Shut down or not to shut down

[Former_Member]

I don't know what to do about this new law with the kids toys. I make bows, kids shouldn't be eating them anyways=) Even though my daughter puts hers in her mouth=) I just got my business up and going and then I hear this. I just had one of my beanies on the front of a magazine and now I will have to close my store. I am trying to decide if I should say screw them and keep it open. Urgh what to do????

[Former_Member]

Start making things for adults? Maybe?

[Former_Member]

well, it's your choice, but I think we will be seeing a lot of sellers staying open

[Former_Member]

Don't act too fast. There may be exemptions for small work at home businesses.

[Former_Member]

I feel the same way you do. although, I don't really understand that law and how it will affect me. I get too frustrated and confused when I try and research it!

[BeadFloraStudio]

Don't close!

[Former_Member]

I'll tell you - I've bounced all over the place with this. One minute I think, f*&^ it, I'm going to close. Then a few minutes later, I'm thinking f*&^% them, I'm staying open! I am hanging on for now, to see what happens. I think there will be developments shortly, and I am going to wait and see what they are.

[BeneathTheRowanTree]

I sau hang in there~ but keep in mind, it isn't just toys or things kids could eat ;) It is anything intended for children under 12, which makes it pretty sweeping.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for your advice, do you think that they could change the law to that where I get my product to make they have to prove and I don't because that would be retesting the same items a ton of times right?

[Former_Member]

Stand up for what you believe in & be counted. Voice your concern to those that need to hear your plight. Phone, email your gov't reps in protest. Small businesses must be heard.Don't let this law stop you...yet. There are still many days for changes to happen.

[Former_Member]

i agree with littlepinkposies one minute im freaking out the next im like whatever. I have worked to damn hard to stop! I have heard not a thing about bows and such. Most little girls wear them but I think they are putting us in the clothing catagory. Oh who am I trying to kid I have no idea what is happening and its freaking me out a little.

[Former_Member]

Every time I see someone shutting down a business that they love for any reason I want to say Noooo! Don't do it! Stay open and make it work!

But that's really something each businessperson has to decide for themselves.

In your case, I would check with my suppliers and see if they have any safety certifications and I'd make dang sure that my bows were lead free etc. I might even send off a couple and have them tested.

Then I'd wait and let the dust settle on all this, watch for clarification of the rules, do your best... and keep selling in the meantime.

[Former_Member]

There is very good reason to believe this law will be changed to make exceptions for small businesses and handmade goods. I have absolutely NO intention of quitting anything I'm doing until I get a letter insisting I do so from the US Attorney's offices. Until then, it's business as usual while I pester the living hell out of my elected officials to get this ridiculously unclear law clarified and exceptions made. I believe it will happen.

[Former_Member]

I hope so! I know that Tot Trends Weekly had a thing about it in there magazine this month and was urging people to write to the senators so hopefully people will start opeing there eyes to this and help us all out

[Former_Member]

Don't throw in the towel just yet, there is still alot of work to be done before we see any sort of firm policies in place. Exceptions will be made, component testing is being discussed . . . do your research and make sure that your products are in fact safe, of course.

[Former_Member]

fight the power!

:)

most likely, i will limit myself to only kids socks and stockings... but i'm not throwing in the towel.

as a wise man once said:

baby, it ain't over... till it's over!

[Former_Member]

Well put piddies!We just have to keep doing what we believe in-shutting down or staying open and fighting and annoying them into submission waaahaaahaaa

[Former_Member]

All I really need to test would be ribbon and cotton mainly, I guess all the flowers too. How would I go about finding out if the products I buy are lead free, they don't say lead free on ribbon or flowers =(

[Former_Member]

is etsy doing anything themselves has any one heard?

[Former_Member]

List them doll bows or something :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks, mom2twogals. I will fight until the last dying breath for this. Like many here, I can't afford to quit. I'm supporting my family and am lucky enough to actually have a *growing* business in a crappy economy. No way am I walking away from that and all my hard work until someone forces me to.

I've said it before, but I really don't think there is a US Attorney out there who wants to be the person to put a stay-at-home mother who is supporting her family with perfectly harmless slippers on a public chopping block over a law intended to protect children from harmful toys manufactured large-scale in other countries. If they do, COME AND GET ME.

[TheHayPatch]

I'm waiting it out. No plans of closing for now.

[JeweledAmbrosia]

don't close or get rid of inventory, things will settle and it will be clarified soon

[Former_Member]

Although I'm a tiny fish in the pond and probably would never get caught, I decided to stop selling baby items. In addition to the upcoming lead testing requirement, there are also <a href="http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-and-tracking-label-requirements/">new tracking label requirements</a> ridiculous to comply with when you only make one item at a time, and then clothing may be subject to the Flammable Fabrics Act, and textile ink is probably subject to the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and <a href="http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/new-product-safety-regulations-that-affect-all-manufacturer... everybody needs to certify</a> that each of their products complies with all of these safety regulations. It's just too much overhead for somebody handling the tiny volumes I do. They won. :(

[birdylegs]

But wouldn't doll bows also be for kids?

I'm not adding to my shop until something changes. Which means I'm not promoting, not working on a business plan, not designing anything, not counting on having any extra income. I was just getting my feet wet on etsy, trying to learn a little before jumping fully into this whole thing. And now this. As someone else said in another post, they are taking away my creative outlet--the thing that keeps me sane as a stay at home mom.