You NEST Dodger!
If you'd attended the class Kittentoes and I give every year at NEST, called Bondage 101, you'd be an expert. However, I'll make a few suggestions anyway.
NEVER use nylons, tights, pantyhose cable ties, etc. They can overtighten, cut off circulation, and are extremely difficult to unknot/remove, especially in an emergency. Handcuffs can bruise the skin very easily, as can leather cuffs, unless the latter have been made of glove leather or are well-padded on the inner surface- but these tend to cost a lot.
My advice to you student types or those suffering from 'Cashstration' is to buy some braided (NOT twisted, twisted rope marks the skin) soft nylon rope at a hardware or yachting store in four 15 foot lengths and use lots of wraps or turns if you prefer that term around each wrist and ankle to spread out the points of contact, again thus insuring circulation is unimpeded. And don't worry- the staff won't ask or speculate about what you want it for. Minimum wage tends to confer a certain resentment which leads to lack of concentration and imagination.
However, your best bet, if just starting out, is to buy four of those colourful and inexpensive 4-5 foot scarves with fringes at each end, which all the Indian shops (Ghandi Indian rather than Sitting Bull Indian) seem to be selling, and using those. During the class we had a section on how best to use these, and how they look completely innocent stored in your top drawer (unlike rope) if Mom decides to tidy your room.
Also, and most important, always have a pair of "Bandage Scissors" (available for less than $5.00 online) NOT ordinary scissors, which can scratch the skin if used hastily, handy to cut the ropes or scarves in case of earthquake, fire, or unexpected visits from parents/roommates/kindly old Pastor Byblethumpe.
Feel free to PM me with any questions.
J.
