Saving Handmade crafts and artisans

Baby, meet bathwater: you're about to be thrown out together.

This year Congress passed the new Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, which goes into effect in a couple of months (02/10/09).

Now, they were trying to strengthen the safety standards on mass-produced toys, clothes, and accessories made in China, and to ban toxins like phthalates and lead. A worthy goal, who could be against that? Unfortunately the law was written carelessly enough that small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters are getting caught up in it...and face being pushed out of business altogether.

The law requires new third party testing and labeling to prove that items don't contain toxic chemicals, but it applies across the board to everyone...including probably some folks you all have found on Etsy and are fans of.

I'm no expert here, but this sounds ridiculous, and I urge you all to go to Cool Mom Picks to learn more and find out all the ways you can try to stop it.

Thank you.