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. :(

[SouthamptonCreations]

Canada is the largest maker and exporter of nuclear plants and engineering - just down the road we have a nuclear plant

[Former_Member]

you think I would know that. I just leave all the nuclear knowledge up to him, and he leaves all the sewing up to me. :)

[SouthamptonCreations]

and they are building another reactor and starting another up - they can not get enough help and boy the money they make is wonderful - so very high

[SouthamptonCreations]

there is so much money in this area - even clears make over 30.00 an hr and overtime if they want

[SouthamptonCreations]

your husband probably knows about Bruce Nuclear on Lake Huron

[Former_Member]

I was reading on the National Attorney Generals website about the new CPSIA and see a different interpretation of what needs to be tested. They actually say in the middle of the article that imported children's products have to be tested. They don't mention anything about testing USA made items.

http://www.naag.org/congress-passes-product-safety-legislation.php

[Former_Member]

People have called the CPSC tho, and explained what they do and how they sell, and they've been told they need to test. It's on other etsy threads.

[Former_Member]

And honestly, even if it says "imported", unless it also says "ONLY imported" or "imported and not domestically produced", you can't assume that it means only imported. Darn legalese. :(

[SouthamptonCreations]

it says - that everything to do with a child 12 or under has to be tested because even if it is made in the US the materials used to make it may be from overseas

[TheTinyGarden]

Take a look at this thread, it lifted my spirits a bit earlier today.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5963341

[SouthamptonCreations]

you can not even sell material to make children's clothes or toys or anything that could be perceived as being for a child

[SouthamptonCreations]

Two large companies from Europe have already pulled everything out of the US market saying it is not worth it. So your imports and exports are going to go down and there for the economy

[TheTinyGarden]

Oops, don't miss the thread I posted on the previous page...

[SouthamptonCreations]

This is being discussed all over the world - it affects so much trade - so you will not trade with other counties and they will not buy from you and down and down it goes

[Former_Member]

You can vote to support this idea for change (doing away with the proposed CPSIA law) at this website: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
This idea for change is #1 in the Economy section of change.org. It needs 10 more votes. I've already voted. Although I make adult jewelry, I use upcycled vintage components, and feel very sad about the affect this will have on handmade/recycled/upcycled children's items and on the craftspeople and consumers who love handmade!

[SouthamptonCreations]

thank you so much Loweland - I hope this works because it affects more than the US - all countires are involved and Canada and others are good neigbours and trustworthy. Most the materials I use to make my items are made in the US

[Former_Member]

I just got finished reducing the remaining children's items in my shop. But, you know what? I'm excited because this pushed me in another direction & I am designing & making totally new items for teens & young adults! "Pretty Plus!" My dolls stay though--they are not now, nor have they ever, been for children.
Helene

[Former_Member]

RabbitWhiskers....your girl's dresses are so beautiful!

In a case like RabbitWhiskers handmade dresses, wouldn't it be enough to show that you purchased your fabric and embroidery floss from a US store and the materials were made by approved manufacturers?

[Former_Member]

This may be of interest...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=49551386833&ref=nf

[Former_Member]

I know where you are coming from. I think most people are unaware of how much damage this law is going to do to an already struggling economy. But I still have hope that there will be a lot of changes done at the last minute. I do not sell handmade goods anymore, but I sell a lot of children books and it breaks my heart to think of landfills full of beautiful vintage books. I am trying to sell them but the economy is not real good right now as we all know. My husband wants me to do something with them before the bill actually goes into effect, such as just start giving them away. The area we live in is a tough place to dump regular trash much less something that is soon to be considered hazardous waste. And after it goes into effect you can not even give the stuff away legally.
I feel like I have stepped into the twilight zone.

[SouthamptonCreations]

Thanks Hello

The place like the salvation army and charities that ask for children's items will not be able to take then or give them out - so what about all the charities this effects

[Former_Member]

I even thought about sending books to another country just so they could have a home, but you are not allowed to sell them outside of the USA either(if you live here) nor can you give them away to any organization to ship them outside of the country. I have finally quit researching all of it as it gave me major headaches and I was so depressed from thinking of all the repercussions that this is going to have. sigh

[SouthamptonCreations]

CPSIA - National Bankruptcy Day

http://handicrafter.today.com/2009/01/06/cpsia-national-bankruptcy-day/

[Former_Member]

"The place like the salvation army and charities that ask for children's items will not be able to take then or give them out - so what about all the charities this effects"

I worry about this aspect as well. I buy virtually all my family's clothing at thrift shops or consignment stores. There is even one near me where I can "shop" free once a month. Thankfully I can sew, so I can make clothing for my granddaughter, and mend patch other things as needed - but what about stuff like shoes? Coats? And what about other people?

[Former_Member]

Well, personally, I think it really puts a cramp in the handmade pledge and the resolve to purchase none, or very few new items.

I do a LOT of thrift store shopping because it is fun, I believe in giving new and continued life to items that are used/gently used, and economically, it makes good sense.

Since I was just downsized, it hurts even more that I may not have the ability to purchase items in thrift stores. As a thinking human being, I find it irritating and insulting that I will be deprived of making my own choices about my informed purchases for my family.