Challenge the CPSIA Act: it likely affects *you*!

If you think you're not affected, guess again. Odds are, you are.

Recent Forbes article: Scrap the CPSIA

I see this as another form of big business using our fears to wipe out the competition. Odds are you don't remember the Consumer Product Safety Commission's warning against co-sleeping. At a basic level, they are responsible for products, not the use of products. Add to that, they skewed the statistics (like so many to when they have an agenda). Oh, and the JPMA co-launched the campaign. Who, you might ask, is the JPMA? Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association. No conflict of interest there. They couldn't possibly have an interest in crib sales, could they?

We're seeing this conflict again with the CPSIA: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It is intended to assure that all items meant for children under 12 years of age is tested for lead and other safety issues. Toys, books, clothes, even my small corner of the world, one of a kind baby carriers. Oh yes, they want to keep our children safe. Unfortunately, they are applying a blanket law when a targeted act would do better. Most of the items that caused concern were manufactured in China. Most of the products being affected will be small companies, including crafters and thrift stores. Eventually, you won't even be able to give something away that hasn't undergone hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of testing. Be careful handing down that Christening gown or old rattle- it could open you up to a world of trouble.

The big manufacturers are on board. This is a blip in their manufacturing process. With the high volumes they manufacture, it will not break the bank to get the tests done for every batch. Every component of every batch. For a hobbyist (like myself) or a small business? Some are closing up shop now rather than to be left with stock they can't even give away. Personally, I have a stock of carriers in various stage of decoration being held back, praying common sense will prevail.

Not only are the large manufacturers not financially burdened by this act, it actually benefits them. Wiping out the cheaper competition from China? Check. Bringing mom and pop competitors to their knees? Double check! Bonus- if even used items must be tested, more people will have to buy new!

This reminds me of a lesson my father tried to teach me about writing laws.
"Think of a law you think everyone should follow," he told me.
"Everyone should wear their seatbelts."
"Ok, what about motorcycles?"
"Everyone in an enclosed vehicle should wear their seatbelts."
"Ok, what about cars that were made before seatbelts existed? Do we install seatbelts for the law? What if it devalues the antiques?"

And so on. Laws should be well thought out. They should benefit the maximum number of people while impeding the least amount of people possible. To me, the CPSIA is just another of those acts that might as well be called what it is- a gift to big business. Just like the CPSC campaign against co-sleeping and the Ad Council being forced to water down the National Breastfeeding Campaign. Where was our concern for childrens' health then? Seems to me offending the parents was more important than informing them of the risks...yes risks associated with formula feeding. It's not that breast is best, it's that formula is inferior. Those with the interest, power and money wanted to keep that from the public. Just like they want to keep the option of local or handmade goods off the shelves. After all, ethics and ideal rarely ever make enough money to reach the bottom line.

I share with you with a series of items that, if I held strict adherence to the act, I would not be able to make as gifts for my children or any others again.





What can you do to fight the death of creativity? Check out the Handmade Toy Alliance. Take action. It may seem a small thing, but it affects you too.

Moonscape

It's that time again. I already have one Fyrebranded Kozy up for auction, this is a preview of one that will be ready at the end of the week. Inspired by my time looking out our upstairs window while living in Hawaii, I wanted a moonscape, yet I kept the colors the sea breathes during the daytime:

Here we go again...

I decided on a simpler Fyrebranded Kozy this time. It's a panel, the hardest part was getting the dye right. Why so simple? Because I have a harder one set out, waiting for the onerous job of stitching every line ;)

The colors are very much richer IRL:

Another Fyrebranded Kozy Preview

This is my stained glass Kozy, appliqued silk on a black Kozy body. I got the inspiration from a Georgia O'Keefe painting. I can't find the exact one, but it started out kind of like the one to the left.

My skills being limited, and my medium being a bit less blendy (is that a word?) I just used the idea instead of the wonderful pastels. The brown frame is actually more goldish and the blue is a peacock blue. I'm rather prouder of how this turned out and I know I should charge more for the amount of work I had to put into it (I've been doing bits off and on since the butterfly garden Kozy), but I don't want people to think I am ripping them off.

Escapism through creating

I've noticed that when the kids are stressing me out, I've been retreating to my craft room to create things. Mostly it's been sewing, but I have other crafts in mind too. Pete was gone for a week and in that time I:
hemmed the curtains (Ikea curtains come long and need to be cut/hemmed)
made myself a skirt
made Chase a pair of Incredibles PJ pants
made a skirt for Jilly
made a sling
decorated a Kozy

I'll try and post pictures of my creations, but right now all I have is the Kozy. Purchased plain from www.kozycarrier.com and decorated by me, this is for the babywearers that like to have a unique carrier to hold their little ones. It'll be for sale at my Etsy shop when I finish the other Kozy project I have in the works.

This one is called "Butterfly Garden" and the pocket is supposed to be the flower pot. It's more even IRL than it looks in the pictures.