A question for those who create children's products...

[Dannielle]

Are you having a hard time staying motivated?

Are you still creating and listing or are you just waiting it out?

I'm torn between "Why bother?" and "You've got three weeks left before you're out of a job! Work as hard as you can NOW".

Are you planning to go look for a job? I'm seriously considering it (which is funny in this economy).

[Former_Member]

Business as usual here. :)

[LucyBlaire]

business as usual here, but if things do go through I have the ability to market my stuff differently, not everyone has that option.

[Former_Member]

I'm pretty new to Etsy, but I've been a biz person forever. First, off you can't throw your hands up and let this kind of obstacle beat you. Art cannot be regulated and you are an artist. Your dolls are adorable. See this as an opportunity to re-evaluate. I would tag your creations as collectibles, miniatures and display/decor pieces. Sure kids love them, but they are delicate and unique - which are qualities adults are more likely to appreciate. Don't give up. Good luck.

[germandolls]

I am having a really hard time with it today. I think I have read too much information. My head is buzzing.
Where do you turn to when all the information is so overwhelming and pointing in opposite directions?

[Former_Member]

Ha!
I'll still be buying if you guys are still making. I've got four nephews!

[germandolls]

I just changed my shop announcement, Dannielle. Don't know what I'll do come February...

[littlecreekboutique]

I go from disbelief to panic stricken on an hourly basis. Like germandolls, my head is buzzing from all the information I read. Nothing I've read is good.
At this point I'm waiting to sew anything new, unless it has been paid for for fear that I will be stuck with it. But I do occasionally get the urge to sew like crazy and sell as much as I can while I can.
I'm selling off my existing clothing because I don't want to be stuck with it either. yet in the back of my mind I keep thinking there is no way they are going to go through with this.... right?
I worry about all the fabric I've paid for. I love it, but certainly don't need it all if I can't sell what I make with it.

[Former_Member]

We are still sewing here, especially for our B&M. I figure I have all the supplies and tons of fabric, so if this all works out, (and it will!), I'll have plenty of inventory. Besides, you can always give the stuff as a gift or save it for Christmas if you do decide to close up. Hang in there! We are going to beat this!

[Former_Member]

i'm not doing anything---or ordering anymore stuff--luckily i didn't make my giant fiber fill order yet--

[Former_Member]

One thing that's helping me is that I get the information directly from the CPSIA instead of from blogs, posts, news reports, etc. Here's the site:
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

I signed up to receive the updates in my email - it takes a lot of reading, but I get the direct story from the primary source.

I have to keep up on this because we stock kids art supplies at my B&M - and I want to keep up on this because of daughter, DoSiDough, who sells kids stuff - and all of you great etsy kids people! My grandbabies need the best =)

I thought about putting coloring books in my shop based on the same animals that I do my paintings from. Now I'm waiting to see what will happen before I do that. My daughter has plans to shift her products a bit - but she will stay in business and on etsy.

[Former_Member]

Kooky, I agree. I am not buying anything else. Just using up what I have.

[worksofwhimsy]

Largely making to order now. Not creating anything new, even though I've got lots of ideas in my head. I'm putting my creative energy into new ideas that won't fall under this law.

[Former_Member]

When I first listed my two cover I started to make more items to list. I started like on 12 items which are half done. When I find out about it here on the forums I stop. I could not belive it at all. I just couldn't stop thinking about it at all. I was very motivated sewing when I first listed my two covers but now I'm not. But now I'm just going for it just finish my items and list them. I just can not let this stop me. I'm just going to keep sewing and listing till the time comes. Just think positive. I have a family to support and put food on the table. I been thinking about making adults clothes just in case. Which I have started drawing many ideas of designs what to make and open another shop for the adult clothes.

[Former_Member]

germandolls says:
I am having a really hard time with it today. I think I have read too much information. My head is buzzing.
Where do you turn to when all the information is so overwhelming and pointing in opposite directions?
*******************

Ditto. Today is not a good day. I don't have any fight in me, I think. And my 2-year-old is being neglected, so I need to spend a little time with her this weekend and not with my computer!

[Former_Member]

I’m having a frustrating day. It is so hard to make a living in these times and the only thing that kept me a float last year at my art shows was my kid stuff.

[Former_Member]

I intend to keep creating and listing. I'm trying to have hope that the people we elected will see the excessiveness of this regulation and modify it. I just haven't been making anything recently because my "other life" has been hectic. Soon, I will be able to schedule time.

[Former_Member]

I'm really in a slump creatively...I think it's the Winter blues though :) I'm forging ahead and will continue to make my goodies for the kiddos. I think if the law isn't going to change before the 10th it will soon after. Don't give up!

xo

[Former_Member]

Wild Wood, your stuff is adorable! And I agree, I have to believe that somebody, somewhere, is going to come to their senses and work to change this.

[asherjasper]

I think I've been in denial and I am coming to realize that I have to drastically change things in my store. I'm not going to stop creating because of this new law. We are ALL creative people, that's why we're here and we can find a way to make something else that's appealing to the masses. I'm going to try and find something else to make until this silly law is amended.

[Former_Member]

Well, I'm very busy with orders. However, I'm not as thrilled with new requests, thinking it "could" be a waste of my time to get new photos made of things I can't sell.

[Former_Member]

Oh, I did order $100 in yarn last week. I thought to myself, "I hope I don't get stuck with this!"

[Former_Member]

iloveplum, I agree. I have the winter blues too which doesn't help...but it is really hard for me to stay motivated. I am torn between shutting my store down and just moving forward, praying the law will change...

[Former_Member]

The funny thing is, I didn't start making my creatures for young people. I made them because my family, all ages, likes stuffed animals and I really like making them. Grandma has several, including a bear nativity, and I made Grandpa one in a hospital gown when he had surgery. My Dad and I collaborated on an Eastern Woodlands Indian for my younger brother. I won't quit making them. Selling may become an issue but I can't give up hope.

[TheArtfulMommy]

I can't believe all the fabric i have stocked up for quilts is going to become hazardous in less than a month. :( I'm going to market them for dogs I think.