Good vibrations

>> Shtupperware party business taps into lucrative market niche By GEMMA WILSON

Thinking your love life needs a little spice? Is your permanent state of singlehood driving you to the brink of manic sexual frustration? Or are you developing an all-too-intimate relationship with your electric toothbrush because you're afraid to go to a sex shop and buy a more appropriate tool for the job? Then Delicate Indulgences, a home sex toy party business based in Dorval, might be for you.

"We realize that sex shops can be intimidating," said Jeremy Kenemy, one of DI's founders. "But if you just look around you or turn on the TV, you can see that more and more women are talking about sex and trying to improve their sex lives."

This is the rationale for DI, which brings the sinful delights of the sex shop into your home. You can touch, feel, poke, squeeze and even taste gadgets designed to enhance your sex life, without the fear of lecherous glares at an east end sex boutique.

Ding Dong!

It was through a friend that I heard about Delicate Indulgences, and in an instant, I knew what had to be done. A few days later, we sat like a pack of giggling schoolgirls as our DI representative Deena began her presentation.

"We'll start off slow with the massage oils and lubricants," she said with a reassuring tone, "and by the end of the evening you're going to be throwing vibrators around the room."

We listened eagerly as Deena explained the merits and pitfalls of the wide range of products available. Then, armed with an order menu in one hand and a popsicle stick for tasting in the other, we began to shop. One of the clear favourites was the Pleasure Balm, part of the Kama Sutra line of products, which Deena described as the Mercedes Benz of sensual potions. We were all told to put the smallest dab on the tip of out tongues to feel the effects.

"It's like going to the dentist!" screeched Lisa, fumbling for a glass of wine to dilute the tingly numbing sensation. Vanessa, on the other hand, was a little more creative in realizing what this devilish little potion could do: she thrust a finger full of the stuff down her shirt. It was only minutes later that the rest of the room tuned in to what she had done, and based on her rather delighted reaction, took her lead to try it on other erogenous zones.

Banana-flavoured lubricants and strawberry-scented massage oils were merely appetizers for what was in store. Glow in the Dark Body Paint evoked suggestions to write "you ain't getting any" across one's chest after your signi-ficant other staggers in after a night on the town. And Love Cuffs were strongly recommended over real handcuffs for their emergency release switch, useful when keys become lost in a moment of passion.

Edible panties can be best be described as glorified Fruit Roll-Up loincloths, only much stickier. And for the chocoholics in the crowd, gone are those nights of trying to smear Nutella over your partner's naked torso. The chocolate body paint, which came complete with paint brush, was actually made from real Belgian chocolate.

As for games, strip poker and naked Twister are no longer your only options for an evening of intimate play: Sexy Folies, French Kiss and Sexplay looked like fun, though not exactly what one would have in mind for family games night. Chinese balls, cock rings and butt plugs (which at this point the somewhat intoxicated crowd aptly renamed the "sphincsation") were the last items to be displayed before Deena was ready to launch into the main event of the evening--the "pieces de resistances"--vibrators.

Perched on the edge of our seats, we fell into a dull hush as Deena introduced us to the Lady's Choice, the Pocket Rocket (a staple in every porn star's handbag), the Goldfinger, the Waterproof and the Pearl Diver.

With a complete array of epileptic penises dancing across my coffee table, we were not only able to examine the products for ourselves, but also received detailed information on merits, maintenance and performance.

Rules for proper vibrator maintenance

Some of Deena's key points were:

1. Keep an eye out for where the motor is positioned (either the base, the shaft, the tip or in combination) as each point is geared to stimulate a different region.

2. Always keep your toys clean and keep the motor away from water.

3. Always use the cheapest variety of battery (dollar store brands work best) as brands such as Duracell and Energizer are too powerful and will burn out the motor.

4. Most importantly, beware vibrator dependency. Deena was rather adamant about driving this point home, as some of the products were said to perform so well that my little gaggle of women risked the possibility of giving up on men altogether.

Golden opportunity

By the end of the evening, most of my guests had settled back into their seats with satisfied grins and a stiff drink or smoke in hand as ordering took place. Much to my surprise, the varied group of women, which included teachers, activists, Web designers, PR reps, medical students and mothers, had purchased over $700 worth of goods. It was a clear sign that DI was tapping into a lucrative market niche.

"We decided to start up a business that would provide a comfortable place where women can ask questions and get information," said Jeremy.

Honing in on a rising trend in home parties and a need for a female-friendly sex shop, Jeremy and his partners, Jason Gill and Nish Thakrar--whose father distributes porn videos--decided that the home party approach to selling sex toys was a golden opportunity. But it took a lot of research: "We had to learn about these products and even teach ourselves how to use them," said Jeremy.

The trio held their first party in October 1998. Business, says Jeremy, has been booming ever since. The company now has 12 home party representatives, including one in Ottawa. Three of their consultants want to bring this much sought after service to Toronto. "They all have different reasons for doing it," Jeremy said. "Some of them like the independence, others do it so they can meet people. The business is for women, by women."

And as for the future of home shopping for trinkets for the boudoir, starting next month, Delicate Indulgences will be jumping on the e-commerce bandwagon and selling products off their Web site. With that in mind, nights spent home alone could possibly be a little more interesting. :

For more info call 634-6490 or visit them online at www.delicateindulgences.com

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