One of our values as a small, woman-owned, body-safe, education-based adult boutique is to take the time to source products from other independent small businesses, especially ones that are queer/trans- and BIPOC-owned. That’s why we were so excited to connect with The New York Toy Collective as our new vendor partner– and why we’re so excited to introduce them to you.

Since 2012, TNYTC has not only offered a full range of gender-affirming products to address specific needs in the queer and trans community, they’ve also innovated solutions to those needs. While they carry a small number of products from other manufacturers, their showcase products are the ones they design and manufacture themselves– by hand! Founders Chelsea Downs and Laura Parker got their start with the toy that’s still their most popular to date: The Shilo poseable packer.

Image of a row of Shilo pack and play dildos in various skin tones and poses from The New York Toy Collective

It was a problem no one was addressing: People who enjoy wearing packers (dildos meant to be worn inside clothing to give the look and feel of a flaccid penis) wanted to be able to switch into sexytimes without having to bring a separate firm dildo and then spend time swapping them out. For some, it was simply convenience. For others, it felt more gender-affirming to be able to seamlessly get erect and play.

Parker and Downs saw the need and felt confident that such a “pack and play” dildo could and should exist, but the manufacturers they talked to were lukewarm or never responded. Undaunted, they decided to just create their own– and the Shilo was born! Made from top-quality platinum cure silicone with a realistic feel, offered in a range of skin tones as well as vibrant bright colors, and featuring a bendable metal core, the Shilo feels natural and holds its shape for true versatility. It can be used in a harness or with the double-sided suction cup that the Toy Collective also sells, for solo play. 

Image of The New York Toy Collective's Love Bump toy in cashew tone

Sales of the Shilo took off, and The New York Toy Collective was born. Since then, they’ve added a range of carefully-curated and thoughtfully-designed body-safe products to their line. Their “love bumps” (like the one pictured here) fit a rechargeable bullet vibe for extra stimulation during sex. They carry traditional soft packers in addition to the “pack and play” poseable ones. They’ve designed STP (stand to pee) devices that are easy to clean and offer an affirming experience to transmasculine folks.

They have binders, anal toys, cock rings, and gender-affirming pins and patches. They’re thoughtful about the appearance of their toys, always offering a variety of skin tones as well as funky brilliant colors, and even creating foreskin-intact toys. They source US-manufactured products so that they can vouch for the production of their goods.

 

The Toy Collective has gotten a lot of press for one of their novel ideas: 3-D printing replicas of select clients’ penises into custom dildos. Normally, replicating a body part that way would require making a cast and a mold– something that can be time-intensive and uncomfortable. But their 3-D scanning technology allowed them to quickly get all the detailed information they needed for the process. It’s not something they offer as a regular service, but the clients who have benefitted from it rave about it. One client, for example, got their penis immortalized this way prior to having gender reassignment surgery. Partly, they wanted a dildo for later use that was so intimately part of their journey; partly, they wanted to make copies to give out to friends and family as part of their transition announcement!

We’re delighted with our own announcement: You now have a choice of three of NYTC’s “pack and play” dildos (including the uncircumcised Leroy!), a soft packer, and the Love Bump attachment right here at Lotus Blooms. It’s part of our commitment to expanding gender-affirming products to serve our trans, nonbinary, and queer Blooms family. Make an appointment to come in and shop in person, or make a virtual shopping appointment with one of our educators to help you find the toy that’s right for you. And of course, we’ve also got harnesses, lube, vibrators, and other add-ons to complete your experience.

 

Know of a small, independently-owned, sex-positive business you think we should know about? We’re always looking for connections to reliable businesses to source our products, especially ones that are environmentally-conscious, queer/trans-focused, innovative, socially-responsible, and/or owned by women, queer/trans/nonbinary folks, and BIPOC folks. Get in touch with your recommendations!

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