Mine.

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on October 21, 2014

The softest of black suedes. A small sliver of a rare South African skin that I had been saving for something special. It was laid out flat next to the vibrant purple of a Spanish relaxed grain leather. The contrast was beautiful. The colours complimented each other and as I sat down to study the striations and view the detailing of the leathers further, she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and hugged me from behind. Nothing was said, she simply wanted to see.

It needed to be perfect. It needed to be special. She had picked the leathers, her favourite colours, and I was about to build it for her with my bare hands while she watched.

There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly cut leather. My blade sliced through her choices effortlessly as I cut the strips required. A soft but strong backing of the blackest night followed by the warm and vibrant colours that would accentuate and bring life to that darkness. I could not help feeling slightly amused at our dynamics similarities.

Metals next. The strongest of steel. Cold and hard. An armour of chain for its front and a little love willed into every ring as they were forcefully weaved together. As the skies darkened and turned to night, I flicked my workbench lamp on. The dim light glistened off the metal as I held it aloft to look closely at the weaved florets and I could feel her smile as she continued to watch it take shape in my hands.

The next step was aesthetics. Those little touches of beautification. Not because it needed such things, but because they are desired. The reflected shine from the steel bezel blazed into my eyes as I placed it in position, enhancing its every detail. The victorianesque patterns which oddly reminded me of rope whenever I looked at them closely were glistening in the light and I began to reminisce of the previous evenings play in the very spot where we were now. I was tempted to repeat the process. Her scent was constant and delicious, I could feel her soft breath on my neck and it would have been so easy to simply throw down my tools and grab her for another ropey roll on the floor, but this was important, so as I brought the hammer down roughly atop the clear crystal rivet center of the final touches, I shook the desire to the side and promised myself the pleasure at a later date.

It was late by the time I had finished. All was quiet as I stood in front of her with the finished creation and held it in the light where she could see it clearly.

“Are you sure?” I asked as I gave her a meaningful look.

Her meek grin was incredibly cute as she nodded back at me.

The last ingredient was already in place as I slipped the leather and steel collar around her.

Trust.

Unequivocal. Clear and pure. Trust.

Her smile widened as the click of the padlock shattered the silence and as I pulled her towards me by the belt, I gave her left nipple a playful pinch followed by a toothy grin.

“Mine” I growled through the smile as I wrapped her in an embrace.

Event review: Kinkfest UK 2014

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on September 10, 2014

Earlier this year, I was asked to take part and teach workshops at the UK’s largest and newest BDSM educational conference and event, Kinkfest UK. To say it was an honour to have been able to take part is an understatement and over the course of its 2 day debut, it quickly became my favorite event of 2014 and one of my favourite BDSM events of this past decade.

Concentrating more on the safety and knowledge aspects of BDSM during the day by hosting a large and very diverse assortment of workshops and classes, while during the evenings having a large environment to practice in and have fun with new-found skills, as well as having live performances of fire play and Japanese rope bondage, Kinkfest UK has it all. In fact, I think the only thing it lacked was a market.

Held in the same venue as they hold the Midland peer rope evenings at the Xtasia club in Birmingham, I ran several flogging workshops over the course of the event and I also managed to get in some very fun rope (photos below). They have expressed wishes to continue Kinkfest UK as a yearly event and I for one really hope they do. This event was simply awesome and given the chance, I would gleefully attend again.

The First flogging workshop on the 26th July:

My playtime while attending the peer rope workshop on the 26th July:

The last flogging workshop on the 27th July:

My rope model and workshop partner for the event: Jitsuka.
Photos courtesy of Kinkfest UK.
Photography by Red Fox Photography.
All images are copyright © KinkfestUK 2014.

Tease & Cake, Vintage inspired Pin Up Magazine – Additional photos 14/01/14

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on June 17, 2014

Continued from Tease & Cake, Vintage inspired Pin Up Magazine 14/01/14.

These photos are a sneak peek at some of the images that were taken during the course of the photo shoot that have not been published the magazine. So, all of you should still go to their website and grab a copy!

You can get your copy of Tease & Cake at : www.teaseandcake.co.uk
Check out the Tease and Cake facebook page at: www.facebook.com/TeaseandCake
And if you fancy having your own Pin-Up photo shoot, check out The Hourglass photography studio at: www.thehourglass.eu

Photos courtesy of The Hourglass.
Photography by Nicole Klein.
All images are copyright © Tease and Cake Ltd

Tease & Cake, Vintage inspired Pin Up Magazine 14/01/14

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on April 17, 2014

I told you all that there would eventually be photos of me doing Shibari on my blog!

Late last year (2013), a friend of mine was advertising for models for a Vintage/Retro magazine called ‘Tease and Cake‘ which centers around the 1950’s Pin-Up genre. I sent her a message, which was originally meant as a bit of a jest because I have never really considered myself to be Pin-Up material (despite desperately wanting to be), and essentially asked her if she thought I could be the next Betty Page.

I really never expected to find out that she had been discussing with her team the idea of shooting something along the lines of “A day in the life of a Mistress” with me.

The setting would be around the 1940’s, a retro style, to include a violet wand, rope bondage and to have a “Betty Page” BDSM feel to it. As it turned out (because, seriously, I just can’t seem to pull off the Pin-Up ‘look’ and I have developed an amazing respect for those who can, it is not an easy thing to do), it ended up being an interview and shoot centered around a genuine curiosity on the history of BDSM and how it has changed in the past 60 years along with photos to compliment the article. I also managed to rope-in (literally) another friend of mine (the lovely Emma Yada-yada) who playfully agreed to be my rope model for the day.

The article is titled “Fetish then and now” and here is a few example photos from the shoot, which appear in issue 7 of the magazine and is now available for purchase on the Tease and Cake website. It is an awesome magazine and packed full of retro goodness, but I do not want to give too much away. So, if you want to see and read more (including photos and articles on a host of other glamorous retro lovelies) you will need to head to the links provided and buy a copy!

Photos courtesy of The Hourglass.
Photography by Nicole Klein.
All images are copyright © Tease and Cake Ltd

I tie.

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on January 29, 2014

A common misconception seems to be that because I tend to get tied up, I do not tie.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

All of the rope workshops and tuition that I have attended with Benjamin have been learning experiences for me as well. I simply choose to avoid having my rope photographed in abundance.

Eventually, when I feel as though my skill level has developed to a decent point, things may change and I may end up having photos or videos done every time I tie, but for the moment I am happy honing my skills on willing friends (I tend to prefer tying girls) and having fun.

My new rope. Soaked in the blood of my victims.

I have two sets of rope. My newest set, purchased from and treated by Benjamin, consists of eight 8.4m lengths of 5mm Tossa Jute which have been dyed blood red.

Benjamin has started up a small business treating and selling premium asanawa jute and you can check out his new site at: http://shibaribybenjamin.wordpress.com/

The other (my first set of ropes) is a very special set of eight 9m lengths of 6mm single ply Jute, imported from Japan, that Benjamin gave to me as a gift last year. I will now be keeping this set for special occasions.

My special Japanese jute.

So, yes. I tie.
😉

And in all likelihood, I will have some photos of my ropework here on my blog eventually.

Product review: UberKinky Wax Play Candle Pack

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on December 17, 2013

Wax play is incredibly fun as a stand-alone kink, it has its own unique mix of sensation and emotion, but it is also one of those forms of play which I have found works brilliantly as an addition to others.

I have found it a beautiful accompaniment to Shibari and Kinbaku (strategically placing candles in the rope which then paint the model with wax while in bondage can invoke some of the most visual of BDSM art as well as produce some of the most intense play scenarios). Even impact play after a little wax play, where you are literally flogging, caning or spanking the wax off the body makes for an incredibly different scenario and plethora of sensations.

When Uberkinky offered me a pack of their specially designed wax play candles to review, I greedily grabbed the pack and started to drool at the thought of where I could add them for best effect (both ‘scenario’ and ‘body cavity’).

One of the things I noticed more than anything else with the UberKinky Wax Play Candle Pack is the quality of the wax itself, they are paraffin based which means they have a tendency to melt a little quicker and feel a little waxier, but more importantly; they produce a wax that is completely devoid of the soot which tends to accumulate with normal candles when you invert them (which, while being a positive attribute for any play, in my opinion, makes them especially good for rope performance on stage where time and appearance are very important factors).

I have also noticed that there is very little in the way of wax evaporation. lots of drippage and body coverage while using only a fraction of the candle and the wax burns at a slightly lower temperature, meaning you can add a larger range of sensation without feeling as though you are about to unpleasantly burn off a layer of sensitive skin.

The only downside that I can think of is the fact that they are colour dipped instead of a solid colour. The center of the candle is a white wax that takes on the colour of the candles dipped shell as it melts, which, while adding colour to the dripping wax, means that the dripped wax on the body is not as vibrant a colour as the candle itself. It is only a small downside, but a downside nonetheless. I still think the positive value of these candles far outweigh that single noteworthy negative.

As an added bonus for people who are new to this form of play, Uberkinky has written up the Beginner’s Guide To Wax Play which gives tips on safety, aftercare, how to get started and much more. Worth a peek 😉

Performance: BOUND, London – 22/11/13 Additional Photos

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on December 14, 2013

Continued from Performance: BOUND, London – 22/11/13

More photography of our London BOUND shibari rope bondage performance:

Artwork: Isobel Williams@BOUND, London – 22/11/13

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on November 28, 2013

One of the artists which I seem to be encountering more frequently these days (though usually not directly as I frequently fail to spot her, and when I do manage to, I loath to interrupt her because she is often putting brush or ink to paper) is Isobel Williams.

She has drawn Benjamin and I in the past at Dr Phil’s London shibari workshop and now it seems that we have mused for her once more with our performance at BOUND last weekend.

I am always honored when used as inspirational material for any artistry and I think Isobel did a wonderful job at capturing a moment within our performance.

You can see more of her work at http://boulevardisme.blogspot.co.uk/

I would highly recommend a peek.

Performance: BOUND, London – 22/11/13

Posted by Aemilia Hawk on November 27, 2013

One month after our last BOUND shibari performance in London at The Flying Dutchman, Benjamin and I were asked to step up on stage once more. This time to be the last show at the last BOUND of the year which would be broadcast in its entirety on Shibari TV.

A backwards prayer and a single leg suspension where my free leg is used to manipulate momentum and gravity to spin myself rather fast. Not an easy bout of rope to take (especially not for me).

But we managed it and a few photos were taken in the process.