CPSIA blog-in

oh, yes, another post that is CPSIA related. Don't you all wish The Law Makers of Congress would hurry up and change, amend or repeal it, already!! so that i would stop blogging about it. I mean really!?


today is BLOG IN day, an idea from the Etsy community which is a big voice in the battle for a change to the CPSIA. So for my contribution i have a few words-- well i have more than a few. I have a few points, let's say.

I feel strongly about needing a change to the testing requirements simply because of how it affects Handmade and here is why:

• hand making things has always been a part of my life. there is value in learning to make items or clothes or home made food. there is value in knowing how these things are made and taking pride in what one can do with one's hands and body.
  
• hand-work is a part of my everyday. how lucky am i that someone would want to buy it!
  
• handmade is typically done in small batches. Small, thoughtful and carefully done batches.
  
• handmade is supported by other people who VALUE handmade. just like the people who make things because they enjoy the process, people who buy handmade like knowing who made it. It also has value because hand-made is now more of a luxury than a necessity. There was a time when handmade had little value because it was cheaper to make something than purchase it. One is no longer considered poor because one's clothes are handmade.
  
• handmade has added value because so much of our stuff is mass made, in factories, overseas. The handmade items we have in our homes often have special places, memories and stories. Obviously, I can not hand-make my cell phone, my television or even this here computer i type on. I know that I can't make it all, but what i can make i try to. And then I try to share that with others. And with this law, I feel penalized (by the outrageous prices and time consuming paper work) because I want to sell something hand-made.
  
• Hand-made holds memories, thoughts and personality.
  

I think what i am trying to get at was best said by a ceramics teacher I once had. While making a pot he commented on the value of hand-thrown pottery. Of course I can not remember his exact quote, but to sum it up he said: hand made items will always be valuable because people will pay to have something hand made. Why? I asked. Because the more we (we, the society) embrace and depend on technology, become more fast paced and impatient, and no longer learn trades for a living will still want something hand made in our homes (it makes us feel safe and comforted. It speaks to our senses.) and we will pay for it rather than take the time to learn how to make it (because come on ya'll, you know it takes years to master a hand-work trade or skill).

so that's my post for today's Blog In. I don't want to complain about the law. I'm no longer very confused. I got my XFR testing done for my products. I feel 'okay' until August. But I also don't feel marvelous about this law. It's disappointing: i'm disappointed that Law Makers didn't take the time to think of how damaging this would be. I'm disappointed that Big Toy Companies didn't value their products and let the lead levels get too high for children. I'm disappointed that small businesses are already closing because of this.

today, I have diaper making to do. But i also am ready to stuff envelopes with letters to Congress, the CPSC (even though their hands are tied) and the media. I'm so thankful for the great community that has come together .

thanks for reading.

just a blog post

i'm having one of those i-feel-like-blogging-but-don't-know-if-i-have-much-to-say moments. i do have things to say actually.

• i am currently packing my list of items to be XRF tested tomorrow. somehow, in a meant-to-be-situation, i was invited to be part of a group of local business owners/manufactures getting XRF lead testing done for a small fee. i feel so lucky to have been asked to be part of this testing, since i wasn't quite sure what kind of plan i was going to come up. Turns out, a plan just landed on my computer via Twitter (how i adore thee!). The testing will be valid through august 2009. but i'm still hoping the CPSIA law will get changed, if not totally repealed

• i got an order for cloth diapers from being on the news. did you watch? did you laugh at me?
  
  
• i have a new store front. Now it's easier than ever to purchase Aunty Em Diapers via Big Cartel. i'm still working on filling in the inventory but so far, so good. and i really like the Big Cartel format.


• i got a new serger. i'm still getting used to sewing on it but, i really enjoy it. the cloth diaper production is going to be much quicker with the new serged-edges compared to what i was doing before. and the possibilities for future projects feels limitless. Finished egde? Here I come!



• taking a zillion photographs of my paper-whites. they were so cool to watch while they grew and changed. they have past their peak now, and are totally unmanageable. such a lovely arrangement to have on the table despite cold temperatures and nothing but brown 'foliage' every where in site.



• Knitting: i am managing to get some done, despite non-stop CPSIA watches and sewing. I am working on the garter yoke cardigan (rav. link) from the winter issue of Knit.1. But i don't have any progress pictures to share with you at the moment.
  

my t.v. news interview!

i know, i know. you want to read about knitting. or some other project i have going on. like canning (oh! by the way, i heard from a buyer at a local store that carries Ball brand jars, you know for canning, that sales at Ball are up 300%! crazy huh? that's why the size jar i want has been out of stock for months!) any way, I'm sure the CPSIA news will calm down in February, but right needs the news and awareness needs to be large and strong. So I am thrilled to share with you my 15 minutes of fame related to CPSIA. I was interviewed today for 9news/KUSA here in Colorado and the story aired today. I'm thrilled. I've been a twitter all day. And for those of you blog readers whom i have never met, now you can see and hear me. Isn't that fun?

Enjoy! and if you haven't taken any CPSIA action yet, please do. We need your support and your children (or nieces, nephews or friends) need your support. Thanks. and yes, I do have knitting to share with you in an upcoming post.

on the local news

the CPSIA is getting to be big news with lots of questions. And i am no expert, at all. but i have been trying to be vocal about it so people become aware of the new law that takes effect February 10th. Mostly it makes me sad to see such a wide and ill thought-out law take effect on so many people and small businesses. With that said, I'm also happy to know that my diapers were featured on the local news today. I'd love for you to a take a moment or two to watch-- just because local news is fun, and I'm on it. And it might be interesting if you are interested in the CPSIA.

gingerbread girl

i'm kind of behind on the holiday-project blogging, but christmas is a season (the lesson i learned this year) so why not share!

i made this gingerbread girl from Alicia Paulson's Ice Skating Afternoon pattern. I found it while searching for holiday felt ornaments on flickr-- looking for inspiration. i pondered over whether or not i should buy it for 3 days. Three Days! I've developed quite a little crush on this Gingerbread Girl. I made this one for my mother but, i think i'm going to have to make one for myself (for year-round enjoyment) when i need a little project.

i hope you and yours had a merry holiday season and enjoying the New Year.