closing shop because of this law...

[#1]

So i'm not sure what to do. August was my best month ever however reading about this law, I'm thinking that i may have to close shop! I love what I make. I know yarn is exempt...but they say we still have to label. I unfortunatly have no way to attach a label to my hats! And even if i did... i could put a date on when it was made...but i can't keep track of all the different lot numbers of yarn i used for each month! That would be a TON of work for not many sales really!
WHAT DO I DO??

[Former_Member]

alorralora-

as far as i know ink jet printer ink is supposed to be lead free, so at least you've got that covered so far, lol.

Really, it seems that only people negatively affected by this reactionary law are the small home-crafters who make the one of a kind items.

really, how am i supposed to have a sample for 3rd party testing when and if that ever becomes enforceable - if they accept component certification? make two, one to be sacrificed?

let's be logical here - the justification is that having GCC's for everything makes it more likely that the finished product will pass, but not a guarantee? how is that possible? if everything single item that i use to put into my products meets the lead/phthalate standards, how is the final product not going to? does the lead magically arise from some mysterious alchemical reaction when the needle from my sewing machine enters and exits the fabric?!?!?!?!

[RuthTillmanDesigns]

Radiantstar very well put. I love how you put that.

[Former_Member]

You've got to be kidding: after all of the fighting & protest, you're closing up shop because of a label?
Q.How do you put on a label w/o it showing up on the product?
A.The same way that all other retailers put on a label:
1.) it should be a sewn on or otherwise permanently attached label-most manufacturers know that buyers will rip out the tag but that's not the point-the point is that the tag if left in place could reasonably stand up to normal wear and tear. Its just a sewn in/attached label. That's it. Call it the cost of being a retailer. When a person has chosen to sell goods to the public they become a retailer no matter any additional distinctions based upon their distribution/manufacturing model. A label is a small thing especially in comparison to the myriad regulations that were first put on the table concerning this law. Buyers prefer labels-they lend a certain cache. Sellers should prefer labels-they further establish brand identity and instruct the customer: care of article(which means less returns & happier customers for longer)identity of seller(self-explanatory),process(ie. dates etc.--underscores the professionalism of the seller and serves as a subconscious cue that then substantiates differences in price and overall desireability of item)

In terms of the bookkeeping required for lots etc. This should be done anyway as a matter of running a good business model. Different lots have different shade characteristics/etc.--as an crafter-artisan/business person don't you want to know that as a matter of course? The cyan blue that you bought six months ago may be two shades off from the cyan blue that you purchased 2 days ago--though they may come from the same supplier!

In other words it still isn't perfect(snaps/fasteners should require original manufacturer certs only w/ seller recordkeeping) but it is work-able.

While you may acknowledge that shades may differ to a buyer, being able to specifically note differences makes you as the seller seem more knowledgeable about your own practices and process.

[BeadingFindings4U]

Wow/ I knew there were laws but for wearable art or is this just for children?
=I do adult jewelry, unless I am mistaken this is just childrens or is it everythingnow, and how in the world would you label jewelry?
I hate wading thru long threads so if anyone wants to give an answer that knows, I'd appreciate it/

[BeadingFindings4U]

What about starting a new fad and put the label in plain sight just like they do on expensive designer stuff with your name on it. That would be cool.

[Former_Member]

marking

[rolanddesigns]

sell international

[Former_Member]

Radiantstar - you said that so well! Thanks!

----

CraftingontheCourt - don't close your shop! I know it's frustrating to deal with this law. Yet another thing to have to figure out and deal with. But, you can get over this hurdle though - just hand sew a label in the top of the hat on the inside.

Fellow etsy shops have provided the info you need for what goes on the label and links for helpful sites. So I won't duplicate that information. I started a thread for shops that sell labels - http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6229106 There are also tutorials and ideas for making your own here in the threads if you look for them.

Don't give up! Take a deep breath and know you can do this!

[Former_Member]

BeadingFindings4U
It is for children's items (12 and under).

[DonnaCDesigns]

ohhh nooo

[DoeDoeCrafts]

Marking this.

[PaperSmoochies]

I love your shop. Maybe you could sew in the tags?

[Former_Member]

I used to sell patterns on another site, but stopped due to all of their stipulations. When these new rules come into effect, they are such a nusence. Especially when you are usd to doing things a certain way. I think if you give it time you will adjust. Its not worth quitting if the money is good! Weigh your options.

[Former_Member]

I think your hats are adorable. and your work looks so nice. what if you just tack a label on the hat, then people can take it off or leave it?
geeze, how about taping one on? easy off. No?
I hope you stay.

[JarvisDesignStudio]

marking this

[Former_Member]

Thanks all for the info!

I think that you should stay and sew in a little label. We are so used to ripping out/off labels on all of our other stuff that it really won't bother most people.

[Former_Member]

Put the hats in a bag or something? Put the label on the bag?

[patchworkrabbit]

It says:

If a manufacturer can identify the location, date of
production, and such individualized information as the batch or run number, it can more readily isolate products that it or others may discover present a safety concern. Similarly, if a consumer can identify the manufacturer (or private labeler), location and date the
product was made, and any more specific identifying information, he can more easily determine whether a product in the home is the subject of a safety recall.


So, put your web address and a "batch number" on the label. Use the batch number to note what materials were used in the item and when it was made and to whom it was sold.

If you find materials in your product have been recalled, you look up the batch numbers and contact the customer.

If the customer is worried, they contact you with the batch number (if they haven't already unpicked the label, which is the first thing I would do).

It is impossible to "permanently" affix anything to a textile. It says you have to make reasonable effort, that's all.

[Former_Member]

I make booties and then place them in a plastic bag and lable the plastic bag, and use the no from the skein of yarn, with a 1or how ever many booties I get out of that skein of yarn, it works for me.

[Former_Member]

Not sure what this is about, I ahve handmade ringbearer pillows on my site, do i need labels? or is this just for clothing items?

[Former_Member]

monkmama says:
Not sure what this is about, I ahve handmade ringbearer pillows on my site, do i need labels? or is this just for clothing items?
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The CPSIA is for all consumer product that is commonly cosidered to be used by a child under 13 or is marketed in a way to entice the use by children under 13. IMO a pillow that is just a pillow to sleep on, since they are not used just by children, is OK to only follow the FTC regulations, but a toothfairy pillow or ring bearers pillow will need to follow both the FTC regs. and the CPSIA laws since they are used by children more than adults.

[Former_Member]

its not the label for the reason i was considering closing...its because of all the keeping track of yarns i would have to do...lott numbers and such. although some of my yarns don't even have lott numbers so i'm not sure what i would do with those ones!

i'm going to get a sample iron on label and see if that works, however its crochet yarn so it isn't flat... we will see. I would def have to raise my prices if i had to take the time to sew a label into them!'
We will see with time what comes of this!

[SimplyPieces]

Marking for later, thanks everybody

[Former_Member]

this is sad. honestly, i think one of the differences between handmade and mass produced is the actually 'handmade' feel of an item! that it came from the hands and home of an actual person, an artist. putting a professional tag on every item, to me, seems to loose the feel of 'homemade' and enters the relm of 'store bought'. a lot of us use bits and pieces of fabric, yarn, leftovers from previous projects, found items...unique things that are difficult, nay, impossible to track! sad.

[Former_Member]

It would be nice if in the future they decide that exempt items didn't have to be labeled. If it exempt it is exempt. What is there to track. But that is my opinion and will work with what is required at this time. If you sew on a label then the consumer can remove it. If you iron on a label, much harder for them to remove it without damaging the item. You may want to think about that when deciding which to type of label to use. I am one of those people that remove as many tags as I can. They are iritating.