Newsletter No. 1: SUMMER 1997

Well, here we are and here it is: our first newsletter following on the heels of the opening of our store, Come As You Are. Last fall, we Carrie Gray, Sandra Haar, Cory Silverberg got together through our mutual interest in sex toys, books and products of all kinds. Between us, we have many years of teaching and talking, selling and counselling, writing and creating on sex and sexuality issues. We envisioned a store that was welcoming to all different kinds of people and that would offer products and resources to help people enhance their sexuality in an environment that was open, mature and respectful. 

Everything in the store has been carefully selected for its quality in functionality and aesthetics. Just as we believe that sex is not isolated from the rest of life, we want to integrate the store into a larger sex-positive community. We've already hosted a performance/reading, a workshop, and a multi-media party. And, Come As You Are will continue to create social and educational spaces through events and in-store workshops.

This newsletter will be one way to find out what's new and what's happening at the store. New products are coming in all the time, and we look forward to greeting you at our store. 

Books

Here is the book for all of you pursuing, or wishing to pursue, relationships with more than one partner. It's been called non-monogamy, polyfidelity, polyamory, and by the less-generous, promiscuity, and playing around or cheating, by the downright nasty. The Ethical Slut: a guide to infinite sexual possibilities takes a different tack. The authors, Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Liszt (who brought us The Topping Book and The Bottoming Book) explain it all for you as well as expound on their pro-slut philosophy. They look at the crucial issues for successful non-monogamy (that will be informative for monogamous types as well) including boundaries, jealousy, living arrangements and introducing new lovers to your partner. These are too few books on this subject, and this is a good one. Well on its way to becoming a COME AS YOU ARE bestseller. 
The Ethical Slut 22.95
 
How to leave your hands free while enjoying an erotic story? Very few of us have the privilege of being read to for hours at a time, and this is the (very next) best thing: hot books on tape. Come As You Are has some popular titles on tape, including Herotica 1 & 2, The Fermata, and The Erotic Edge. We've also got Cyborgasm and The Edge of the Bed (Cyborgasm 2), both containing live sex and storytelling, and recorded in 3-D sound. An aural pleasure indeed! 
Herotica 1 & 2, The Erotic Edge (3 hours each) 23.50 
The Fermata (3 hours) 19.00 Cyborgasm, The Edge of the Bed 21.95 (CD), 13.95 (cassette)

Toys 

With a store full of new products and nothing but a lot of research going on, it was tough to pick only two products to feature in our first newsletter. But after many happy days and nights testing and re-testing, we decided to start our newsletter off with two products that show off the quality available in sex toys. Japanese vibrators: Okay, so they are not one product but many. We have cute little pink pearl vibes, funky rotating vibes with animals on them, and a straight vibe called the Goman that's guaranteed to knock your socks (and whatever else you're wearing) off! Now the big question for most people is: what's the big deal with Japanese vibrators, and why are they so expensive? To get the real answer to this question you have to drop by the store and compare one of our vibrators made in China to one made in Japan. With more powerful motors, higher quality rubber, more sophisticated control mechanisms, and far greater quality control by the manufacturers, Japanese vibrators will not only last a lot longer than traditional Chinese made products, they're a whole different kettle of fish (make that a kettle of vibrating fish). In short, you do get what you pay for with vibrators. Pink pearl 22.00; Beaver 74.00; Goman 105.00

 
The classic jock-style harness is another staple in our store. Available in black leather or sparkly vinyl, these harnesses, hand-made by our very own Carrie Gray at Aslan Leather are the epitome of quality and style. Both are durable, come with a lifetime warranty (even better than you get with your muffler!), and conform beautifully to your own body shape making them ideal for control and comfort. They are fully adjustable, and Carrie is usually on hand and able to take special orders or make minor adjustments right in the store. 
Vinyl jock-style harness 75.00 Leather jock-style 80.00 

In creating an attractive look for our new store, we were fortunate to work with several talented craftswomen. The window displays that have been stopping passersby in their tracks were created by Suanne McGregor. Our beautiful, sensuous cash desk was designed and constructed by Margot Bethel of Plan X. 

Workshops 
The Come As You Are workshop series was officially launched by Carol Queen, with her erotic writing workshop in early June. We move into the summer with these offerings. 

Women's Sexuality at Midlife : 3 focus groups
Wednesday July 9 & 16, and Aug 13 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Zelda Abramson, a therapist and expert on issues for women at mid-life, will lead three focus groups for women, aged 40 - 55, to discuss basic sexual issues. Cost is free. 

Communicating Desire
Tuesday July 8 7:30 - 10:30 pm A fun and informative look at communicating your sexual desires and fantasies to a partner, with Carrie Gray, of CAYA Co-operative and Aslan Leather. Cost is free. 

Women Making Porn 
Wed. August 20 7:00 - 11:00 pm
Sat. August 23 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Wed. August 27 7:00 - 11:00 pm
Learn how to write a thrilling sex-plot, a hot & convincing cum-shot and more, in this practical and theoretical workshop led by filmmaker Kika Thorne. Previous filmmaking experience is not necessary. Cost of $100 covers equipment and stock. Pre-registration is necessary for all workshops. For more info or to register, please call Sandra at COME AS YOU ARE, 416-504-7934. 

upcoming in the fall:
* WOMEN'S SEXUALITY AT MIDLIFE: a workshop with Zelda Abramson
* PLAYSHOP FOR MEN: exploring eroticism, body image and touch, with Devan Nambiar
* FEMALE EJACULATION, with Shannon Bell