Newsletter No. 54: SUMMER 2011

May Day, Mayday

Sometimes we like to imagine our little co-operative is actually a gang of misfit sex toy superheroes fighting the good fight for sex- positivity. Each of us has an awesome but unlikely sex-positive superpower - which, of course, on its own is useless against the cultural forces of sex negativity, but when we combine our skills (ninja powers, activate!), the power of sex-positivity is positively powerful. This may not entirely be of our imagination.

The truth is, as a co- operative, we’re nothing without our workers. We like to project a big image for the world, but we’re a tiny organization with few workers and even fewer worker-owners. Each of us does have an unlikely but awesome superpower, and truly, it is only when we’re all fully engaged in this project that we are empowered and able to do good in this world.

In honour of May Day (the “other” labour day) , we’ll be taking a look at ways we can better do justice to our own co-operative values. We’re looking for ways we can better empower our own sex toy (book, and DVD) superheroes, expand democracy at Come As You Are, and save the world one sex toy at a time (secret core value #12). Expect to see great things from us around the corner.

Your imagination is truly the limit. In that spirit, we’d like to know what you think we should be working on. Of course, we have our priorities - like accessibility, locally-made and eco-friendly products, ethical and feminist porn, supporting co-ops and fair-wage workplaces, etc - but during this period of transition, we’d really like to know what’s important to you.

Send an email to us at whatsup@comeasyouare.com with an idea, suggestion, complaint or compliment, and we’ll send you back a gift certificate for $10 you can use in-store or online!  

New This Month!

We know many of you are fans of the wearable finger-vibrator genre of sex toys, and we do wish to keep you satisfied. Our current favourite finger vibe - the Five Speed Finger Vibe - has been a bit unavailable lately, so we’ve made a switch back to the old-school classic and ever unpronounceable, Fukuoku. We’ve always had a soft spot for the Fukuoku, and we’re pretty pleased to have it back on the display hand on our wall! The Fukuoku fits on the finger, and comes with three differently textured elastomer tips to provide a variety of sensations. As with all finger vibes, the Fukuoku is great fun with a partner, or as our laid-back friend from the coffee shop across the street says: ‘for when you’re flying solo’. Not a bad way to fly, we think. $34

Speaking of quirky neighbourhood friends, the invented-in- Ottawa We-Vibe II will be reappearing on our shelves this May after a too-long absence. Again, distribution difficulties (and our own stubborn sense of sex toy ethics) were the culprit in the We-Vibe’s lack of availability for the past couple of years. Like the Cone, Earth Angel, and Sqweel, the We-Vibe is a truly unique invention and a step forward in the world of sex toys. The We-Vibe II is the only truly wireless and strapless wearable vibrator that can be worn during penetrative sex to provide both g-spot and clitoral vibration. With multi-speed control, and a rechargeable battery, this vibe provides a lot of sensation in a small package. Introductory May price: $90.

We’ve also got great new (and favourite) workshops from local Poly/BDSM mentor Andrea Zanin and New York’s celebrated educator Barbara Carrellas, as well as in-store art Sloppy Seconds by Mée Rose (part of the Contact photography festival).