A recent development in the CPSC's look at the new CPSIA law is bringing some relief to many!
It seems the CPSC has decided that current inventory and used products will not need to have testing done. It is, however, illegal to resell any items that have been recalled ... so if you are a reseller, please double and triple check to be sure that your items have not been recalled.
They have also decided to exempt articles that are wool, cotton, silk, gemstones and pearls. Be wary of cottons that have been treated with chemicals, though. They may not be exempt and many chemicals are not healthy for children.
Here is a link to an article on Etsy with more information - take a few minutes to read it.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-exemption-announcement-resources-action-items-3188/
This law is still very broad and affects many, many people. Remember, this law affects anyone who intends to sell products for the use of children 12 and under. Including scientific equipment, school supplies (paper clips, paper, notebooks, paint, crayons, clay, etc). So, please do not stop now. We have made a difference and will continue to do so if we continue to speak out.
Let's keep on working to let the government know that we do care about our children and our future, but they and we are all better off if there are incentives for those who do the utmost possible to prevent these things from happening by setting high personal standards and business practices, rather then those who look to make the buck.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
This Act, passed by congress will go into affect February 10, 2009. Information regarding the act is not just important for large manufacturers or even small businesses making a few children's items - it is for everyone. The new changes in the law will directly affect millions.
Do you buy any toys for children 12 and under? Do you buy any clothes for children 12 and under? Do you hand-down clothes from your children to friends, family, under-priveledged children or even donate them to a charity? If you do, affective February 10, 2009 unless that item has a compliance tag stating is conforms to the new regulations you can no longer do anything except throw said item away. You cannot post it on FreeCycle to give away, Ebay or Craigs list to sell, donate it or anything else. Yes, the Consumer Products Safety Commision has interpreted the law to be retroactive, therefore it applies to all used clothing.
We all want children to be as safe as they possibly can, however, by pushing this Act and its subsequent changes through, there was not enough time to review every possible consequence of the law. Many small and home-based businesses will be put out of business. Do we really need that in this time of economic uncertanty?
The law was meant to affect the large-scale manufacturers of children's clothing, jewelry and toys and those are the very business who are being helped by the Act. Who is able to afford the testing and makes many, many of the same toy or clothing item? The large manufacturers.
So, please show Congress and our in-coming President that this law is not feasible and it affects so many!
Here is a link to Change.org which has other resources for you to object this law as it affects small businesses: Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA
A link to the Hanmade Toy Alliance's Information on the Act: http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/Home
A digital journal article about the Act: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/264507
A link to the Consumer Products Safety Commision's form for questions on the new law:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Through those links you can find information on contacting your representatives in Congress and your Senators. Please, please understand that as currently written this law does not only affect those that make handmade or small-scale manufacture items or even the large-scale manufacturers. Take the few minutes needed to tell someone that this law will affect so many.
Do you buy any toys for children 12 and under? Do you buy any clothes for children 12 and under? Do you hand-down clothes from your children to friends, family, under-priveledged children or even donate them to a charity? If you do, affective February 10, 2009 unless that item has a compliance tag stating is conforms to the new regulations you can no longer do anything except throw said item away. You cannot post it on FreeCycle to give away, Ebay or Craigs list to sell, donate it or anything else. Yes, the Consumer Products Safety Commision has interpreted the law to be retroactive, therefore it applies to all used clothing.
We all want children to be as safe as they possibly can, however, by pushing this Act and its subsequent changes through, there was not enough time to review every possible consequence of the law. Many small and home-based businesses will be put out of business. Do we really need that in this time of economic uncertanty?
The law was meant to affect the large-scale manufacturers of children's clothing, jewelry and toys and those are the very business who are being helped by the Act. Who is able to afford the testing and makes many, many of the same toy or clothing item? The large manufacturers.
So, please show Congress and our in-coming President that this law is not feasible and it affects so many!
Here is a link to Change.org which has other resources for you to object this law as it affects small businesses: Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA
A link to the Hanmade Toy Alliance's Information on the Act: http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/Home
A digital journal article about the Act: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/264507
A link to the Consumer Products Safety Commision's form for questions on the new law:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Through those links you can find information on contacting your representatives in Congress and your Senators. Please, please understand that as currently written this law does not only affect those that make handmade or small-scale manufacture items or even the large-scale manufacturers. Take the few minutes needed to tell someone that this law will affect so many.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Not just a chair
When you look at a chair sitting lonely by itself in a shop, what do you think of?
The dust floating through the air in a shaft of sunlight?
Whether the chair is well-made or sturdy?
Do you wonder how well it would look with that layer of green paint stripped off?
Or, can you just stand there and let it take you to another place like Victoria of mercersdaughter.etsy.com?
Victoria says, "There are countless inspirations everywhere! I could see an old chair at an antique shop and notice how the light catches the texture and color which leads me to think about who made it, who used it and how did it end up at that shop. Then, I'll picture it in a setting, going over in my mind what other items would go with it, what colors and patterns."
As a young girl, Victoria created 'rooms of her own' by drawings, little handmade dollhouses created out of shoe boxes, or even sticks and stones outdoors underneath an old pine tree.
The dust floating through the air in a shaft of sunlight?
Whether the chair is well-made or sturdy?
Do you wonder how well it would look with that layer of green paint stripped off?
Or, can you just stand there and let it take you to another place like Victoria of mercersdaughter.etsy.com?
Victoria says, "There are countless inspirations everywhere! I could see an old chair at an antique shop and notice how the light catches the texture and color which leads me to think about who made it, who used it and how did it end up at that shop. Then, I'll picture it in a setting, going over in my mind what other items would go with it, what colors and patterns."
As a young girl, Victoria created 'rooms of her own' by drawings, little handmade dollhouses created out of shoe boxes, or even sticks and stones outdoors underneath an old pine tree.
Victoria finds that balance makes her work so enjoyable. In balancing her work, she makes a "safe place" to ponder and explore.
"The art work I offer is my token of peace and assurance. It's a hug, a kind word of encouragement and a temporary escape from troubles. Like when someone makes up the guest room just for you."
Doesn't that sound marvelous? What an honor - to have someone make up a room just for you!
As you look at the work available from mercersdaughter.etsy.com you can picture yourself sitting in a cozy chair by a fireside reading a great book; or with the sun shining brightly through the pastel curtains as you slowly wake up in a beautiful room, knowing you will have a wonderful day ahead of you spending time with a good friend.
Now, we here at the Big Sky Montana Etsy Team have a little secret ... Victoria is not a member of our team . . . shhhhh. And we do love to hear about other states, even though we are a bit biased. (And, no, you do not need to currently reside in MT to be a team member, we love our Tumbleweeds).
Victoria tells us she calls Ohio her home, although her roots lie in England.
"I love the change of seasons which serves as a refresher to my memory of times gone by and heralds the coming of familiar traditions. I live in a small rural town of farmers where love of animals and land are a common bond. Though Ohio may not be famous for this; the sunrises and sunsets are spectaculor!!!"
We also have to make one more admission, Victoria was introduced to us by Juliana of JulianasJammin.etsy.com, a BSMET member, who stumbled upon a wonderful new friend through Etsy.
Juliana says, "I just felt a connection and we have been emailing ever since [she purchased a pendant]. I found such strength in this woman and her power of prayer, she is a kindred spirit, as in the kind you find in Anne of Green Gables! Victoria's work is just as comforting: handpainted mini pictures & cards that resemble a warm place to come home to.
I purchased her "daydreamer' painting as it reminds me of how I was as a little girl, always thinking about what I might be. Now I know and I believe Victoria helped me accomplish that."
What a wonderful person to find and just one of the many talented artists and crafters on Etsy. Thank you, Victoria and Thank you, Juliana!
A little added note .. stop by Victoria's blog: mercersdaughter.blogspot.com to see more about her inspirations and the wonderful place she calls home.
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