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Former_Member
OK, this is just a pipe dream, but what if we all took some handmade children's item and mailed it to the office of, say, Rep. Bobby Rush (chair of the committee on Energy and Commerce). Each item would have a label that said:

On Feb. 10, 2009 this item will turn into a
[really big font]HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE[end really big font]
Don't let this happen, modify CPSIA now!

Just think if he had to step over all these cute handmade things staring him in the face!
Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

YourWayEmbroidery says:
The panel also faces pressure from consumer groups to keep the standards tight. The only lead in toys the commission ruled was “inaccessible” was that which children couldn’t touch, a standard Millar argued is too tight.
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I would love to know WHO these supposed "comsumer groups" are, who are arguing to keep the standards tight. Too bad they aren't more specific about who they are. We could send them a few of our "hazardous handmade items" as well!


Google David Arkush. He's a real piece of work.
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

I am trying to read all of this thread. I just want to say, I know this affects many. I am upset because I make baby items and plushies to sell for a hobby and to spport my etsy shopping habit. I was thinking about this today. This is going to affect suppliers as well. Like the etsy sellers who I buy my fabric from :(
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

fshanno says:
Is everyone completely sure that killing the hand made toy industry is an "unintended consequence"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I don't think that there is any intent to kill the industry. We are like mosquitos buzzing in the ear of a bear to the big guys, so they could care less. After working for a bog toy co and seeing the impact the recalls of '07 had on the public and mfrs, I think the CPSIA was just a "feel good" law people put together without thinking it through. It's so broad and there is absolutely no way that the already resource-strapped CPSC is going to be able to enforce any of it.

Keep in mind, this law was born out of those Chinese toy recalls, which followed food recalls and bird flu--all China-based. I really think this is a much bigger issue--it's all about our dependency on China for our trade, and that's a scary thing.
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

The powers that be are forgetting that they will lose tax revenue with this law. Sales and income taxes will be lower if people don't buy materials and earn any income selling their finished goods. $ talks.
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StitchedForKids
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Has anyone sent anything yet? I think I'm going to as well. Great idea!
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

i will send something stichin! and i got some ladies in my group to do it too!
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Ooh what a great idea! I read the first half the thread and I really want to send one of my dresses out to rep. Bobby Rush. Which im going to do Monday morning. Thanks curious!!
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

What about writing to Martha Stewart? Isnt she a huge etsy fan?
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

I saw this through http://cpsia-central.ning.com/.

I don't make anything to sell but I will contribute because as a homeschooler and WAHM of 3 with one on the way, we value our books,we buy natural toys for my kids, and we buy all of my kids clothes at resellers. This effects us. If I can't buy my kid's clothes used, how the heck am I going to clothe them?? If I can't purchase homeschool curriculum or out-of-print/classic type books, how am I going to teach them? I refuse to buy plastic, noisy China made toys. Natural toys are 99% of what we have.

When The Association of Libraries are telling libraries across the nation to test their stuff or close the facilities to those under 12 and Random House CEO says the law is outrageous, you know it is bad. And that's just with children's books...

Emails and phone calls are not enough. They need to see IMPACT!

I plan on sending 3 things of my children's:

a cloth diaper with a very short info on how now I have to use disposables and how it will effect my kid's health and the environment.

my 10yo's Bible. I'll make a note about how she doesn't chew on it but reads it. Do we need to have a Bible burning?

and a natural toy my 1yo son plays with.
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Has anyone done this and sent out their items. I am thinking about doing this too!
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

I've sent out three packages:
A pair of embroidered baby bloomers.
A monogrammed burp cloth.
An embroidered pillowcase.
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Great thread! Its good to hear so many people are sending things out. I am sending a "toxic" apple. Hope he gets the message!!
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

On the one hand, I LOVE this idea...on the other hand, I don't have enough stock or enough money to send him an item that I figure will end up in the trash. :(

I've emailed my legislators but I'll call them too.
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

I'm in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

This is my first time using Etsy forums; I'm new to Etsy, and fairly new to selling handmade items. What a sad way to start out, but I'm in for the fight! I feel like my wings have been clipped before I even had a chance to fly.

Today, I'm sending in a hand-dyed, hand-painted children's shirt. Thank you for those of you that are working so hard!
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julianne
Inspiration Seeker

Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Has anyone considered a group of actual people getting an appointment with the new president? If there are enough people willing to travel to the capital? Or perhaps organize a joint effort where there are MANY people from each state traveling to the capital of THEIR state and doing a little protest?

I'm in NC and it would be quite a trip for me, but I'd be willing to do it (I couldn't afford to stay, so I'd have to travel home same day).

Perhaps we could do carpooling and just clog the roads with cars coming from every direction?

Really.........the issue is serious.

What about the buttons or snaps used on any piece of clothing I might make? They will have to be tested.

And, in addition to the travel arrangements to Washington to try to meet with SOMEBODY that can get this thing fixed by the deadline.........I think we should get everyone possible to boycott any toy that reads "made in china". I was in a retailer the other night and literally 80% of the toys on the shelf were made in china. We are being FORCED to buy from companies that don't give a rip about us, our economic situation, or our children.

I agree with sending things to people that can make a difference........celebrities.............

the ones brought up are all good. I'd be willing to send something to those people

I've already written FOX and all my lawmakers in NC.
I'm getting ready to post something on craigslist, although the links weren't working so I'm unsure what others are posting. I'll try to look some up.
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julianne
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Wow.......I killed another thread.

I'm getting good at this.
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Doing research on the CPSC web site, I think that most children's clothing (except sleepwear) and soft toys (with no small parts that could be choked on) are excluded from mandatory testing - same as it's always been if you were a conscientious toy maker. Anything used for sleeping or feeding WILL require testing (bibs, pillowcases, etc). The new labeling requirements appear to apply to everything.

I'm still looking into it, but here are some of the links I've found:

http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/faq/faq.html

http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/reg1.html (list of products that require testing - see Toys/Children's Products)

From the small parts regulation: (http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/regsumsmallparts.pdf)
Are any toys and products exempt from the small parts regulations?
(1) Yes. Balloons, books and other articles made of paper, phonograph records, writing materials such as crayons, chalk, pencils and pens, modeling clay and similar products, and finger paints, watercolors and other paint sets are exempt because they cannot be manufactured in a way that would prevent them from breaking into small parts when subjected to use and abuse testing. Children’s clothing and accessories such as shoe lace holders and buttons, and grooming, feeding and hygiene products such as diaper pins and clips, barrettes, toothbrushes, drinking glasses, dishes and eating utensils are also exempt because they need to be small to perform their intended purpose.

On a side note, if you live in Mass, Ohio, Penn, or Maine, did you know these labeling requirements already exist? http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/stufftoysstate.pdf
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julianne
Inspiration Seeker

Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Well, just doing a search for "baby bib" on etsy had 13,053. Just multiply that by $2 (let's say that's an average cost to produce) and there is a loss of over $26,000..........
So, that's the loss we (the producers) will absorb. What's the loss for etsy?

Parents will now be required to buy from the large companies that have outsourced the jobs (probably to sweatshops) to probably china.......and we KNOW they really care about our kids!

Or, if the big companies decide to manufacture here in the states, the testing requirements will drive up the cost of that bib to ??????

This is ridiculous that we can't make & sell a simple cotton bib without expensive testing. Absolutely ridiculous!
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

I love the OP idea
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

it seems to me this has not had hardly media coverage so maybe we should pick a big name news person and send them an item with notes attached saying these item will not be able to be sold after feb.10,2009 and explain why and tell them Mr. Rush is chairman and how many of us will be out business i live close to knoxville tn and had heard nothing about it till i read it on a forum about two weeks ago
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julianne
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

I've emailed FOX & local media. My local news station had a piece on it.

I'll try to find a link.
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

Bumping this thread.

I have read through about half of the comments on this thread, and think it is worth giving a bump to. I will be sending letters out in the next few days. Lots of great ideas here!
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

I'm all over this! Heading for the Post Office!
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Former_Member
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Re: CPSIA Protest Idea

I'll mail something to him too! We'll see what happens....
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