Check Out the Purple Rose Boutique

Well it's official.  Today I opened my shop on Etsy called the Purple Rose Boutique.  You can find it at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/PurpleRoseBoutique

Before anyone laughs at the name, you should try finding a shop name with "rose" in it that isn't already taken!  I went through at least a dozen or more different combinations of words before finally settling on this one.

At the moment, it's a bare-bones store page with only nine listings; however "mighty oaks from little acorns grow!"  I'm starting out by working my way through my existing hobby supplies - you know, using what is already on hand.  I've got a ton of stuff in my "stash" including shed antlers, natural stone beads, wire, recycled leather, fabric, beach glass, etc.

There is a store section "for kinksters only" which I hope to add to very soon.  At the moment, the only thing there is one of the collars I posted about a few days ago.  In the near future, you will see nylon and hemp rope as well as leather items there.

I'd appreciate it if you'd drop by, check it out and let me know what you think so far.  I'm open to suggestions (especially around how to create a store banner that features purple roses!)

Wish me luck!

Top frenzy, mid life crisis or both?

According to the Fetlife Glossary, sub frenzy is:

A very strong, sometimes overwhelming, desire to find a Dominant partner or to become immersed in BDSM-related activities. Sometimes seen in people who identify strongly as submissive, particularly those who have either newly discovered their submissive side or who have not partaken in BDSM-related activities for a long time. People in the grip of “sub frenzy” may make unwise or unsafe choices. 

I looked for a similar definition for "top frenzy" but surprisingly didn't find one.  

The month of June has been thin on play opportunities.  It has been ten days since I last played and I've played only twice in the last three weeks.  Plans to play tomorrow had to be postponed due to circumstances beyond everyone's control.  My rational mind understands this, but physically and emotionally  my reaction was anything but rational.

Playing With Rope - Making Collars

Spent the evening playing with rope and making different style collars.

I'd previously made one using 1/4" nylon rope and the Slatt's Rescue Belt weave featured on the Fusion Knot Site.  At first I just whipped the ends as I wasn't sure how to finish it off.  This evening, inspiration hit.  I fished out my button box and chose a pretty pewter button.  Looks very feminine.

I also stripped the four-strand core out of some heavy nylon rope and this is what I made with one of the strands, two metal rings and one solid brass padlock.  The resulting Solomon's Bar collar is very sturdy.

After stripping out the four-strand core, I was left with a "shell" that could be flattened.  Using the Slatt's Rescue Belt weave again, I made a very thick but silky collar that I finished off with a button and loop clasp.

Tomorrow, I begin a Celtic Bar belt!  More pics to follow in the days ahead.

My Growing Obsession with Whips

I have become increasingly obsessed with whips over the past year.  This April, I had a chance to wield a single tail during a play session with Pet at a friend's dungeon.  I loved everything about that experience -  the feel of the nylon braid in my hand as it coiled and flexed, the responses it elicited from Pet and of course that delicious "snap!" I've been gathering information and materials and am working up the nerve to begin my first project.


I've purchased a couple of books on  the subject:  The Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding by Bruce Grant and How to Make Whips by Ron Edwards.  I'm currently working my way through these.
I've joined a couple of relevant discussion groups on FetLife and keep my eyes open for any video or pictures there related to whips.  Found a video posted on the Kinky and Popular page that featured a pair of matching bullwhips made by another member.  If you are a Fetlife member, you can check out the picture at https://fetlife.com/users/83630/pictures/10153972


I've got some leather cord in red, black and purple and paracord in navy and sky blue on the way. In the meantime, I'm practicing knot work and braiding with the rope I have on hand.


I've also been scouring YouTube for how-to information.  There is a wealth of how-to information on YouTube if you can take the time to look around.  For example, http://www.abraided.com/media/  There you will find a collection of videos on how to make a flogger recorded during a munch in Bloomington, Indiana.  While not strictly about whips, there is useful information here.

Contemplating New Experiences

This morning on the way to a family brunch my better half remarked that it must be summer as the lupines are just coming into bloom.  I think she's right in choosing the appearance of an early summer bloom as the indicator of summer's arrival over the calendar or the thermometer.  Just because it's June doesn't mean we're done yet with single digit temperatures.  Most folks around here won't put their annuals out until the end of the third week in June, just in case we get a late frost.

But change is certainly in the air and has been for while.  And of course, I'm not talking about the weather.  I've already written about the shift in my relationship with my better half and of my Pet's acquisition of a Pet of his own.  Recently I've been giving some thought to other sorts of new experiences.

Lately I find myself curious about what it would be like to top for others.  I've made the acquaintance of several professional dominants on line and have begun to ever so carefully explore this world.  Now before anyone who knows me jumps to any conclusions, I'm not planning to quit my day job anytime soon nor does any of this mean any sort of negative change is brewing with either my Beloved or my Pet.  

As my fascination with power exchange continues, I think it is only natural to want to explore this dynamic with other people.  Do I, for example, have what it takes to provide a satisfying play session for a friend or acquaintance?  How will I feel about the exchange? Am I able to facilitate satisfying experiences for people with whom I am not already intimate or emotionally attached?  Am I able to facilitate satisfying experiences for myself this way?  I have many questions.

Rope Work: Dragonfly Sleeve Hogtie

So last night I was pretty pooped when I finally got home and my shoulder injury was plaguing me again.  Pet had come over for a visit so I had a cup of coffee after supper in an attempt to kick-start energy level.  Unfortunately, it didn't perk me up like I had hoped.  I was a little clumsy when we first got to the studio.  I decided to take things a little easier on myself and opted to begin the evening with a little rope.

I quickly ran through the dragonfly sleeve tutorial on the Two Knotty Boys website and started in at it.  Within minutes I was humming and felt my body come back to life!  I so love to play with rope.  Once I finished the dragonfly sleeve, I had Pet lie on his stomach and used the remaining rope to tie his feet, effectively turning it into a bit of a hogtie.  I did a little weaving and wrapping to use up the remaining rope and then took some pictures.

Of course, once Pet was immobilized, I just had to break out a wooden spoon, a stiff bristled brush, some clothespins and have some fun.  <tee-hee>

Contemplating the Beauty of His Submission

I'll be the first to admit that I can get caught up in the excitement of a good play session, especially one involving impact play with floggers, whips, my bare hands and feet.  The combination of sounds and sensations is exhilarating and watching Pet's reactions is extremely satisfying. There is no no compulsion to analyze these moments, only to experience and appreciate them for the treasures that they are.

Every once in a while though, something extraordinary happens between us.  It often takes me a while to process these experiences, to truly understand their significance.  I sometimes find it particularly hard to capture such moments in words as I struggle to balance privacy and propriety with the burning need to preserve those memories and joyfully share their stunning beauty with the world.

I've written previously about the almost feral responses I've been able to provoke from Pet and how empowering these are for me.  To have him restrained by nothing more than my command while his body flexes and struggles against my invisible bonds, his eyes flashing wildly and almost daring me to deliver another blow, is an amazing "high" for me as his Keeper.  I've also written about the first time he spontaneously used the "G-word".  Flying high, unable to speak in words except to utter "Goddess" repeatedly, reaching for me and hanging on as though his life depended on it.

Sometimes the most extraordinary moments are far quieter and unexpected.   Our play session progresses and we move through familiar territory only to be completely surprised.  All masks drop, often unintentionally, and Pet affords me a glimpse deep inside, baring his heart and soul in process.  These are intense moments for both of us.  I can sense the struggle taking place inside him.  He wants to surrender to what he feels, but its chosen way of manifesting is almost overwhelming to him. His expression shifts, almost becoming a silent plea for my help.

When it does, I lay down the flogger or whip and hold him, heart-to-heart, showering him with my strength and love.  I keep him safe in the sacred space we've created, grounding him as the waves of his release wash over us both. As I behold the love, surrender and gratitude pouring from him in these quiet moments, I am deeply humbled and moved.  And for a few heartbeats, time stands still.

Through his surrender, obedience and gratitude, I am learning what it truly means to be Dominant, to be his Keeper.  Through his submission, I am learning just how beautiful and profound power exchange can be.

Jewelry for the Dungeon and Beyond

Rope isn't just for tying people up.  You can also make pretty things with it.

Today I gravitated away from making toys and towards creating jewelry.  I made a lovely necklace out of light weight nylon rope.  You can make one like this too by going to the Fusion Knot website and clicking on the Slatt's Rescue Belt tutorial.  http://fusionknots.com/graphics/gallery/knots/Slatt's%20Rescue%20Belt.html

I also fiddled around and made some earrings incorporating materials like leather, copper and jet beads.  I don't know about you, but I like having jewelry specifically for play time.  My partner has already gotten one of the pairs of leather earrings.  I haven't yet made a choice.  I may try some chain-mail next.

Making BDSM Toys: Home-made Ball-Buster

Home-made ball buster

When I'm not able to connect with Pet for a play session, the next best thing is to see what new toy I can make with the supplies I have on hand.  Last week I made a Josephine out of heavy polypropylene rope and gave it to him for his birthday.  As I still have oodles of it left, I got to thinking about what else I could make out of it.  Then inspiration hit.

Many of you will recall the torture scene in the remake of Casino Royale in which a naked Agent 007 is tied to a chair with his balls hanging down below the cane seat.  His nemesis begins swinging a large monkey fist knot at the end of a length of rope.  The effects are quite dramatic.

Of course in my world, rule #1 is never break your toys.  That being said, I thought a smaller version made out of the polypropylene might be just the trick, so I gave it a whirl.  I started with a five foot length of the heavy polypropylene rope and used some scarps of 1/4" nylon rope, crushed into a ball for the knot's core.  I trimmed the running ends to the length I wanted then using hemp twine, secure them in several places, creating a handle.

I am quite pleased with the results and posted a picture of my work on Fetlife.  Of course, the first response I got was from my dear Pet who seems as eager as me to try it out.

Rope Belt

I also made a rope belt inspired by the rope belt buckle tutorial on the Two Knotty Boys site.  They have a great video showing how to tie the prosperity knot "buckle".  http://www.knottyboys.com/code/downloads.php

They kept their version plain.  I chose to space double coin knots around the body of the belt.  I think I like my version better.  I started with a fifteen foot length of 1/4" nylon rope whereas they used a ten foot length.  The double coin knots will eat up some of the rope length, so you need to plan for that.