Government Bans Handmade Toys for Christmas

Folks amongst all this talk about stimulus plans, and getting people back to work, our government is causing massive small business owners and not-for-profit groups to stop making generations of handmade toys. No one can afford the lab testing and label requirements set out in this new regulation. It's all about the lead scare from 2008 on China imported toys. The Act is known as the New requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) I won't go into a bunch of new information as the Internet is buzzing over this topic. It is confusing and it has people scared to death to make and sell almost anything, as it includes children up to the age of 12. Even libraries are concerned with the new requirements. There is some language that says parts of the requirements are postponed until 2010, but frankly I have taken all my hand crafted toys off my online store because it is so confusing. I'm afraid I could be fined or even go to prison. This is such of a ridiculous requirement, lead paint has been banned in the US for years. Many of my friends are Amish crafts people who depend on these products for their lively hood.

I want to bring your attention to this issue and the need to put a stop to it. Please join the cause, Face Book has a group just on this topic, Help Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA. Below are all the sites working on this issue. Please take the time to join these groups.

Thanks

Liz

Sign our Petition
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/handmadetoys/

Show your Support: Become a Fan of the HTA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Handmade-Toy-Alliance/43825506737

Join the discussion on change.org and contribute your ideas to our National Campaign geared toward fixing the CPSIA
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

Write to your United States Congress Person and Senator to request changes in the CPSIA to save handmade toys. Use our sample letter or write your own-
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/how-you-can-help

Toymakers & Toy-related Businesses:
Join the Handmade Toy Alliance
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org

Everyone:
Join the CPSIA information group
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/

Donatations For Hunting Groups

I’m pleased to report we were able to donate several of our Amish crafted hunting calls to several not-for-profit groups and state chapters for annual banquets and fund raising projects. The Meade Natural Heritage Association (MNHA), NWTF and Indiana Whitetails Unlimited, Southwestern Pennsylvania Hunting Retriever Club, and Western New York Retriever Club, Inc., (WNYRC) we hope to make more donations next year based on our sales. Please join us in supporting these and all the great hunting groups.

Thanks,
Liz

http://www.cottagecraftworks.com