July 23

Hi everyone! I can't believe it's been a year since I updated this page. I hope I'm in the right place so this update actually shows up ...

I've had a few health issues recently and it's really slowed down production. Motivation has been low and customer service has suffered because of it. I'm sincerely sorry for that and am also sincerely grateful for everyone who has been so patient with me. My assistant, Jeremy, has done his best to help get the orders out but he is only skilled in a few of the processes and can only do so much. I have to say, if it hadn't (hasn't?) been for his strength, loyalty and positive attitude, I'm not certain we would still be crafting whips at all. Thank you, Jeremy.

So ... I'm trying to stay current with the rest of the world and am working on creating a FaceBook page. If I did it right, there is a link on the front page here that will take you to the fb page. If it doesn't work, please drop me an email and let me know. If it *does* work, please become a friend and chat us up. If all goes well and I can actually figure out how to keep the page alive, I'm be having some contests and give aways. I also hope to post updates on what's in stock, sales, discounts and a bunch of other stuff.

Meanwhile, I hope you'll post your thoughts, comments and suggestions as well as photos of your favorite Heartwood(s). If you want to start a discussion, please do. If you want to post a story about a scene that revolved around floggers, please do that as well. I'm not sure if nudity is acceptable on FaceBook so until I learn the rules over there, please don't post any naked photos. If *you* know more about the rules than I do (and you probably do...) please drop me an email w a link or something on what we can and can't do there. Thanks.

While this doesn't have much to do with whips, I want to mention that our doggy mascot, Trevor, passed away a little over a month ago. He was my best and most loyal friend and I have a lot good memories of him in the studio with us. He never bothered the hides leather or, back then, the Toy Bag wooden paddles but whenever I trimmed tails of heavy cow or bison, he knew the sound my scissors made and would come to stand under the whip trying to 'vacuum' up the little leather tips that fell. He had to stay at my cousins once and she called to tell me there were blue, red and purple bits of 'something' in his poop and she didn't know what it was but she was very concerned. I told her it was part of his diet and not to worry ... For Trevor, a day w/ out leather was a day without sunshine.

Anyway ... This concludes my update and future updates will be posted here as well as on FaceBook. So again, your input there would be greatly appreciated! Oh! if you're considering ordering a whip as a holiday gift, please get your order in early. It's taking me a little longer than usual to make things happen so it's best to get started on the gifts as soon as possible.

The "economy" is messing with us all. I think it is especially hard on small businesses - specifically mine ;) So I have decided to put our entire inventory on SALE. Click here for a full list.

I'm not very good at updating the website let alone, the NEWS page. There really isn't a lot going on as we head toward the Dog Daze of Summer...

I got a hold of some really nice Moose a few months ago and actually have a hide or two left. I hadn't been able to get Moose for several years so I was very excited when the hides came in. The Moose is heavy, soft and thuddy. Very thuddy. I don't know how long I'll be able to get these hides so you might want to think about that if you're looking for a mid-heavy weight thud.

Meanwhile, Trevor (my dog and bestest friend) was diagnosed with a cardiovascular heart disease back in January. We really weren't expecting him to still be with us but he seems to be doing fine, most days, and made it to his 12th birthday. The cat, Linc, on the other hand, passed away a couple weeks ago. She was with me for 16 years and had one of the best Spring seasons of her life this year. She was *this* close to nailing a rabbit that was bigger than her last month. I watched it all happen and was uber proud of the old girl. I miss her.

Oh! In case I haven't mentioned it, I have the best customers in the world. Thank you for your support over the last 20 years. Yes, I said 20! Time flies when you're making sex toys :)

The dog, cats and I landed in the heart of central Virginia (Orange County) back in December and have been through it’s long winter and incredibly beautiful spring. Now it is summer and I’m looking forward to autumn. Like Northern VA, it gets very hot and humid down here in the country. This Whip Maker does not like the heat!

The first few months here it was like being in the Twilight Zone. Everyone and everything was very different and it took a little getting used to. When folks ask you how you’re doing they pause for your answer because they really want to know how you’re doing. Our neighbors, who are an acre or two away, keep bringing us food to eat and apologizing for not bringing us more food. They make us feel welcome and we’re really grateful for all that we have. Yes, we like it here J

Heartwood Whips of Passion is fully magical again. I’m really enjoying the new work space even though Trevor, my dog, doesn’t like the wooden steps leading up to it and doesn’t come to work with me like he used to. I miss his company but understand his reluctance to climb back down said stairs.

I have been getting beautiful Elk hides in Black and am sitting on some ultra soft Deer Suede in rich Coppery tones. The Deer Skin is plentiful in a variety of colors and as always, the heavy hides like Cow, Bull and Bison are of premium quality and become beautifully balanced floggers. The Oil Tanned leather that’s been coming in has also been really nice. Get it while it’s Hot!

Meanwhile, I am unable to get Colossal Rabbit Pelts right now. My distributor wants more money than they are worth so I’m protesting. I’ll let you know when they become available again.

Anyway, everything Heartwood is going great and things over at the Toy Bag are starting to change …

Yes, the Toy Bag is moving to San Francisco, California at the end of the month. Shop Master Greg and his fiancé, Karri, will be holding down the fort out west and crafting the high quality paddles you’ve come to know, love and trust.

Of course, it’s going to take them a couple months to get set up but when they’re ready to roll, we’ll make our grand announcement and send out the new contact information. Until then, you can always reach Greg at toybag.com or me on Lori at toybag.com.

The rumors are true! Last week the movers delivered everything Heartwood to our new location in Orange County, Virginia. They also moved my personal belongings as I finally got off my ass and bought a new home. Needless to say, it's been quite a transition - moving from just outside of Washington, DC where I've always lived, down to the country in central VA.

Most everything I own is still in boxes but the furniture has been set up and I have a place to lay my head at night. I purchased an older home and there was a lot to do before I could even move in though now that the walls have been painted and everything is clean, I find myself enjoying the house very much; especially the 1.25 acres it rests on. Trevor, my dog, is also enjoying the property as there is lots of room for him to run around without my hanging on to the end of his leash.

When the movers delivered all the leather, gigs, tables, racks and chairs for The Toy Bag and Heartwood Whips, I asked them to just take it all upstairs - a fabulously lit upper level on the house that is just perfect for making toys and braiding leather. As I made my way up there this morning to start unpacking, I was pretty overwhelmed. The first room is filled from top to bottom with boxes and everything else it takes to create paddles and whips.

With Jeremy's help, our goal is to have it all unpacked and be up and running again by the end of the week. I'm not sure if this is a realistic goal however I work best under pressure and do feel confident we can have things operational by week's end.

The woodshop is another story. We are going from a very large space to a much smaller one and while I am setting up the work space in Leather Land, Greg has been busy trying to get things cleaned and packed up back in Herndon. We don't anticipate the shop arriving until after the first of the year however we are still doing our best to crank out exotic handles and paddles and they will start being delivered here to me in Orange as soon as the work room is set up.

We realize the timing on our move isn't the best. I had planned to move back in October but one thing led to another and it just didn't happen. With the holidays fast approaching we fear we may not be able to meet some deadlines and for that we are sorry. However with our new space, we have fresh motivation and are really looking forward to crafting and delivering your toys in a more timely manner.

Thank you for your patience while we make our transition. We have made some wonderful friends over the past 11 years and hope to make even more in the years to come. Our operators are standing by, ready to take your call and receive your email; so please don't hesitate to give us a ring or send a letter. We look forward to hearing from you.

Toy Bag/Heartwood - PO Box 1011 - Orange, Va 22960 - 540-661-3332 - lori@heartwoodwhips.com

September 1, 1999
The Toy Bag and Heartwood Whips of Passion

Letter from Janette

September 1, 1999

To all my supporters and customers,

I have invited Greg and Lori, owners of The Toy Bag to carry on the legacy
of Heartwood Whips of Passion.  I believe they have the experience,
enthusiasm and ethics to be worthy successors. They are energetic and
dedicated Scene volunteers.  The Toy Bag already handcrafts top quality
goods which are beautiful to see, to feel and to use.  They are capable of
continuing the Heartwood tradition which is based on attention to detail and
artistic interpretation.  We listen to each customer and translate their
desires into cherished whips.

We are combining our businesses in a larger, new space in Virginia.  Glenn,
Ramon and I are working side by side with The Toy Bag team to pass on the
specific craft techniques, quality standards and esthetic choices we have
developed over the past decade.  Heartwood Whips of Passion and The Toy Bag
will have combined booths at Leather Events and you will see me there.

I trust the new arrangement will meet everybody¹s needs for decades to come.
Thank you for all of your support in the past and your continued support in
the future.

As ever,

Janette

Heartwood Whips of Passion
Floggers - Cats - Flat Braids

http://www.heartwoodwhips.com
(540) 661-3332

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