As some know, I came up with the idea of Spanksterdam 2 years ago. The idea came about when I walked into Stadshout’s store in Amsterdam two years ago. How nice it would be to have a Spanking Paddle made from Amsterdam City wood, incorporating the three Andreas crosses. The name Spanksterdam bubbled up spontaneously. I bought a piece of wood and enthusiastically set to work.
My ambitions were high, I wanted not just a simple paddle, but a paddle with a more complicated shape, and also not just a webshop, but a platform: An online place full of information about Spanking. With room on it for other designers and artists as well. And I didn’t want to do everything on my own, but to create something beautiful together with a team
After the first enthusiastic steps in late 2019, the entire Spanksterdam project has led a dormant existence. Private circumstances, illness, producers who on second thought dropped out after all, I was ready to throw in the towel.
Until two months ago, after successful bowel surgery (tumor removed) I thought, I’m going to do this! Because it makes me happy, I can express my creativity in it, I meet nice people through it, and who knows where it will take me. I see it as an adventure, a little “Devi in Spanksterland.”
I have adjusted the ambitions a bit: I’m just going to start small, with two simple Paddles, Good information about BDSM from Kink Aware Coach Hans West, two reputable photographers (Hans van der Kamp and René Zuiderveld) whose existing work I may use on the site and with whom I’m sparring about future projects, two guest bloggers, and the support of friends and family.
The end goal is still ambitious: A platform for and by Spanksters: stylish, fun, informative, creative . And a fun and inspiring team to accomplish this with. To have lots of fun together and have the craziest adventures: Organize a big Spanking festival? Spanksterdam promoting at big Spanking Party in the US? Publish a book with beautiful Spanking photos?
After all, there is nothing great about keeping yourself small. In the words of Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Sunday, November 6, 2022, I will take the first step and you can look me up at the KWS in Vlaardingen. Will I see you there?
