Well, here it is! August 14.

[bobbinalong]

I feel a lot like Cinderella this morning. The mice have put the coach away. The music is just faintly playing in my mind. I am standing in my ballgown. Happier times are history.

I still haven't figured out how to include a label onto my booties. So I won't make any more. The baby yarn is sitting in a little pile, a remembrance of exciting times thinking about a baby wearing them. And the story of why I made them fading away.

Won't make any more tooth fairy pillows. No more joy just thinking about a visit from the Fairy. I had a convo yesterday from one of my customers who had purchased a boy ragdoll from me awhile ago, telling me how much her son loves the "little boy", still. All of my ragdolls had little dresses, or shirts and pants, underwear, yarn hair, big happy smiles (I called them my Happy Kids). They had hand embroidery on their felt shoes. Their clothes had crochet items on them. The dresses and shirts had snaps so kids could learn to use their little fingers.

So today is Reality Day. A new day. Still have my shop - for adults. Still have my talents and abilities. Still have my dreams. And I think of so many of you sellers of kids' items who, like me, can't afford the testing and have either closed shop or pulled your kids' items.

A lesson for all you young mothers out there. Get involved in your kids' lives. Know who you voted into office to run the government they live under. Know the contents of what you purchase for them. Be able to make their little world full of joy and magic and fun. And think about how one law, rushed through Congress - with good intentions, is having an impact on your child's life.

[Former_Member]

Very well-crafted posting, bobbin.

[Former_Member]

Hi Bobbin!!! Don't be so sad on this beautiful day, I know how you feel because our other shop mickandmack.etsy.com is ENTIRELY kids items. CPSIA has presented some, um, should I call them challenges? Huge roadblocks? The good news for us has been that they've exempted lots of fibers and fabric from testing so you might be OK! You may still have to cover the labeling issue but that's definitely figure out-able! I think we Etsy folks need to stick together to figure out how labeling should happen. I'm happy to give ideas on labeling small things because I have been thinking about it A LOT!. Your stuff is so cute, it would be such a shame not to make it anymore :(

[Former_Member]

I'm still going to make the same items. I will just include a label on everything.

[dottiesdream]

I am sorry you are so down today Bobbin. Have you read the information on the CPSIA web sight(I'm sure you have)? I find the FAQ section to be most helpful. Labeling is not required for socks so your booties should be okay. Do some more research, I am sure there is a way. Don't give up.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Bobbin, just put the info on a card, and attach it with a ribbon to your botties when you send them out.

[azek2000]

I agree with annamackhardison. It is going to be tough- but I am going to try my best to keep childrens items in my shop. My problem is with suppliers of my buttons taking their sweet time letting me know if the buttons passed the lead test!!! Most my childrens items are made with yarn (crocheted). I use button closures, but from now on will either use wood buttons, or just crochet a button.

[Former_Member]

can any one please convo me and tell me when we are suppose to stop selling kids stuff that isn't taged? all this stuff is so confussing? thanks

[LindaLMartinArtist]

One wonders how anyone grew up to be an adult with out all these stiffling oppressive regulations. Is it still legal to give away what you make if you decide not to sell it because its just not cost effective? Forgive me for feeling bobbinalongs pain maybe a little too much. I crochet things and was thinking of putting some up on one of my store fronts in in etsy. Bobbinalong your little dolls sound so wonderful. =0)

Im an artist and kids sometimes collect my ACEOs. I dont actually market to children, I market to collectors. Im glad you guys are discussing this. Im off to investigate it more.

[SewFunDollClothes]

So very well written bobbinalong! It's pretty depressing to think our elected officials passed this law that implies we are villains for making cherished treasures for kids. But like the others have said, since fabric and some other supplies are exempt from testing, I'm attaching tags in the items where they'll fit, and will attaching tags to the packaging if they don't fit the item.

[Former_Member]

bobbin, sorry you seem down today. But, tomorrow is a new day! And I - as so many of us - am not giving up. I've got my labels and am doing my best to comply.

Love your last paragraph. Democracy, just as parenting, is hard work. Fighting the monstrous mess of the CPSIA, and it's reawakened interest in me, and I am grateful to everyone I've interacted with in these forums for how much I've learned.

[TheWrapScrapPony]

I'm not as hopeless as I used to be. They really are trying to make it do-able for us small businesses crafting out of our homes. I'm still hopeful that come February the law will be fixed to allow supplier testing. It already seems that with all the exempt materials that they are leaning toward component testing.

I've got my labels and will attach my first one today. It's really not that big a deal now that we don't have to do batch #'s.

[Former_Member]

What do we have to include on the labels? I'm so under-eduated on this.

[Former_Member]

bobbin.....You have talent you have adult friends. Your life is full family friends wonderful.

[Former_Member]

Bwahahaha. *Under-educated*

[bobbinalong]

I am not "down", nor out. Just disappointed, and a little disgusted. Disgusted that we are finding ourselves in this place, dancing through these labeling hoops, and jumping over compliance walls.

My whole path through life has dealt with kids. Four of my own, grandkids, kids at sunday school, kids at schools where I have volunteered and where my kids attended. Always trying to make them happy, encouraging them to do better, to enjoy learning, to put some magic into their worlds. Making millions of Barbie clothes to sell and for neighborhood girls and relatives. Making upteen Halloween costumes. Making high school mascot suits. It goes on and on. And now, at 71, the government has decided that my ragdolls and tooth fairy pillows are too dangerous to sell without testing, or labeling, or spending hours contacting supply companies. All because of something that happened a half world away. No, I guess I am mad!

[Former_Member]

I am just beginning to start to figure all of this out...it is very scary as a new small company devoted specifically to children! On a positive note, many small things such as booties (could it be considered a sock?)may not need a label.

http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/?p=449

Not sure if this helps; I'm still learning about all this.

[Former_Member]

bobbinalong says:
I am not "down", nor out. Just disappointed, and a little disgusted. Disgusted that we are finding ourselves in this place, dancing through these labeling hoops, and jumping over compliance walls.

My whole path through life has dealt with kids. Four of my own, grandkids, kids at sunday school, kids at schools where I have volunteered and where my kids attended. Always trying to make them happy, encouraging them to do better, to enjoy learning, to put some magic into their worlds. Making millions of Barbie clothes to sell and for neighborhood girls and relatives. Making upteen Halloween costumes. Making high school mascot suits. It goes on and on. And now, at 71, the government has decided that my ragdolls and tooth fairy pillows are too dangerous to sell without testing, or labeling, or spending hours contacting supply companies. All because of something that happened a half world away. No, I guess I am mad!
___________
Another example of the Law of Unintended Consequences.

[Former_Member]

I know a lot of you say "don't quit"..but I did! and I am HAPPY! It is so nice not to worry about all the hoops, testing, labeling, regulations, etc. I could do it...but it would slow me down. It wears your brain out. I finally asked myself why? why fight it?

I've moved on and am creating new lines. I'm slowly posting the new items to see how they go. It is so NICE not to think of CPSIA anymore! It really is like a breath of fresh air.

I'll keep making things for my kids. They'll still enjoy all those handmade toys and clothes.

Frankly, the government can kiss my patootie. I am one unhappy camper with all the stuff they are pulling.

I'm going to go and try to find a van now. We've shopped in two states, and the internet with no luck finding a used one. They're all "clunkers" and we can't find one left for sale.

[BellaBlueKnits]

I am very sad too. My great love is to knit for babies and children. I have taken everything out of my shop for little ones and have just a few adult items. I didn't make enough sales to be able to afford permanent labels and I just don't have the energy to continue. Why does life have to be so hard for the "little guy"?

[Former_Member]

Am I correct in my understanding....
1. Newly created children's items must be labeled as of today, August 14, 2009.
2. Actual testing by third party labs is not required until February 10th, 2010.

I already "tag" my items. My tags include my the name of my business, my city and state, and my phone number. I read that crafters don't have to include batch, run, or lot numbers. That is a relief!

The only thing that I am lacking on my tag (label) is a date. I intend to use an old fashioned stamp for that. It will be time consuming to stamp each of my items, but I can do that until the bigger issue (testing) is resolved.

If my understanding of this is incorrect, someone please let me know!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

actually, sidewalk, you sell paint....That doesn't fall under the stay, I don't believe. I think you have to have it tested. Lead in paint, regardless, was to be tested I think last Nov.

[Former_Member]

Wow! I had no idea. I didn't even know about all any of this last November. I guess I better contact a lab ASAP.

Faye...You obviously know a lot more than I do. Do you know if I can have only my paint tested, or do I have to test the containers (food grade) as well?

My paint is actually made from food products...I know it's safe, but I also know that it will still have to be tested.

What category would that fall under? If you have any suggestions for me to start NEW research, please let me know.

Do you think I'll have to do testing for paint AND CPSIA as well....I've been trying to figure out how I can afford one type of testing. Ouch!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

lead in paint is part of CPSIA. Dont' worry about your containers, well maybe not, if they are food grade, Sigh! If you haven't done any research, I suggest you go to the forum post "everything you need to know about CPSIA" Grab a bottle of aspirin, a good stiff drink, and send the kids out of the room, when you start screaming!@! HAHA.

[Former_Member]

Bobbin - I think our elected officials forget who they work for! I recall reading something about socks and not having to label them - do your booties fall into that catagory?