A MUST READ: Do you know about the CPSIA!?!?!?

Today bloggers are uniting to speak out about the CPSIA. Please read this post to learn more and to help save our shop and many like it from having to close our doors...

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:

Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:

Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:

Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:

Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:

Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:

Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:

Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:

Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:

Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbeshttp://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Lawhttp://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Yet Another CPSIA Post

Save Handmade! If you haven't heard, a new law goes into effect in February that could cause our store to have to close, as well as thousands and thousands of others. Here is a great video explaining it....

CPSC Will Kill Handmade

Sign the petition to ammend the law here.

Also, here is a treasury in which we are currently featured. It is a collection of items that may no longer be available after February 10th. Apparently overnight they will become dangerous lead- filled contraband!

Scary Scary Toy!

Look at this cute wooden cash register. Well, if you want it for your child because it looks so safe and natural compared to all of those plastic toys from China, you better buy it now! It will be illegal as of February 10th when the CPSIA goes into effect! Yes, I will continue to write about this because so few people know about it. All items for children under 12 will have to undergo lead and other testing as of February 10th, and this includes things like fabric and wood which do not normally contain lead in the first place. This also includes hair clips someone makes and sells, burp cloth sets, clothing...anything for children! Look at this list of cute toys on Amazon.com that may no longer be available because companies cannot afford the thousands of dollars to test every single component of each of their products. You can help! Go sign this petition!

Save Handmade Toys!

Please go vote to save handmade baby's and children's clothing, toys, accessories, and more. Go to Change.org and vote for this proposal. All you have to do is sign up quickly with an email address and then click to vote for this proposal. If it gets enough votes, it will be presented to Barack Obama. If you have not heard, as of February 10th it will be illegal to sell handmade children's items unless you have them tested for lead, which costs thousands of dollars. Many small businesses will be put out of business. This includes mine. I can assure you, our burp cloths and baby birthday hats do not have lead in them!! This law is hurting the wrong people. Help us get it amended!

Sign This Petition!

In February there is a new law that goes into effect requiring all items intended for the use of children under 12 to be tested for lead. It is called CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act). It seems that this could affect a great deal of small businesses who create handmade items for children. I do not really understand the act completely, but a lot of Etsy sellers are very worried about the future of their businesses. I'm not sure if it is that serious or if people are overreacting. It makes me a little nervous. Companies would have to test all of their products which can cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Many small businesses would supposedly have to shut down. The law that is actually trying to protect children would actually be hurting a lot of moms who stay at home with their children and run small home based businesses. Also, many people buy handmade toys and children's accessories because they believe they are safer. Now these items will not be available. You can search on line for CPSIA to learn more. If you know anything more, feel free to leave a comment on this post. To sign the petition, click here.