Are you closing shop due to the CPSIA?

[#1]

I'm sad to say I am less versed in the new law than most of you. I do not sell children's items and I do not have children. But I do want children one day, and I want them to own wonderful handmade goods. I also am proud to buy my many nieces and nephews handmade products whenever I can.

How many of you are going to do everything you can to comply with the laws and stay open? How many of you are giving up and closing up? And how many of you are going to keep going as you are now, prepared to live with the unfair consequences?

[Former_Member]

Off to read the article suggested by sewplicity -but my plans were to stop selling hair clips (can't afford testing on the clips) but continue on with toys and softies -they are all exempt. But I hope that small crafters would be exempt anyway...

[BeadCreationsByDawn]

Is there anyone out here who will continue making wonderful items for children and are not concerned about this silly law?? without making any changes??

[Former_Member]

Beadcreations: Well if the law tells me a I can't -I won't.

That would be illegal.

[BeadCreationsByDawn]

I guess that was crazy to ask people if they would knowingly break the law.. i just wonder how do you know if a shop has complied with the law?? i have been looking on shops for any info that will tell buyers this but have found none. For people who sell at craft shows and markets, i would like to know if they are in compliance. It's hard to tell be just looking.

[Former_Member]

Beadcreations, you are not allowed to "advertise" or use compliance with the law for marketing purposes. It is a law, therefore it is assumed that if you are manufacturing a product that falls under the law, you must be in compliance. Since the testing requirements are not mandatory yet I've noticed a few shops that have announced that they have tested their product(s). Personally, I've just noted it in my FAQ section. Honestly, I don't think most consumers know about the law anyway....the only people really looking are us and retailers who are buying wholesale.

[Former_Member]

I would not close up shop due to CPSIA since the majority of my sales are for adult slippers and aren't as affected by this, but I have put a lot of thought into whether I will continue to offer children's sizes in the future, and CPSIA got me thinking more about whether my little hobby business should get "real." So far, I think the CPSIA broo-ha-ha has actually helped me think carefully about how I make my product and has propelled me faster into thinking about things like a "real" business person, so in many ways I am grateful for it. I, however, am not as affected by it as some are, and feel deeply for those sellers whose wonderful products have more problems post-broo-ha-ha.

[Former_Member]

I would have to close my shop because it only contains items for babies. All my items have buttons on them and there is nothing else I could use

[KnotInMyDreams]

I'm staying!

[TheOwieHut]

I would recommend that no one shut down their business over this. It is understandable to want to comply with the law but the law is unreasonable. Furthermore... it is totally unenforceable at this time.

[Former_Member]

I have slowly been moving away from baby/children's items and toward more for teens and adults. It's a shame...they're so much fun to make!

[Former_Member]

I've been doing the same as MaddCrocheter, I'm working on the teen/young adult market.
With painted items, I have no choice.

[JenTheTracy]

Thank you so much for your answers, and sorry for my few days absence in response.

I'm glad to see so many shops are going to stay open despite the inconvenience or risk.

[Former_Member]

Are law makers are getting TOTALLY nuts now?

[Former_Member]

What happend to those innocent times when we kids just ate dirt for fun???
And God forbid!! We survived!!

[Former_Member]

I sell invitations and email not worried about that. Though I have stopped I hope to start up again once I am settled in my new house. My question is I have started making hairbows for my daughter. Will those have to be tested if I want to sell them?

[Former_Member]

SweetInvitations, if they are solely for your own children to use then you do not need to test. Once you want to sell them is when you would need to test and follow all the other requirements for the CPSIA.

[Former_Member]

Thank you it makes me sad that I will not be able to sell and maybe buy some of my favorite things because of this new law. Why is it that its always the little guy who has to do the most.

[cortsthings]

Does anyone know if velcro is exempt? I have recently started making bibs so I was wondering if they would be affected.

[Former_Member]

I did close my children's section and just last night re-opened (after a long time away)and will be offering creations for teens/tweens as well as adults.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Hook and loop tape is okay to use.

[cortsthings]

Thanks for Faye!! Love your shop :)

[cortsthings]

Well it would help if I could type!!

I meant to say Thanks for the info Faye!!

[old2newmemories]

SewFunDollClothes says:

I'm not closing shop, I sew doll clothes, and fabric has been exempted from testing. I just won't be able to use any more cute little buttons or decorative snaps unless the CPSC ok's component testing ...

Has all fabric been exempt or just cotton or all natural fabric?

[Former_Member]

closed my baby shop months ago...didn't need the headache ...it's too bad, i was doing well

[SewFunDollClothes]

old2newmemories, I'm staying away from the fabric that has shiny silver, gold, or metalic threads woven in (just in case!), but otherwise both natural fiber and manufactured fibers are exempt.