![[home]](/images/house.gif)
![[contact]](/images/email.gif)
(613) 789-4646
VenusNews » Ottawa
issue 5 . May 2002 . contents
Workshops
Sale!
Summer Hours
Toy Review
New Toys
Art and the Artists
Workshops
All workshops are held at the store, located at 110 Parent Ave. in Ottawa.
Please register by calling 613-789-4646. Payment must be received to hold your
spot: you can either pay by credit card over the phone, or we’ll hold your spot
for a week if you want to drop by after your call. The workshop fee is $10
(+tax) per person, and receive 10% off any purchases made after the
workshop.
G marks the Spot
Tues May 13, 6:15 pm
Everything you've always wanted to know about the not-so-elusive G-Spot! We will talk
about history, anatomy, ejaculation and practical g-spotting tips.
For everyone
Up Yours: Anal Pleasure and Health
Sat May 31, 6:15 pm
Make friends with your butt! Join us in breaking myths
and cultural taboos surrounding anal play. Also learn practical tips about lube,
toys, safety and health.
For everyone
Going Down: A Guide to Fellatio
Tues June 10, 6:15 pm
If you’re interested in licking boys’ bits, but aren’t sure where to start or
what to do once you get going, this is the workshop for you. From basic anatomy
to tips for the advanced, this workshop will cover a wide range of information
about giving head.
For everyone
Knotty Fun: An Intro to Rope Bondage
Sat June 28, 6:15 pm
Learn to tie knots and, more importantly, how to untie knots. We will also
discuss safety, buying tips, and teach you how to tie enough knots to keep your
friends tied up tight. This is an interactive workshop, and a length of rope
will be provided for practice. One hour, plus time for questions and discussion.
For everyone
Sex Toys 101: An Intro to the Wonderful World of Toys
Tues July 8, 6:15 pm
"What is it? What do I do with it? Where do I put it?" Anatomy, vibrators,
dildos, lube and other slippery stuff: this workshop will give toy novices a
chance to learn about different toys in a relaxed atmosphere.
For women
The Art of Cunnilingus
Sat July 12, 6:15 pm
This workshop will cover anatomy, technique, communication skills and tricks to please your lady with your lips. And tongue, and teeth, and.... One hour, plus time for questions.
For everyone
G marks the Spot
Tues July 22, 6:15 pm
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the not-so-elusive G-Spot! We
will talk about history, anatomy, ejaculation and practical g-spotting tips.
For women
Sex Talk
Tues July 29, 6:15 pm
Know what you want, but not sure how to get it? Whether you’re not sure what
words to use, or how to start spilling them out of your mouth, this workshop
will give you ideas on how to make talking about sex just as great as doing it.
For everyone
Jouets érotiques 101: Une introduction au monde merveilleux des jouets
Le samedi 9 âout, 18h15
<<Qu’est-ce que c’est? Comment l’utiliser? Où le mettre?>>
Anatomie, vibrateurs, dildos, lubrification et autres sujets intéressants: cet
atelier offre aux débutant(e)s la chance d’apprivoiser tout en douceur ces
domaines de la sexualité
Pour tous
Up Yours: Anal Pleasure and Health
Tues Aug 19, 6:15 pm
Make friends with your butt! Join us in breaking myths and cultural taboos
surrounding anal play. Also learn practical tips about lube, toys, safety and
health.
For everyone
Sale!
Our annual Pride Sale will happen again this July! Come on Saturday the 12th anytime from 11 am to 6 pm and get 20% off all toys (excluding leather gear and harnesses).
Summer Hours
To celebrate the longer days, we’re extending our hours.
Monday 11-6
Tuesday 11-6
Wednesday 11-8
Thursday 11-8
Friday 11-8
Saturday 11-6
Sunday 12-5
Toy Review
Electric Vibes
For a while, it seemed like electric vibrators had gone out of vogue. In our stores, they sat in their basket on the wall, and occasionally someone would pick one up, flip the switch, do a double take and put it back down again. Which always struck me as a shame, since I am a die-hard, loyal, electric vibrator enthusiast. Sure, battery operated models are smaller and more wieldy, easier to fit between two people, and don’t put your clit on a tether to the nearest outlet. But batteries, dammit, wear out. Or wear down, so if you want your toy running at top speed all the time (yes, please!) you have to change them before they’re actually real garbage, which irks my penny-pinching heart. Very importantly, for those of us who are power hungry, I’ve never met a battery vibe that matched an electric for strength. And as for longevity– my electric vibe has outlasted every single battery model I’ve ever owned. That toy and my cat are the two things I would save from a burning building.
Lately, though, there seems to have been a resurgence in the popularity of electric vibrators lately. More specifically, some days it feels like every other person is walking in the door and asking about the Hitachi Magic Wand. Upon first laying eyes on the wand, most people have one of two responses: "Oh my god, I’m supposed to put that where?" or "Wow, where’s your nearest plug?" For those of you who aren’t familiar with what’s been called "the cadillac of vibrators", it’s just a little over a foot long, the business end looks remarkably like a white plastic tennis ball (see our online catalogue for a photo), and it’s pretty weighty as vibes go. The big split in reaction comes not only from the size and heft, but from its power as well. The Hitachi has two speeds, and when I’m feeling clever, I like to describe them as "higher" and "holy cow". This strength inspires fear in some and awe in others.
If you want to come through your clothes, definitely go for the Hitachi. On its own, plastic to lube to skin, the thing is so damn powerful its easy to short circuit your nerve endings. At least, that’s the only way I can describe what seems to happen occasionally when I use it. After a few frustrating visits with my Wand, I finally found that the higher speed with a washcloth folded in four provided enough, but not too much stimulation. Betty Dodson, one of the Wand’s biggest champions, recommends affixing the washcloth with an elastic used to hold bunches of broccoli together. But once you do get it working for you, man, does it ever work. "Holy cow" falls somewhat short of the mark.
But the Hitachi isn’t the only electric vibe out there. There are rechargeable types that look about the same, but don’t plug in while you’re using them. They’re more powerful than battery operated models, but you still have the wearing down factor. The best of the best, as far as I’m concerned, is the coil vibrator. We carry one called the Ben Wa 3001; Wahl makes a similar one. It’s a little less powerful than the Hitachi, but much more quiet. The vibration is definitely on the high-pitched buzzy side, for both the low and the high speeds. It’s quite different from most of the battery operated models, which tend towards the throbby end of the spectrum. It also comes with several attachments that can diffuse or focus the vibration, or provide different kinds of texture; also, one of them is a 3 inch probe with a nub at a 45 degree angle that can be used for either vaginal or anal stimulation.
There are separate attachments for all of these vibes, so if you’re looking more for penetration, but don’t want to sacrifice the power and reliability of electric, you can get either straight or hooked probes for the Hitachi types, as well as one in silicone. There’s also a clit/g-spot stimulator that is designed to fit the coil type vibe.
So the Hitachi is a huge back massager and the coil vibrator looks a little like a drill. Maybe not quite as funky as an animal print or as sensuous as silicone, and yes, there is the issue of the cord. But frankly, I am willing to plan my bedroom decor around the location of outlets. It seems a small sacrifice for that much pleasure.
New Toys
Mermaid
Finally, a dual toy made in silicone! It has twirling beads in the shaft, and separate controls for the rotating shaft and clit stimulator. The shaft has beads and three speeds; the vibe has two speeds and three pulsating functions. The shaft is all soft curves, while the vibrator is pointed for very focussed sensation.
Daisy the Dragon
Another dual toy made in silicone! It also has twirling beads in the shaft, and separate controls for the rotating shaft and clit stimulator. The shaft has beads and three speeds; the vibe has two speeds and three pulsating functions. And she’s just about the cutest toy we’ve ever seen, with the perfect nose for g-spotting.
Bend Over Beginner Kit
This kit is designed for those who are interested in getting into anal play. The small Silk is a good introductory size (7/8" x 4 1/4"), smooth and completely unitimidating, and the medium Silk is a nice step up from there (1" x 5"). The super soft harness is adjustable up to 50", and uses web-slides for easy adjustment and good stability. The crowning glory: the harness has a special pouch for the Micro Mini, so the wearer gets as much stimulation as the person bent over!
Flame Kit
If you want a medium sized dildo with a great harness for a good price, then you want this kit. The Flame dildo is 1 1/4" x 5 3/4", and the tip is decorated with a Flame motif for extra stimulation as it goes in and out. The harness is adjustable to 50", soft and stable, and has the magic pouch for the Micro Mini Vibe.
Fleshlight
Our newest toy specifically for boys. It’s a cyberskin insert in a canister designed to look like a flashlight, and the insert feels incredibly real. The top screws off, and the bottom can be adjusted tighter or looser for differing amounts of suction. It’s been getting rave reviews all over the ‘net, and flying off our shelves.
Limpies
These dils are meant for packing. Very soft cyberskin, they’re incredibly realistic and have been known to pass the "squeeze test." No harness necessary- just slip them in a pair of tighty whities (no boxers or boxer-briefs, unless you want your package halfway down your thigh), and you’ll be the envy of the room.
Art and the Artists
May and June - Cheryl Swan focusses on Lesbian abstract work along with realistic and funky cartooning, done mostly in ink and coloured crayon. She had two exhibits in 2002, at RockCity Women’s Music Fest and at Lady Fest.
July and August - Stacy Stevens, BFA, NSCAD. Handprinted woodcuts & linocuts on paper. Bold images that allude to female experience and experimentation are isolated into everyday icons.
. to top of page .
