VenusNews

September 2003 . contents
    ottawa kinkfest
    workshops
    all you ever wanted to know about lube
    new toys
    upcoming art

    WEBSITES > venus envy  |  venus envy ottawa

Ottawa Kinkfest

On September 19th and 20th, Venus Envy will be hosting the first annual Ottawa Kinkfest. Ms Lady Kate will be joining us from Montreal to share the knowledge she's gained about dominance and corporal punishment during her career as a professional dominatrix. Local pro-domme Mistress Kay will be sharing her extensive knowledge of rope bondage. Not only will both women explain the tricks of the trade, they will have models on hand for live demonstrations. On Friday night, members of the Ottawa BDSM community will be joining us to talk about how power play works in their relationships. The floor will be opened up for questions after all the couples have had a chance to share their wisdom.

Ottawa Kinkfest will be held at Dance Mosaic, 523 Bank Street, with sessions at 7 pm and 9:30 pm each evening. Between the workshops there will be a chance for attendees to chat and meet each other. As well, our pro-dommes will be collecting a "Buck a Thwack" for charity. After the last workshop the evening will move on to a local bar for continued mingling and fun.

Tickets to each individual session will be available for $25 each, or a package for all four sessions may be purchased in advance at a cost of $75. Tickets are on sale now and are available at Venus Envy, 110 Parent Ave, 789-4646. For more information about Ottawa Kinkfest please visit www.venusenvy.ca/kinkfest.

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Workshops

All workshops are held at the store, located at 110 Parent Ave. in Ottawa. Please register by calling 789-4646. Payment must be received to hold your spot: you can either pay by credit card over the phone, or come by the store and pay in person. The workshop fee is $10 (+tax) per person. All participants must be 18 or older.

 
Saturday September 13
6:15 pm
FULL! (sorry)
Going Down: A Guide to Fellatio
For everyone
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.

 
Tuesday September 16
6:15 pm
Hot Lips: An Interactive Kissing Journey
For pairs
Grab your favourite mouth and re-discover the joys of kissing. In this interactive workshop we'll look at why kissing is so much fun (and good for you), many techniques for making you a better kisser, as well as giving you and your partner a chance to practise in a guided kissing exercise.

 
Monday September 29
6:15 pm
Sex Toys 101: An Intro to the Wonderful World of Toys
For women
“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. One hour, plus time for questions and discussion.

 
Saturday October 11
6:15 pm
The Art of Cunnilingus
For everyone
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.

 
Tuesday October 14
6:15 pm
G marks the Spot
For women
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the not-so-elusive G-Spot! We will cover history, anatomy, ejaculation and practical g-spotting tips. One hour, plus time for questions and discussion.

 
Tuesday October 21
6:15 pm
BDSM 101: An Intro to Communication and Power Play
For everyone
An open discussion for those who are, or think they might be, interested in BDSM. We will be discussing some terms and definitions, as well as how to negotiate boundaries. Safety and safewords will also be on the agenda.

 
Le lundi 27 octobre
18h15
Jouets érotiques 101: Une introduction au monde merveilleux des jouets
Pour tous
<<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.

 
Tuesday October 28
6:15 pm
BDSM 201: Tips and Tricks
For everyone
This is a beginner level workshop for those with an active interest in BDSM. We will talk about toys for sensation play, floggers and other spanky stuff, basic knot tying and rope safety, as well as using common household items in new and kinky ways.

 
Monday November 3
6:15 pm
Sex Toys 101: An Intro to the Wonderful World of Toys
For everyone
“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. One hour, plus time for questions and discussion.

 
Saturday November 15
6:15 pm
FULL! (sorry)
Erotic Talk
For everyone
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.

 
Tuesday November 18
6:15 pm
G marks the Spot
For everyone
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the not-so-elusive G-Spot! We will cover history, anatomy, ejaculation and practical g-spotting tips. One hour, plus time for questions and discussion.

 
Monday November 24
6:15 pm
V: The Vulvovaginal Workshop
For women
Women are taught very little about how their cunts work. What's within the range of normal and what's not can be very confusing, even to the person who owns the anatomy. This workshop aims to not only clear away confusion and dispel myths, but to get gals thinking about their genitals in a happy way. We'll cover anatomy, toys and slippery stuff, communication skills, and why knowing how to do a self-exam is important and empowering.

 
Tuesday December 2
6:15 pm
Holiday Special - Sex Toys 101 for Men
For men
So you thought you might like to surprise your favorite gal with a little something extra this holiday season but you don't know where to start. This workshop is meant to give you an overview of toys, what's available, how they work and how they're made. This introduction will include information about vibrators, dildos, ben wa balls, edible body products, and books for couples.

 
Monday December 8
6:15 pm
FULL! (sorry)
Going Down: A Guide to Fellatio
For everyone
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.

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All you ever wanted to know about lube

Discovering lube as a grown-up is like discovering what your clit does as a kid. "Who," you think, "was the brilliant mind behind this idea? And why did I not know about this sooner? Why did I memorize the quadratic equation in high school, but not hear a word about this vastly more life-improving substance?" Below you will find an introduction to this lovely stuff.

Why use it?

Because without changing any other single thing that you do in your sex life, you will completely change the feel of most of the things you're already doing. Ever had a hard time coming because the friction of your hand on your clit left you less than excited? Ever been enjoying a nice long round of intercourse only to be stopped short by irritation? Ever ended up with a raw penis after a vigorous jerk-off session? **Ever had a condom break?** Lube, lube, lube, lube.

But not every lube is ideal for every person or every situation. Each lube has a main ingredient, and each has pros and cons. Some lubes are better for anal penetration and some are better for jerking her or him off. Some have chemicals that may be hard on sensitive skin, others are more natural.

What's the main ingredient?

The main ingredient of a lube, or its base, determines several things about how it will act in different situations.

Oil Based (e.g. hand lotion, vegetable oil, Stroke It!): This is probably one of the oldest lubes around, since oil based lubes can come from lots of different natural sources. They tend to be found hanging around the house in kitchen and bathroom cupboards, which makes them pretty handy and convenient. They last for a long, long time, and are excellent for giving hand jobs to boys. They're bad for a couple of really important reasons, however. Oil and the vaginal microcosm do not go well together. Oil doesn't easily flush out of the body, and so can upset the delicate balance of the cunt's flora. Also, oil eats microscopic holes through latex, so if you're using any kind of safer sex barrier that isn't non-latex, you can end up with an STI or a pregnancy.

Silicone Based (e.g. Eros, Eros Woman): Like oil based lubes, silicone based lubes last forever and a day. They can also be used in water, and so are great for those who like to play in the shower or tub. They're scentless and tasteless, and are great to massage with, since they let you rub a good long time There's no problem in using them with latex, so you can go right from massage to safer sex. One draw-back is that you can't use silicone lube with silicone toys; the other downside is that they last forever and a day, which can make your vagina prone to infection. Eros Woman is a lighter formulation, which may mitigate that problem for women who aren't using it with silicone toys.

Water Based (e.g. Slippery Stuff, O'My, ID Glide, Probe): This is the best type of lube for women. Because water evaporates, lube with water as the first or second ingredient don't stick around to upset the cunt. Because of that and their latex compatibility, water based lubes are the most common and popular kind. They come in a wide variety of viscosity and sensations, anywhere from creamy to oily. You can also get flavoured water based lubes if you're looking for something a little different.

Viscosity

Once you've decided on what the base of your lube will be, the next step is to pick what kind of viscosity you're looking for. Lubes range from incredibly thick (e.g. Maximus) to super thin (e.g. Astroglide); one isn't inherently better than the other. Thicker lubes tend to stay put a lot better than thinner lubes, which makes them a better candidate for anal play, fisting, or any kind of slow penetration

Glycerine

This is another caution for women: if you're particularly prone to yeast infections, avoid any lube with glycerine listed as an ingredient. Yeast loves glycerine, and will multiply happily in its presence. Two lubes that do not contain glycerine are Slippery Stuff and Liquid Silk. If you're not particularly prone to yeast overgrowth, then a lube that contains grapefruit seed extract (GSE) may be the ticket. The GSE balances the pH of the vagina, and creates an environment inhospitable to yeast. Lubes containing GSE include Probe and O'My. An aside to vegans: unless the ingredients list specifies vegetable glycerine, it's probably from an animal source.

Other Ingredients

There are a few other things to watch out for. For example, methelparaben is used as a preservative in almost all lubes, and those with sensitive skin should avoid it. Look instead for grapefruit seed extract. Some of our lubes only have a few ingredients in them, but most have a very long list, so look carefully and check to see if it contains something to which you know you're sensitive.

Have Fun!

If you're a little overwhelmed by all the choices, and don't know whether you'd like thick, thin, oily, slick or creamy, get a bunch of travel sizes ($1), and have a personal lubefest.

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New Toys

Clitz and Titz - Vibe Pump
A vibrating pump for your clit or nipples. Use lube to create a seal between the latex opening and your skin, then pump the bulb to draw blood into your clit or nipples. Once you've become more sensitive, turn the vibe on and away you go.
plastic & latex  |   colour: pink  |   $39.95

Bubble Wand
Something lots of people have been asking for! This type of glass is non-porous and holds temperature well, so you can cool it off or warm it up to play with many different kind of sensations. It's also really heavy and dense, which makes this a good toy for kegel exercises. The three insertable knobs will be good for anyone who likes lots of friction.
1½" x 5½"  |   glass  |   colour: clear  |   $49.95

Nexus Jr.
Like the Nexus we already carry, but slightly smaller. This double dildo has one end with a sharp curve that gives good g-spot stimulation to the wearer, while the other end has a gentle up curve and nicely pronounced head.
1¼" x 5 1/8" and 1 13/16" x 4 5/8"   |   silicone  |   colour: blue/white swirl  |   $119.95

Pro-Touch
The "come hither" toy! Crooked like a finger drawing you near, this toy is designed to hit the prostate or g-spot with ease. Made of non-porous silicone, it comes with a Micro Mini vibrator that tucks neatly into the base for added stimulation.
1¼" x 5"   |   silicone  |   colours: black, wine  |   $49.95

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Upcoming Art

September & October Brigitte Gagnon - "Beautiflies"
Beautiflies is the artist's portrayal of the struggle with religion, depression, and sexuality. This body of works is more than just a painterly representation of flesh, diembodied limbs and backs turned away from us. Sometimes detailed, sometimes blurry, sometimes dark, sometimes light, always in movement.

November & December Shastan
This is Shastan's fourth showing at Venus Envy Ottawa, and we're very pleased to have her back.

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