My Computer Friday

All day long - on the computer. Not exactly my cup of tea, but something that needs to be done! I have started stocking my new ebay store shelves: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/bittersweetdesignstudio__, stocking my artfire shelves: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=14927, and putting a few more things in my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5589402.

My Crafting Tuesday

Two projects I wanted to get finished were completed today. Yeah! A custom order - a pair of socks with trains - for my friend Patty and a pencil case and folder - in vintage fabric - for my daughter. Suzy at www.GeorgiaPeachez.etsy.com made the pencil case for her and then I took it one step further and lined it with wipe clean vinyl and added an edge to put grommets in. The folder was a bit more of a mind bender, but it came out great - the main body of the folder is a vintage tablecloth, the pockets are a vintage valence. They were Scotchguarded last night and they are in school today!
I also have included a link to Macy's blog that shows daughter Beatrix in her custom painted baby socks. http://macy-sears.blogspot.com/. Macy is the etsy mom that was the recipient of a gift of baby socks from my etsy shop last week when etsy held their Virtual Baby Shower in the labs. It was a lot of fun to meet all of the other moms and etsy sellers and to see all of the other baby shower gifts.

Happy Groundhog Day

Boy I wish he were mine! This little fella belongs to the Lucketts Store though and he is their mascot, I guess - always dressed appropriately for the season and keeping watch over the front counter.

Groundhog Day and why I love it:

1. The absolute kitschyness of the whole event in Punxatawney, PA is too fun and over the top - I am seriously planning to attend next year.

2. My mom and I always celebrate today, because this is the day that I was released from the preemie ward and came to live with my adoptive parents. I weighed 4 pounds and had to be fed every 2 hours - my grandfather, Roland, (who was also born on 2/2 - I believe) told my mom he didn't think I was going to make it. I guess I showed him!

3. The movie Groundhog Day - I love how the main character has to keep repeating the day until he 'gets it right'.

4. It is my one year etsy anniversary - at least from the buying end! I have so enjoyed the opportunity to buy and sell in this fantastic marketplace full of such great people!

Check out Phil's site http://www.groundhog.org/

'A Wintry Mix' Open House

Hello! We are inviting you to come to our 8th Annual Winter/Valentine's Day Open House.

Where: Bittersweet Design Studio and Moonshine Essentials

Paeonian Springs, VA

When: Friday, January 30th from 12 noon to 5pm and

Saturday, January 31st from 12 noon to 5pm - Notice - per special request we will open at 11am today!

Refreshments: Of course! We made peppermint crunch clusters and sand tarts - a rolled sugar cookie. We will also have hot tea to drink.

Our focus for this open house is a 'wintry mix'. Coined by Virginia - an homage to her Pop who is a weatherholic; to the weather - you never know what it may bring this time of year; and also to the items we like to focus on at this open house - a blend of winter items - the blues and whites of snowmen and snowflakes, and the reds and pinks of hearts and all those things that say love.

We always have a great time at these events and we hope to see you here - either Friday or Saturday! Love and Kisses! xo Elizabeth and Virginia

If you value handmade children's items - PLEASE READ THIS and ACT NOW

This is extremely important!
Contact your Representative
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml#va
Contact your Senator
http://www.senate.gov
Contact the White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Call Henry Waxman's comment line 202-225-4434 and let them know this is unacceptable!

We only have today and tomorrow before commenting closes on the CPSIA - Consumer Protection Safety Information Act. Which is a good thing when aimed at the large toy, etc... manufacturers and all the crap they have brought in from China and elsewhere that contain high lead levels. However it is such an amorphous law that it also encompasses the small crafters and businesses that make perfectly safe items for children and babies.

The testing for lead and phthalates is monetarily out of this world and will 'sink' millions and millions of small businesses.
Let our President and Congress know how you feel about your ability to purchase safe and well made handcrafted items by contacting them - PLEASE!
For more information please read
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-deadline-for-changeorg-vote-cnn-article-3247/

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.

Featured in an etsy treasury

Thanks to Kristen for featuring my awesome lamps in her treasury!
http://www.kristensteinfineart.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5192173

Amend the CPSIA

Currently these toddler socks are available to purchase for $3.50. After 2/10/09 the prices goes up a bit to $3940.00.

This has been the hot topic of discussion of late - not only on etsy, but elsewhere.

Many of my fellow etsyians (myself included) have added a - post CPSIA product - to our etsy shops. These high priced items will give people an idea as to what it will cost for small businesses like ours to do lead and phthalate testing on items that we create (probably mostly with products already imported into the USA).

This law goes into effect Feruary 10, 2009.

Here is a link: http://www.mondrysyknotshop.blogspot.com/

Here you will see just the tip of the iceberg - of products that you will most likely be unable to purchase after 2/10/09. This law is a complete blanket regarding lead testing and is a backlash from all of the large manufacturers not monitoring their children's products carefully enough, and too many toys containing high lead levels.

We as small business owners are trying our hardest to get this law amended to save not only handmade products, but also vintage items!