CPSIA

{Begin rant}

As many of you know I like to make (and sell) baby clothes. I really enjoy doing it and find it is a fun creative outlet. I had a shop on ETSY and got a lot of great business. I decided to take a break while we were in San Diego and after Calder was born.

I was recently thinking about getting back into the swing of things but then heard about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This is a law passed by congress in August 2008 requiring a lot of safety and lead testing on any item intended for kids. The testing costs anywhere from $300 to $4,000 per item batch. This seems fine if you are a large manufacturing company making large batches of toys, but for someone who makes each item individually and uniquely it is detrimental. I understand CPSIA was designed after many toys were showing up dangerous and poisonous from Chinese toy manufacturers in 2007. I agree that there should be a law to protect that from happening, but seriously, did they not think about the little people?

Well, I'll stop complaining about it and tell you two things you should do.

1. Write to your congress person if it's important to you. I've never been one to write to my congress person. It's not that I've never felt like issues were important enough I just never got around to doing it. There have been a few times I thought I should write but never did. I totally understand that this issue may not be a big deal for most people. But, if you want to buy handmade items or items from smaller manufacturers in the future, you might want to write.

2. Go to ETSY and buy stuff. The law goes into effect on February 10. I hate to say it but I think the closer you get to that date the better deals you'll find. There are a lot of people trying to get rid of inventory because they know after Feb. 10th they won't be able to sell. So, support the little people.

{End rant}