Decided to give up on toys

[PeanutandTommy]

Well...this has been a difficult decision for my mom and me, but we're going to stop selling toys as of Aug. 1.

Even though yarn is exempt from the testing issue, the tag requirement has just got me stumped. If the tag is printed with ink, and I use a fabric pen to write batch numbers on it, do I need to have it tested?

It's just too complicated. Maybe when the rules are set out a little more clearly, we'll be back.

I blogged about it here:

http://itsonlystring.blogspot.com/

[bobbinalong]

I haven't read your blog yet but will. I feel the same way. I don't want to be made an example and fined.

I really feel that there is no value put on our God-given talent. It takes ability to be able to produce a child's toy or a piece of clothing. It takes experience and work to be able to knit or crochet or sew or make a wooden item. It takes inspiration to come up with an original idea, over and over. I am not a manufacturer in the sense that I take one idea and make a thousand of them. I feel like I am more of a painter and make an original piece.

We have been pulled into a whole different environment that what we really are. And we are going to pay the price. And our customers, all those little kids, they are going to pay the price. No original toys and clothes and warm baby booties and little tooth fairy pillows to help them be brave through losing their first tooth. CPSIA is poorly written, vague, and downright unfair.

But when it gets to the point that I am told I cannot donate what I can't sell, that's where the line is drawn. I will continue to fight this law for corrections. I plan in August to pull my kids' items until I know it is legal to sell. A very sad time in America, land of the free and the brave.

[PeanutandTommy]

Oh Bobbin, your post brought tears to my eyes! It is just so sad! My mom just likes to make toys. She's 84, can't do much else, and just loves the idea of a child somewhere loving a little critter she has knit.

She's not evil, certainly not in it for personal gain when you think of the hours it takes to knit a toy. She uses most of her earnings to buy more yarn!

It's such a simple thing, and it's been made so complicated.

[ByNanasHands]

Giving up is exactly what the large manufacturers are hoping for...this is why they spent their hard earned lobbyist dollars for...to rid themselves of the "little guy" that is cutting into their profits. The large companies paid dearly to help "craft" these laws full well knowing that the small cottage industries and small business people could never afford to pay for the needed testing and labeling. With "us" gone they have fully reigned in the toy market.

Why would you give up? Don't let them win. This is your craft, what you love to do, the thing that gives you pleasure and what makes you happy....if you don't fight for it, the only one that is losing is you... Sometimes in life you have to be the "David" and stand up to "Goliath"....DON'T QUIT FIGHTING !!

Ozark

[Former_Member]

PeanutandTommy,

Your Mom can still make toys for kids -- just donate them to shelters and the pediatric wards of childrens hospitals, etc. Then kids in need will still get them and love them.

[PeanutandTommy]

Thanks, Echo, that's what she's going to do for now!

Osarkana, I'm not saying I won't still fight. We may get back into toys. But this is where we are now.

[Former_Member]

What about selling outside the USA, there are no rules there?

[Former_Member]

do the toys fall into a diff. catagory if not tagged for kids?

[Former_Member]

Read carefully, I don't think that you can make the toy in the US and sell it to another country.Shipping it originating in the US is a problem.

[PeanutandTommy]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm not really looking for ways to circumvent the law. I just don't have a large enough "operation" to comply with the law.

My toys are one of a kind. They will each need a tag with specific information on it. It's the whole tag issue--making sure the tag is safe for children and compliant, has all the correct information on it, and can't be pulled off by a child--that I don't want to deal with. At least not for now...waiting to see what happens when the tag rules are more clear.

[Former_Member]

I'm sure your government will have to change the CPSIA and make exceptions with handmade-not wholesale items. It makes no sense to include artisans work in such those mad labelling requirements...

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

echoart says:
PeanutandTommy,

Your Mom can still make toys for kids -- just donate them to shelters and the pediatric wards of childrens hospitals, etc. Then kids in need will still get them and love them.

Absolutely not! This covers anything you make, including toys and blankies you donate. This is another insidious crappy provision of this totally heinous law. It has been brought to the Congress's attention and they don't care either.


Question 2. I work part-ime in my home making clothes and toys for kids. Am I affected by this law?

Yes, the law covers all manufacturers and IMPORTERS, large and small, domestic and FOREIGN. All businesses, including handmde toy and apparel makers, crafters, those making CHARITABLE DONATIONS, and other small businesses must take appropriate steps to be sure that their products conform to ALL ASPECTS of the law and safety standards, including the new lead content and phthalates limits and mandatory toy standards.

CAPS are for drawing you attention, not to shout, well, maybe a little bit......

[PeanutandTommy]

Yes, you may still donate to charities as long as the item is compliant (that's my understanding). Whether charities may accept handmade items without the infamous "tag" is a good question.

My mom belongs to a group that knits baby blankets with a matching little one piece, no button doll for a local hospital. So far, the hospital is still accepting the blankets, but we will see!

[MamaFamilias]

Just so you know, the law is not retroactive.

You can sell anything that is already in inventory before August 14 without tags. It is against the law to stockpile inventory, but you will not breaking the law if you stick around to sell out the toys you already have made. You could renew everything August 13 so that the listings can stay until they sell. this isn't circumventing the law, it is just one tiny grain of common sense written into the law;)

[Former_Member]

thanks for that mamafamilias! I was thinking I would have to just take everything down on the 14th!

[PeanutandTommy]

Well....honestly, I just worry about people who are sue happy, who hear about the law, think I'm not compliant, and decide this is their chance to make it big.

I also worry about people who might troll Etsy looking for sellers to turn in who are not compliant. There were some forum posts waaay back where people said they would do that.

I don't want to fight this, and I don't want the legal expense of trying to "prove" that my items were made before the Aug. deadline. I may be in the right, but nobody is going to help me prove it for free.

I'm just a small business. I'm worn out with all the little details of this law.

[MamaFamilias]

PeanutandTommy, If the joy is gone, take a break. Like you said, you could always bring them back later. In the meantime you have lots of other great things in your shop. Especially those kitchen scrubbies...

The reason I am not sweating the label law is that we've reached the 11th hour and the regulations are still pretty basic- name, location and date of manufacture. Most likely nothing will change b4 Aug 14th (In this we have the big guys on our side. I can always trash a sheet of labels, but changing a production line in China takes time.) This means I can easily be legal.

Those looking for non-compliant Etsy sellers are not going to sue me because the court would award them next to nothing for a missing label which would mean they are out lots of money. I highly doubt they could even find legal counsel to represent them in such a wild goose chase. They might report me if they are concerned, but as I mentioned, I will be completely legal and have nothing to fear from the CPSC.

I might be singing another tune as Feb approaches, but I am h**l bent on getting another holiday season out of my children's products.

[Former_Member]

At first glance I thought this said "Decided to Give Up on Boys"


Fail

[PeanutandTommy]

LOL! That's too funny!

[Former_Member]

its a hard pill to swallow--i had to stop selling mine wholesale--i was at a point with a distributor and things were getting cooking. then the law came out. i am still on etsy and will also sell on my website. you'll have to clarify with etsy but i think under the guise of craft we are okay.?

[Former_Member]

Tags are the bane of my existence now... I think I will just write up the patterns at this point. I can't begin to imagine how I am supposed to put tags onto each individual piece and keep a sane mind. :) I just had an order for a 'supersized' nuggets and fries set!!

This is so frustrating as we head into the craft fair season. I will not be participating this year.

[MollysMuses]

I am new on this forum, I am so sad to hear about this, I dont make kids toys. I am a photographer. I am so sick of all the new laws and I am sorry it is effecting you that way.
I HOPE you can sell all of your items, they are really UNIQUE and wonderful:)
If you can't and you need a place to donate I am an area coordinator and volunteer photographer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, (infant bereavemet photography) www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
I know many photographers, myself included would be more than honored to accept you handmade works for photos with these little angels..
Good Luck with the future of your passion and business:)
Molly
MollysMuses

[Former_Member]

Those looking for non-compliant Etsy sellers are not going to sue me because the court would award them next to nothing for a missing label which would mean they are out lots of money. I highly doubt they could even find legal counsel to represent them in such a wild goose chase. They might report me if they are concerned, but as I mentioned, I will be completely legal and have nothing to fear from the CPSC.

I'm with you Peanut...just too much of a hassle anymore. How in the world would I tag a crocheted football or baseball??

Off to do Christmas shopping. Gotta buy some cute toys while I still can!!
*****************************************

It takes next to nothing to file a lawsuit. It takes 100's to 1,000's of dollars to defend against one...innocent or not. BTDT, don't need to do it again!

[Former_Member]

I am slowing down on my rocking horses and other toys that I make. Not making rocking horses infact i am dropping the prices down this week at the next show. i dont want to be stuck with them. Time will tell I am still hopefull that something positive will come out of this mess.

[Former_Member]

"PeanutandTommy says:
Well....honestly, I just worry about people who are sue happy, who hear about the law, think I'm not compliant, and decide this is their chance to make it big.

I also worry about people who might troll Etsy looking for sellers to turn in who are not compliant. There were some forum posts waaay back where people said they would do that."

I totally understand these worries. One has to hope that most people using Etsy know that most sellers here aren't making a bundle and therefore aren't worth the time/effort/expense of trying to sue.