Homeschooling Families - HSLDA wants to know how are you affected by the CPSIA

As February 10th and the CPSIA deadline draws closer, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) plans to meet with the commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wednesday, February 4. HSLDA has requested actual accounts from homeschooling family business owners who will have to go out of business, or who have had to make drastic cutbacks, as a result of this legislation and the proposed regulations.

If you are interested in having the HSLDA use your family business as an example, please send them your contact information and a one- or two-page summary of your family business, the impact of the CPSIA, and what the likely harm to you will be. You may send this information to Eric Lansing at federalrelations@hslda.org. You may reach Eric and the rest of the HSLDA Federal Relations staff at 540-338-5600, if you have additional questions. They state that the will only share your first name, name of your business, and your state of residence with the CPSC.

HSLDA summarizes the CPSIA from the standpoint of homeschooling families at this link: http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/20091130.asp

CPSIA - Will it affect you??? YES!

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. Homeschoolers will be affected as we purchase our own textbooks and supporting materials... costs will skyrocket. Those folks who use materials in church, Sunday School, 4-H, Girl Scouts, etc. you WILL be affected by this law.

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!

Thanks to http://winklepots.etsy.com/ and http://chichiboulie.etsy.com for drafting this post!

A bit of a concession...

There is a bit of encouragement from the CPSC. According to the most recent announcement, CPSC will allow consignment and second hand stores to sell items that they have in inventory IF those items do not exceed lead law requirements and have not been recalled. Items will not have to have certificates proving lead levels but will be held responsible for selling items that have high lead content... so they will need to be careful about the items they take in and sell.

This means if Goodwill (or you if you are having a yard sale) has a child's outfit they will be able to sell it... if they have a painted piece of furniture they may want to test the item or choose not to sell it.

Check out this article on Etsy regarding this new development:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-exemption-announcement-resources-action-items-3188/

The Dealth of Unique Handcrafted Products....

By now, some of you would have heard about the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) which is to be fully implemented on February 10th. This law was a reaction to the imported products that were sold to US consumers for children which had very high lead content... do you remember the Thomas Train issues? Like most parents, I don't want lead in my children's toys. I do think it should be mandatory that imports are tested. But the law doesn't stop there.

According to the law, all products that could be used by children 12 and under must have third party testing of the final product. (Testing of components is NOT compliance).

I began creating unique hand made toys and quilts for children because I don't like most of the cheap mass produced plastic toys that currently line the toy shelves of retailers. When I first began making toys, I contacted the manufacturer of the fleece that I use and have now twice received written confirmation that the fleece used in my toys are lead and toxin free. So, I am making a safe toy alternative. Or am I... according the new CPSIA I am creating hazardous waste.

Unfortunately, certification that my materials are lead free does not make me compliant to the law. Because I can not test EACH variation of my blocks (each is unique) they can not be considered for sale once the law goes into affect. A spokesperson has stated that items that are true one-of-a-kind items will be exempt from testing but the law has not been revised to reflect that statement.

Here are a few link which provide additional information:

Link to the government website: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Link to A Daily Rate which contains an article on this topic: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

I encourage everyone to look at this legislation and act. Call someone, write your legislator, sign a petition....

Almost October...

Well, I haven't done so well on my resolution to keep this blog current. But, I have gotten some new inspiration from a fellow Etsian and friend Kay Zoretic. Check out her Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=54302 as she is a fabulous silversmith and has some really wonderful jewelry. This is one of my favorite items... simple but elegant.

Fresh Start

Okay, today I am going to make a fresh start. I am going to try to keep this blog current but I have to admit it is a bit of a struggle. The decision of whether to spend time on the computer or time on the sewing machine is hard... but I almost always choose the sewing machine :-).



So... what is new here? On the personal front, I am developing my lesson plans for school. We will begin classwork on Monday and I have a lot to finish up.



What is new at Poppy Patch Quiltery? Well, the production of Christmas items have taken the top spot on my to-do list. I plan to have much of my inventory completed before the hectic holiday season starts. In addition to my fabulous (if I do say so myself) 6 and 7 foot Christmas Tree Skirts, I am planning to début my Jesse Tree ornament sets this year. These should be listed on my site (http://poppypatch.etsy.com/) by mid October.



Coming soon, I am creating beginner level sewing kits for children and youth. Look for listings in my Etsy shop (http://poppypatch.etsy.com/) .

Okay - off to sew now....

Kites in Flight!

Well, I finished a bedding set which turned out really nice.

Here are photo's taken of the twin size Kites in Flight Quilt (shown on a Queen size bed), Pillow Sham, and double sided Kite Toss Pillow.

This was custom ordered for a little boy who was turning 3. I think his room will turn out great. What do you think?