The Art of Flogging with Aemilia Hawk – Our Kickstarter is now live!

We have only 30 days! Go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/835910848/the-art-of-flogging to see our live Kickstarter page and make a pledge!

About this project

With the release of movies such as “50 Shades of Grey” and “The Secretary”, I have noticed a large number of newcomers to the BDSM scene over the past few years, many of whom are still finding their feet and exploring this marvellous world. The use of a flogger is usually among the first steps after discovering this alternative lifestyle and with “The Art of Flogging” DVD project, our aim is to bring the basics of practice and safety to these newcomers, and to enthusiasts all over the world, while still being able to teach advanced techniques to those who are experienced in the practice of impact play. A complete comprehensive resource for any flogging enthusiast, our DVD will be packed with tutorials and instructional videos. Here are some of the things we plan on including:

• Beginner instructionals.
• Practice techniques.
• Safety tutorials.
• Warm up techniques.
• Sensation play with floggers.
• Rest techniques.
• Flogger maintenance.
• Advanced techniques: Carouselling, Ricochet Flogging, 4-point and 6-point Florentine flogging.
• After-care advice.
• And much more!

My Background

I am the owner of Kabunza Craftwerks and have been a lifestyle practitioner of BDSM for many years. I have been in the media as a mentor in various BDSM arts and I frequent the majority of the south of England teaching workshops and demonstrations as well as doing performances of these arts. While I practice many forms of BDSM, I am mostly known for my expertise in impact play.

Where will the money go?

With having passionate people working on this project, at £1500 we are looking at the bare minimum of funding. Of course, the more we raise, the better a DVD we will be able to produce. But with that £1500 backing we will be able to pay for:

• Video recording equipment, lighting etc.
• Editing and sound.
• The required software and personnel.
• Studio space rental.
• Our first production of DVDs.

Rewards!

We are offering numerous rewards for those who give us their hearty support! From a copy of the DVD when it is complete to a huge set of custom designed BDSM impact toys, we will be working our socks off to bring you some amazing goodies. Plus, all of our rewards will include free postage worldwide! One of the special things which we are releasing for this Kickstarter is the limited editionKabunza Minipoi “Black Hawk” replica flogger. These floggers will not be available to purchase and will be made purely for those people who have selected to donate £50 or more.

Aemilia Hawk’s original “Black Hawk” poi floggers

Why Kickstarter?

People have been asking me to make tutorial videos for quite some time. I decided that if I were to do something along these lines, then I should approach doing it as I would approach building a set of Kabunza floggers; I should aim for making something ‘exceptional’, and making decent tutorials is no cheap endeavour. They require time, space and professionals, which in the end not only greatly increases the quality of the finished product but also requires a significant chunk of money. A friend of mine suggested Kickstarter as a means to achieve this goal and after some research and thought on the matter, here we are!

How can you help?

The first answer is: make a pledge! We urge you to get involved. Even a small pledge helps to get us that much closer to our goal! Secondly, let everyone know about our Kickstarter project and the DVD! In order to achieve our goal we really need to reach out into our communities and spheres of influence to get the word out there. You can post on Fetlife, Twitter, Facebook, and even email this Kickstarter link to those you think would like to know about the project. Every person you tell about “The Art of Flogging” is a huge help.

Thank you for your support!

Videography by The Kink Domain. Music by www.bensound.com. Photography by Anon101 & Kabunza Craftwerks.

Flogging workshop and first-time Kabunza trade stand at the BBB

Whenever I am asked to host a workshop, give tuition or give a demonstration, I always leap at the chance. It is incredibly rewarding and I truly believe that one of the best things anyone with a well practiced skill can do for the BDSM community is to pass on their knowledge to willing students safely. There are a lot of people out there who are reckless (even dangerous) but teach their activities anyway, (often simply to stroke their own egos) despite how unsafe it may be. It can sometimes be very confusing or even scary enough to put people off trying or learning new things. My recommendation to anyone taking advice from anyone on any BDSM activity is to do a little research into the competence of the person(s) giving out their information and also briefly on the subject matter in question (be it flogging, whips, shibari or any BDSM skill) using that magical tool: The internet. Trust me, for the safety of both yourself and those you play with, it never hurts to do a little research and anyone with real knowledge or skill will be apparent from the tat.

I tend to be very hands-on and interactive in my workshops; I like people to ask questions, I like people to talk to me about their own experiences so that I can explain or perhaps even learn something new myself (nobody ever stops learning) and I always try to get people out of their seats to physically practice anything I am trying to teach. Actual practice of any skill makes perfect and I think being able to actively talk people through and demonstrate safely as they are attempting new skills tends to alleviate a very large portion of simple first-time learning hiccups.

Having said that; I am happy to say that the flogging workshop at the Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar received some wonderful feedback and comments. It seemed as though everyone had a wonderful time and I cannot express how rewarding it is to watch people putting their new-found teachings into practice over the course of an event (having a room full of flying florantining floggers can be an incredibly fun thing to watch).

Even the lovely Mistress Victoria from Uberkinky (who was a pleasure to finally meet face to face) wrote a sparkling review of the experience, which you can read on her website blog: Here.

In response to the many people who have asked me to do some Youtube videos and tutorials: I do hope to get some made eventually, but it is finding someone who would be willing to film me and has decent enough equipment and software to do so. It will be done, it is just a question of time and expense (anyone wishing to participate in this kind of project, please feel free to contact me).

And to answer the question that so many people directed at me about my collection of floggers at the workshop: The straight handled floggers were from Jack’s Floggers, The ball handled floggers were from Jack’s floggers and Edgeplay and the majority of the floggers that you saw that evening (the poi floggers) were from our very own Kabunza Craftwerks (we do accept custom orders if you would like a personalised set made).

As well as the workshop, it was also Kabunza‘s first ever trade stand at the BBB. We received some wonderful feedback on our products and many people walked home with shiny new Kabunza collars, jewellery and floggers. We are gleefully looking forward to any possibilities of trading there again. The atmosphere and people at this event are simply awesome.

To sum up this post, I would just like to send out a few thankyou’s :

• To the BBB market and after party organizers for offering us the opportunity to have our Kabunza trade stand represented at their event, for the ample support they gave us, for allowing me the honour of hosting a workshop for them and for their very encouraging and complimentary words throughout.
• To everyone who made a purchase at the Kabunza trade stand. We know from all your lovely comments and appreciation photos that our hard work is going to good homes. We hope you get as much joy from them through their use and wear as we have had in creating them.
• To everyone who attended the workshop. I hope everyone had fun (I know many did from the comments that I have received on Facebook and Fetlife but I never tire from hearing your thoughts and I am sure the readers of my blog would love to hear your comments if anyone would like to post any below).
• To my ever diligent partner for pouring her blood, sweat and tears (three of my favourite things to squeeze out of her) into customising and altering almost every purchased Kabunza item at the event. She really worked hard.
• To my Benjamin. Who, without him, none of the above would of happened and who embraced everything that I inflicted upon him at the workshop (and afterwards) with a delicious smile. As I have always said; “It takes two to play”, and in that respect I am always greatly appreciative of him and feel incredibly lucky to have him as my own.

Event review: BOUND Rope jam

Many of the events that Benjamin and I go to are organised by friends of ours and many people have been asking as of late what these events are like and if they are fun to attend.

I try my hardest to avoid events which I think I may dislike or which I have attended in the past and found wanting, and many of the events we do go to are usually because we have been invited or because we have a Kabunza trade stand. But to make things easier and to help those who wish to know, I have decided to write up a few reviews of some of the events which we tend to frequent regularly simply because it is a damn good night out.

I am going to start with Benjamin’s favorite: BOUND Rope jam at The Flying Dutchman in London.

This is a fantastic night out created by Esinem, Nina Russ & Gorgone in collaboration with The Flying Dutchman in Camberwell, London.

A heady mix of Shibari demonstrations, tutorials, shows and socializing. If you enjoy rope bondage then it is simply a must to see.

Set in a small venue of a local historic London pub, whose mission is to promote difference, diversity, and the arts. Not only will you see live stage performances of full suspension rope bondage by some of the most world-wide recognized rope artists and models, but there is also ample space for those who attend to have a little bit of rope time themselves.

From the minute you walk through the door, you are surrounded by people who know what they are doing when it comes to rope bondage; from the traditional Japanese styles to our own western adapted forms.

Even if you are simply curious about rope bondage or attempting to learn yourself, it is a great place for inspiration and the people who attend are open and friendly.

The stage performances are of such a high caliber that I believe it is highly unlikely that you would get to see live rope art like this on a monthly basis anywhere else in the UK.

The event is held on the last Friday of every month, the night starts at 7pm and performances go on throughout the evening until 1am. Ticket prices range from: Early bird tickets: £5 (limited availability), Advance tickets: £15, On the door entrance: £20.

Some of the performers travel from as far as Tokyo to perform their talents, so as night-out’s go, BOUND is exceptional value for money.

This is not a large profit event and is run by local rope enthusiasts who put a lot of hard work and heart into making an evening which is entertaining and can be enjoyed by anyone of a like-minded interest, which is just one more thing that makes this event special.

Benjamin and I would highly recommend attending to anyone who has the inclination. It is simply a marvelous night out.

Photography used with the permission of http://bounduk.net/