Former_Member
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Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Hey there everyone,

I recently made a hippo pinata for my little cousins birthday party, I was informed that it had to be a "pull string" pinata... I had no idea those even existed, I always though you had to beat the crap out of a pinata in order to get the sugary goodness inside, not pull a silly string.

So, armed with this crazy new info I made the pinata and it came out absolutely awesome. I just loved making it, and I was thinking, if I were to make/sell these on Etsy what are the CPSIA rules?? I can't seem to find anything online about the rules of "pull string" vs "traditional" pinatas. Also I'm assuming the materials I use have to be non toxic since the CPSIA is assuming that children might eat the pinatas instead of the delicious candy inside.

I have never made anything (to sell) for children, so I am pretty unfamiliar with the CPSIA rules and regulations. So ANY info at all about this would be soo helpful.

I really want to do my homework on this before I open up a pinata shop. The last thing I want is to ruin some kids party with a crazy dangerous pinata.

Thanks in advance for all of your help :)

<3 Rachel
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

I've never heard of a pull-string pinata; but if it's awesome, then make it!

I can't imagine there would be "rules" about making one. I have one sitting in the basement right now that my SIL purchased for my nephew. It's just paper-mache and tissue paper.

Good luck!
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Anyone have any suggestions at all??
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Thanks a bunch BannerArts!!! I appreciate the input :D
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Just curious... why did it have to be pull string? Is there something dangerous about traditional pinatas?
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

See that is the thing, I have no idea why. I'm assuming it's because my aunt didn't want anyone to hit anyone/anything. But that is the fun of pinatas!!!! Also, parents should be watching when kids + sticks + pinatas are involved.

That's why I was curious if the CPSIA had any regulations.
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Ha. I completely missed, upon first glance, that this was a CPSIA topic. I was thinking..."well the rules for a pinata are you get blindfolded and try to hit it!"
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

That made me giggle BellaPrinci!! haha!
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

i love the pull string ones..... i know that my kids daycares had to have pull sgtring ones...many moons ago
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Smudgekitty
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

sassysoapsnsuch says:
i love the pull string ones..... i know that my kids daycares had to have pull sgtring ones...many moons ago

I'm guessing the temptation to club the kid who stole your chocolate chip cookie last week would be too much. I have to say, I've never even heard of a pull-string pinata.
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

I can see that a pull sting pinata would be good if you do not have enough space for the stick swinging or if the kids have to play indoors because of bad weather.
But I have no ideas about CPSIA and pinatas!
The glues should probably be water based, but isn't that the traditional way anyway?
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

trimgoddess says:
I can see that a pull sting pinata would be good if you do not have enough space for the stick swinging or if the kids have to play indoors because of bad weather.
But I have no ideas about CPSIA and pinatas!
The glues should probably be water based, but isn't that the traditional way anyway?

----------------------------------

That's a pretty good point about the pull strings, I didn't think of that.

And you are right about the water based glues, I used elmers for the tissue paper and a mixture of flour and water for the paper mache paste.
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

If you paint these you may have to make sure the paint is non toxic, no lead etc

Sounds like a great idea though if you can do em
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

I agree that this is a great idea! I think as far as CPSIA goes you are in pretty good shape because paper and paper products are exempt, but I think you will have to check on the paint and glue. I know adhesives with fabric and clothing can be a problem, but many glues that are made for children to use themselves work on paper. You might also have to check on any hanging hardware that is made of metal or plastic. Then you will have to make sure it is tested with metal or phthalates. But if you can just hang it with string (I don't know exactly how pinatas are put together) you should be ok because textile products are exempt fro testing. GOod luck. I'll look for your pinatas!
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

I can't wait to see them! We used to have them at the kid's birthday parties all the time...ah, memories!
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Pinatas are so much fun!
We have friends who always have one at their 4th of July picnic and it is the adults who seem to have the most fun with it, whacking away at the poor thing!
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

You might want to look into the cost of shipping before you start making them, if it very heavy, the shipping might make it too expensive. I sell charms and some charms I just won't restock because they look cute and little but weight a ton.
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

The diffence between the pinatas are...The pull string pinata is from Cuba & is called "Cuban Style". They changed the way it was made to make it a game for the children to dance around while each child pulls a string.
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Since the popular opinion in the USA is that pinatas are a childs party game the CPSIA would most likely apply. Is it possible to make the string pinatas out of entirely exempt materials, see here for the current list http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/leaddeterminationsfinalrule-draft.pdf . If not you may have to call a few supply manufactures to see if you can get the GCC or the test report showing the lead leads for component that are not exempt.
As for the phthalate testing I don't know if the government considers a pinata as a toy, so if you could get that information as well it would be a good way to cover your backside. Unlike many other children's items the requirement for phthalate testing on toys as a product catagory does go all the way to the upper age limit (younger than 13) in the CPSIA law.
You will also need to include on the product a tracking label that has at the minimum
* Your company, shop name, or RN#
* The city, state/territory, & country where the item was completed
* The date of manufacture or completion of the product
* If you make more than one of the identical looking items a batch / lot number may be needed as well.

See the CPSIA Tracking labels pages at
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103policy.pdf
&
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103.html#103q8


Also what nicoledebruin said about checking shipping costs maybe a factor about selling them here. With some shipping companies even if the item is light you will pay a premium if the box being shipped is over certain size or an non-standard shaped box. Some customers may not understand that large boxes even when they are light cost more to ship than a heavy package that is small. I've shipped beading supplies via USPS that weighted over 5 lbs for less than a bead sculpture tree that weighed under 1 lb packaged, because the supplies fit in a smaller box than the sculpture.
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

YOu guys are the best!! Thank you so much for all of your input and help!!! I had no idea that paper products were exempt from the CSPIA regulations. That makes me breate easier :)

Just so you guys know, I have been using paper mache paste made from flour and water. And for glue I have been using Elmers White Glue. The tissue/crepe paper is also non toxic :)

I'm so excited to share them with you :)
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

jewelrydesignsbyME - thank you so much for that link, I'm looking at it now, very very helpful!!! :D
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Whoa... totally awesome..

Although I think pulling the string is a little lame.

I want one that I can take a bat too...

Let me know if you get them done... I'd love to buy one for my boyfriend's birthday!
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

Pull strings are also nice when you have very young children. When my nephew was six we got a pinata for him and some other kids who were 4 and 3. Even after we gave them a baseball bat they still couldn't break it. ended up having to have my brother take a swing after 20 minutes so the kids could have the goodies. So, not a safety thing in my book but a sanity saver.
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

VeryVintage - This is my pinata shop account :) If you want I can convo you when I have some stock, I'm hoping to have some by August :)

JeyD - That's a really good point about little kid not being able to break them. I guess I have have to make pull string versions as well then :) Thanks!
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Former_Member
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Re: Pinatas!! What are the rules!!

What a great post! Didn't know! Love a pinata.... Can't wait to see your creation!
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