CPSIA What have YOU done to take action so far?

[Former_Member]

So many of us are stressing over CPSIA and the big day is getting closer and closer. What have you done to take action so far? What do you plan to do?

I've blogged about it.. finally.. http://immaturecouture.blogspot.com/

Admittedly I became very negative about my shop when this came up. So many people didn't care because it wasn't their business and those of us that were pushing saw few results. I'm happy that things are finally taking a turn. But, we still have to keep fighting.

If you haven't doneso already.. visit these sites. Get those that don't have businesses targeting the under 12 market to do something. Do something!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

So tell me.. what have you done? What are you going to do? What are your resources?

I am sure so many people are sick of this topic coming up but we shouldn't stop being heard!

[Former_Member]

I have signed petitions, sent letters to my state law guys and also started making non-kid stuff. My other shop, TweedleBee, is mostly baby toys and quilts. I am starting a few other projects with this shop in case it doesn't pan out.

[Former_Member]

Yeah, I have started a backup plan as well just in case. I've pretty much stopped creating anything new for the kids clothing line. This is my side (second) business but I had hoped to progress it more when this smacked us all in the face!

[Former_Member]

I've started a blog: http://buggalove.blogspot.com

I've written letters to the Energy and Commerce committee leaders

I am in almost daily contact with my Congressman's office and have a meeting with him on Friday.

I have spoken with the CPSC to get clarification on some issues.

I created this protest tote bag: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19692026

I am researching XRF testing costs and will share my findings

I participate in the Etsy forums to help spread awareness

I have voted on Change.org

I'm sure there are many other things I've done but here are a few.

[Former_Member]

I emailed my representative. I don't sell anything that falls under this legislation but I am supporting you guys!

[moonstr]

love that bag buggalove:)

i have emailed everyone i know
emailed cnn, bbc
signed petition twice
informing local shops
blogged
posted to bullitins

[Former_Member]

*voted at change.org
*added info to my blog
*emailed family and friends
*set up a project wonderful campaign to direct traffic to blog.buyhandmade.org

[mkdesigner]

I've written letters, emails, participated in numerous forums around the net, scoured resource pages such as:
http://blog.buyhandmade.org/
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/advisory.html
Marge in Reno

[Former_Member]

I have voted at change.org and the petition site. I have written about it on Facebook for friends and family and I have written to my congressmen.

[Savantpatterns]

Boy, what I have done? Let's see. We've been discussing this on the fashion-incubator forum since last July. We were cautious, didn't want to get too crazy but eventually decided we needed to establish an orchestrated campaign to get the word out on Etsy. It was slow going for awhile, most people either ignored it, were in denial, accused us of over dramatizing or said it didn't apply to them. That this section has just been created is a sort of vindication for us.

By early November, it was obvious I had to go public in a big way. That's when the first entries about CPSIA and what it meant to small businesses was posted on the web (on Fashion-Incubator.com) and I've been covering it ever since. Early on, I realized we had to join forces with groups much bigger and more powerful so I joined the AAFA ($3,000!). By this time, I don't have a life anymore. My family hasn't eaten anything that doesn't come out of a can or a box in weeks.

December 3rd, I flew out to Washington DC from podunk New Mexico to attend a meeting of the Product Safety Council with General Counsel of the CPSC Cheryl Falvey in attendance. I can't say who was there or what they said but I can say for a fact that all of you who think that big businesses (the *biggest* brands in the industry) aren't worried, are nuts. The brand managers of two of the most popular kids wear lines in the country (household names mind you) said that if this goes through, they are out of business. Up to this point, I was worried and confused. Now I became scared.

Since then, I've continued to slog away posting on fashion-incubator, monitoring our public forum on cpsia which is moderated for accuracy. I've worked with attorneys and engineers. While my name is not on any of these, I had a hand in creating most (yes, most, meaning more than half) of the petitions, surveys and automated mailers on the web.

These days I've been focusing on working with the ad hoc multi industry cpsia committee that nobody knows exists. It's a small group of influencers from various industries. Most of what is discussed in conference I can't publish but I get daily updates of who said what to whom. I also spend a lot of time with news sources helping them to locate information and people to interview. I'm not doing much for local newspapers, mostly international or news sources that have international reputations.

Which brings me to today. I think that with all the news and increasing coverage, people are gaining a sense of accomplishment. I don't want to discourage anyone but the news I got today is dire. It's bad. Very bad. I can't tell you exactly what only that the powers that be are, well, enraged and more entrenched than ever. They are attempting to marginalize the effort by saying huge toy manufacturers are behind this whole thing. All I can say is not only should you not let up but you should redouble your efforts. I realize you're getting weary but we are FAR from winning this thing. You need to do a redo of everything you've already done. Rewrite those letters, contact Oprah, The View, 60 minutes, it's time to play hardball. No more piddling around.

What you need to do is have thousands of you to decide to write one person each day. One day Oprah, etc. We need to go through an alphabetized list of legislators and hit them all on the same day. We need a committee of people who will just do this.

I wish I had better news for you. We need to step it up.

[Former_Member]

I've been interviewed on local FOX news, signed every petition and voted in every vote. I email Diana DeGette every other day...i've spoked directly to her aid...I've emailed the CPSC and even received a response from the CPSC General Counsel. I've responded on every blog post, major newspaper article and have email authors. I've alerted all my friends and family to this issue and I've urged them to contact their reps..I tweet and tweet and tweet...I've joined the Handmade Toy Alliances and other groups to fight this...my husband has been writing DeGette and the newspapers....I've attended local meeting to discuss this and have arranged to have my products tested...phheww yes, i've been hard at work.

[Former_Member]

Had reporter in my store today talking with me about it. Hopefully will have that article out end of this week.

I posted on a book publishing and sellers blog:
http://bookshopblog.com/2009/01/08/book-burning-on-feb-10th-2009-due-to-cpsia/

(it appears that blog post was part of what tipped off the American Library Association that they should Have Words With Congress)

Been keeping the independent booksellers mailing list up to date on CPSIA developments.

Sent mail to my two senators and my congressman, called their office.

Posted this blog on how it affects every single taxpayer:
http://fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com/413898.html

Posted a couple other places with specific slant.

Twittered up a storm: http://twitter.com/fenrislorsrai

Contacted Native America Calling (http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/ ) to suggest they do a show on it. they do shows for NPR

Tipped off editor at a motorcycle magazine so it will probably get mentioned in there as "why am I suddenly unable to buy/sell children's helmets and other safety gear?" (the motorcycle folks found it incredibly stupid. Plus many of the motorcycle clubs hold toy drives. Interfering with that makes them peeved.)

So yes, I have helped sic the librarians and the Hell's Angels on the CPSA.

[Former_Member]

Oh yes, voted on Change.org.

Posted additional info to Abe.com and Biblio.com forums, both of which are book related.

Suggested it as a story idea to the Daily Show. Leave them a comment. you know you want to see Jon Stewart making WTF faces at CPSIA:
http://forum.thedailyshow.com/tds/board/message?board.id=story_suggestions&thread.id=3242

[Former_Member]

Just pointed out the book burning aspect of CPSIA to Warren Ellis, a well known comic author. censorship by lead testing should make his head EXPLODE.

which reminds me I should post to Scans Daily and e-mail the Comic Book Legal defense Fund...

[Former_Member]

I've e-mailed and sent letters to my senators and congressmen, e-mailed local and national news outlets.

I've also e-mailed all of my personal contacts, most of whom had never even heard of the CPSIA.

Voted at change.org and signed every relevant petition I've found.

I've made many, many posts on my blog about the subject. I'm also doing features on businesses that will be affected.
http://justaddcharm.blogspot.com

There are still so many people who haven't heard about this and time is running out. We have to keep doing everything possible to bring attention to the issue.

[Former_Member]

I wrote this article today

<h1><a href="http://elainebissdesigns.com/2009/01/13/legitimizing-your-items-surviving-hand-made-part-1/" rel="bookmark">Legitimizing your Items-Surviving Hand Made-Part 1</a></h1>
<p>January 13, 2009 | Filed Under <a href="http://elainebissdesigns.com/category/learn/" title="View all posts in Learning" rel="category tag">Learning</a> <a href="http://elainebissdesigns.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=712" title="Edit post">(Edit Post)</a></p>

<p><img style="float: left;" src="http://elainebissdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/dreamstime_6374295-pola01-150x150.jpg" alt="">Okay so I apologize if I sound a bit frazzled. When I heard about this new law, all I could think of is “WTF??” Handmade items are the bread and butter of America. I don`t ever rally for anything or anyone. But this deserves something better than a fight. It deserves a solution. (Or at least my proposition of one.) <strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>The Legislation</strong>- Along with all the costs involved with running a business, Congress is proposing the implementation of lead testing to ALL hand made goods made for children under the age of 12, as the legislation requires certificates to show that there is less than 600 ppm of lead in the fabric, many if not all fabrics have no lead in them and if there is any it is well below the eventual maximum of 100 ppm. <strong></strong></p>

<p><strong>What does this mean?</strong> Any certified lead tester may gauge your eyes out as payment  just to test your goods or shut you down. <strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>How does this affect you?</strong> Probably it doesn`t, unless you buy or sell from Etsy, eBay or <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.fuzzb.com');" title="Start a store for just $20 bucks!!" href="http://www.fuzzb.com" target="_blank">FuzzB</a> or sell hand made goods made by others from your site. Small business owners will be the most affected. <strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>What do I propose?</strong> I propose 8 things,</p>

<ol>
<li>Ask your suppliers to disclose what is the lead content and certify their items are safe for children under the age of twelve.</li>
<li><strong>Once you know DISPLAY the amount of lead in the item right on the packaging or whether or not it is deemed “safe”</strong>. Below are some downloads, free labels for business owners to use freely on their goods declaring their status. Educating your customers of the wholesomeness of your items. <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/downloads/leadwarning.pdf');" href="http://elainebissdesigns.com/leadwarning.pdf" target="_blank">PDF</a> <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/downloads/leadwarning.jpg');" href="http://elainebissdesigns.com/leadwarning.jpg" target="_blank">JPG</a> <a href="http://elainebissdesigns.com/leadwarning.tiff" target="_blank">TIF</a></li>
<li>FIND out what the EPA`s Standards are for lead, <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadtest.pdf');" href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadtest.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>TEST your own items!!! <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.google.com/search?q=lead+testing&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a');" href="http://www.google.com/search?q=lead+testing&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&cl... target="_blank">Here is the start</a>!</li>

<li>EDUCATE YOURSELF! Don`t get your information from just any source!! Double check and verify that what you are reading is true. Here is a <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/nationalbankruptcyday.com/');" href="http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/" target="_blank">website</a> dedicated to that, Page supporting it<a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/cpsia-central.ning.com/');" href="http://cpsia-central.ning.com/" target="_blank"></a>, <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=81');" href="http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=81" target="_blank">goverment Site</a>.</li>
<li><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html');" href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html" target="_blank">Sign the petition denying it</a>.</li>
<li>Diversify-don`t just sell for children sell for EVERYONE!!</li>
<li>Continue your work. Don`t stop. You will prevail.</li>
</ol>
<p>Burrowed from my <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.womenwhowow.com/');" href="http://www.womenwhowow.com/">business coach, Michelle Pippin</a> “In his book, The Innovative Mind, Dr. Gene Landrum addresses why big corporations and large companies will fail in this economy.  Essentially, today’s economy demands INNOVATION, he says, which is defined as being willing to destroy what IS, to create what is NOT.  He goes on to say that this “creative destruction will be too ungovernable for modern [companies] to tolerate.”</p>

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;" align="left">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;" align="left">“It is HERE we find HOPE.  While the “big names” are worshiping tradition and resisting change, we can embrace change and become agile.  While they remain steeped in bureaucracy and commit to protecting the status-quo, we can be BOLD, CREATIVE, and PRO-ACTIVE. While they analyze and seek approval, small companies - LIKE OURS-  can take action and seek a profit.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;" align="left">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">“THIS is why Henry Ford, Walt Disney, and Estee Lauder outperformed their “bigger” competitors. THIS is why we have just cause to be optimistic and allow our actions to follow suit. Because in the end, optimism (or pessimism) will - ultimately - guide our actions.” </span></span></span></p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal;" align="left">I make handmade things too. We will make it and I will do what I can to help.</p>

[Former_Member]

Sorry here is a link
http://elainebissdesigns.com/2009/01/13/legitimizing-your-items-surviving-hand-made-part-1/

[Former_Member]

KathleenF says:
What you need to do is have thousands of you to decide to write one person each day. One day Oprah, etc. We need to go through an alphabetized list of legislators and hit them all on the same day. We need a committee of people who will just do this.

_______________________________________

this is a great idea... i was emailing people as i stumbled on email addresses, and snail mail. but one place and an organized list is a great idea.

one person a day, thousands of letters.


is this being organized?

[Former_Member]

I have signed petitions, contacted my local news stations, wrote Oprah, wrote my Congressman, told all of my family and friends. Prayed that this will be resolved.

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

Hello to all.
I have signed all the petitions out there, but still I am very scared.
Turns out it will cost about $500 aprox. to test my shoes, ONLY for lead, this do not include testing for phthalates, which runs an average of $300 per test.

I will have to close.

Hopefully, the comission (2 persons) will come to their senses about this...

Maria
www.barretzz.etsy.com

[Former_Member]

I e-mailed my Congressman tonight.

[studiostebbylee]

holy smokes kathleenF !
What a wonderfully written letter to us all on page 1.
I'm spurred to go do more.
thanks for all you do too.

[Former_Member]

I just started another thread on this, but has anyone else put pressure on their Governor's office? This is going to affect most states who are already struggling. If a number of governors put pressure on their congressional members, it could help a lot.

[Former_Member]

Written senators and congressman and state reps. Written local news channels, written oprah, written the view, written Martha Stewart, signed petitions, blogged about it, told everyone I come in contact with pretty much....
I appreciate everything everyone is doing, we all need to be a united front.
Thanks to all of you!