For this Sextech Salon we are proud to introduce Ffion, the founder of Fine Bone, making your “dirty little secret” sex toys an essential lifestyle accessory!
What is Fine Bone and how did you get into it?
Fine Bone is a new porcelain sex toy company with an ethical agenda. It’s designed to be fair-trade, sustainable and super-inclusive.
The breakthrough product is called Prudence, and her first batch was crowdfunded back in August this year. (Yay!) So, I’m excitedly expecting her for Spring ’19.
The idea was born of a solid commitment to my own pleasure. I spent 5 years developing the “ultimate-wank” into my perfect sex toy.
After taking a good while playing with different amorphous shapes I sought artisans to help me realise working prototypes in different mediums. Initially, all I knew is that I wanted it to be hard, but I was quite flexible on the material.
And then I met Prudence, her original prototype was crafted on lathe in porcelain, a bit like a bannister and I just fell in love with her. The natural progression of this was sourcing manufacturing and taking her to a wider platform.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Christina Aguilera. I always loved how outspoken she was when I was a kid and I definitely sung “Beautiful” to myself in the mirror a few times.
My motive for making Fine Bone branding “tongue in cheek”, is a desire to steer sex toys away from that sultry aesthetic. There’s already brands out there, such as yourself, making toys with refreshing branding.
However, for the larger part, the sex toy shopping experience is black lace and words that sound French. It feels like these toys are trying to transcend seedy by being “classy”.
My worry is that wherever class is equated with sexiness, we are only a few steps away from slut shaming. Elegant doesn’t have to be expensive either, look at the Fun Factory – menstrual cups! A design triumph!
What is your vision for the future of Fine Bone?
Well, first and foremost I’m working on getting a butt plug design underway. Prudence is my baby but she only serves the needs of those with vaginas and I’d like Fine Bone to appeal cross-orifice.
Up until this point everything has been developed in a trial and error way. My aim is to involve more people in that process.
Ideally I’d like to hold some discussions over tea and cake and have a gossip about what fantasies people have. Maybe even get some clay in their hands and start a haptic* conversation. (*communication via touch).
What are the key trends you’re seeing at the moment that influence your work?
I feel like a schism has developed. There’s increasing advances within technology alongside a return to more simple pleasure tools made from natural materials.
It’s kind of like whether you want your jumper to be hand knitted in the Hebrides or Heat-tech optimised for ultimate comfort.
Maybe these things will bridge together at some point soon. That would be fun!
Either way, I’m glad that the notion of having a sex toy is stepping away from one’s “dirty little secret” to being an essential lifestyle accessory. It’s all becoming part of a balanced lifestyle.
I’m ever titillated by anything “Kiss me quick” retro-kitsch . At the moment the persistent seventies trend is really helping me along with that but it’s been a long standing obsession, right from my earliest nights out as a teenager in Soho. I’m just drawn to tacky, sparkly, cheap thrills with frills.
What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had since starting to work in sextech?
Just how lovely everyone is. Since sextech is a field which faces a lot of criticism from the outside, the people within it seem to stick together. I don’t think many other industries can boast that.
When it comes to sex, what’s the one thing you wish everyone knew?
That everything and anything can be sex and it’s not all to do with penetration or even the body!
There’s endless fun to be had. I have a real thing for play kitchens and my friend is crazy about the feel of artificial snow. It’s such a multi-sensory activity.
If something interests you: creatively involving it in your sex life is the best way to keep on your toes. It’s not all about harder, faster, longer but thinking laterally.
Who else in the industry do you admire or look up to?
Artisan lube brands are awesome – and they are becoming so much more prevalent. It seems so obvious now that good lube is an investment.
We spend a fortune on body lotion and moisturiser … So why would we then turn round and use the equivalent of crude oil on our most vulnerable membranes.
I’m biased towards “Yes Organics” who were so supportive of me during the Kickstarter campaign. I love their lube and their backstory. This whole narrative is about bringing vulva health and self love to the forefront.
Do you have any practical tips that someone could use tonight to enhance their pleasure?
Temperature play … It’s the thing everyone forgets about but can be so, so good! Whether that’s playing with the temperature dial on the shower head or using your porcelain sex toy with ice water. It really keeps me in touch with my sensual awareness in a subtle way.
