1/30/09

Ecoleeko Giveaway on Baboobaby!!


You can win my jingle me seahorse on baboobaby! Just visit their website to find out how! Colorful and fun, How else can you get such an adorable friend for your child FREE!

1/28/09

CPSIA Etsy 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 (Taken from Etsy Forum for CPSIA Blog In)

1/25/09

Quoted in Newspaper Article about CPSIA


I just received an official copy from a friend whose mom gets the paper the article is in, The Post Star in NY. I was shortly interviewed for this article on the CPSIA, and wanted to post it. It was published on Jan 15th. Read the story HERE

1/14/09

My Famous Friend!!






My friend Linda was featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Wens Jan 14th, as the Portrait of an artist!!! Read her interview here

She will also be in the 2009 American Craft Show this Feb.!! Linda will be in the AltCraft section showing her beautiful pottery! If you are in or nearby Baltimore, come and see her!

THE AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL ANNOUNCES THE 2009 ALTCRAFT ARTISTS
The American Craft Council announced today that seventeen makers have been selected to participate in the AltCraft section at its flagship show, The American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, February 27 through March 1, 2009 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

“The Council is pleased for these talented artists and indie designers to be a part of this well-established event,” said Andrew Glasgow, executive director of the American Craft Council. “These makers illustrate the innovative techniques and materials of the burgeoning new handmade craft movement and, as the leading voice in contemporary craft, we recognize and celebrate these individuals.”

AltCraft Artists were selected from hundreds of applicants through a rigorous jury process. They will present their work together in a bustling space on the show floor. Among the eclectic items available for purchase, attendees will find jewelry made entirely from reclaimed and surplus industrial materials; scarves of recycled goods dyed to create 3-D textures; handmade books and paper goods; individually hand-stitched toys; ceramics with hand-drawn designs; mixed-media work by local artists and much more!

Linda Johnson of Little Flower Designs (Abington, PA)- http://www.littleflowerdesigns.com

She's an inspiration to all hand makers everywhere!! Congratulations Linda!

1/6/09

Change.org Needs You!


Attention Small Toy makers, Handmade baby Companies, Etsians, People who purchase 2nd hand kids toys, clothing, furniture, books, Mommies, Daddies, Everyone who buys gifts for babies or kids...We need your help to spread the word and vote at Change.org!!!!

Help us Save Small Business From the CPSIA. I ask you to vote and highly recommend you check it out. You can read more and vote for the idea by clicking the following link:

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

This law will stop many small handmade businesses from existing that create anything for babies or kids under 12 years of age related from existing after February. It is very important for you to know what your government will decide for you and your kids futures! Along with small companies, you be be unable to purchase any kid related material at thrift stores including clothing, toys, games, dolls, shoes, jewelry, used book stores from selling kids books, many large companies will have to discontinue carrying items due to the crazy testing fees, etc small manufacturers will have to pay to keep items legal.
Please help me, Ecoleeko, and many other companies from not disappearing..We all need your help!!!
Mommies..Please pass on to your mommy blogs,friends and groups!!!!!!!!

Search the Handmade Toy Alliance and CPSIA as well for information.
The bill is HR 4040 effective Feb 10th, 2009


The top 10 ideas are going to be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day and will be supported by a national lobbying campaign run by Change.org, MySpace, and more than a dozen leading nonprofits after the Inauguration. So each idea has a real chance at becoming policy.

Thanks so much for reading. Please vote!!!If you voted once before, you can vote again!

1/1/09

Happy Green New Year!


Ecoleeko wants to wish everyone a very Happy Green New Year for 2009!