"It was the feel-good legislation of the year!"

That's how the movie review would might read for the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that handily passed through both houses of Congress in August of 2008. How could we not want to protect kids from evil lead-laden toys? This is a no-brainer, right?

Well, not entirely. What might seem like a piece of legislation that has no victims does, in fact, have thousands upon thousands of victims in the form of small and mid-size companies and truly, even the kids this legislation is meant to protect. This legislation will put thousands of businesses out of business, simple as that. Aside from the fact that kids and parents may have far fewer options for selecting unique and hand-made toys and clothing, it seems that children with special needs could be hurt more as the availability and cost for their much needed tools and manipulatives could be impacted, if the legislation goes through as written.

Others have written far more informatively and eloquently than I could on this subject, so I'm mainly looking to provide links so others can learn more about this topic and how you can help! Because it is not too late, YOU CAN HELP! We all have a voice and the power to tell the media, other parents, and our elected officials how we feel about this!

I AM a parent. I have two boys, ages 3 and 6. Of course I want to see them and every child kept as safe as possible. But there has to be some middle ground here to make these regulations both protect kids and yet keep creativity alive and protect us from another huge hit to the economy!

Here are places to learn more...

Daddytypes.com - Is CPSC's New Lead Regulation Going To Wipe Out The Baby Non-Industrial Complex Next February?

Mothering.com - Toy Safety Legislation: Good Intentions Lead to Catastrophic Results for the Natural Toy Industry

TheSmarterMama.com - The CPSIA: Good in Theory, Hurting Small, Favorite Green Businesses in Practice

Etsy's Open Letter regarding the CPSIA

DOES THIS DIRECTLY AFFECT YOU?
If you are business owner and want to know how this will affect your business you can ask questions of the CPSC by clicking this link http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Tell everyone you know!
Take a few minutes to call your local newspaper or TV station and tell them about it. Pass the info along to a friend who might own a small business and see how it impacts them. Call up your local, independently owned toy store or resale shop and ask them how it will affect them or any vendors they work with.

Call your congressional representatives!
Or write to them. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Crafters & Artists please join the protest - http://craftingwithcats.blogspot.com/2008/12/crafters-take-action.html

Join a Facebook Group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49551386833
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38306568596&ref=mf
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/166874?m=7bf7bab2

Wow, it's been more than 5 months since I've blogged!

Crazy!

Oh well, life gets in the way, right? I've been in a creative slump lately. But with the dark days and cold weather I am back to creating to keep my sanity. I have a few things in the works, but nothing to post just yet.

But I do have two treasuries running, please show them some love and leave a comment if you can. One all cool and wintery.... http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=33616 And the second all warm & homey....http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=22601

Waiting....and waiting....and waiting for summer to start!

Well, really it has, but the weather just can't seem to decide to stay nice. Wait, what do I mean stay nice? I mean be nice at all. Pattern is cool nights, clear morning with increasing sun & humidity until about noon then all out thunderstorms for the afternoon, then chilly in the late afternoon. With my son in morning camp it's getting hard to plan our afternoons. But today looks great, so as soon as camp is done today we are heading to the reservoir for some splashing in the water.

Oh, I have a treasury going for the next few hours. Filled with beautiful artwork (including this amazing barn painting that I love so much) that really brightens my mood. Please check it out if you have a moment! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=14009

OK, I'm off.