Clueless

[Former_Member]

I am surprised at how many people have shared stories in these forums about people that are clueless on the new laws. Today I was watching Good Morning America and they were talking about decorating Sasha and Malia's rooms. He mentioned at the last minute a handmade owl stuffed animal. I just thought to myself, don't they realize those will either be illegal or not be made any more in a few weeks? NO! The don't and it's just crazy to me!

I don't sell children's products but I have been following this because I think you all need the support of everyone, we need to support all handmade!

[Former_Member]

did anyone else see that?

[Former_Member]

Sorry, no, I didn't see it, but it doesn't surprise me.

Hey maybe they bought one of ManicMuffinTotes owls!!!!

[Former_Member]

my inlaws thought i was COO-COO when i was explaining the debth of what would be considered hazardous.

but then showed them a few websites, and they nearly fell out. they've helped me by emailing. even if you get 2 people to email a day it's a huge step.

[Former_Member]

I enlisted my cousin's husband, who is going to law school and has two little girls. He was blown away when he heard about all of this. He has signed petitions, called and written letters. I told him I would send his girls some "pretty contraband" as a thank you...:-)

[Former_Member]

I have been talking about this to everyone I know, the first reaction is that's crazy, the 2nd reaction is they can't do that, and the 3rd is What a mess!!!!

[Former_Member]

Yep...

[Former_Member]

I saw that too and thought the same exact thing!

[worksofwhimsy]

Only a week ago, my local paper did a huge feature article, complete with color pictures, on mom-run businesses that make items for children. Every single item mentioned in that article will be illegal to sell on Feb 10. Did they mention that fact? No, of course not. In the last 2 paragraphs of the article on the back page of the section, it mentioned the CPSIA and stated "these businesses are looking into how this will affect their business". That's it.
I had steam coming out of my ears over that missed opportunity to educate people. I contacted the reporter and have heard nothing.

[Former_Member]

VE Yeah, I know that conversation:

"That's crazy!"
Well, this *is* our government.
"True dat, but surely they can't do this!"
Well, they already have, and the agency in charge can't even articulate how to enforce it because the legislation is vague and directionless.
"What a mess!"
Yes, yes it is.

[Former_Member]

My husband is now telling everyone he meets about this law too! He is a Grandpa and no one wants to tell a Grandpa he can't buy toys for his Grandchildren!

[Former_Member]

The last conversation I had with someone about it, her thoughts were "good, they need to regulate lead in toys". When I got further into discussion how it would affect the exact toys that she would want to buy (she's very much a handmade/eco friendly type of person) her reaction turned into "well, they'll never enforce that so don't worry about it". It's incredibly frustrating trying to make people aware.

[KGarnerDesigns]

People don't believe me =( Or maybe they don't see the importance. I've sent links, PDF files of articles, petitions, etc, etc, etc.
My next step is to make fliers and start leaving them on cars everywhere I go..........

[Former_Member]

I went to my local fabric and craft store on my lunch break today. I saw all kinds of items for young children - a ballerina tutu made in Vietnam, some wooden dolls made in China, just to name a couple. I so wanted to ask the lady at the check out counter if she knew those items would probably have to be pulled before Feb. 10, but they were really busy.

I also sent an e-mail to Target inquiring as to the CPSIA compliance of the organic toys they have listed on their website. The e-mail I got back said that all of the information they have on those items was on the website. There wasn't much there. That one really surprised me - that they didn't know more about the items they sell than they seem to.

Yes - Clueless!!

[TheFairiesNest]

organicstills says she hears, "well, they'll never enforce that so don't worry about it"
That's exactly what I keep hearing! Grr...what is up with that?!

[Former_Member]

Nobody knows. Nobody knows. Nobody knows. This is one of the best kept government secrets since the atomic bomb.

[Former_Member]

But it is still the law. And they CAN enforce it as they see fit. We need to see that the law is changed so we don't have to worry about Big Brother showing up on our doorstep sometime in the future.

[Former_Member]

E-Mail the show! I e-mailed Martha and Better Homes and Gardens today.

[Former_Member]

fairiesnest - I know! It makes me want to bang my head on a wall. I even e-mailed a couple of the VPs here at work because we make children's CDs occasionally. I got a very flippant, "thanks for the info. I'm sure our retailers are aware of it." I almost went into a rant about how we are responsible as the manufacturer etc. but decided against it.

[Former_Member]

Because it is so unreasonable, no one believes it to be true.

[Former_Member]

kgarnerdesigns says:
People don't believe me =( Or maybe they don't see the importance. I've sent links, PDF files of articles, petitions, etc, etc, etc.
My next step is to make fliers and start leaving them on cars everywhere I go..........
------------
That's actually not a bad idea. I mean, think of all the flyers you see during elections. It might actually get some people to LOOK.

[Former_Member]

I tried to tell people at work about it. I was talking to three mothers, that all have at least one child under 12.

None of them seemed interested. they all had a kind "this will pass, don't worry about it" attitude.

I told my mom about it, and she was flabbergasted at the ripple effects it will have (once I explained them to her!) And then her last thought on it was, "well, Obama won't let that happen!"