CPSIA isn't the only problem. Apathy is as well.

[Former_Member]

“Your outfit is absolutely adorable!” I heard a woman say behind me and my daughter replied with, “Thank you! My Mommy has a clothing business!” and I sighed. Sighing is not my usual reaction when I get a compliment for my work. The woman and her sister were very polite and had no idea that they had just brought to surface so many terrible feelings with their compliments, “You made her outfit? It's amazing! You really have talent and I've never seen anything so adorable.” They didn't have kids but talked about how they almost wished their biological clocks started ticking simply to shop for my line of clothes. I was completely flattered but almost muted because of the recent decision to close up my Immature Couture shop. When they asked where I sold my clothes I didn't have the energy to explain what was going on so I simply said “Online.” thanked them and went back to grocery shopping with the kids.

I want nothing more than to know that the toys my children play with are safe and will not cause them any harm. I understand the urgency to protect the children of this country from high levels of lead and stop the ridiculous recalls. What I do not understand is why these new regulations were passed with such carelessness that it requires testing for products that have virtually NO risk of lead contamination! Products like clothing, blankets, wooden toys and books! The CPSIA is essentially causing many small businesses that make products for children under the age of twelve to close up shop because of their haste in passing regulations that have an insane amount of loopholes. Congress decided that a problem caused by ridiculous and irresponsible mass-market toymakers should be solved with a solution that sucks in various other industries that are completely unrelated to toys!

Later on when the kids and I were checking out the two women approached me and asked for my business card because they wanted to tell their friends about my clothing line. I smiled and tried to explain to them as plainly as possible that as of February 10th I would be officially closing up shop because of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act . Shockingly they were outraged that they hadn't heard of it. That they felt their rights as consumers were being taken away. That the deadline is so close and there isn't a media outrage over it. That more small businesses are being shut down and allowing the big companies to triumph. We exchanged information, I gave them my card and they said they would be writing whoever they needed to and be in contact with me. They weren't business owners who are effected by this nor were they parents but they were as equally outraged as most of us that have to close our shops.

The apathy that I have seen from the general public and even those that own small businesses and are not effected by the new regulations have saddened me until I spoke with these two women. They were absolutely right! This does not just hurt my business. This hurts everyone no matter if they have children or not. No matter if they have a business selling products to children under twelve or selling something that, thankfully for them, does not have to be burdened with the CPSIA. Why don't more people care?

I loaded up the kids, put my groceries in the trunk and at that moment it finally hit me. Something I started as a side business for extra cash in hand and as a creative outlet was taken from me. Just when my business started to take off it was ripped from my hands, discarded and no real explanation for it. I sell clothes. Not jewelry. Not toys. Not anything that has been manufactured overseas or injected with lead. I design, cut, iron, serge, stitch and package every item of clothing myself. To comply with these regulations each product I made would have to be tested which means each individual component of the garment would have to be tested for lead. A 15$ onesie now costs 400$ to make simply because of the testing fees! I put sleepless nights into marketing plans, helping Etsy teams and writing blogs to help the handmade market. There is no reason for so many of us to be swept out of the way because some major corporations wanted to cut their overhead costs and put MY children in danger. I stood there and cried in the parking lot. There is no reason why so many handmade artists look away at the pain so many of us are going through simply because they are not in the same boat.

Do something. The children in this country need to be protected but by regulations that target only the products that can cause potential harm. If you don't do it for yourself and your business, or your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friend's kids then do it for the sake of what's right and stop being silent and a doormat in our society.

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_hand..._from_the_cpsia

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economi...PSIA/index.html

http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

[ZoBeDesigns]

I can only hope that for every apathetic person you meet, there a 3 people like me. I don't sell kid products but I do have kids and I've been fighting this thing tooth and nail. I've been blogging, I've been letter writing, I've been petition signing and I've been talking.

I'm walking right beside you.

[FlairMare]

I know what you mean. I'm not a seller on Etsy or anywhere else really, nor do I have kids, but I HATE this law!

The lack of interest from the media is exactly why WE need to get the word out to as many people as possible. And DON'T GIVE UP!! Keep at it!

[Former_Member]

Thank you both! I am truly motivated and thankful for those that are standing together in this that have no -direct- affect in this. It just shows even deeper that this law is ridiculous. I copied this from my blog and put it here in hopes that it might inspire a little more. The blog link is: http://immaturecouture.blogspot.com/2009/01/cpsia-isnt-only-problem-apathy-is-as.html and feel free to pass it on!

Keep fighting everyone!

[Former_Member]

I do not sell children's anything but I may want to in the future, but it is not necessarily that people aren't outraged enough it is that they do not know about the law to be outraged.

Those ladies that you met in the store are an example for my point.

I did a few craft shows last year and I was talking with some of the vendors that sold children's things about the CPSIA...you would have thought that I had two heads with bad hair dos!

There are plenty of folk (consumers) that do not know about the law and there are plenty (more than I care to speculate about) of crafters/vendors that have no idea about this law and may be in for a rude awakening if we do not get things to change.

I think the best thing for ALL OF US is to keep getting the word out about this new law. It is up to us to keep the momemtum going on this and hold our law makers accountable for this silliness.

I stand with all you on this...we must keep up the fight!

[Former_Member]

I'm right there with you immature....not a lot of people in the general population have a clue about this. When I go supply shopping, i'm know there as the tutu girl so all the workers chat with me about my projects ect. Last week I bought less than usual and they were surprised by my lack luster stack of ribbon spools ect. and asked if sales were slow. I replied, no, but the feds are trying to shut us all down and explained as briefly but clearly as possible. They were shocked and outraged. I make it a point to discuss it with anyone who will listen now and pass along ways to help us fight for what we love. I'm sad at the thought of a day I can't make a tutu and ship it off to some little girl:(

[Former_Member]

Also...I would urge all of the seller of childrens items to not jump the gun on closing up shop.

The fight is not over yet...we still have a little less than a month to make a difference!

Everytime I see one of these posts my heart just breaks.

I urge all the childrens product makers, keep a cool head and a positive attitude. Please do not close up shop yet...we are still fighting with you and for you!

[MyHeartandSew]

I live in a very small town, and this subject was on the news last night! YES! It was saying how this law was not what it should be and will put some of our toy makers out of busienss. It was a great piece ....for 3 minutes and was really excited to see it hit even our news station!

[Former_Member]

"Do something. The children in this country need to be protected but by regulations that target only the products that can cause potential harm. If you don't do it for yourself and your business, or your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friend's kids then do it for the sake of what's right and stop being silent and a doormat in our society."
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Since I found out about this, it has been part of a much bigger issue for me. I have 3 children and I care about the country that they're growing up in. I believe that our government is out of control.

[Former_Member]

Thank you all for your responses and continued support in this.

Twisted you are absolutely right. Most people just don't know what is going on. I feel that education is key. Most people who may have heard of "CPSIA" have absolutely NO idea what its about. But, all of us can agree that it is highly flawed and will do so much harm. I plan on educating who I can and spreading the word. I'm not officially closing down shop but until the law is changed I am directing my extra energy and time that I would normally spend on my clothing line to fighting the CPSIA. In the end I hope that my efforts will be worth more than the amount I could potentially make in the next month.

[MooreMagnets]

Unfortunately I don't have much hope for my items. Alas, I use paint and metal - even though I make sure the paint that I buy doesn't contain lead and the metal that I use doesn't contain lead, I don't hold out much hope that I will have any sort of exemption.

I really do hope that something is done about this law though. The whole thing is just ridiculous. I have 3 boys and I have no confidence that any thing will be safer after feb 10th. I feel like this law is taking away the safe choices that I (we) have.

[Former_Member]

AMEN!!! Don't give up - FIGHT!

frillerup & I put this online booklet together that tells the human-side of the issue through pictures and stories. We want it to go out to as many people as possible, so feel free to email it to everyone you know and also print it off and mail it out. We've gotten many positive reponses so far. My Pastor just reponded that he called his Senator's office this morning, after receiving my email. People just need to realize the this bill affects REAL PEOPLE in a REAL WAY.

Here's the link: http://shalomscottagehome.com/Assets/Special%20Graphics/save%20handmade_book.pdf

[Former_Member]

I am right there with you. I love when people smile and comment on my girls' outfit. Nothing warms people's day like an adorable little girl. :)

It is too bad that so many people don't know about this. Not time to give up the fight,though, not even when Feb 10 comes and goes. My store may be empty then, but my pen won't be.

[MooreMagnets]

Just want to add one more thing -

Does anyone even realize the plight of the bicycle industry! The rims of bicycle tires have lead, it is a soft metal and I the last time I checked the bicycle companies in the US did not have a work around for this. Because the lead is exposed the rims will be consider hazardous materials and not allowed to be sold.

My husband will be dumpster diving for bicycle parts once again - UGH - I thought I had broken him of this habit!

[worksofwhimsy]

Our local paper and TV focused only on the resale/thrift store aspect of the law. I emailed and asked them to follow up with how this will effect small businesses like mine, but haven't heard back. My city has numerous, highly promoted events that include arts/crafts sellers (Saturday Market, Summer Festival, etc) and I don't think anyone is aware of how this law will effect these events.

My business has just started to pick up, but every time someone asks me about my shop I have to explain how I'll most likely be shutting down because of CPSIA. (sigh)

[Former_Member]

MooreMagnets, could you re-direct your shop's focus to magnet boards for adults, until something gets fixed with this bill? I think your work is great and I can really envision hip, modern-designed boards being something that adults would want too. Think bold colors and funky patterns.

[SparxsDesigns]

I am a jewelry seller and worry if they will attack us next, so yes, it concerns us all.

[Former_Member]

I am not closing my shop and I think you should reopen. Itwas a hard decision for me too but I'm not gonna let them beat me. Fine, throw me in jail for making tutus. Talk about press then. I have met with both of trepresentatives and they and their aids are digging and contacting Washington. Neither could imagine this could really happen. They have made exemptions already and I know more are to come. I have a new pdf brochure that artistcs28 and I have been working on. visit the thread download it and pass it along. Washington is listening we just have to be a little louder!!!

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5993278

[Former_Member]

This is a great example of why we should fight for what we believe in!! We must NOT let this new law try to tell us what is good for our children, we know that handmade is a much better alternative to mass production as often as possible. I believe we need to protect our children as everyone else does, BUT I think that this new law was not thought out properly and in a hurry to 'do something' this law has potential to harm the honest small business person. There already isn't enough jobs so even if someone has to close down a shop what are they going to do. If folks think it will be easy to just close up shop and go out and get a job then they are in for a rude awakening!! Lets fight for OUR rights!!! Make sure to contact all your local newspapers and news channels, mail, e-mail and call your state representatives and let them know over and over and over again where we stand. We are not against protecting our children we are against a poorly prepared law that will NOT protect our children. This new law will simply keep the honest people honest. Those that try to cut corners will still find a way. The old laws that were in place could not be enforced so why make new ones that cannot be enforced!!

[MooreMagnets]

artistscs28 said:
MooreMagnets, could you re-direct your shop's focus to magnet boards for adults, until something gets fixed with this bill? I think your work is great and I can really envision hip, modern-designed boards being something that adults would want too. Think bold colors and funky patterns.
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Absolutely!

I have already started to transition over to adult and Teen fabrics.

I hope that the law exempts fabrics so I can destash some of my kid fabrics.

Although - I don't know what to do if someone asks me specifically to make something for a child.

[Former_Member]

i bneed to learn to read the whole thread before posting. i didn't arttistcs28 post!!! haha!!! can never have to many links!!!

[Former_Member]

Oh i'm not closing down either! Maybe i'll see ya in jail frillerup! We can discuss our contrand tutus with all the other hard core criminals!!!

[BikiniSandi]

I feel your pain. After taking years to learn the art and craft of making teddy bears and crocheted toys and baby clothes; I waited to be sure my work was good enough and safe enough for someone's child to have it. THAT's when they made this law. Just when I decided my work was good enough to go for it. So much for my hard work and my wasted time and efforts making sure my items were safe for children and babies.

[Former_Member]

I TOTALLY agree with you. I am constantly stopped by moms, and grandmas, and all sorts of people who want to know about my shoes. You cant get them at Target, or Walmart or even cute trendy boutiques. They are unique and stand out from the crowd and I am VERY proud of my work AND my sales. But here I am losing my hobby, my creative outlet, and my ONLY source of income. It makes me really mad. I buy almost everything at Joanns Fabrics so why do I have to test it?!
Yeh, I heard a short little blip about this on the news and it was only regarding thrift and secondhand buisness owners complaining about it, which annoyed me as they dont even have to put half the effort we handmade artists do! This has got to get more interest in the media it is really going to seriously affect myself and many others lives.

[Former_Member]

aprilsoriginals - you're SO right. Every day, the job situation hits closer and closer to home. I was at church last night and found out that 2 of my friends' husbands lost their jobs, just that week. And they told me that their neighbors are losing their jobs left and right too and houses keep going up for sale. So scary!