Small items

[Former_Member]

So I have never even heard of CPSIA before tonight and it looks like I have TONS of reading ahead of me, but one question that popped in my head is what do you do if the item is to small for a big label with tons of info? I am just not seeing how I can fit all of that onto my bow ties, I am guessing the answer will show up in my fun reading awaiting me, but thought I would ask in case someone has a quick answer :)

[Former_Member]

Ok I have been reading and reading all night I think I am more confused then I was to start so I am off to bed hopefully I can make more since of this tomorrow!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

HAHAHA Crystal, I know just what you mean. For a real dip into insanity, try reading the draft of the original law. All 64 pages of it written in 2008. As written all dyed thread, yarn and fabric were forbidden! Manufacturers had to prove to the legislature that children would not die if they wore colored fabrics, nor that a needle going thru fabric did not leave a deadly amount of lead behind. Now that was a FUN TIME!

Ask your questions, no matter how silly you may think they are, we've heard them before, or had them ourselves.

[Former_Member]

Ok I have done a little more reading, so here are the questions I still have
1. What do you do if an item is to small for a tag (like a clip on bow tie). Or if the item isnt all fabric ( I am thinking about my birthday hats they are with card stock.
2. Is there a list of items that dont need the tags or items that don't need tested? I found a list on one link where some of my items are (ties, suspenders ect) but I think that was just for the tag of wash care.
3. How do you keep track of all this, I understand they want you to be able to look at an item you made and know when you made it and what with but what all does that include? The thread, buttons, elastic, everything or just the main parts, fabric and clasps or slides?
4. Where is the list of things that dont have to be tested I have seen it mentioned before but couldn't find the list.
5. If a supplier says a supply CPSIA compliant then is that good or do I need to get some kind of documentation? And if another one doest know ( I still need to ask a supplier about the metal slides I use in suspenders) then what do I need to do?

Lots of questions, any help will be appreciated!!

[Former_Member]

Ok I read someones blog post and that helped a ton! Here are the questions I still have
1. If the item isnt all fabric, I am thinking about my birthday hats they are with card stock where would I put it? glue it inside? I understand I dont have to get it all tested at least the natural ones, what about feather trim, its feathers but they have been dyed, and would I just contact the supply (joann fabric) about if its already tested?
2. How do you keep track of all this, I understand they want you to be able to look at an item you made and know when you made it and what with but what all does that include? The thread, buttons, elastic, everything or just the main parts, fabric and clasps or slides?
5. If a supplier says a supply CPSIA compliant then is that good or do I need to get some kind of documentation? And if another one doest know ( I still need to ask a supplier about the metal slides I use in suspenders) then what do I need to do?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

1. Right, glue it inside would work. Cardstock is paper, so no worries about testing. You can ask about testing of the dye on the feathers, but joann's doesn't have to test. Modern dye methods don't contain lead, and your hat is not a toy, and is used for photo shoots or a short period of time while picture taking at a party. I"d not really worry about it. Try taking a sample of the feathers and wet them, does the dye come off when you rub it? If not it's not going to come off if the baby sticks it into it's mouth. I'd be more worried about the dye in the frosting.

2. I keep my receipts, and when I get home I go thru my purchases and write on the receipt what it was (red baby wale cord, lavender mini floral, black buttons for marley dress, etc) I also make a copy of my listing and attach snips of fabric, how much it cost to make, button cards, etc, thread color numbers, and any notes . This goes into a clear 3 hole punched page sleeve and into a notebook. When I sell the item, I make note of who, what , when and how much,. I can make a certificate of conformity at anytime with the information on that paper, if I should need too,

5. You really need a certificate of conformity from them, How are they able to state thery are compliant if they don't know?

[Former_Member]

thanks! When you answered #1 you said they werent a toy, the labeling is for clothing too right? I guess where I am struggling wrapping my head around keeping track of what supplies for which items is, I buy 3-4 yards of lets say blue fabric, then 2-3 yards of white backing fabric, from the blue I may make 4 ties, 2 diaper covers, 3 birthday hats, and suspenders but use the white in only some of those, then I have elastic for the diaper covers, feathers for the hats, thread for all, plastic clasps and slides for ties, so would all items made from that 3-4 yards of blue be in one batch or does each item need its individual identification number like each tie is 1,2,3,4 or the 4 ties are all from batch 1? Sorry if that is confusing. I guess where I get lost is I buy so much in bulk now so it seems hard to keep track of each individual item.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

1. Forget about batches. They generally don't apply to us, unless you are making large mutiplies of identical products at one time. So, you don't have to come up with a batch numbering system. Eg. let's say you get an order for or decide to make 50 ties in the IDENTICAL FABRIC., you have enough plastic slides and clasps for 25 of those ties. You need to order another package of slides for the other 25. You see that the coding on the package of the 2nd bag of slides is different from the original, or you had to order a different style /different manufactuer. Call the first 25 ties blue dot group A and the 2nd 25 group B. After you sell them, suddenly customers start notifiying you that the slides on group B are breaking. Instead of contaccting all your customers to recall all the ties sold, you should only have to notify those with the B designation. You should contact the vendor who sold you the slides, giving them any coding information on the packaging. You would also contact Saferproducts.gov and tell them about your recall.

Actually 3-4 yards of fabric isn't bulk, try bolts of fabric.

[Former_Member]

no the 3-4 yards isnt my bulk but my slides and clips I buy 1000 or more at a time. But that makes since. Thanks for the help.