CPSIA

Boy I'm really upset about this issue. Let me start at the beginning. A few years back I started making handmade children's items. Bows, etc. which gradually progressed to sewn plush toys, aprons, felt play food, and various other cute stuff. I was TIRED of all the plastic pieces of junk that was made in China and had to be recalled because they were dangerous. I am glad that the government is looking out for our kids but this new "Consumer Products Safety Information Act" doesn't appear to be well thought out. They are requiring all handmade children's items be tested by a 3rd party for lead/harmful substances for children 12 years and younger. This testing costs hundreds of dollars (thousands even) and is not a problem for large toy manufacturers. It will however DESTROY the handmade-at-home items that some of us make. We make our goods with fabric, ribbon, etc. made in the U.S.A. that was already tested for lead. As a result of this Act, many people will go out of business thus decreasing or eliminating natural handmade goods. Folks will buy toys and gifts from the large toy manufacturers. Things made of plastic that are not biodegradeable. Things made in China, who's environmental regulations are minimal. Their land and water is polluted from run-off from large factories and their people are poisoned. Nat Geo has a great article in their May 2008 issue. They state that 80% of U.S. toys are made in China.

There is nothing like the fear of "civil penalties" to distinguish the fire of creativity. My desire to create children's items is just not there anymore. But I refuse to buy toys that were created at such a cost to human life and our natural world.