Published August 8, 2002 in issues #27 of the Hook

BY COURTENEY STUART

Women who want to buy adult toys no longer have to take their chances with an online purchase or venture into a porn shop. In the tradition of Avon and Tupperware, Charlottesville women can now soak up good vibrations in the comfort and anonymity of in-home parties.

A company called Tasteful Treasures, founded in Virginia Beach in 1995, claims more than 1,000 sales representatives nationwide-- including at least one in Charlottesville, "Joanne," who spoke to The Hook on condition that her real name not be used because she owns a more traditional business in town.

Speaking of her Tasteful weekend work, Joanne insists "It's not kinky and weird." She brings to each gathering accessories such as lotions, gels, and lingerie. But it's the vibrators that are her bread and butter.

As they range in price from $6.50-- for "Baby Bob" (Bob stands for Battery Operated Buddy, Joanne explains)-- to $120 for the multi-speed "Erotic Frenzy," there's a model to suit just about every interested gal.

The bestseller? The $15 "Jelly Vibe," which Joanne describes as "your basic run-of-the-mill vibrator for beginners."

So how do you plan a Tasteful Treasures party?

Generally, Joanne explains, she is invited to visit a party to which a hostess has invited "open-minded" over-18 friends all females, since women, Joanne says, are reluctant to talk or ask questions in mixed company. Children including infants are not permitted.

Though she says many women do drink a few glasses of wine to loosen up, not all do. "Some of my parties are at 2pm on a Sunday," she says, "Some of the women come right from church." If the wine's not enough, the typical icebreaker of playing hot potato with a dildo generally does the trick.

When it's ordering time, customers slip into a private room, so not even their friends need know what they've ordered.

Joanne says she used to sell Avon, but never earned enough money to make it worth her while. Tasteful Treasures, she says, is a different story.

At a "good party," she grosses between $700 and $1,000. Since the profit for Tasteful Treasures distributors ranges from 30 to 50 percent, her four hours appear well spent. If new distributors sign up under her, she can make even more, although she says that's not the area she pushes.

While bachelorette parties for 20-somethings compose a significant portion of her business, Joanne says her best customers are actually women in their 40s and 50s.

"They know their bodies," she explains, "and they have disposable income."

Anyone interested in hosting a Tasteful Treasures party can call 963-5559.

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