I have an idea...

[Former_Member]

I know as of late everyone has been signing up for twitter accounts. Barack Obama has a twitter account and 1,000,000 followers.
Remember it was Obama who used social media to bring his campaign mucho online prescence. I think if we all pounded @barackobama with messages about CPSIA. It would be a quick way to get a direct message. But it would have to be ALOT of people. Same thing with facebook. I think it would be smart to up the profile about this stuff by getting the word out online. Just a thought. Several times a day just twitter about CPSIA granted I know that he doesn't read them directly but if he recieved a couple hundred messages a day I don't really think they would be ignored.
I figure at this point its best to play the game how they play it.
I also agree that writting a bunch of letters would be a good idea as well. But Just think about the ramifications of recieving a hundred emails about CPSIA. I'm thinking about a massive online assault. In order to up the profile we all need to start putting it forward.
Just an idea.
We make some kids bracelets and stuff but we don't specifically aim toward kids. I know there are alot of you who aim directly at kids and I am whole heartedly in support of taking down this law.
Who's in?

[Former_Member]

Seriously??? No Response... It's amazing. This is the precise reason why nothing gets done. Well I will keep on tweeting it everyday.
This community should organize so we get heard.

[Former_Member]

sunflowerexpress, I don't think it's a reflection of the idea, just that it's Tuesday...

Personally, I think it's a good idea. I don't tweet, but I know that there are several CPSIA fan pages, etc. on Facebook. I don't know about the other networking sites.

[Former_Member]

I am trying to get started on Etsy. I have made things for people for years as gifts. My best friend has been a seller on Etsy for two years or so and she finally convinced me to open a shop. Little did I know this was going on. It had me really worried and thinking maybe I shouldn't even try, but I'm not gonna give up without a fight! I thought we lived in a place were anything was possible. Now I wonder why we have been lied to all these years. I'm with you Sunflowerexpress, I'm on Twitter and I think that's a great idea. I mean after all what can it hurt. I haven't posted anything in my store yet because of all of this. Every time I make something or get a great idea I get shot down with new news from the CPSIA. I'm with you all the way. I think we need to stand together as a family right, I thought that's what Etsy was?

[trendybindi]

We've tweeted before on this and we would be willing to do so again. I think that a concerted, united front on this social networking tool is a really good idea. Count us in! I know that we've lost sales because we had to pull artisan's creations for children in our b+m and haven't been able to sell vintage goods to/for kids.

[Former_Member]

I don't Twitter, but I can continue writing emails and letters. Many of us are and have been fighting against the unfairness of this law. I simply don't mention every letter I write here.

[Former_Member]

Im all for it. Looks like I need to get up to date on how to Twitter.. Good idea sunflowerexpress it would be great to flood his email so maybe the CPSIA cant get any email to him. I have been trying to get my congressmen Brian Higgans to respond to me here with no evail. Maybe, just maybe if we twitter congress too somebody is going to listen. Lets lace the gloves up and do this..

[Former_Member]

I think its a great idea.

[pagepottery]

Its a good Idea! Good Luck=)

[Former_Member]

YEA! I'm gonna throw this up on my blog tomorrow. I think if we get enough people you never know you may get a response. I really just plain don't think that The Gubment even really knows whats going on. I will post a link. I think a mass email twitter campaign everyday, asking for a response. You never know... desperate times call for desperate measures. I've halted my kids stuff until the dust settles but I'm really starting to resent it. It many many ways. I will post a link when I get this thing all nailed down.
if you twitter
http://twitter.com/sunflowerexpres
I will continue to tweet everyday.

[Former_Member]

what a great idea!

[Former_Member]

I think this is fantastic. Time to get tweeting!

[Former_Member]

I will be posting info on my blog tonight. My goal is to scour the internet and pull all of my links together and tweet a link to an article or blogpost about how handmade is affected by this law... by tomorrow I hope to have a form email. Feel free to send your own. Next week I want to move on to Facebook. One tweet. One email. One facebook post EVERYDAY. It's not much but its something.

[Former_Member]

I think it's great that this tweet idea has been brought to the front again. Maybe you will be able to get people on board.

I have closed my shop and do not intend to reopen.

[Former_Member]

Several of us have been fighting this since last November, Obama's web site where he asked for the top 10 things people were concerned about and promised to address them was flooded with comments about the negative effect of CPSIA, he has been flooded with letters, with emails, as have ALL of the Senators and Representatives for months now. Jim Demint tried to help us as did the woman who headed up the agency that is supposed to enforce this law, Nancy Nord.....the truth is the Democrats want this law in place and basically attack anyone who tries to stop it....
That is the reason you are getting so little response, we have tried all this and more for 8 months now....

[Former_Member]

And I completely understand... I have been selling kids stuff in my other shop for over a year. I too have sent letters and contacted my congressman and dropped in on the Rally. I've signed a bunch of petitions. But why give up? It's kinda silly. I AM a democrat. I think there is a segment of the population who believes that what is taking place here is necessary, there are also people who are also saying that any opposition to this law is in the guise of big businesses trying to squash it by exagerating how many small businesses will be effected. I think our government needs to hear from all of the actual artisans and crafters.
Granted things have been done. But I hardly think means that nothing can be done or don't do anything cause we've all tried it all ready. Complacency gets you no where. Obama does appreciate the arts and lets not forget this all went down in 2008. This is a political landmine, cause who wants to say that they don't want lead in kids toys??? There needs to be an unyeilding outcry as to why this law is unjust and unfair.

That being said I AM launching a campaign and i will continue to tweet obama and I will be sending emails EVERYDAY.
http://sunflowerexpresshandmade.blogspot.com/2009/06/craftivism-fight-cpsia.html

[Former_Member]

You go !!!!!!

[Former_Member]

I understand the morose feelings, and the sense of defeat....but to go to an old stand by, the squeaky wheel gets the grease! Even if there's not much grease given, you can't give up and not make another peep just because it appears the battle is already lost. You have to fight to the very end. That said, I applaud your tenacity. I'll be checking in on your blog.

[Former_Member]

Just get it in the media, twitter it on ABC, NBC and everyother new stations twitter account and then we would get some notice.

[Former_Member]

Now we're talking! I will be updating regularly and I have come across several sellers who have closed up shop. That makes me sad! I will be updating and I will keep bumping this thread.

[Former_Member]

Morning bump. Visited your blog last night and linked to it. Updating my Twitter and Facebook accounts today.

[SimmonsCreek]

And don't forget how this insane law will affect charities! I don't sell childrens items but I am closing my charity because of this. Very sad indeed.

[Former_Member]

I am a thrift store lover, too SimmonsCreek and I donate to bunches when my son out grows his toys and stuff. I have noticed that lately we are not getting that many calls from Goodwill and the salvation army among many others. This probably has something to do with it.

I posted a form email, last night on the blog (there are others more eloquent than mine feel free to write your own). I am still twittering, and now emailing everyday. I hope that we may be able to make a dent!
Thanks guys!

[Former_Member]

I like the idea ~

[Former_Member]

If you own a craft show that is on the road I have made up a flyer to give to people when they buy a toy or rocking horse from me talking about the CPSIA and the item that they bought will be no longer available due to this law. You still would be suprised at how many crafters dont even know about this law.
If you are afraid of what a promoter would say about you spreading the word about the CPSIA I tell them if we dont spread the word you wont have a craft show next year.
Keep the gloves on and keep fighting!!