(Choosen randomly using Random.org)
This giveaway is to raise awareness about the CPSIA. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was an act passed by congress to address the problem of unsafe levels of lead and phthalates in toys. Unfortunately, if it goes forward unchanged it will have the un-intended consequence of putting many small hand-crafters of children's products out of business--not because the crafts they are selling are un-safe, but because the testing required by the law is costly and not designed for people who make one of a kind items.
UPDATE: Good news! The CPSA has offered a stay of enforcement on most testing requirements until next year to give theie staff "more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted." Meanwhile, Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) is proposing a bill to amend the CPSIA on the floor of the Senate tomorrow (Feb 3) so it would be a great time to call your senators about this. Legally the CPSA is powerless to make some of the changes necessary to fix this bill without legislation saying that they can--so this is a step in the right direction. You can read more about these recent changes HERE.
Now, here's what I'm giving away.
This cute 0-3 month onesie from the shop Rainbow Swirls is just one example of products you might not be able to find on February 11th if the CPSIA goes forward unchanged. When I asked the shop-owner how this law would affect her she said "I am absolutely devestated by this..not so much for me selling children items because that is not what I specialize in...but not being able to buy. I have a 9 month old and have a serious addiction with buying her handmade. Makes me sad!"
If you would like to win one this onesie, do one the following (remembering to leave a way to contact you in your comments)...
IF this is the first time you've heard about the CPSIA and how it may affect handmade, please read ONE of the following two articles, then come back here and leave a comment:
Handmade Toy Alliance Article
OR if you are already familiar with this issue, just leave a comment below telling what you think about it.
FOR EXTRA ENTRIES do any of the following (please leave a separate comment for each of these you do). :
1. Blog about the CPSIA or this giveaway and then come back here and share the URL to your blog post in a comment.
2. E-mail your friends about the CPSIA, then come back here and leave a comment telling me you did.
3. Share about the CPSIA on a forum...and come back here and let me know what forum you posted on.
4. Join one of the CPSIA protest/awareness groups on Facebook (a search under CPSIA will bring up several) then comment telling me which one you joined.
5. Write your congressman...then make a comment sharing that you did.
6. Visit my CPSIA Squidoo about this subject and do ANY of the following then come back here and comment that you did: Rate it, Lensroll it, Leave a Flickr of a "Soon to be discontinued" item, Share a CPSIA prompted sale, or leave a comment in my Guestbook (at bottom).
7. Comment with a link to any CPSIA related giveaways you know of, so that I can include links to these here.
8. Go visit Rainbow Swirls then come back here and leave a positive comment about her shop. I bought this onsie from her for 20 cents and shipping as a PAY IT FORWARD, so this is one way I'd like to say THANK YOU.
Entries are only availble to US entrants (sorry bout that) because of shipping issues. You can enter through Feb 2nds, and on Feb 3rd I will choose the winner using a random number generator. You forfeit your prize if I can't reach you to get your address before Feb 6.
To find LOTS of other giveaways, visit the Carnival going on right now at the Bloggy Giveaways. Much fun!
I like the totebags on Rainbow Swirls, they are cool. I would love to win this for my sister in law, she just had twins. Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteI'm really baffled by the CPSIA. I LOVE buying handmade items and I'm really upset that all of these businesses are going to suffer from other companies mistakes. I especially love finding things organic that are handmade by American families, like mine. I really wish Rainbow Swirls all of the best.
ReplyDeletejessrkynoch(at)gmail(dot)com
The Rainbow Swirls shop is adorable! I love all of the aprons with cute sayings. My favorite is "Kitchen Magician"
ReplyDeletejessrkynoch(at)gmail(dot)com
I think it is a good idea gone terribly awry. i've written to my congresspeople about it!
ReplyDeleteI think it is too bad that it will affect so many just trying to make extra money from their homes. We all need to write to our senators and congressmen.
ReplyDeleteI really hope that something changes quick, but I LOVE to shop at consignment stores for my kids' clothes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering it!
princesslimey(at)gmail(dot)com
So many home businesses will be out of business AND these are the best, high quality, good for our kids products out there! summe21 at aol.com
ReplyDeleteI'm also very sad about all this. I wish there were something we could do to protect us all without hurting businesses! Thanks
ReplyDeletei understand the why behind the law, but i think they did not think about the many small business owners and how it would affect them. hopefully an exception will be added in - i think this is already being worked on?
ReplyDeleteebienic(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think it's really, really terrible. I was wondering if people could get around it by not actually selling their homemade things but selling "something else" and then including the homemade item. I don't know if that makes sense...but I've seen people doing it on eBay, because they are selling coupons that are not really supposed to be sold. So they sell something else small, and then the coupon comes with it. Anyway, it's a really sad situation and I hope something works out! Thanks so much for the giveaway - this onesie is super cute!
ReplyDeletemyshadow28(at)aol(dot)com
Rainbow Swirls has some really neat designs!! Very unique...
ReplyDeleteI think CPSIA was designed with great intentions, but it's clearly have very unintended consequences...which is unfortunate for so many businesses and us customers as well.
ReplyDeletesabrina999 AT rogers DOT com
I think CPSIA is sad, because I really enjoy buying products that are made uniquely and with love and care verses buying things that are made in bulk overseas.
ReplyDeleteIt is really too bad that CPSIA would have such devastating effects on small businesses. I would be sad to see some of my favorite etsy shops close down!
ReplyDeletesnkjohnson at gmail dot com
The CPSIA is crazy. I don't understand why we don't just apply these standards to children's items that come from overseas. Homemade items are not the problem. Things made in countries with no scruples are.
ReplyDeletedanicaelaine(at)yahoo(dot)com
I already contacted via email the CPSIA and let them know my opinion on how they are hurting stay at home mothers and putting people out of business. I told them if they wanted the items tested, then the government should pay for it, for these little home based companies making less than 50K a year. I told them if they could bail out irresponsible banks and automakers, then they could bail out responsible mommies.
ReplyDeleteI've signed a petition against it. I'm really annoyed that this applies to domestic companies. The issues are clearly an international compliance issue. It's sad that cottage industries are being run out of business in a time when we should be helping these businesses grow and thrive!
ReplyDeleteJenny
cute products
ReplyDeleteand this law makes no sense
at all
It bothers me how many great home businesses will suffer or have to close due to this cpsia ruling. I'm all for children's safety, but sometimes laws just go a little overboard.
ReplyDeletei never heard about this and it makes me sad to know that we would not be able to find homemade toys anymore. :(
ReplyDeleteI would love to win and I really hope this law is changed before it happens con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI think it was a good idea, but was taken to extremes!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad, that so many stores are closing because of this. We need regulation, but this is a terrible way to go about it. They need to regulate everything that comes from china. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI just recently heard about this, and I am mad! It is sad how many small and local businesses are going to suffer greatly from this! I am going to do something to help fight it.
ReplyDeleteI think that it will be very hard to implement that! Some modification has to be done.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
I think it's really really sad that some of the best and most affordable products won't be available.
ReplyDeleteI love her shop! all of her designs are so fun and unique... my favorite is the robot and fields monster bag
ReplyDeleteI dont like this new law, what gives them the right? Would give this for Great grand child. ffbbcourtney@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteadorable! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen i first heard of it, I thought it was a good idea. Then when I was exposed to how it will put so many people out of business, I was devastated. I thought for sure if the maker uses products that were already tested then they wouldn't have to worry, but I guess that isn't the case. hopefully it will change. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletebabychooch (at) gmail {dot} com
I'm really sad about this. I really love buying homemade, especially toys and clothing for children and it baffles me why they are ignoring so many american business owners, especially now in this economy.
ReplyDeleteI wrote to my congressman. I hope it does some good.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad! I am writting to Conress about this as this is just going to make oue economy even worse!!!! Thanks for the giveaway and for letting me know about this issue.
ReplyDeletechericehodges@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, this is too cute!! I would love to have this for my baby! Ok now onto the CPSIA, well I guess we just found out that it's been postponed a year- yay!! I agree with protecting our kiddies from lead, but the majority of things I get for them are unqiue handmade items. If I couldnt, it would really suck! I feel that handmade, natural items made with love are best for my kids. And CPSIA would change that! So, we need to continue to fight this!
ReplyDeletekayceewilliams at gmail dot com
When I first heard about CPSIA, I emailed the protest to just about everyone in my addy book and asked them to sign the protest too! So, does that count? :)
ReplyDeletekayceewilliams at gmail dot com
I joined a group on Facebook called "Help Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA"!
ReplyDeletekayceewilliams at gmail dot com
The only CPSIA giveaway I know about right now is here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.seeryusmama.com/2009/01/baby-brewing-giveaway-and-cpsia-sucks.html
kayceewilliams at gmail dot com
I like the Rainbow Swirls shop. They have some really cute tote bags! I really like the Knitting Love Birds Natural one!
ReplyDeletekayceewilliams at gmail dot com
I blogged about this great giveaway to bring awareness to CPSIA!!
ReplyDeletehttp://gimme50.blogspot.com
kayceewilliams at gmail dot com