Rope Bondage Weekend Intensive- Philadelphia!

•November 27, 2009 • Leave a Comment

December 18-20 2009 at Passional Toys in Philadelphia, http://www.passionaltoys.com Classes can be taken individually, or together as a full intensive going from basic bondage to advanced suspension, and at a reduced price, perfect for sexy XXXmas gifts!  Advance tickets for the intensive are $100 for the entire weekend ($20 per class), and $30 per class the day of. RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW:  http://spongecell.com/event_page/view/909767

Register for the Full Weekend and receive a 10% off discount on all Rope at Passional Toys!!!!

5 classes: 1) Rope Bondage 101, 2) Self Bondage, 3) Chest and Hip Harnesses 4) Suspension 5) Advanced Suspension!!!

DESCRIPTIONS:

The Rope Bondage Intensive weekend takes students from basic bondage ties all the way through complicated suspension.  Skills for both the top and bottom are covered, and each class builds upon the last class to provide an environment for practice, and the development of muscle memory.

Continue reading ‘Rope Bondage Weekend Intensive- Philadelphia!’

Anniversary and where Ive been all this time!

•November 26, 2009 • 1 Comment

So this week marks the 1-year anniversary of this website, http://www.klawdyarothschild.com  I want to announce that the shorter URL: http://www.klawdya.com  now is active and for the time being comes to the same spot! Easier to type in and remember!  With that announcement I feel it is necessary to explain why Ive been so un-posty lately.

I moved to NYC in August to go to graduate school at NYU for Museum Studies.  I am using this time to research and to reach conclusions about the nature of sexual subjects and sexual representations in museums, arguably one of the most influential cultural institutions AVAILABLE for people of all ages, genders, races and socio-economic backgrounds.

What i am looking into currently is how controversy and censorship is handled for institutions who wish to mount exhibitions that deal with sexual subjects, and how those controversies or censorships are employed among the strategies of museums to ENGAGE their audience (ie YOU) in their reasoning and sometimes in larger cultural and political discourse on sexuality and obscenity.

One of the first of these examples is the traveling retrospective of the artist Robert Mapplethorpe in the exhibit titled “The Perfect Moment” in 1989.  This exhibit was one of the first exhibits to place explicitly sexual subjects and subjects of Kink and homosexuality into large, international, legitimate public museums, and resulted in a nation-wide debate on decency vs obscenity, freedom and authority of museums and of the arts, as well as what role the government can and should play in the deciding and regulating of sexual and controversial subject matters.  The exhibit resulted in the arrest and indictment of a Cincinnati curator and the museum itself, and also resulted in the cancelation of the exhibit at the Corcoran Museum in Washington DC,  forcing it to be placed into a different and arguably less well known and less important museum in Washington.

Stemming from this, the laws on decency and obscenity and First Amendment rights on free speech were called into question, originally defined by the 1973 Miller v California case.  The law on obscenity states a 3 prong criterion for determining if a work is obscene and therefor not protected by free speech: Continue reading ‘Anniversary and where Ive been all this time!’

Talk to me NOW! on Niteflirt!

•September 3, 2009 • Leave a Comment

rubberassNow you can have your own little way with me any night of the week!

Call; 1800-TO-Flirt (1-800-863-5478) and choose extension 03818933  to reach me

Anything goes in these fun little flirty chats.  The adventure and fantasy potential is endless.

I know you are all dying to hear my voice, and for those lucky enough, maybe even a little live webcam action!bluetouch

Best Cross-dressing photos!

•August 29, 2009 • 1 Comment

transvestite It is interesting to trace the evolution of acceptance that cross-dressing has undergone.

This image, from a pulp novel in the middle of last century paints a picture of a fringe activity, deeply set in the realm of fantasy, never to be explored but for the other-world of the novel.

Is it every cross-dresser’s dream to have their SO nearby to engage, accept, or perhaps even marvel at the role reversal?  How many of us gender fuck players revel in the secrecy? Enjoy the clandestine rituals with every silken stocking, or every burnt cork beard?

For the gender binary so enforced for the majority of the previous century, do we look upon this change, this opening up of gray areas between the many identities as freedom?

Despite new cultural acceptances, movies that have cross-dressing as part of the plot, political figures who are discovered to be riding the gender fence, is this change a welcome one?  Do we march proudly into the streets, or do we cling to our closet as a sanctuary, our one place hidden from the world of others?

Fantasies can lose their brilliance when the light of day shines upon them, but still isn’t the option delightful?  Without fear of violence, or with somewhat reduced threat of violence, we can now sculpt the nature and location for our alluring alter egos.

But riddle me this: when gender roles and habits become even more blurred, how will cross-dressing exist?

Latex Clothing- Making Alteration and Repair Handout!

•August 27, 2009 • 1 Comment

Latex Clothing Making, Alteration and Repair- Klawdya Rothschild

Handout

Latex

-Latex is a fragile substance.  It is a rubber, that is constantly breaking down. Latex, no matter how you care for it, will not last forever.

-Latex is easily damaged from:

Light, heat, changes in temperature, air, skin oils, cosmetics, jewelry, alcohol, dyes, fingernails, splinters, other latex items, oil-based lubricant, and time.

-Latex is an all-way stretch fabric.  Fabrics usually have no stretch, 2-way stretch or 4-way stretch, depending on the weave and make up of the fiber.  The closest approximation to the stretch of latex is a 4-way stretch spandex.  This is a good material to use when testing out a new garment pattern, however, note that the seams operate differently (explained below).

Latex Clothing

Vulcanized vs. Welded

-Vulcanized latex is made by dipping a form, or painting a form with latex while it is in a liquid state, and then applying heat to set the latex.  This produces a seamless latex item or garment.  Latex prepared in this fashion is often more irregular than rolled sheet latex.  There is much debate as to whether vulcanized latex can later be used for cold-welding, this can mean that while a bond or weld may be made, it may not be as durable as sheet latex welded in the same way can be.

-Welded latex uses sheet latex, that is rolled one layer at a time, and then agitated ( through the use of a solvent, or in some bizarre instances fine sandpaper) and then glued, and pressed.  This method can be used to create garments with complex seams, darts, and ruffles, as well as garments with zippers and other diverse fasteners.

Seams and Cuts

-All seams in latex clothing are made with an overlapping technique. Unlike in other garment methods where a right side is sewn to a right side and then turned inside out to hide the extra fabric, latex is made by welding the wrong side to the right side in a pattern (there is typically not a right or wrong side to the latex, although sometimes latex is more dull on one side) this allows only the right side to be visible, but the pieces lay flat, with ½ the typical seam allowance.

-All seams are a kind of cut.  All cuts reduce the strength of the latex, and are a possible source for weak spots to tear, or run like a nylon.

Making a Pattern

If you don’t have any experience making a garment pattern you may want to go buy a cheap simplicity pattern, or look for patterns for stretch fabrics just to get used to making clothing out of flat pieces of cloth.

The easiest way to make a latex pattern is to take a flat garment, whether latex or no, and flatten it out (usually inside out for normal clothes) so you can trace the seams.  Remember that instead of a typical seam allowance, which might be 2x 1/4” we are only going to need 1x 1/4”, because they will overlap.  Also, unlike typical clothes which calculate seam allowance as an additional amount after your measurement, the seam allowance here should be taken out of your measurement.  In other words, if your waist is 30” the latex garment should measure 29 3/4” after glued, with seam allowance, not more.  You can reduce size if working with thicker latexes or for a tighter fit as desired.

Take a piece of tracing paper and trace along the seam lines of the garment, noting where the seams connect in a different color than the outline.  Once you outline the garment you can cut the tracing paper along all the seam lines and outlines and transfer to a thicker piece of paper, poster board, watercolor paper or even out of masonite or metal for a longer lasting and easily used pattern.

Making Latex Clothing or Objects

Bestene Paper Cement and Solvent, brush, and cotton balls

Rotary Cutter

Metal Edged Ruler (preferably a metal ruler, T-square or L)

Water and light, unscented undyed soap

Paper towels

Drafting tape (usually ¼” or ½”)

Self-healing cutting board

A pattern

A printmaking roller, rubber or wood

Wash the latex lightly to remove powder, lube or polish. Apply the tape.  Apply solvent, and allow to visibly dry, before any glue.

Both the glue and the solvent will cause the latex to curl.  Use the tape to reinforce the shape of the latex, and to mark the seam locations and sizes.  After applying the glue, give the latex a minute or so to calm down and return to its resting state.  Then press the 2 glued pieces together, roll.  You have up to an hour before the glue dries to fix position, reduce air bubbles or separate and try again.  The tape should come right off, but be careful to not take the latex up with it!  If there is any residue from the tape’s glue, use a gentle soap and water to wash off.

Care

-Some hangers melt latex.

-Different colored latex or sourced latex may hurt nearby

-Clean gently with soap and water, and allow to dry, and then store in thick plastic.

-Unfold and refold every so often, allowing to aerate and change positions.

-keep away from heat, sunlight and chemicals

-Use talc/baby powder especially on frequently used or polished latex

-use silicon or latex-safe lube or latex polish to keep moist or to shine up

Making a Zipper

Coat both sides and top and bottom with liquid latex in the color of your choice.  You can use a sponge brush, Qtip or cotton ball to apply.  Allow to dry between coats.

You need a uniform rubberized texture to all side of the zipper.

Be careful not to gum up the teeth of the zipper with rubber.

Appliqué

To make shapes or designs on the latex you may wish to cut out custom shapes from the latex sheet.  Apply tape to all edges of the design, clean, use solvent and glue.  Prep the surface you wish to apply the appliqué, clean, tape, solvent and glue.  Once both areas are prepped and have calmed down from the solvent and glue apply and roll as usual.

This method should be used to apply reinforcement to seams, any round openings and to boning.

Suppliers

http://www.fourdrubber.com/

As with any art, there are many tools and methods which can be used, and many of which produce different results for different artists.  This is a patient art, requiring practice as well as a communing between the artist and the medium.  Take a deep breath, and try anything you come across.  Latex wont last forever no matter what you do, so don’t get too attached, but don’t fear the inevitable either.  With these tools you can repair, and reuse latex, with only your imagination to limit you.

Be Kinky!

Enjoy!

Personal Update

•August 11, 2009 • Leave a Comment

Hello All, Friends, Family, Lurkers and othersmargaritas

Its been one helluva summer!

3 all girl gang bangs have definitely given me an assortment of strap-ons for reference all the different colors and sizes and textures oh my!  One particularly lovely memory was the 4 strap on train we had going at TesFest with me in the middle!  Oh fun!

Ive been battling with a medical issue (fibromyalgia) which has put quite a kink in my bondage regiman! But luckily Ive been slowly able to get back into the swing of things.

I am also moving to NYC! I found a lovely place in the East Village and I will be moving into it any day now!  I am sad to be leaving DC behind but I cant wait to party with all my NY friends!  You’ll come and visit me up there won’t you ?? HMMMN? Meanwhile Ill be at DO Summer Camp so we can see each other there!

Also, work on the Self Bondage book has been coming along swimmingly! I asked my friend and colleague Janice Stine (http://www.yesthatjanice.com) to co-author the book and I am really very excited for the addition of her extremely fun perspective.  I have finished 2 chapters and 1 insert, so look forward to this book being published and available early next year!

Janice and I were both published in Lee Harrington’s Rope Bondage and Power and its a fun book too so go pick it up, itll be a nice preview for our book to come!

Bondage and Heel Discipline

•July 22, 2009 • Leave a Comment

So I wanted to embed this but I cant embed Picasa into wordpress like I could with Google Video, and Google got rid of video…nontheless enjoy!

VIDEO LINK

Class Descriptions Rope and Bondage

•July 17, 2009 • 1 Comment

For Sacred Sexuality Classes: Click here For Gender Play Classes: Click here

  • Rope Bondage Basics (101)

Whether to learn a new skill, translate former boy scouts knowledge into something kinky, or to begin the road to mastering this demanding discipline, this basics class will teach you several usable Japanese-style ties for you to practice and build your skill set. Safety, body positions, rope type, equipment, preparation, and style will be covered in a hands-on atmosphere. With these simple tools learned you can begin to create the intricate scenes in your mind and decode the secrets underlying all Shibari tying. Bring rope (2x 30ft lengths, 1×10-15ft length)

  • Self Bondage (101, also available as a 201)

Finding  Tight fit that’s just right!
This class helps people find the poses and ties that suit them best for all rope bondage play, and especially solo work.  Everyone is different and so this class covers all different body types and all flexibility levels.  Starting simple and working your way up to suspension, while exploring the philosophical and functional benefits of self-bondage.  The goal of this class would be to get everyone to either immobilize themself, suspend themself, or expand upon multi-tool bondage all while solo.

This class is also good to build bottom/sub concentration and endurance, and for tops/Doms who want to experience the other side without bottoming to someone else.  Geared toward a somewhat experienced audience, however all skill levels are welcome. Bring rope!

  • Channeling the Deep: Self Bondage for Meditation, and Ritual Work (201)

Bondage is an excellent tool for magickal and ritual use. But what about when there isnt anyone else around….or you don’t want there to be anyone else involved? Whether alone, or working with the self as part of a group ritual self bondage can be used for grounding, to stir the firey passion within yourself, or to continue your Work at home to take that fire back with you. Magick begins with the magician, and together we can develop the ways for you to ride your ecstasy anytime, any place and make it adaptable to any ritual space.

  • Chest and Hip Harnesses (201)

This class will build upon the skills learned in introductory classes and prepare you for that complete bondage feel, and prepare you for suspension.  Different body types, comfort, and techniques will be covered.  Two suspension capable chest harnesses, and two suspension capable hip harnesses will be shown, in this hands on class.  Learn to perfect the workhorse of bondage, and apply it to your partner, or a new friend in class! (3 hour class, can be split into 2 1.5-2 hour classes, or chosen as separate classes)

  • Dancing with Rope (101)

‘Do you suffer from untying boredom?  Bring your bondage off the floor, bed and down from th rack and start dancing!  Consider a lively rope play alternative that will keep you engaged from first rope unfurl to last rope untie.  Combine your dance floor moves while using rope to guide you and your partner to music, allowing the senses to communicate the chosen rhythm from your environment.  In this class you will engage all the attributes of rope from smell to texture, and as a blindfold, whip and more.  Good for public and private play.  Introduction to tandem bondage.

For all levels, Hands on, best with a partner but solo ok!  Bring rope!

  • Rope Dance for Magickal and Ritual Use (201)

Stir up the energy in your bondage with movement! Dance is a key component of many magickal and ritual practices and so is bondage– so why not learn how to combine them! Whether dancing around a bonfire, a drum circle or in your own home, this class will cover new dynamic techniques to amplify your play and your power all within the context of your ritual space! By eliminating the need for “out of scene” “pre and post ritual” set up or break down, Rope dance allows you to hit the ground running and ensure a pleasant take off and landing for solo, couple and group application.

  • Stretching for Bondage(101, also available as a 201, and 301)

Whether traveling or on the road, in the bedroom or suspended in the air, proper warm ups and cool downs are an essential part of any physical activity, and especially for Bondage. In this class we will go over and together do a thorough stretch routine, specifically targeting common Bondage problem areas. We will also discuss how to increase flexibility and stamina for the future with daily, pre and post play routines. Personal training diagnostics if time allows.

  • Everything You Want to Know About Rope, but Didn’t Know Who to Ask (201)

Ever seen someone do a fantastic rope demo or performance and wondered how you could do it? Want to recreate or redesign a photo, dream, or illustration you saw? Are you having trouble solving a creative problem with your bondage, suspension or immobilization? All of these questions and more can and will be answered in this diagnostic teaching course. Pick the brain of a rope expert for 2 hours while she takes you step by step through the things you’ve always wanted to know, and walk out being able to do them! Bring your rope, your questions, and any reference materials you may have to compare and let the magician reveal her tricks!

  • Suspension (201)

Using a Japanese influenced style, the goal of this class will be to allow everyone to be able to suspend another person.  Bring rope (appx 4 lengths of 30feet or more) and a partner, or make a new friend in class.  There will be a dynamic demo at the beginning as well as hands on instruction.  This class is for intermediate rope bondage players and up, as it is meant to build on skills already acquired.  This class will also cover suspension safety concerns, and rope variety issues specific to suspension.

  • Intuitive Roping (201)

We are big, little, short, tall, flexible, rigid, bony and fleshy and we all like different things at different times.  Forget the shoulds and the routines and  learn to address the body in front of you for the unique set of countours, quirks, fears, and strengths is posesses.  Slow down and diagnose the moment, mood, and goals of the scene and its players and dive in.  Got the basics?  Good, now forget them!  Let your intuition be your guide and tap into your inner understanding of bondage, anatomy and sexual machanics.  No cameras, no strutting just you, your partner, cause and effect.

  • Mummification and Immobalization (201)

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and a harness is just a harness.  What do you do when you want total enclosure but don’t want to be left with the bondage equivalent of a human hairball to play with?  What about when you have them tied but they still have a range of motion?  Wrapping, strapping, covering and countering may be just what you need.  Total skin coverage materials, techniques and safety considerations with an introduction to sensory deprivation to supplement your total take-over.

  • Mummification: The Bound Body Altar (201)

When the body is bound all of its energy is wrapped up in itself- every thought, twitch and muscle movement feeds back into the wrappings preserving it, sometimes for thousands of years. By using a mummy as an altar, this battery can become an energy generator to charge and broadcast magickal intent, as well as imbuing the mummy with incomparable bliss and power to carry the Work far beyond the time of the ritual. The history of magickal mummification will be discussed as the techniques of mummification and immobilization will be demonstrated, with hands on opportunities.

  • Mummification and Immobilization: Life Casting (301)

Great for medical play, or to have a perfect record of yor journey life casting, casting and other hard and set materials make a great play gift that keeps on giving!  Plaster gauze, casting, quick set medical grade rubbers, liquid latex and more can transform your mummy into a science fiction, mad scientist, or Venus D Milo.  Like with Mummies and Immobiles 1 total skin coverage materials, techniques and safety considerations with an introduction to sensory deprivation to supplement your total take-over, but this time learn how to preserve, mold and cast yoru subject for permanent or one shot use.

  • Rope Bondage for Genitorture and Forced Orgasm (301)

This class uses traditional Japanese style bondage poses to address body positions and modifications for genital torture and play.  Bottoms of both genders are used to demonstrate techniques with additional tools from clips and vibes all aimed at exposing and making vulnerable the cherry and the serpent.

  • Human Trapeze and Marionettes (301)

Feel the wind on your face as you fly through the air!

Use your bottom as a swing or trapeze mid-flight or create tandem suspensions. In this class you will learn how to make your own sex swing, puppet your partner either top and bottom or puppet to puppet! Learn techniques to move limbs and vary height safely and easily.  This is truly a show stopping and exhilarating experience that builds trust with a flare for the dramatic!

Advanced class. Trapeze can be top and bottom or top with several bottoms. Puppets can be solo, to and bottom, or top with several bottoms

  • Advanced Suspension (301)

NOT FOR BEGINNERS.  This is a very advanced class that uses skills in the previous classes to demonstrate more difficult poses and techniques used for suspension bondage.  Knots and ties for suspension should already be known, as this class will focus directly on moving the body, dynamic poses, suspension equipment, safety, edge play and more.  It is recommended that you attend the regular Suspension class prior to attending this class.  If you are ready to go beyond what most presenters or classes teach, this class is for you.  Get ready to sweat!  You must bring your own rope, and at this point I shouldn’t have to tell you how much 🙂

  • Bondage For the Differently-Abled (All Experience Levels)

Whether from an accident, from birth, or due to a medical condition, those of us with different physical needs and issues can have a hard time figuring out how to negotiate a fun bondage scene around physical limitations. Part discussion and part hands on discovery allows for a collaborative environment to explore possible solutions and alternatives to make sure our limitations don’t limit the fun we can have.

  • DIY Rope Treatment (All Experience Levels)

Rope Rope everywhere, how will you know what to pick!

In this class I will go over finishing techniques, from whipping to knotting, for converting long lengths and raw skeins of rope and other quick and easy ways to prepare your rope at home. I will go over the ways to evaluate the differences between the synthetic and natural fibers, how to dye rope (synthetic and natural), core vs non core rope the hows and whys of each, and an overview of fiber differences from Nylon, to Cotton, to Hemp, to Jute, to silk etc. I will also introduce rope making techniques that allow you to spin fabric and other fibers into rope!

  • Rope Identity (Discussion, All Experience Levels)

Sadist.Masochist.Top.Bottom.Service.Domination.Slave.Object.Nawashi.  These are just a few of the terms that get thrown around along with the rope in your bag.  What do they all mean?  And more importantly how does this affect you and your kink?  With a brief discussion of terminology this class will hopefully expand your definitions of identity and role within your bondage and kink self image and hopefully liberate your play from the burden of labeling!  Whether you are solo, partnered or part of a leather family together we  investigate traditional and not-so traditional perspectives, dynamics and fantasies using rope as a guide.

descriptions coming soon for:

Self- Suspension (201)

Rope Bondage for Sex (301)

Self players Forum (Discussion, All Experience Levels)

Philosophy of Bondage (Discussion, All Experience Levels)

HNT! Best Crossdressing photos!

•July 16, 2009 • 4 Comments

gif-crossdresser-insideHappy Half Naked Thursday

And what a fantastic time to introduce my new series of favourite Cross dressing images for your viewing pleasure.

I have always thought this was one of the most amazing images.

It so thoroughly depicts the concepts of gender at play with crossdressing, and the gender “spectrum”.  We see the figure as predominantly female, as she is the one who confrontationally stares at us, as the male skin lies limp in her hands.  Her gaze forces us to identify with her first, perhaps only, and to recognize her as vibrant and alive.  But what we dont know about this proud and seemingly empowered female is whether she is disrobing or about to cloak herself in the guise of the masculine or the male.

Do we interpret this as the true inner female, finally able to escape the unfortunate male wet sack of an exterior?

Or do we see a strong, cunning, woman pleased by her resolve to be remade by this outer male skin?

This male is essentially passive, his role here is largely expendable, merely a device to communicate the metamorphosis.  Lifeless and pale contrasted with the taut, tan hair-gelled woman zippering his carcass like a leather body suit.

Another interesting thing is the genitalia.  Her breasts are exposed, and the angle of the form lead the eye directly to her crotch, evening immitating the V shape classically associated with female genitals.  Functionally her breasts play no role.  The statement of the image would be made just the same if her right arm obscured her right breast and the male skin covered her left.  The message would still be clear if she were only zipped/unzipping as far as the neck.  But it isnt.  The most readily available answers for this, additionally supported by her tan body and cosmetically enhanced face and hair, is the sexiness–the demonstration of prowess that comes with the promise of sexual satisfaction (even when simply fetishistic)– and of course the desire to portray the subject matter in a positive light so that it may be well received and even praised, which are one and the same mechanism.

But what is also strange is the fact that the male clad legs are poised so as to block the male genitalia.  Are they too as limp and lifeless as the rest of the body?  In their exposure would the illusion be dispelled?  Is there a female-centric viewpoint, girl parts good male parts bad, that is at play here, and do we like it?  buy it? sympathize or chafefrom it?  And what about the gesture ?  Sheepish, girlish, dainty with the parted pinky-toe, on point, and tilted to the side.  A modesty and fearfulness belying the candor and confidence of the face and torso.

The maker of this image is just as present as the woman; hir motives are clear. But I will not out hir, but simply revel in the analysis of it all as I hope you will too.

And insofar as I am posting it here, with the positive opinion of it that I have, hir epicene goals may very well have been met.

DIY Rope Treatment: Rope Whipping

•July 16, 2009 • Leave a Comment

RopeWhipping I prefer a variation of this method.  The method I prefer to use a tapestry needle for 6-8mm rope and thread to pass easily between rope strands, or normal sewing needles for braided rope or thinner diameters to peirce through the strands.

Thread the needle leaving a long length, but not a complete double: do not knot the end.

Wrap down the rope away from the end, as shown in Steps 1 2 and 3.

Take the needle and insert it back up at the top of the wraps in between 2 of the 3 strands of rope, pull through.

Repeat this step 5 times, each time alternating down to up and up to down–also insert the needle between different 2 of the 3 strands each time.

Once you have completely wrapped and cross supported the rope with the string, continue steps 4-6.

Voila!

TIP: use different colors of string for different rope lengths, partners or purposes to tell them apart easily!