I've been doing a bit of knitting during our vacation. I've made five snow hats, or you could call them beanies, I'm sure they could have several names...
...and I thought I wouldn't mind making some for my shop. Everywhere I went folks asked where we got our hats. Then when I said, "I made them," folks would say something to the effect of, "you should sell them!"
They're not very hard, and not terribly labor intensive...well at least not as time consuming as one of my dresses anyway!
But, there's this new law from the CPSIA coming into affect Feb. 2009 that will require all items intended for children under the age of 12 to be subjected to lead testing and such. Now, I didn't think this pertained to clothes, but now I'm told that the law is so nonspecific, that it most likely includes things such as my dresses...and just about anything else I could think of to make. Wow!
There's no way I could afford to spend several thousand dollars per item...and since all of my creations are one of a kinds (for the most part), would I be required to submit them all for testing...or face a very, very high fine?
Several of my fellow crafter friends are very confused and concerned. And yet, nobody can ease their fears. Now, if you want to read a bit on this you can visit a few different sites. Then contact your Representative and ask him or her to push for a change or clause that would exempt cottage industry inside the USA. Americans make great products...it's time to stop regulating ourselves out of business!
Save Handmade Toys From the CPSIA
Handmade Portraits WoodMouse
Etsy CPSIA Updates and Call to Action
1 comment:
Wow... that's horrible that law makers would want to pass such a blanket law. (it's horrible but not inconceivable seeing the new blanket laws the new administration is trying to pass) But I'll contact our Representatives and push for that change.
And adorable hats by the way! I like the colors in the one you have posted!
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