You never know what you’ll stumble across on Etsy. My search for bicycle related crafts took a much more interesting turn when I came across the Etsy shop of crafter The Snag. Sure, she has some cute earrings and other bicycle-bit accessories in the store. But wait, what the heck is that?!
Why that is The Snag’s upcycled innertube flogger. According to her Etsy profile, crafter The Snag is “a forest-loving, ocean-swimming, bread-baking, rubber-playing, sewing-machine-cursing, houseplant-coddling, bicycle-riding, anti-authoritarian, pro-community, leatherpunch-wielding, sometime-gardener” who uses leftovers from the Bike Church, a community bike shop in Santa Cruz, California. Of the flogger, she writes:
This particular style, the double size with fine tails, uses TWO 100% recycled bicycle innertubes for a massive and delightfully weighty flogger that packs a lot of punch. The nearly twelve inch long tails are lovely for that stinging edge, while the sheer number of nearly 1/4 inch wide smooth rubber tails makes for a good heavy impact. The slightly ridged handle has a near 4 inch circumference, and allows a good strong grip for any size hand. This Fine-tailed version of the double flogger feels silky and soft when lightly trailed over skin, and really is a delight to use.
But wait, you say you’d prefer wider tails? That can be arranged.
This particular style, the single size with rounded thick tails, uses an entire recycled bicycle innertube for a light flogger that won’t wear out your arms. The nearly twelve inch long tails are each individually rounded to provide an even heartier punch to this flippy little flogger.
And to complete the ensemble, perhaps a cuff, or a garter.
The upcycled rubber in this sexy black garter comes from carefully cleaned used bicycle innertubes. Each spiky looking strip is actually very soft and warms quickly to body temperature, for a comfortable strong garter that won’t slip off. A flower made from the same rubber centers around a link of bicycle chain to form the center piece. This darkly beautiful garter is perfect for your noir or bicycle themed eco wedding.
Go on, you know you want one… Tell her bikejuju sent you!
(This being Etsy, these items will sell – maybe to you! – and the links may not last forever. To further complicate matters, The Snag is migrating to another Etsy account as The Inner Works. Track progress on her Facebook page or her blog.)
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
i never knew i needed one of those!
This makes me slightly uncomfortable — that a tire would find its way into a fetish.