new year to reflect, looming national day of bankruptcy

You may or may not know about the new CPSIA law that will go into effect on Feb. 10, 2009. This law is in response to all of the lead-in-toys-problems in 2008 and 2007. Congress has passed a sweeping bill that encompasses every aspect of everything pertaining to children under 12 to keep lead out of children's products. While I applaud the idea behind the bill, the actual bill has placed the responsibility of testing on the small manufacture instead of the actual manufacture. What does that mean? Here is my personal example. I make clothing items, stuffed animals and pillows for children under 12. I buy my 100% cotton clothing blanks from a company in the United States. I buy my fabric and thread from my local fabric store. I buy my screen printing inks from a company in the United states that certifies there is no lead present in the ink. Yet I am responsible for testing each and every single one of these items for lead at the price point of approx. $70-$100 dollars per item component. By item component? That means that I must test
a) each dress, t-shirt, onesie
b) the thread on that dress (or clothing item) (although I don't know how that will work since the dresses come already manufactured as dresses.)
c) the tag that has already been sewn in the dress stating the fiber content and washing instructions d) each piece of fabric I applique onto the dress (don't forget at $70-$100 dollars per each different piece of fabric, I usually use three pieces) or use to make a stuffed animal (up to 8 different fabrics for stuffed animals plus the poly fill and embroidery thread)
e) the thread I use to stitch the applique or make a stuffed animal

The items that I purchase have been tested for lead or have no lead present to begin with. However, because I alter these items by printing on them or cutting them up (like with fabric to make stuffed animals or appliques) I have now, under the law, become a manufacture. Because I do not actually manufacture the clothing items, inks or fabric I use, I have no way of knowing if all these items came from one or many batches, that is why I have to test every single component.

That means a dress I have been selling for $20 will now cost me $490-$700 to test. If you have seen any of my dresses, I like to make each design one of a kind. The testing process destroys the item that is being tested. Stuffed animals I sell from $20-$35 will now be $1000, again destroyed in the testing process.

My question is, why are we putting lead into children's products in the first place? Why are the large manufactures not testing before selling to the public? Why is the burden being placed on the crafter who is only altering the items by cutting and sewing? Why are we forced to test items like cotton that obviously have no lead present?

I urge everyone to read about this. It not only effects me as a small business owner, but also charity organizations. We will no longer be able to donate handmade quilts to our local hospitals, no longer be able to donate childrens clothing or toys to local thrift stores, or shop from these stores for items for children under 12, no longer donate coats or shoes to needy children. Also, testing becomes too high for companies making items used in schools such as microscopes. What about your child's sports uniform? That will have to be tested. Children's books? Those too. A bike or tricycle? Yes. Big manufacturing companies can afford to test. Small independent businesses and crafters can not. Please click on the "save handmade" button on the right and/or explore these links for more info.

http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/14/smallbusiness/toy_law_threatens_small_companies.smb/?postversion=2009011509

http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/nation/20081224_ap_hohonotoymakerssayleadlawharmsworkshops.html

http://www.strquality.com/www/strlab/industry_expertise/cpsia_faq_html

http://www.happypandababy.com/blog/2008/12/16/cpsia-testing-research-for-happy-panda/#comment-4262

v.lou textiles in Piper and Chloe Holiday Showcase

Here is a picture from the Piper and Chloe Holiday Showcase. This was one of the cutest and best displayed holiday showcases I have:
a) been in
b) been to
These guys did such a great job with everything! I sincerely hope they raked it in because they really worked hard to make it look so good. Thanks guys for including me.