Thursday, January 29, 2009
Finally!
Today President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It's about damn time. I am so excited that good things seem to be coming from the new president, so far. It is such a relief after these last eight years of wrongy wrong wrongness.
Fiction
This idea just popped into my head today. It kind of sums up my frustration with the whole CPSIA process, and what is going on socially. It's an emotional reaction to the situation and is therefore quite exaggerated - I don't think this would actually happen. I do think that there are certain people who would really like the idea, though, which makes me quite sad for them and their kids. Anyhow, on with the show:
The Paternal States of America
A vignette.
A comfortable looking living room, walls lined with bookshelves, coffee table with a plate of cheese and crackers, and a woman on the couch knitting. A fluffy white cat is sleeping comfortably next to her. A large screen TV is mounted to the wall, but is not turned on.
On the left side of the room there is a thick glass-partitioned area that is blank and white, no furniture or any objects inside it, except for a small, thin, naked child, with its nose pressed against the glass.
“Mommy, I am cold, can I have some clothes today?”
“No, honey, they might have poisonous chemicals in them.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry, can I have some food?”
“No, honey, the food might be contaminated with germs. You also might be allergic to a trace ingredient.”
“Mommy, I’m bored, can I have a book to read?”
“No, honey, the book might have lead in the ink.”
“Can I play a game?”
“Of course not, honey, it might make you violent.”
“Mommy, I’m lonely, can I have a friend to play with?”
“No, you might catch a terrible disease from another child.”
“Mommy, I’m tired, can I have a blanket to lie down with?”
“No, honey, you might catch fire and it wouldn’t put you out.”
“Mommy, when can I come out?”
“You know the answer to that, honey! We’re not allowed to let you out until the government tells us it’s safe. Maybe when you’re 18.”
The Paternal States of America
A vignette.
A comfortable looking living room, walls lined with bookshelves, coffee table with a plate of cheese and crackers, and a woman on the couch knitting. A fluffy white cat is sleeping comfortably next to her. A large screen TV is mounted to the wall, but is not turned on.
On the left side of the room there is a thick glass-partitioned area that is blank and white, no furniture or any objects inside it, except for a small, thin, naked child, with its nose pressed against the glass.
“Mommy, I am cold, can I have some clothes today?”
“No, honey, they might have poisonous chemicals in them.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry, can I have some food?”
“No, honey, the food might be contaminated with germs. You also might be allergic to a trace ingredient.”
“Mommy, I’m bored, can I have a book to read?”
“No, honey, the book might have lead in the ink.”
“Can I play a game?”
“Of course not, honey, it might make you violent.”
“Mommy, I’m lonely, can I have a friend to play with?”
“No, you might catch a terrible disease from another child.”
“Mommy, I’m tired, can I have a blanket to lie down with?”
“No, honey, you might catch fire and it wouldn’t put you out.”
“Mommy, when can I come out?”
“You know the answer to that, honey! We’re not allowed to let you out until the government tells us it’s safe. Maybe when you’re 18.”
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Last day to save handmade from the CPSIA
EDIT: See my post here for what happened next.
Etsy is coordinating a blog-in about this very important issue. My thoughts are already captured in this post, but Chichiboulie helpfully posted this helpful overview for those who don't want to write anything from scratch. Here 'tis:
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.
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.
Etsy is coordinating a blog-in about this very important issue. My thoughts are already captured in this post, but Chichiboulie helpfully posted this helpful overview for those who don't want to write anything from scratch. Here 'tis:
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Positive Feedback
How much do I love it? Swoon.
It's a rare enough occasion that I actually manage to make a sale on Etsy, but even rarer (about half the time or less, unless it's, you know, my mom) does the buyer ever stop back to leave me any feedback at all. It is such a rush when they do. I'm shaking a bit as I type this, since today is one of those rare times.
From someone who bought a custom set of coasters from me, a couple weeks before x-mas: "This was a wonderful first experience on Etsy. My friend loved these high quality Final Fantasy coasters, and they arrived in time for Christmas. Thanks so much! I would definitely buy from Melanie again."
Squeeeeeal! This totally makes my week. And I was having a rather crummy day, getting down on myself and etc. Horrible case of the hiccups. Now I can't stop smiling.
Life is good. Validation makes such a big difference when you've been plugging away at something for so long, and not seeing much in the way of results.
(At this point I make a dramatic contented sigh, and sign off.)
It's a rare enough occasion that I actually manage to make a sale on Etsy, but even rarer (about half the time or less, unless it's, you know, my mom) does the buyer ever stop back to leave me any feedback at all. It is such a rush when they do. I'm shaking a bit as I type this, since today is one of those rare times.
From someone who bought a custom set of coasters from me, a couple weeks before x-mas: "This was a wonderful first experience on Etsy. My friend loved these high quality Final Fantasy coasters, and they arrived in time for Christmas. Thanks so much! I would definitely buy from Melanie again."
Squeeeeeal! This totally makes my week. And I was having a rather crummy day, getting down on myself and etc. Horrible case of the hiccups. Now I can't stop smiling.
Life is good. Validation makes such a big difference when you've been plugging away at something for so long, and not seeing much in the way of results.
(At this point I make a dramatic contented sigh, and sign off.)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Non crochet! Blasphemy!
File this under other stuff I make that isn't crocheted. Weird, I know, right?
Anyhow. About Gamer Geek Girlfriend. Dan had the idea, way back whenever it was (a couple years now, I think) that I could use existing 8-bit and 16-bit video game graphics, and translate them into pixelated yarn art. The truth is, it's easier said than done. It is true that the patterns are quite simple. It is also true that they don't take too terribly long to stitch up. Dan is also quite good at selecting graphics that can be made into coasters, ornaments, or whatever else.
The putzy part (and the part that causes me extreme frustration, boredom, tedium, etc.) is taking a small image on a computer screen and translating it into a proper needlework pattern on graph paper. We haven't really come up with a better method than using small square cells in Excel, and manually "redrawing" the whole image, usually twice.
The first time Dan (or I) will use the fill cell background function and just select as many cells that are meant to be the same color as we can. Copy, paste, repeat. Since we're doing it manually, visually comparing our work to the graphic on the screen, sometimes mistakes are made. In other cases, the original image needs to be simplified - perhaps there are two or three shades of a color that really could be all the same shade, without losing much definition in the image. Dan normally makes artistic adjustments to the design at this time as well, if they are needed.
Then, I take the Excel worksheet that Dan has "colored," reselect the cells that are a certain color, and enter in a symbol or letter to represent the color of yarn needed to complete those stitches. Again, copy, paste, and repeat for each color in the design. When I am satisfied that I haven't missed any of the cells, I remove the background coloring altogether. Then I add a thicker border to every 5th row and column to make a 5x5 grid, so that I can count the stitches more easily while I work. I add a legend to tell which symbol stands for which color, and print.
All of this takes place before I ever pick up a needle and thread. For that reason, the easiest designs for me to create are the ones I've done before. I make the same 6 Final Fantasy characters over and over - it's almost to the point where I've got the patterns memorized. I've also done Megaman, Yoshi, and some others. My only real restriction, if I am making 4" coasters, is that the height and width must be no more than 26 pixels in either direction. This effectively limits the poses and removes certain characters from my potential product list. We've started to translate patterns from lots of other games, only to discover that they won't fit. For example, the only two Megaman "villians" that fit were certain poses of Quickman and Metalman. I've considered cutting the feet off of some characters, or using a partial view (maybe waist up?) but haven't been happy with the results yet.
Of course, if I'm doing a cross-stitch ornament, pin, or magnet, the sky is the limit. I cut my own pieces of plastic for those type of projects, so I'm not limited by a precut square. In particular there is a graphic of Link from the Zelda games, stabbing forward with the sword out, that I'm planning to make into a pin sometime.
A challenge that I haven't even mentioned yet is getting the colors right. There are only so many colors of cheap acrylic yarn available for me to purchase, and sometimes I've had to fake it. Typically I'll be happy with a color, even if it doesn't quite match the sprite sheet, if it coordinates with the existing colors in the pattern in a way that gives the color the appropriate context. For example, in choosing colors to make Esper Terra, I had to find three coordinating shades of purple. The lightest lavendar needed to coordinate with the medium shade in a way that didn't make it look too pink or too blue. I really liked the results, but it was a hard thing to match up. Another choice is background color - some of the games have background screens or selection screens that make choosing a background color easy - others do not.
The last thing I do, when I've completed the surface stitches of a needlepoint project, is add the backing. This finishing step is critical to the professional appearance of the project. I never want a customer to have to look at the back of my work, regardless of how tidy it may be. For coasters, I add stiff black felt, and handstitch it directly onto the canvas using a sharp needle, the whipstitch and plain black yarn. For ornaments, pins, and magnets, I use a piece of white perforated plastic (the same gauge as the clear perforated plastic I stitched the design onto). I cut it to exactly the same size and shape as the "front," then stitch the two pieces together using a whipstitch and black or white embroidery floss.
At any rate, the final product is something I'm quite proud of. It's made the greatest dollar amount of sales to anonymous strangers on my Etsy page. I do worry that it's not the sort of item that people are willing to pay a lot for, but then again, some people are really fanatics about video game nostalgia. My work on this line is intended to bring together 80's crafty kitsch with 80's video game kitsch in a cute, functional way. Hopefully I've succeeded.
My hands are crampy.
I'm not sure what is up with my late night blogging. Maybe I just naturally evaluate my activities at the end of the day. Anyhow, on with the post:
In the last couple of days I've picked up an old project that I started before the holidays. I realized at the time that I wouldn't be able to finish it in time for the whole xmas thing, so set it aside to be completed prior to the recipient's birthday, which is in late February.
The project itself is something I'm relatively proud of. It's going to be a full length twin sized blanket for a little lady who is turning 3 and getting a "big girl bed". I'm using a fairly small hook, doing a straight double crochet-between-stitches style thing, in satin sport acrylic yarn with wide pink and white stripes. Each stripe is about one full skien of yarn. So far I've completed the first three stripes, and I have 8 more to go.
Where's the problem? Well, each stripe takes about two days to complete. I can't do more than a few rows without my hands going all crampy. I think it may be to do with the fact that my hook's neck is a little too long for my usual grip, but I can't really change mid stream without screwing up the gauge. I'm hoping that it will get better as it gets wider, since right now part of the strain is due to the fact that I have to hold the fabric up high enough that I can see what I'm doing. Eventually it will rest on my lap and not put as much strain on my fingers.
Anyhow, this is easily the biggest project I've ever undertaken, and along with another "secret project" I'll write about later on, I consider it to be one of my master pieces. If I were a seamstress, it would be like a wedding dress. So I figure I'll take some nice pictures and offer it in my shop as an "attention-getter" commission item. I was thinking about it, and it's the sort of gift that takes so long to make that I'd joke that you "couldn't pay me enough" to do it for pay, but if the pay is good enough, who knows. I'd have to calculate the minimum number of hours it takes to make, and then add the materials cost. And I'd probably need a 6 week lead time. It would be an interesting experience, at least.
In the last couple of days I've picked up an old project that I started before the holidays. I realized at the time that I wouldn't be able to finish it in time for the whole xmas thing, so set it aside to be completed prior to the recipient's birthday, which is in late February.
The project itself is something I'm relatively proud of. It's going to be a full length twin sized blanket for a little lady who is turning 3 and getting a "big girl bed". I'm using a fairly small hook, doing a straight double crochet-between-stitches style thing, in satin sport acrylic yarn with wide pink and white stripes. Each stripe is about one full skien of yarn. So far I've completed the first three stripes, and I have 8 more to go.
Where's the problem? Well, each stripe takes about two days to complete. I can't do more than a few rows without my hands going all crampy. I think it may be to do with the fact that my hook's neck is a little too long for my usual grip, but I can't really change mid stream without screwing up the gauge. I'm hoping that it will get better as it gets wider, since right now part of the strain is due to the fact that I have to hold the fabric up high enough that I can see what I'm doing. Eventually it will rest on my lap and not put as much strain on my fingers.
Anyhow, this is easily the biggest project I've ever undertaken, and along with another "secret project" I'll write about later on, I consider it to be one of my master pieces. If I were a seamstress, it would be like a wedding dress. So I figure I'll take some nice pictures and offer it in my shop as an "attention-getter" commission item. I was thinking about it, and it's the sort of gift that takes so long to make that I'd joke that you "couldn't pay me enough" to do it for pay, but if the pay is good enough, who knows. I'd have to calculate the minimum number of hours it takes to make, and then add the materials cost. And I'd probably need a 6 week lead time. It would be an interesting experience, at least.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Happy Birthday to Me!
28 years ago yesterday, an overdue 8 1/2 lb baby was born in St. Paul. It was me. My family tells me it was unseasonably hot that day - shirt sleeve weather. Not this year. Right now my browser is telling me it's -7.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Shiver.
One year ago yesterday I formally launched my seller account on Etsy. I'd been making scarves and washcloths for about a month and managed to post them, complete with really crappy photography. I'm still no photographer, but in the last 12 months I've at least managed to get a proper tripod and halfway decent lighting. My username to start was (and still is to date) my buyer username - melanie7915. I didn't want to call my shop that. So I started calling it Crochety Mel's. I thought it was a cute play on words, but it wound up being too much trouble to try to pronounce. Plus, at some point I expanded into needlepoint as well as crochet. Auntie Mel's made much more sense, especially as my nieces learned to talk. My identity as the goofy aunt who had cool toys to play with and yummy snacks to eat, who gave good presents is something I claim with a great deal of pride. Tonight one of my nieces asked her daddy, "Do you like Auntie Mel's house?" He said, "Yes, do you?" She replied, "Yes, I like it here."
This next year holds major changes, for me as a woman, an artist, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. I have so many ideas and goals, and I'm excited to pursue them. I may have to go back to a "real" job soon, and I'm a bit terrified about that process, and also concerned that I will have to give up on my artistic endeavors. At the same time, this crummy economy has caused my family some financial difficulties - layoffs, cutbacks, and general uncertainty lie before us. I expect to have some new responsibilities, in all of my roles, and to sometimes feel pulled in every direction. But I'm determined to succeed, as much as I can. The phrase, "We'll get through this as a family" is a value that I, with my family, hold dear. At any rate, I expect it to be an interesting ride. No bickering in the backseat, now, kids.
One year ago yesterday I formally launched my seller account on Etsy. I'd been making scarves and washcloths for about a month and managed to post them, complete with really crappy photography. I'm still no photographer, but in the last 12 months I've at least managed to get a proper tripod and halfway decent lighting. My username to start was (and still is to date) my buyer username - melanie7915. I didn't want to call my shop that. So I started calling it Crochety Mel's. I thought it was a cute play on words, but it wound up being too much trouble to try to pronounce. Plus, at some point I expanded into needlepoint as well as crochet. Auntie Mel's made much more sense, especially as my nieces learned to talk. My identity as the goofy aunt who had cool toys to play with and yummy snacks to eat, who gave good presents is something I claim with a great deal of pride. Tonight one of my nieces asked her daddy, "Do you like Auntie Mel's house?" He said, "Yes, do you?" She replied, "Yes, I like it here."
This next year holds major changes, for me as a woman, an artist, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. I have so many ideas and goals, and I'm excited to pursue them. I may have to go back to a "real" job soon, and I'm a bit terrified about that process, and also concerned that I will have to give up on my artistic endeavors. At the same time, this crummy economy has caused my family some financial difficulties - layoffs, cutbacks, and general uncertainty lie before us. I expect to have some new responsibilities, in all of my roles, and to sometimes feel pulled in every direction. But I'm determined to succeed, as much as I can. The phrase, "We'll get through this as a family" is a value that I, with my family, hold dear. At any rate, I expect it to be an interesting ride. No bickering in the backseat, now, kids.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The CPSIA and me
EDIT: See my post here for what happened next.
One major speed bump in the road ahead, for me, is the possible enforcement of the CPSIA. A major part of my current product line, and several of my future ideas, include products made for babies and children.
The project I am most proud of is my line of baby afghans. Borrowing a bit from my item description here, since it really states how I feel about them:
"When I began making baby afghans, my first goal was to provide a boy-friendly or unisex line of blankies. I noticed so many girlie items on the market, and not nearly enough for the fellas. Or for parents who want to raise their sons and daughters in a gender-neutral environment. Or for parents from other cultures where baby girls wear colors other than pink!
"My second goal was to provide easy care blankets with quality natural materials. Let’s face it, babies are messy little buggers, and there is no way an heirloom quality blanket would ever get used if it wasn’t machine washable. All my blankets are machine washable and most are dryer safe – all can be put in the dryer, but if you have concerns about shrinkage you can still hang dry them. In my experience, it’s hard enough to get the little one to let go of the blanket long enough to go through the wash, let alone long enough to air dry. Plus they stretch right back out with use.
"My niece Ella was the inspiration for what I believe is the best feature of my blanket sets – the mini taggie/lovey. Her great-grandma gave her a big baby afghan and a little one for her dolly. Ella decided to use the doll blanket as a mini version of the big one, for times when the big one was impractical. When she was small it was the perfect size to tuck in her lap in her bucket seat. If you ever need a replacement for the lovey, please send me a convo and I’ll see what I can do. (Ella’s formerly white & pastel 'little bicky' is now fairly grey!)"
So where's the problem? At this point, if I make any new blankets after February 10, I have to pay several thousands of dollars for lead testing. This testing would have to be completed on each type of blanket I make, most of which are completely unique, and it destroys the blanket. So far there have been a few exceptions made - certain "natural materials" such as cotton will be exempt, so long as they are in their natural undyed (?!) state. I have exactly one blanket that I could continue to make and sell.
Now, I'm all for safety in childrens products. Really, I am. If either of my nieces ingested lead from a toy or other product, I'd be furious at the manufacturer. But the fact is, by their very nature, none of my blankets contain lead. I'll still be allowed to sell my existing inventory, provided that none of the blankets contain lead, haha. If later testing revealed that they did, they would be classified as an unlawful hazardous substance, and I would face severe fines and possible criminal charges. I'm in no way concerned about that, since again, by their nature, none of my materials can possibly contain lead.
The thing that infuriates me here is that I'll no longer be allowed to make these perfectly safe, enjoyable, comforting products for the kids. This law cripples the entire industry of handmade childrens products, basically all of which are made to higher standards of quality than the mass-produced crapola. Charities will also be destroyed - Project Linus, for example, will not be able to continue. Every donation would be illegal, unless there are major changes to the way the law is applied.
The only real silver lining, here, is that the CPSC has an extremely limited number of people on staff to deal with enforcement. So, they're most likely not going to go after the "little guy", since it would be a waste of their limited resources. Still, I'm not one to blatantly break the law. Who would have thought we'd see a day when handmade toys would have to be sold on the black market? For now, I'm stitching my little fingers to the bone to finish creating blankets out of my existing materials by February 9th.
First Post - Hello World?
So here I am, starting up another blog. I suppose I better just introduce myself and let you know why the hell I'm here.
My name is Auntie Mel. I'm a yarn artist working in St. Paul, Minnesota. I left my day job behind (read: got laid off) almost a year ago to pursue my art (read: collect unemployment and make stuff in my boredom). Luckily I have an incredibly supportive husband who has a "real" job.
I launched my Etsy shop in January 2008. My impressions so far: Etsy can be a warm, welcoming, and at the same time, very lonely place. The competition can be a bit fierce, and sometimes it seems like the same 5 sellers constantly get their work on the "front page". The neat thing, though, is that it is what you make of it. It's not like, if you post it, they will come. You have to work to get your name out there.
Which brings us to today. One of the highly recommended promotional activities is daily blogging. So, I'm going to give it a shot. I've made probably at least 5 failed blogs in my lifetime. I'm not going to bore you with the reasons, but I figure if my income is dependent on blogging, I might just stick to it.
My name is Auntie Mel. I'm a yarn artist working in St. Paul, Minnesota. I left my day job behind (read: got laid off) almost a year ago to pursue my art (read: collect unemployment and make stuff in my boredom). Luckily I have an incredibly supportive husband who has a "real" job.
I launched my Etsy shop in January 2008. My impressions so far: Etsy can be a warm, welcoming, and at the same time, very lonely place. The competition can be a bit fierce, and sometimes it seems like the same 5 sellers constantly get their work on the "front page". The neat thing, though, is that it is what you make of it. It's not like, if you post it, they will come. You have to work to get your name out there.
Which brings us to today. One of the highly recommended promotional activities is daily blogging. So, I'm going to give it a shot. I've made probably at least 5 failed blogs in my lifetime. I'm not going to bore you with the reasons, but I figure if my income is dependent on blogging, I might just stick to it.
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