentrated on styles that we were already relatively familiar with (it is great when you understand the basics to begin with, it helps in noticing each Riggers individual and often subtle variations) but also included a little of the aesthetic and non suspension ties. The only harness that we remembered to take a photo of was a very pretty (non-suspension) version of Hojōjutsu.
The latticework between the shoulders makes a great ‘handle’ for controlling your play partner.
Also joining us at the workshop was well known artist and frequent addition to BOUND: Isobel Williams, Who sat on the sidelines during the ‘throwing of string’ and sketched, inked or painted away. You can see some of her rendition of the day on her blog at: http://boulevardisme.blogspot.co.uk
It turned out to be both a fun and informative day. One I would gladly repeat.
I love nearly all forms of music, from classical to heavy punk rock, from new age to apocalyptic industrial; for me, it is usually a case of having a simple preference over their content and overall atmosphere.
In my opinion, music should play a large part of decent BDSM play. It is by no means mandatory, but it can spark emotion, mood and can heavily effect the direction of a scenario or of play as a whole.
My first of what will hopefully be many music reviews pertains to a Steampunk band hailing from Paris, France.
It was late one evening when my partner handed to me a copy of Victor Sierra‘s album ‘Yesterday’s Tomorrow‘ and said “This would be good to flog to. You should write a review on them.”
She was right. A pleasant mix of Steampunk and Dieselpunk with a bass that will keep your strikes going at length; Victor Sierra has quickly become one of my current favourites for multiple forms of BDSM play; primarily flogging.
While the music is multilingual, including English, French, Spanish and even Yiddish, the style and aesthetics of each musical masterpiece is more than enough to keep you listening and moving to the beat regardless of understanding the lyrics.
Of course, it goes without saying that, for me, the fact that they are a distinctly Steampunk/Dieselpunk style band is an excellent added bonus. They have delicious ‘WWII era’ undertones and atmosphere.
There is one song which I particularly enjoy: ‘Imbéciles’ (Track number 9). However it is vocalised in french, so here are the original lyrics along with a rough translation into English (because I am helpful like that).
It does lose a few details in the translation, however I am going to attempt to do it anyway:
Original Lyrics:
IMBECILES
Le sourire géné de l’indésirable
se crispe et se fige en équilibre instable
Venus des palais et des caniveaux
les hyenes se déchainent et se font écho.
Aux premieres loges, observant la détresse,
le lampiste en blouse temporise et paresse.
Les meneurs menent et font hurler la foule
Alors que les coups pleuvent et que le sang coule
se forme le cercle des eternels cretins
aux carrieres naissantes, au potentiel certain.
Imbéciles… Un jour
Imbéciles… Le sont ils pour toujours?
L’indésirable au sourire effacé
se releve et rassemble son univers brisé
se débat seul contre l’effet de masse
sous les quolibets recherchant sa place
Avec le temps les carrieres s’épanouissent
se cultivent se transmettent de peres en fils
Translation into English:
IMBECILES
The uneasy smile of the undesirable
becomes nervous and fixes into a fragile balance
Hailing from palaces and slums alike
The hyenas rage, their howls echoing each other
on the front seat, observing the distress
the blouse wearing lampist plays for time and lazes around
the leaders lead and make the crowd roar
while blows rain down and blood is shed
the circle of the eternal idiots closes
with new born careers and certain futures
imbeciles… one day
imbeciles…are they like this forever?
the undesirable with a faded smile
gets up and gathers his broken universe
fighting alone under the influence of the masses
under the mockeries, seeking his place
with time, careers blossom
cultivated and transmitted from fathers to sons
To be honest I think my translation lacks a certain ‘cachet’ when compared to the French original.
Velvet Thoughts by Aemilia Hawk 