I had to trim it down some for the final product of 2000 characters... but here is what I sent in a nutshell. Great idea Lab!
Dear Oprah Producers,
I'm sure you've gotten several emails regarding this topic, but I'd love to see Oprah get behind small businesses and artists regarding the new CPSIA legislation. My name is Kelly. I'm a mom that brings her children to work for inspiration... as well as giggles. In December 2007, I was able to live the dream of opening my own children's boutique. It's called Childhood and we are located in a well established boutique center in Scottsdale, Az called The Borgata. I am a business owner as well as a children's clothing designer. My boutique carries some manufactured items, but many of the things in my store are my creations as well as the work of stay at home moms all over the country. Childhood prides itself in giving these moms a place to showcase their goods. The CPSIA legislation is requiring manufacturers of children's goods to submit to 3rd party lead testing. I am all for child saftey, but I see two problems with this law. For one... why do we need to test products that don't naturally have lead in them... such as cotton? Secondly, our suppliers test their products for saftey and are happy to provide the lead free results. Why do I need to pay for further testing once I've sewn a dress? I don't add lead to it after the fact... In addition, 3rd party testing destroys the piece being tested. This will esentially do away with one of a kind items. How boring of a world will it be when my children will be wearing the same standard tees and jeans as all other children... rather than the fabulous peasant dress made from vintage fabic I can buy on ETSY.com?
This law not only affects crafters, but manufacturers large and small. It affects publishers of children's books, libraries, schools, thrift stores that carry children's items... I could go on and on. We are supposed to be repairing our economy... not causing further job loss. President Obama said in his speech, "the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom." Help us take action and fight for the proper exemptions or guidelines that will keep our children safe and our risk takers, doers, and makers of things in business. Thanks for your time. Kelly
