XRF testing results

[#1]

So I sent a sampling of my supplies to be XRF tested by a professional in Michigan
(yay for other etsy sellers helping me with this)

I tested fabrics from Michael Miller, Westminster, Alexander Henry, Robert Kaufman, Windham Fabrics, Premier Prints, a Japanese import, and some vintage prints. Along with some buttons (La Mode and some vintage ones that I have) and Stretchrite Elastic...

All came back fine.

0.00 +- 0.02 levels on everything (so aok!)

(needs to be below .6 now and .3 in August)

Interesting experience.

[bobbinalong]

I understand that there are some shopowners who feel that testing is important enough that they will do it. Sorry, I am not one of them. It makes no sense to me whatsoever. And I will tell you why I feel that way.

I raised four kids, I have three grandkids, two of which are just about grown. Over all those many, many years, over all those years in my life of sewing (I'm 71), I made their clothes, from birth to present, as well as my husband's and mine. I made gifts since I was a kid. I made curtains for the Sunday School rooms in our large church. I made and sold Barbie and other doll clothes. I have made bridesmaid dresses (never the bride! hehe!). These are just some of the things I have made and either used or sold. I am now selling on Etsy.

Never in all of those years have I had a problem with the fabric, the zippers, the buttons (vintage doesn't count - I'm still wearing those!! hehe). Think about this. If fabric is so dangerous, why doesn't the fabric store have a big sign on the front window saying "Danger - No Kids Allowed". Or why do you take your child along with you to Michael's. Why wouldn't Grandmas and Grandpas not be allowed to hug a kid because they have vintage buttons on their shirts and dresses, not to mention the fabrics. Why wouldn't a Mom's cold hand in her handmade mittens be diallowed for holding her child. You could raise red flags everywhere. Just walking down the street with your child.

Common sense has gone out the window!!! While you all think testing is "easy", there are some people who are selling on here because THEY need the money, not to meet a testing facility's payroll. Some have a difficult time just getting to the post office. Some are stay at home moms with little kids, older people, disabled artisans, military wives, or just everyday working people trying to meet a mortgage payment. While that amount you spent on testing seemed small to you, to some of us it seems large. You didn't count your time. If you are dependent on the income you make from handmade, $14 adds up. Not to mention finding a facility, preparing the stuff, mailing the stuff. I am in no way believing that we are using harmful products, especially vintage buttons. Vintage buttons have always been in your world. You just didn't stop to think about it.

I watched President Obama talking to Jay Leno last night, and discussing the economy. He said there are some laws that will need to be changed. Well, folks, I know of another!! So, instead of sending stuff to testing facilities and making the government proud, why don't we write to President Obama and introduce him to the CPSIA and how it is affecting people. I don't want a handout, nor to you. We just want the right to be able to create, to sell without jumping through all of the many hoops. The CPSC will add other things. Just give them time. For the cost of a stamp, we need to get our point across to the right person.

[Former_Member]

bobbinalong, do what ever you feel directed to do.

You are welcome to work however you want.

That said, I wouldn't assume just because a business did some XRF testing that they haven't petitioned their representatives on this issue.

I felt better doing a random sampling of my supplies, especially my vintage wears, so I knew they were safe, at the cost of $15, I'm hardly breaking the bank, at the same time I have written all of my representatives and sent numerous emails to other officals. You are making a grand leap to assume that those who test haven't done any foot work to change the scope of the CPSIA.

[Former_Member]

bobbinalong (love your new avatar), while I agree with your sentiment, I don't share your optimism in the current administration's ability to change this. The Chief of Staff was one of the co-sponsors of the CPSIA while in Congress and the President himself has promised "lead free toys." Also, he cannot change the law, only Congress can.

While we all understand and agree with your reasoning, particularly with respect to fabrics, buttons, etc. being in the world, we all must do what we feel is right for our own businesses and families. Despite the fact that I was already sure that my materials were safe, I tested ("trust, but verify."). As one of those (retired) military wives, trying to make a mortgage payment each month, the cost of my testing was indeed felt. But so was my own peace of mind.

[annemusingdesigns]

What I find encouraging about this OP is that she did not spend as much for testing per item. I would be interested to hear from others who have tested as to what their costs and opinions were.

Also, please let us know who you used. It shouldn't be a secret.

Those that have decided to test, may have spent money, but it may be a good investment, as when everyone else rushing to get it done, they are finished. And, we all know with the increasing demands on something, so goes the price -up.

This was a pro-active step to help her business! Rather than all the people who are running scared. Or those who are shutting down as there is 'nothing' they can do.

We must be proactive in writing our government officials as well.

[bobbinalong]

I absolutely, positively think we have a chance for change with regard to the CPSIA law. We have a very strong President who knows the laws, who can see the big picture, and who knows the right people to get the bad laws changed. In the months he has been in office, look at what he has faced and will continue to face. He is not afraid to take on a challenge.

Weigh that against losing handmade, giving to charities, not being able to create kids' items, always living in fear that we are doing something wrong, or that the CPSC will add another hoop for us to jump through. The part that worries me the most is how the CPSC can change the regulations of this law as they wish. That's not right. The law was written vaguely to give them wiggle room.

While we all agree on "lead free toys", where does it end? Somewhere in the CPSIA, I saw the schedule for testing. Every three months or so they will go after another product, just as they have the bikes, etc. It is a schedule. So, while today, we are aware of certain items to look for, what is to say that tomorrow it will be something else. That just isn't right. It needs to be fixed. At 71, I am getting too old to wait around. The time is now. I will continue to fight this thing. No testing for me. If they make it mandatory, then no kids' things from me.

Thank you for mentioning my avatar. Can you imagine how I am going to include a label on that pair of booties. I could see the packaging but not the item. They are made from acrylic yarn. I could see the packaging but not the item. No common sense in this law.

[bobbinalong]

I feel that as we go down the road of testing, there will be labs and methods of testing that will surface that cannot be trusted. It is just like with the certificates. How do we know they are honest.

[annemusingdesigns]

I understand question of trust. That issue arises in all aspects of life. It is the 2% bad that spoil it for rest. I have heard this all my life.

Faith in fellow man. There are more nice, honest people out there than unscrupulous ones. We rarely hear of the people we can trust - only the people who have deceived.

[bobbinalong]

I think the sellers of kids' items on Etsy are people we can trust. If you are a parent or grandparent, or have a family with kids, be they nieces or nephews, or even neighbor kids, you do your best to make their world a safe and happy place in which to grow up. You purchase things you feel are safe. You can go into a big box store today and purchase something for a kid. There are no guarantees of its safety. But I think we really try to be safe in our creating.

But the part that concerns me the most is that we are depriving kids of original and unique items if we limit the handmade market. We can all go out and purchase an electronic game but so many of the Etsy items are one-of-a-kind. Do we really want to rob kids of that fun?!!

[annemusingdesigns]

I hear you bobbinalong! I agree.

You have the spunk my Grandmother did! Of course, I am a grandma also, at 55.

[bobbinalong]

As a fellow grandmother (55!! really?) you have been around long enough to see all sorts of good times and bad times. We have seen good laws, we have seen bad ones. We have seen items created that were amazing, some not so much. But - - - we had the American right to create and to sell. That all we want.

[annemusingdesigns]

Yes, we had.

[GoTo]

superflykidz says:
GoTo - the paypal fees are 3.5% - that's what paypal charges for the transaction.

~~~Thanks superfly. I guess I'm curious as to why that was added on--you aren't allowed to charge someone a different rate for taking their payment through Paypal (it's in the TOS).



bobbinalong says:
I think the sellers of kids' items on Etsy are people we can trust...

~~~There have already been official CPSC recalls involving Etsy items, so perhaps this trust is mislaid.

[bobbinalong]

GoTo, what products are you referring to? The ones with the swarz. crystals?

[Former_Member]

I hope it is OK that I am switching gears here. I had more questions about lead testing.

Ivyandmae mentioned sending sample pieces to a lab to be tested. Is this considered filling the 3rd party testing that is/will be required? Or will we have to send our finished pieces to a lab where they will grind off a piece in order to test it? I'm trying to envision how that will be practical with quilts...

[GoTo]

bobbinalong says:
GoTo, what products are you referring to? The ones with the swarz. crystals?

~~~Yes--the pacifiers that were recalled because the crystals posed an ingestion hazard. (There wasn't mention of lead in the recall, though that may have been reason enough to recall them considering their lead content...)

[Former_Member]

My understanding of CPSIA was that component testing was not allowed, that it had to be finished product that was tested?

[Former_Member]

unit testing was going to suffice till August as I understand it, to show a "reasonable testing program"

after August more strict terms were going to be in place, which is where the componet testing seems to play a role.

Now that there had been a stay of enforcement it will be interesting to see where everything leads.

Cotton fabrics I think are ok, I believe. I've lost all of my links so I'd have to research everything again.

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

I believe there is a one year reprieve on testing, until Feb. 2010. However, in August labeling becomes an issue. I believe the commission is working on setting up the labeling guidelines. So I would wait before working on label design.

[RachelRose]

marking

[rakubuttons]

I found an article this evening about how they test. Interesting. About half way down the page they start telling that part.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102185546&ft=1&f=1003

[maybeads]

marking

[Former_Member]

Marking

[Former_Member]

Great information - thanks so much for sharing it with us!