Ep153: Challenges and joys of being a House Rigger: An interview with The Accidental Rigger (Pt 1)

Mel, known as the Accidental Rigger, has a great deal of hands on
practice in rope - rigging, bottoming and handling and maintaining
large quantities of rope. A neurodiverse, queer, rope customisation
professional from the Middle East who laid down roots in London,
she began by treating ropes for Anatomie’s Shibari Store, modelling
for classes, and as a teaching assistant for rope bottoms. After
dedicating years to learning from a variety of practitioners, she
has become a teacher for both riggers and bottoms. She has been
offering rope customisations services and education, and rigging
services for productions and events since 2021. As a teacher, she
finds joy in introducing people to rope, working with them to
encourage curiosity and to teach them in the best way possible for
them as individuals. Mel’s style is often described as ‘meeting
bottom’s where they’re at and seeking to give them what they need”.
She is committed to her growth in her rope practice and developing
her style. In this interview, she shares: • How she discovered rope
bondage • Her relationship and connection with Anatomie Studio •
What place rope holds in her life now • Her background as a circus
performer • Being a House Rigger and other rope activities through
which she earns a living • What a House Rigger is and what they do
• Pros, cons, risks, discomforts and challenges of House Riggers •
What she has learned from being a House Rigger • How being a House
Rigger has helped her develop her more subby service side through
topping • Her journey into rope maintenance • Why is rope
maintenance is an important topic for rope tops and bottoms •
Unusual types of customisation/personalisation you can do to your
rope kit