CPSIA -- Feeling Like I Could Cry.

[#1]

Maybe I'm just being hormonal right now... my hubby & I talk about this law all the time lately, and how it affects everybody and not just us.

I started my business because it's my passion, and my husband told me to go for it. I have a thyroid disease and it's hard for me to have a full time day job because I have good days, but I have bad days. It's really been great to sell on Etsy and at craft fairs to help add to our income. We can't live off of it alone, but it really has paid some bills that couldn't be paid otherwise. Thank God for PayPal transfers to our bank account!

and I'm just looking around my studio at all the childrens things I have made... and I feel like I have just wasted my time. I've tried to wait it out and keep optimistic, I read the posts on the forums to see if anything has changed or any questions have been answered... and it looks as if there aren't any loopholes, or any hope, really. I feel bad for all of the children that have to go without handmade, homemade with LOVE toys. and the crafters and artists who make them. :(

I'm torn between just listing of my children's products now at really discounted prices so atleast someone would be able to enjoy them... or list them regularly and hope that there's a loophole like that one of a kind thing that some people say is okay, and others say it doesn't matter, it still has to be tested... does anyone know? Has there been any clearification?

What are you guys doing? How are you handling this? All of the sudden it just hit me. and I understand wanting to protect the children. but it just seems there could be a better way to protect small business people, too. :(

[Former_Member]

thecupcakery - honestly - I thought 'the American Dream' existed! As I don't live in the US I know it doesn't really affect me as I can just sell to the UK - however - I do think it sucks immensely.

I'm like you - I grew up on hand me downs and hand made goods. I remember the best presents I EVER got were a cot my grandfather made for my Tiny Tears and a Dolls House and replica Princess Di wedding dress my mum and dad made for my Sindy doll. Would they have to be tested? I mean - how far does this reach?

Sorry that I'm asking so many questions - I'm entirely ignorant over here in the UK.

I saw on another thread that someone advised contacting Oprah. How about Martha Stewart? Does she still have a programme? After all, she's the queen of crafting.

[Former_Member]

it's mainly the crap in china, I think. thanks china.

[Dannielle]

I know exactly how you feel. I feel the same way. I pep talk myself into optimism and hope but it fades quickly.

[Former_Member]

Polstar, what inspired me to craft was my grandmother. They didn't have much money when my mom was young, and one Christmas she didn't have money to buy presents, so she cut up her clothes and sewed up some barbie & doll clothes for my mom. My mom still has those clothes and we played with them when we were little girls. I think it's so beautiful to make something with your hands with love and that's what I do with every little thing I make. So sad my children can't experience that one day.

[Former_Member]

you know, last i heard they were revising it because they realized it had too many holes in it. I read a whole article on a blog about it. I wouldn't worry at all. It's not meant for crafters like you, it's for the big import companies.

[qbranchltd]

poorpitifulpearl says:
grrr.. i just read that .... I use all recycled fabrics.. I dont know how this will effect me. :( I am glad to hear about the lead in toys.. but c/mon... thats mainly the manufactured stuff. dont you think?

_____________________________

As the law is written - actually the regs, as the law is more vague than the regs - everything is included. You cannot even take old children's clothes to a thrift store or charity anymore - under these regs. They cannot sell them and you can not distribute them to the shop.

[Former_Member]

It's not MEANT for us, but the poor way it is written currently INCLUDES us. That's the problem.

[Former_Member]

Has a lawyer commented on this law here on the Etsy forums yet? Just curious if anyone here was a lawyer/married to one/related to one/etc...

[qbranchltd]

karingrow says:
you know, last i heard they were revising it because they realized it had too many holes in it. I read a whole article on a blog about it. I wouldn't worry at all. It's not meant for crafters like you, it's for the big import companies.

________________________________

There are hearings scheduled in Washington this month - nothing has been changed yet. And there are groups that are strongly supporting NO CHANGE in the regs or the law. (Perhaps groups with members who have a lot of money or no children.)

We are all hoping for changes but there is no clear horizon yet.

[Former_Member]

I am holding out and holding on. I plan to take my items off of etsy if demanded,but I hold out hope that there will be amendments. I hope you'll hold out too.

[Former_Member]

It's good to talk to other people in the same boat. We all have our own little unique products, our own little special touches, and I think we make this world a beautiful place, maybe just a little bit. I really pray this works out for us.

[Former_Member]

"Has a lawyer commented on this law here on the Etsy forums yet? Just curious if anyone here was a lawyer/married to one/related to one/etc..."

I am not sure that would matter. The CPSIA FAQS even contradict themselves in places. There is a disclaimer on them that states the opinions in the FAQS aren't the official opinion of the CPSC, which doesn't even make SENSE.

THEY don't even know what's going on, how can WE?

[qbranchltd]

I spoke with a lawyer about it - another person who had never heard of it. All I got was that this was another example of a law with good intentions being written too quickly in a reactionary way so that it is all fouled up and will cause more harm than good.

[qbranchltd]

Here is a thought - put removable stickers of naked lady pictures on every item - no way that it can be considered for anyone under the age of 18.

You've got to laugh or we are all going to be very ill.
And it is not such a bad idea.

[rabbitwhiskers]

Hi cupcakery- I feel just like you do. I was in a car accident and left with nerve damage so like you, I can't take an outside job either. Making my smocked & embroidered dresses has become my life, really. I have something creative that I love doing and that keeps me happy and keeps my mind off of focusing on my condition- I absolutely can't bear the thought of being forced to quit-

I just keep telling myself that the law is so ridiculously impractical and flawed that it can't possibly be implemented the way it is. It effects way too many people. It's very crippling- It can't happen, it can't work, It WON'T happen. Do what you can do to prevent it, like voting and then go back to focusing on what you love doing, telling yourself that it just can't happen- then you'll be in good shape to continue selling: business as normal!

[Former_Member]

hahaha naked lady stickers. someone should start making them and selling them on etsy. that is a riot. i can see my dollhouse in my shop with a big old naked lady pasted on the roof. :) haha

[Former_Member]

it is NOT happening here in canada. we can still buy your goods. i think it's going to be christmas all over again in canada if stores have to get rid of all their stock. :P

j/k

this whole thing is complete idiocy. the govt doesn't need to protect us from raggedy anne and andy... and we all know that the majority of toxin containing toys have come from overseas.

[SouthamptonCreations]

Hi I am Canadian

[Former_Member]

Make anatomically correct little dolls for your house. ;)

Which is totally adorable btw, I went and looked.

[Former_Member]

You can't buy our stuff in Canada. It'll be illegal for us to export it.

[SouthamptonCreations]

I am putting an anouncement in my policies that I can sell to the US but if they have family here or near the boarder they can have it sent to them

[Former_Member]

Southampton, from what I've heard, we won't be able to import toys that have not been tested. That's pretty much what sparked this whole thing, the lead filled toys from China.

[SouthamptonCreations]

Yes I know - but I can still keep my stuff up and sell the Canada and the rest of world until this changes

[Former_Member]

very true! Do they have nuclear power plants in Canada? My hubby is a nuclear engineer. :) haha if I could get him located up there, I guess I'd be back in business. Cold, but back in business. :)

[SouthamptonCreations]

sorry - in ment to say 2 back - that I can not sell to US - but I can sell to the world - and their families here