What are your plans?

[Former_Member]

I have been reading all of the links and posts on the new laws in effect for business that market products for children 12 and under...the CPSIA. My business consists of making blankets for infants/children as well as a few other items. I understand this to mean that not only will I have to test/label my products for that age group (which is costly) but I should be labeling all of my products. I cannot afford this and I am fearful that I am going to have to close my newly opened business.

I am just curious how you are all planning to deal with this issue. Do you plan to continue with your business and label/test your products? Do you fear you will have to close your shop? Will you change the product line you sell? I don't mean anything wrong, I am just curious what your plans would be if this law goes through. Unfortunatly and sadly for me, I will probably have to close my shop.

Thanks and best of luck to you.
Tammy

[Former_Member]

I really don't have a plan. :) Right now I'm gonna keep selling and wait and see what happens next. Hopefully this will turn into a law like the one in my hometown that says you can't wash a pig on the street or you'll get a ticket. :D

[Former_Member]

For the time being, I am working toward being compliant with existing laws. In the future, though, I plan to change the kinds of things that I make as well as try to train to work in a different field...just in case.

[Former_Member]

I'm working on a different line..toying between two things actually. I just can't decide which I'd like to do on a long term basis. I firmly believe in doing what you love, and I what I love is to create baby items.

This is very hard.

[Former_Member]

I'm with you, MyMotherMary (love the avatar!). While I could certainly shift gears and sew home dec or other items (which I'm pondering doing anyway), I love making baby items as well. I will comply to the best of my ability with the laws, continue to try to build my business in this tough economic time, and keep fighting the law.

... I feel like a Who, actually (We are here We are here We are here)... Maybe someone will hear us.

[Former_Member]

I'm watching closely and working for change, but planning to close.
I barely make any money as it is. The only reason I continue is that I love doing this. But if I have to spend more time on labeling and keeping up with day to day whims of the lawmakers than on sewing, this isn't worth it to me anymore. I'll go back to making stuff for my own kids and friends.

[Former_Member]

i closed my baby shop months ago, at first hearing of the new law...while i might not agree with it, i am law abiding...i don't plan to re-open until/unless the law gets repealed or things get straightened out

[Former_Member]

I do not plan to sell my childrens jewelry or continue to design for kids. as I do not want to have to do private testing.

[Former_Member]

I'm still fairly new at this and have been making different things, so I will probably not make any things for children. I have made some stuffed frogs for teens and adults that are weighted with rice...older children would like them, but I am just going to market them to teens and adults, but from what I have heard, I might still get in trouble because the frogs COULD possibly be given to children??

[Former_Member]

I have hop that someone will hear us and change this law so that it is fair to everyone. I guess for me it will be the end of a 20 year career in making rocking horses. Testing will be too great of cost. I am looking into going to Canada with some of the remaining horses and chairs. I dont know what I will do. But, for now i am keeping the gloves on and am still fighting.

[Former_Member]

I'm fighting like heck to get the law changed... however if it doesn't change, there's no way that I can comply with the testing and not go bankrupt (not just my business, but my family.)

Don't just hope for change... work towards it!

[enfantjoli]

I know this is a serious issue but I just want to thank mjboutique for giving me a chuckle today.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I wish it was as funny as washing a pig in the street!

But I have little hope for it being resolved. When you have congress people not reading any bills, 20 somethings and eco freaks writing the bills, and Reid hiring a speed reader to read a spening budget that is 900 f&*^king pages long that no one has read, and now Pravda telling us we are doomed, and we now own 60% of GM, and Italy owns Chrysler. Who the heck is in charge. The Muslims have said the way to destroy America is to destroy their economy. Hmmmmmm..... We are well on the way. Not being able to label our product seems to be a small thing in the great plan of destruction.

[SimmonsCreek]

You are right JuliesWoolies. If your frogs will 'appeal' to a child under 12 you have to test. The way I understand it is that just marketing them to teens and adults won't work. Disclaimers won't work either. What the heck are they thinking? I will be closing my charity by August.

Lora

[Former_Member]

Hi RMDCreations, We have done craft shows together and you do great work, I amglad to hear your keeping your gloves on. I too am going to keep going and see what happens. I haven't listed any children's items on here in awhile but I am taking them to craft shows. I do hope all this gets resolved and we can all keep creating. Have a good day everyone.
Dazzy

[chocolaterabbit]

I make dollhouse miniatures (only in my Etsy shop I have childrens books for sale now) using Premo. I contacted Polyform and found out that their new clay formulation is pthalate and lead free and is appropriately labeled under the new laws. Just a FYI for those who use this particular brand of clay. On my website - where I do sell my miniatures - I specify that they are only for adult collectibles.

[SimmonsCreek]

chocolaterabbit,
I didn't think that was enough. Just having the paperwork from the company. I know that it is sufficient for now, with the stay still in effect, but come Feb 2010 testing will be required. I also thought that just saying they are adult collectibles is not enough either. Because of the wording of the law. I would think that your miniatures would 'appeal' to 12 and under. Not trying to start anything, just asking.

[bobbinalong]

I have been trying to switch the items I make. What is selling? The kids items I have in my shop. I think when you put your heart into an item, it shows. But I can't afford the testing. I don't feel the labeling is going to work on knit items. So therefore, . . .

Handmade and company manufactured items should never have been included in the same category. I think they are two different things. Should have their own "rules" but when they talk about the labeling, it is geared to companies making lots and lots of items. Companies have employees, companies buy in bulk, companies have days off, companies pay their employees. A lot different than an old Granny sitting in her rocking chair knitting booties. Having a blast, I might add!

[chocolaterabbit]

Simmons - no worries, I thought that as well. I think it is important to get in touch with legislators to inform them of this issue - I've been in touch with our Senator and will continue to bug him. The only way that they are going to be made aware of this issue is to tell them..in force! Yes bobbinalong...I'm just a SAHM sitting in my workshop while the kids are in school LOL!

[Former_Member]

This is all so discouraging. I am trying to re-think what it is I want my business to be. I love making child size rag quilts. I guess I will continue those until August and hope that the law is changed. Otherwise, I may try to figure out how to do these label things and make adult and college kid items. I just don't know what to do really.

[KnittingCrab]

I'm moving to Mars...
Actually, I've already started to change my shop around, making things for adults, and taking out my blankets, they are on their way to the local Humane Society for the dogs.
I'd love to sell my baby dresses this month...whatever is left, I suppose I will save for the future when I hopefully will have some Grand Daughters. My passion is being taken from me in what I love to make, but I am not much of a fighter. Sorry guys.:(

[Former_Member]

I guess I'll have to saygood bye to my rocking horse.. but will continue to do the stools and srtwork.. and label stools as decorative only...That would stink.. I love that horse!

[Former_Member]

I'm kind of ignoring it for now :| I'm not using buttons or zippers etc, so I think I'm okay. I was so caught up in it that I was getting my family upset too, so I stopped coming in here.

But now the year is rolling by and I guess I have to get back on it. I feel really bad for toy sellers. They are going to be the hardest hit if they don't come to some sort of resolution.

I went to my local thrift store and it was still the same, toy's and all.

[Former_Member]

I will not be able to afford testing either.
This crafting is a life long dream of mine. It isn' lasting very long!
I would love to keep making bows but it seems I won't be able to come August. :(

[TheWrapScrapPony]

If the law doesn't get changed to allow suppliers certs of testing rather than 3rd party, then I will just switch to all allowed materials. I'll have to change my design to remove the zipper pocket, snap hood, and waist buckle, but that's ok if it keeps me in business.

I'm waiting on the labeling thing, because I don't want to go all crazy finding labels and then have them move the date back. I'll be taking a babymoon from Nov- Jan, so I'll probably rework things during that time if need be.