Some of you may be curious as to what I will be doing about the CPSC regulations taking place as of February 10. I won't go into too much detail but If you haven't heard the Consumer Products Safety Commission has required that all items meant for children under the age of 12 must be tested for lead. Although my soft toys are adult collectibles they may be perceived as children toys which would require me to have a 3rd party lab perform tests to see if they are safe or not. Even though my soft toys are made of wool /rayon felt CPSIA would mandate this unnecessary and expensive testing. Not only does this effect toymakers but anyone that sells children's products. Everything from clothing, baby products and vintage toys will be affected forcing many companies and small hand made businesses into bankruptcy and closing up their shops.
For more information and what you can do to help.
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/
For more information and what you can do to help.
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/
My favorite Moody Doll purchased from vintage toy seller shop66
So how does this affect me? Frankly, not much! It has taken me over 35 years to find my artistic style. I will continue to design and make toys . Its what I LOVE to do. Most of my soft toys are sold to adult collectors. I have clearly listed all soft toys not intended for children under 12 and will label each plush also.
My paper toy PDF s will not be affected by these new regulations. I will continue to design fun paper crafts for people to download. In fact I've been working on quite a few right now and will have them available after the new year. Patterns are not affected as well. I'm working on some new patterns to make plushies of your own.
Rumor has it that as long as toys do not cross state lines that they are exempt from testing. That means more craft shows for me in the following year. I've also heard that kits are also exempt, in that case I'll be making more kits also.
My paper toy PDF s will not be affected by these new regulations. I will continue to design fun paper crafts for people to download. In fact I've been working on quite a few right now and will have them available after the new year. Patterns are not affected as well. I'm working on some new patterns to make plushies of your own.
Rumor has it that as long as toys do not cross state lines that they are exempt from testing. That means more craft shows for me in the following year. I've also heard that kits are also exempt, in that case I'll be making more kits also.
New paper toys including a B-day cake with party hats available after the holidays.
I am blown away by all your art! Its beautiful and the cutest things I've ever seen! I am sure will shop around next time I need to buy gifts.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sad. I'm pleased to hear it won't really affect your toys, though.
ReplyDeleteI love the paper birthday cake!
I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but as far as I have heard even if your item "could" be used by a child it would have to be tested.
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I have gleaned from reading various posts on etsy... someone contacted their state congressman and this was the reply they got back.
I hope you can stick around!!! Your stuff is just so very lovely and really puts a smile on my face... so many people would be sad if you were forced to stop making plushes :(
Everything that has been said on Etsy is just hearsay. As I said before I'm not going anywhere. If for some reason I'm not allowed to make plush because of the expensive testing I will continue to make them and publish the patterns instead.
ReplyDeletei hope you can get around it some how. it is so crazy to think that someone that buys your plush would allow a child near it :) if my children got near it they would cover it with sticky fingers or sloppy kisses, i would have to lock it in a glass case so that i could admire it and keep it safe at the same time *_* best of luck xxrosey
ReplyDeleteLovely stuff - I've ordered the Babushka boxes a while ago...soooo cute !
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for that cute birthday cake!
ReplyDeleteFascinating how all toys should be tested but it's okay to have substances that cause cancer in pacifiers, skincare products, baby wipes etc... I suppose it's all a big industry game. Not that I'm saying lead is a good thing, just that there are SO many other things that are more harmful and more common. The food people eat, especially if they eat meat, for instance - you can't ever really know what it contains.
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