Newsletter No. 35: WINTER 2006

Scratching the Ten Year Itch

In just a few months we’ll have been together for 10 years, and we think the time has come to have the talk.  

When we first got together we were young, passionate, flat broke, but determined.  There was no place in Canada that did sexuality the way we thought it should be done; with openness, fun, intelligence, and social and political consciousness. So we took a chance, put our hearts on our sleeves, and invited you to get into bed with us. Together we created Canada’s first, and now the world’s only, democratically run sex toy store.  Ten years have gone by in a flash and we’re older, wiser, but as passionate as ever. We’ve said goodbye to some things (VHS tapes and 1% of the GST) and said hello to others (an ever expanding website, three new worker owners, and teledildonics). Here are some of our favorite milestones from our ten years together:

•    Number of vibrators sold in May 1997: 28

•    Number of vibrators sold in May 2006: 602

•    Amount Come As You Are (and its US partners) have raised with their annual fundraiser, the May Masturbate-a-thon:  over $25,000.

•    Number of volunteer hours put in by Come As You Are worker-owners to sexual health causes since 1997:  over 600 

•    Most popular vibrator over the past ten years:  Hitachi Magic Wand (over 6100 sold)

•    Most popular book over the past ten years: The Ethical Slut (over 1200 copies sold)

So how have we kept things fresh all these years?  In our private lives we all struggle with keeping sex and communication hot and alive over the long haul and we realize that together we’ve accomplished this. Here’s how we think we’ve done it:

For starters, we’re all about sharing. In fact we’ve shared sexual secrets with over one million Canadians over the past ten years, and we’ve learned something from each and every one of you.  

We’re careful not to take you for granted. We keep ourselves looking pretty (new websites, new paint, the occasional new cash desk) and we tell you how we feel about you regularly (40 newsletters and counting).  

Also, let’s be frank, we’re a cheap and easy date. We never overcharge, we constantly strive to please, and we are a store that’s open to everyone.  You don’t need to be a certain gender or sexual orientation to be with us; you don’t need to look, walk, or talk a certain way to get down with us. You just need to want to explore your sexuality on your own terms without hurting anyone else (unless they ask nicely). 

And in case you’re thinking that the next ten years will just be coasting on the first, think again. The traditional 10th anniversary gift is tin or aluminum, but we’ve never been traditional, so why start now. Instead we’re giving you an entire year full of events, both on line and in Toronto, as our way of saying we lust after you as much today as we did the first cold and rainy day we met in 1997.   

News

10th anniversary events
We’re still in the planning stages of most of these events, but here’s a taste of what’s to come in 2007.

Annie Sprinkle in Toronto
In June we’re bringing Annie Sprinkle to Toronto for a limited number of workshops in our store and for a run of her new show Exposed: Experiments in Love, Sex, Death, and Art with her partner Elizabeth Stephens. Details will be available nearer to June, but this is a confirmed visit and will be Annie’s first visit to Toronto in over ten years.  

10th Anniversary Party
We’re planning a big public bash to celebrate 10 years on Queen St. West.  Erotic performances, sex toy goody bags, and plenty of audience participation.  In May we’ll also be holding an in store thank you event with food, drink, more free sex toys, and a special 10th anniversary toonie toy bin.

Erotic Arts & Crafts Fair
Over the years we’ve hosted dozens of art shows and sold the work of dozens more artisans and crafty types who have come through our store offering up functional sex arts and crafts. We’re going to bring all these folks together, and host an erotic arts and crafts fair, with erotic woodcuts, hand knit dildo cozies, handmade leather gear, and more.  If you’re an artist interested in participating, send us an email at sexycrafts@comeasyouare.com

Workshops and more…
We’re planning special visits from our most popular out of town sex educators, including a weekend intensive with Midori.

Books

Sex Smarts is a nifty quiz game designed for parties and intimate situations. Test your sexual know-how! Includes 100 SexSmarts question and answer, a set of true-false and multiple choice cards, a 16 page guide (with lots of different ways to play) and importantly a score sheet so you can keep track of the winners. Endlessly entertaining! $28
Sex Deck is a quick and handy way to turn monotony into spontaneity. Slip a card into a lover’s pocket, place a position under a pillow, or randomly choose a card to mix it up! Over 50 cards filled with cute line drawings of positions such as the Leg Wrap, Easy Rider, or The Sun Worshiper. A perfect stocking stuffer for that special someone. $19.95

Best Sex Positions Ever is our newest positions book that is chock full of practical advice, great new positions to try, and lots of great colour photographs. A great gift to spice up an evening or just to suggest exciting new possibilities! $21.95

Ever wondered how to combine two favorite pastimes? Naughty Crosswords is the answer! Cleverly crafted word play for the crossword addict with a sexy side. Backwards, sideways, or however you like it, these crosswords will test your skills in more ways than one! $15.95

Our favorite sex columnists from Nerve.com are back with Em & Lo’s Sex Toy. From years of counseling the curious from the ranks of this top-rated website, Sex Toy contains over 300 hilarious alphabetically listed entries and illustrated with saucy line drawings to teach everything you needed to know about purchasing, experimenting and caring for every gadget imaginable. From duotone balls to double headers, this is the essential reader on sex toys. $18.95
Toys
The holidays are a time for both luxury and small pleasures. We’ve assembled a great selection of high end sex toys and stocking stuffers for every pleasure and budget.
Sculpted out of high quality silicone and packing a powerful 3000 rpm Gold Brush Motor, The Cone comes pre-programmed with 16 in-built vibe patterns (buzzing, shaking, pulsing, and more) plus an "orgasm button" for the less patient users, who want to cut right to the chase. UK designed The Cone offers hands free entertainment that is not to be missed. $140
Perfectly named, The Idéal powerful cordless and rechargeable electric vibrator will catch the eye of Hitachi Magic Wand owners and more portable vibe lovers alike.  Incredibly strong, lightweight, and ergonomic, the Ideal runs for 90 minutes and only takes four hours to recharge. With a soft head that fits penetration attachments for the Magic Wand, the Ideal is a full body massager and first class sex toy all in one! $68
 It took us more than a year to develop the perfect butt plug series, but we think you’ll agree these Silicone Pleasure Plugs were worth the wait. Made of high quality silicone, these perfectly shaped toys have a narrower base and longer necks for beginner and expert play, and since they’re made in Canada they come with a surprisingly reasonable price tag. Available separately in three sizes, or save 10% and by the set.  $17, $22, $38 ($70 for set of three)
Massage Candles not only set the mood -- they provide you with a warm, luscious soy-based massage oil! Burn the candle, blow out the flame and drizzle the melted soy wax on your partner for a sensual massage. Don't worry about burns, because the soy melts at a lower temperature than regular wax -- simply enjoy the warm feel and rejuvenating lavender scent. Burns for up to 14 hours. 2 oz. tin.  Available in Vanilla and Mango. $18
This silicone based lube is what women have been waiting for! Formulated with Dimethicone, the highest grade of silicone, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera, Pink provides a clean, fresh, moisturizing approach to personal lubrication. This unique formula reduces the possibility for infection or allergic reactions. And, it cleans up easily! Pink’s sophisticated hand-blown Italian glass bottle, both elegant and discreet, fits right in with other items on your dressing table or bathroom counter. You’ll almost hope someone notices! $30
DVD’s

For all our customers who ask “What else do you have that’s like Fashionistas?” we finally have an answer!  The long awaited sequel to the award winning and best selling John Stagliano classic Fashionistas is almost here. Over three hours long, shot in HD, with Belladonna and Rocco Siffredi returning to the roles that made them household names, plus a 20-performer orgy scene, Fashionistas Safado: The Challenge picks up where the original film left off and delves deeper into Belladonna and Siffredi’s characters and passions. $50 

Paul Thomas may be the only porn director who could do justice to the original, and then up the ante with The New Devil in Miss Jones.  In this highly recommended sequel Savanna Samson is the recently deceased virgin Miss Jones, who makes a deal with the devil (Jenna Jameson) to prolong her time on earth. Orgies, bondage, sensation play, and dramatic gangbangs take this classic to a new level of hot. The three disc set includes the original Devil in Miss Jones, plus commentary, outtakes, and deleted scenes. With Spanish, French, German, and Italian language tracks, and a special guest appearance by Georgina Spelvin. $35

Directed by alt-porn “it-guy” Eon McKai, Neu Wave Hookers is a hilarious and revolutionary title made for those looking for porn with an edge. A group of young sex workers stumble across the original New Wave Hookers (at a yard sale in VHS of course) and are inspired to new artistic and sexual heights as they form their own ode to the 80’s. With great music, well choreographed sex scenes, cute tattooed actors, and quirky self-reflective art moments, this title is sure to build its own fan following just like the original classic. Three part disc (includes the original New Wave Hookers). $45

Trial Run, from the creators of Ecstatic Moments and Urban Friction, is the story of one smart, sexy, yet lonely woman and her search for a lover through internet dating. Through many misadventures and wacky situations, a quirky story of lust lost-and-found unfolds before us. With lots of real situations, real people and juicy sex, Trial Run is smart feminist porn that we love to watch! $35

Made in Secret is a hugely fascinating documentary made by a collective of Vancouver sex radicals who wanted to make the kind of porn they wanted to watch. Thing is, the collective never really existed as such, but was rather making the documentary which ended up making the porn. Intrigued? What takes place is the documenting of sex, politics and collective experiences (of course endless meetings) in a smart and sassy pseudo-documentary that touches on all the politics that inform the way we watch sex. Love it! $15

Workshops

Saturday January 13
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Canes and Caning: An Introduction
With Canemaker Adrian
Rattan canes are the most versatile of BDSM implements - because of their controllability they can impart sensations that range from a butterfly’s kiss to the sting of a thousand bees. Participants will be provided with enough knowledge to begin to use canes safely and with compassion, including a demonstration of more advanced techniques. $30

Saturday, January 20
6:30 – 9pm
Women and Trans People Only
Sunday, January 21
5:30 – 8pm
Women, Trans People and Men Accompanied by Women
Female Ejaculation
With Shannon Bell
Returning with her popular seminar, Shannon Bell will discuss female ejaculation from a historical perspective, followed by an overview of anatomy and technique, plus a demonstration. $30

Wednesday February 7
7:30 – 9:30 pm
Tantra for Everyone
With Paul Barber
This workshop will focus on possible tantric practices to be celebrated thru solo pleasuring and in partnering where one partner massages the other to states of excitement, joy, pleasure and bliss. $30

Sunday February 18 & 25
5:30 – 8pm
Erotic Photography
With Christine Ablett & Leanne Gillard
Develop your fantasies into photos with your friends, lovers or you own sexy self! This discussion-based workshop is open to people with different levels of experience who want to stage their own erotic photo shoot. $90