Handmade Props and Sets
In an era of digital shortcuts, Lollypops often commissions physical props and handcrafted sets, This DIY aspect contributes to the tactile, intimate aesthetic that the magazine is known for, The attention to texture—velvet, lace, satin, natural wood—enhances the sensory dimension of the visuals. For instance, in Issue 26, photographer Erika Lust captured a scene where model Carmen Valentina sits on a leather couch while a man feeds her grapes, Weaving together still images with video clips and voiceover narration, Lust created a sensual tableau filled with rich textures. In another spread from Issue 18, artist Hanna Brooks Olsen built a papier-mâché set based on Virginia Woolf's novel To the Lighthouse, The miniature world was meticulously crafted with vibrant colors and delicate details like shells and driftwood.
The act of creating these sets requires time and creativity, It also requires skill, which many young people lack in today's instant-gratification culture, Handmade props and sets offer a level of authenticity and quality that cannot be matched by digital shortcuts, They give artists control over every detail, enabling them to express their vision fully, Artist Ana Teresa Fernandez, who contributed to Issues 35 and 39, told us: "When I can touch something I've made with my own hands, it feels more real."
In addition to providing artistic value, handmade props and sets are often more affordable than pre-existing items, They allow artists to stretch their budgets and achieve a high standard of beauty without breaking the bank, This is especially important for independent publications like Lollypops, Which relies on subscriptions and advertising revenue rather than large corporate funding.
Ultimately, the use of physical props and handcrafted sets is an essential part of Lollypops' mission to bring intimacy back into the sexual experience, By bringing attention to tactile sensations and natural materials, the magazine creates a sense of warmth and closeness that cannot be replicated digitally, These elements help readers feel connected not only to each other but also to themselves, As photographer Sarah Awad said about her work for Issue 17: "I wanted to show how eroticism doesn't have to involve perfect bodies or extreme positions—it can be as simple as the texture of skin against fabric or the feeling of hair brushing against your face."