Wednesday, January 28, 2009

CPSIA Blog-In

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html


And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html


Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

It's Done

All I can say is....it's done!  I am so pleased with the way it came out and so saddened that I will probably not get to do another one.  Because unless the CPSIA is amended within the next couple weeks, I will not be able to continue with the baby items.

Monday, January 19, 2009

$5 off at Fabric.com

WOW!  A comment was left on one of my previous blogposts by a representative of fabric.com.  For those of you who sew (and those who don't), fabric.com is a great site for fabric and crafting materials.  I order from there very often.  As a thank you for mentioning them on my blog, fabric.com has issued me and my readers a $5 off coupon code!  Just enter Blog1 in the space allowed for coupon codes to receive $5 off your order.  This coupon is good until December 31, 2009 and is a one time only coupon.  ENJOY!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I'm So Excited.....

OK, so maybe I am a little pathetic for being sooo excited over a sewing project, but....I've been dying for months to do a crib set, but because of the upfront fabric cost, I haven't done one to list and because I haven't made one, I have been unsuccessful in my bids to get a custom order since I don't have any photos. So, I had a customer inquire about a black and white blanket I have listed in my shop (the Elegance Minky Blanket);  she was wondering if it was crib sized and if I had any other pieces as she was trying to assemble a black and white-themed nursery.  I offered to make that blanket crib sized along with the matching pieces (crib skirt and bumpers and personalized pillow).  After two very busy, interrupted days of cutting and laying out for all the pieces, I was able to finish the pillow today and I am absolutely THRILLED!  I can't wait to get it all together and put it in my crib to see how it looks!  I just thought I would share a preview with you all!

And...a fellow EtsyMom teammate featured my blog on her blog today!  You can check out her Etsy shop here (Gifts from the Heart by CraftGirlAlli);  she sells hand painted gifts for all.  You can visit her blog here

Saturday, January 10, 2009

This, That and The Other






On New Year's Day, I set a goal of Blogging once a week (I'm already a day late....and probably more than a dollar short)...so here is this week's post.

I decided to follow some general advice and be my own advertisement by using something I made.  So, I made myself a super cute tote bag that I had been wanting for ages and low and behold I was approached by someone to make another!  So I did...and I have enough fabric left over that I am planning on doing another take on it using the accent fabric for the main part.  It was very rewarding to know that other's really do like my work!

I completed a custom order for a customer wanting an apron.  This customer is a hairdresser and wanted a stylish apron that would protect her clothes from the chemicals she works with on a daily basis.  So...I laminated a fabric print of her choice, trimmed it, made pockets for her to use for her gadgets, tips and appointment cards.  I am hoping to offer more of these in the future.

And in that vein, with the CPSIA kind of leaving things up in the air, I am looking to branch out by doing more aprons, etc.  I have done several baby shower gifts and would like to start offering bridal shower gifts.  I recently assembled a bridal shower basket for a customer by monogramming kitchen towels and dish cloths and filling the basket with things many new brides could use.  I am currently working on a set to offer in my Etsy shop that can be customized....check back soon!

Lastly, I made a full apron using a fabric I adore!  I am waiting for a model to be available and then this will be up in my shop!

In an effort to stick to some of my other resolutions for my blog, I have been brainstorming ideas for regular features and kind of hitting a mental block.  I would love some input as to what you all would like to see...what is going to bring you back each week or each month.  At some point this year, I am hoping to do a giveaway, although I have nothing specific in mind.  If you have something you would like to be featured or just have an idea you would like to share, please comment!!!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone!  Here's to another year past and a fresh new beginning.  How was your '08?  What do you hope for '09?  Here are some of my resolutions and goals for the new year:

Blog....
1.  Blog at least once a week.
2.  Create a recurring feature (maybe weekly, maybe monthly)
3.  Be more interesting.
4.  Do a giveaway.

Business....
1.  Do a craft show.
2.  Create 2 new bag designs.
3.  Create 2 new little girls' dress patterns.
4.  Advertise.

Personal...
1.  Be a better mom.
2.  Lose some weight. 
3.  Try at least 5 things I've never tried.
4.  Cut back on my pop consumption.

2008 went out very quietly.  We spent the evening with my family...eating, laughing, playing games.  We were home early and I don't think any of us saw the new year in this year....maybe next year.  (How boring are we....)  It is said that how you spend the first day of the year sets the tone for the rest of the year...what are you doing?  I worked and we are cleaning and putting away Christmas.  I am blogging right now so hopefully I will be better with that in the new year.

Below are the last few projects I completed last year.  I FINALLY made myself and after-diaper bag tote bag (you know, once you no longer need a diaper bag, but carry enough that the purse just doesn't cut it).  I also made a gift set for a friend to give as a shower gift.

Best Wishes for 2009!