Bamboletta Blog

feeling a little ill about it..

I don’t even have the energy to write about this. Cool Mom Picks has written a good article here (please read!) about the new CPSIA legislation that will take effect Feb 2009, unless something is done to stop it. I can’t believe that selling my dolls to someone in the USA may become illegal. I will write more about this once I am a bit more clear on what is actually happening – there’s alot of information. I have a baby with 10 teeth coming in and a sick sitter so I haven’t had much time to look into it. I’ll keep you all up to date .. so sad though and quite angry. It seems that the only ones that will be able to afford the testing are the ones that caused us the problems in the first place.. arghhh! The Handmade Toy Alliance is another good place for information.

xo C

Posted

in

by

admin

Tags:

Comments

21 responses to “feeling a little ill about it..”

  1. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Ugh. Off to read the article, but maybe I need to stock up on Bamboletta’s now for my 10 month old? Hang in there. You create beautiful dolls and they bring so much joy to the world.

    Reply
  2. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Alright. As a new Etsy seller I am angry that I won’t be able to share my little critters with the world either. What crap. Talk about total overkill and missing the point. *sigh* Emailing my congress representatives now. Why isn’t Etsy making a big deal about this too?

    Reply
  3. Leah Killian Avatar
    Leah Killian

    UNBELIEVABLE. UN-freaking-believable!

    That being said. . .I would totally buy Bamboletta on the black market 😉

    Still- such a poorly thought out bit of legislation!

    Reply
  4. Naomi Avatar
    Naomi

    I just don’t understand the impetus behind this legislation… ugh.

    On a brighter note, Roo let me sleep with her Bamboletta last night because I’m sick and she wanted me to feel better. So sweet.

    Hope your Jasper is doing okay. Those teeth are rotten little things! My Jasper has some nasty virus that is making him wake up with his eyes crusted shut. Icky.

    Reply
  5. admin Avatar
    admin

    I know – it’s driving me crazy!! This legislation is so far reaching that they even have ‘laws’ on your advertising and marketing. I thought I may be able to get away with selling the dolls as collector items or something like that (we all know it’s really the moms that want the dolls!)but if I mention or have pictures of children on my site/advertising – then it is a child’s toy and I am breaking the law. Up to $100k fines.. I’m sorry but WTF? What will happen to Etsy? Chris, I know that Etsy did have a response somewhere on one of the threads. I think that they are keeping out of it to cover themselves – giving out legal advice is tricky – I hope that there will probably be something in the Storque soon.

    Reply
  6. Monica Avatar
    Monica

    I am heartbroken by this one….I am currently carrying as though it will be amended….but, to be honest, I’m scared. I’ve blogged a tiny bit about it, and placed several calls both to DC and my local reps…I’m holding out hope.
    As for Bamboletta’s…I don’t have *my* doll yet…so, trust me, I’m stalking. (Or I’ll have my great aunt buy one and gift it to me. 😉 )

    Reply
  7. Cate Avatar
    Cate

    Hey! Christina Craftsbury kids sent me an email recently explaining all this rubbish. Please do not let it make you feel bad, Your wonderful work will continue I am sure of it. I have been thinking and there might be a way around it, IF it all went through.

    Surely your dolls could be ‘Works of Art’. As a textile/sculptural artist your “works” could surely be sold to buyers of ‘ART’ …

    Perhaps they will realize that in todays economic climate this bill will cause thousands of home based crafters (that are supporting their families) to go under and only add to the crisis.

    Well if all goes to …. You can still sell them to Australia we don’t have any issues with wonderful home business.

    Stay positive. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Elma Avatar
    Elma

    Oh my word why don’t they spend more time on hunger or childrens welfare instead of cute dolls.What is this world comming to. I want my dolls. I can’t believe it!!I guess I had better get mine in Jan. Keep us posted.

    Reply
  9. Roseanne Perkins Avatar
    Roseanne Perkins

    Just contacted my Senator and Congressman. I can’t believe how short sighted this legislation is. I’m in the process of getting rid of all the mass-produced plastic junk my kids have and replacing it with handmade, natural toys because they are safer (and more beautiful). I’m glad I caught a Bamboletta on Natural Pod last night. Might have to try and pick another one up on Etsy this week too, just in case it takes them a while to sort this out. But I have confidence they will find a way to fix it…

    Reply
  10. admin Avatar
    admin

    Thanks everyone!

    I feel a bit ‘protected’ because I operate out of Canada. I just feel so badly for all those natural toy retailers that having to deal with this. Selecta has pulled out of the US – that is so unfortunate. Their games are loved and played in this house many times. I will continue to sell my dolls as I normally do, taking on custom orders, etc – not to worry!!I’m unclear as to what I need to get tested. Some say it’s a component test where I’d have to get string, material, wool, all the different types of yarn, every kind of fabric I use (really!?!) or if it’s just a ‘per product test’. if it’s the latter than that will be ‘doable’ – It’s all so grey right now as to what we are to do.

    Roseanne- who did you end up buying? 🙂

    Reply
  11. Amber Avatar
    Amber

    Eeep! I read about this legislation in Mothering and it sounded like a good thing. I was disappointed that Canada wasn’t following suit – protecting kids and all that jazz. How disappointing that it’s not being implemented well.

    It’s the small businesses in the US that will really suffer. I wish there was something I could do other than offer my moral support. Unfortunately as a Canadian lobbying my elected reps wouldn’t do much. 🙁

    Reply
  12. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    This makes me so mad! I already sent letters to my state senator, and congressman.
    Keep your chin up Christina! I am hopeful things will work out ok!

    Reply
  13. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    Did you get my email about Bea? I wrote to let you know she arrived, but wanted to mention it here in case the email didn’t make it to you! She is absolutely perfect! My daughter is going to be on cloud nine when she meets her on Christmas day! Thank you again for sharing your beautiful dolls 🙂 Have a great day!

    Reply
  14. Cheryl Avatar
    Cheryl

    Well, my work is done today I just wrote the senator and congress man. I hope you will take a deep breath. Let everyone in america know the best time to visit your shop is…so we can all start planning our summer vacations. We can then pick up our dolls for next christmas…or would that not be legal either?

    Reply
  15. Hilary Avatar
    Hilary

    How silly! My husband is a US government employee and I speak from personal experience that they seem to miss the forest through the trees! I have contacted my Senator and Representative and will pass this along to all my mama friends. Have faith that you will find away around this/through this. On a happy note, I received my toddler doll from Mahar yesterday. I was thrilled with her. I cannot wait for Santa to come! I spent a good half hour cuddling her on the couch and feeling her warm up. My husband thought I was a little weird. I told him I wish I had a friend here who could appreciate my joy! (We just moved to Canada from the States). My little Mary (14 months) is going to love her. Keep your chin up and keep smiling!

    Reply
  16. Garland Avatar
    Garland

    I am also ill about this! I have like others sent letters to my congressman and senator and forwarded the legislation to everyone I know! Your dolls are so special and I am sure there will be a way for us in the US to still purchase them! Just like raw milk is for “pet consumption” in all states but here in California (however barely still legal). It will all work out! You have all my love and support!

    Reply
  17. Alicia Avatar
    Alicia

    Well I have just written my State Rep. using the suggested letter. I urge everyone to do just that, before blogging here! :>) That said I have still got to get a little Bamboletta for my little one. Selling as a work of art, nothing truer said!

    Reply
  18. Roseanne Perkins Avatar
    Roseanne Perkins

    I chose Selia (I think that is how you spelled it!) I loved the reddish highlights in her hair. My daughter Maeve’s hair is like that too (and so is her Grandma’s), so when I saw Selia I knew she was the one. We are looking forward to her arrival and hoping our letters to our Congressmen and Senators help!

    Reply
  19. April Avatar
    April

    Despite the fact that we are in Canada, it will affect us all too – I actually did send a letter to my MP, asking that given the economic impact on small businesses in Canada as well (as many of us sell to the US or use suppliers who are small-scale craftspeople), it puts us all at risk.

    I urge everyone, regardless of where they live, to contact their local government representatives. This legislation is dangerous to all of our livelihoods despite it’s efforts to protect children.

    Once more the little guy is threatened by the “big boxes” of the world.

    Reply
  20. Alicia Avatar
    Alicia

    How ridiculous! I hope they can see some sense before it’s too late, glad I live in Australia- you can export as many dolls as you’d like over here 🙂 I guess my Etsy shop is under threat too, at least I have local options though.

    Reply
  21. Chemicals, Toys and Bureaucracy, Oh My! | Strocel.com

    […] I was very disappointed when Christina over at Bamboletta clued me in to problems with the CPSIA. It seems that as well-intentioned as the legislation may […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *