Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
New Website!
Starbright Baby has a new home on the web! It's starbrightbabyonline.com
There you can find out how to order Starbright Baby products, blogs that have featured us, contact info, and our new swatch page where you can see all the gorgeous fabric we have available for custom giraffes.
I'll still be posting finished custom giraffes and other items over here too!
Take a look around!
There you can find out how to order Starbright Baby products, blogs that have featured us, contact info, and our new swatch page where you can see all the gorgeous fabric we have available for custom giraffes.
I'll still be posting finished custom giraffes and other items over here too!
Take a look around!
Friday, January 23, 2009
SAVE HANDMADE!
Last summer after a flood of recalls due to lead tainted toys, congress passed the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) It mandates that all products intended for kids under the age of 12 be tested for lead. In effect, every toy on the shelf out there would be considered "toxic waste" if not tested. Sounds like a good law to help keep kids safe, right?
What congress didn't consider is the costs and affects this law would have on crafters like me as well as resale shops and people who donate kids items.
For me, I make very small batches of giraffes (like 10 per fabric pattern). Put aside the fact that the materials I use are either certified lead-free by the manufacturer (like the stuffing I use) or very very unlikely to have lead in it (like the fabric I use). I would have to pay anywhere from $500 to $2000 per fabric pattern to have it tested. That could add anywhere from $50-$200 in the pricetag for each giraffe! $214 giraffe anyone?!? ;)
The reality is that crafters like me, who use proven safe materials are going to put out of business or have to change thier business drastically.
Another thing that wasn't thought of when they passed the law was resale shops. There are thrift shops that are already pulling kids items from the shelves. The law says they don't have to test children's items to sell them, but that they'll be held liable if anything goes wrong. Many shops will just pull the items rather than put up with the headache of all of the regulations. I buy a lot of used clothing for my little guy, and this will change the way we shop for him.
The American Librrary Association is almost begging the CPSC and Congress to clarify their stance on books for children. At this point to comply with the law, libraries will have to close their children's sections! (see here)
This law also states that items that aren't tested can't even be GIVEN away. First of all think of all the perfectly good and safe toys that will end up in a landfill. Secondly, I think of the precious little knit hat volunteers made to give to newborn babies at the hospital. The ladies that make those put their hearts into each and every hat. No longer will they be able to make such a sweet donation.
This law touches everyone with kids, grandkids, or even people who just know kids. I urge you to write your representatives and ask them to add some common sense provisions to this law. I'm all for protecting kids, but we need to go after those who caused this problem. Right now the only punishment the companies that imported these toxic and dangerous toys is a larger market share.
What congress didn't consider is the costs and affects this law would have on crafters like me as well as resale shops and people who donate kids items.
For me, I make very small batches of giraffes (like 10 per fabric pattern). Put aside the fact that the materials I use are either certified lead-free by the manufacturer (like the stuffing I use) or very very unlikely to have lead in it (like the fabric I use). I would have to pay anywhere from $500 to $2000 per fabric pattern to have it tested. That could add anywhere from $50-$200 in the pricetag for each giraffe! $214 giraffe anyone?!? ;)
The reality is that crafters like me, who use proven safe materials are going to put out of business or have to change thier business drastically.
Another thing that wasn't thought of when they passed the law was resale shops. There are thrift shops that are already pulling kids items from the shelves. The law says they don't have to test children's items to sell them, but that they'll be held liable if anything goes wrong. Many shops will just pull the items rather than put up with the headache of all of the regulations. I buy a lot of used clothing for my little guy, and this will change the way we shop for him.
The American Librrary Association is almost begging the CPSC and Congress to clarify their stance on books for children. At this point to comply with the law, libraries will have to close their children's sections! (see here)
This law also states that items that aren't tested can't even be GIVEN away. First of all think of all the perfectly good and safe toys that will end up in a landfill. Secondly, I think of the precious little knit hat volunteers made to give to newborn babies at the hospital. The ladies that make those put their hearts into each and every hat. No longer will they be able to make such a sweet donation.
This law touches everyone with kids, grandkids, or even people who just know kids. I urge you to write your representatives and ask them to add some common sense provisions to this law. I'm all for protecting kids, but we need to go after those who caused this problem. Right now the only punishment the companies that imported these toxic and dangerous toys is a larger market share.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Facebook Group!
I finally broke down and started a Facebook group for Starbright Baby (actually I just finally figured out how to do it!) It's called "Starbright Baby Teething Giraffes." Come join us!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wrap Scraps! (My Favorite!)
I have been collecting wrap scraps for months now, and I finally got a bunch of them ready to go! They turned out really cute, and it makes me want to have another baby just so I can wrap him or her... ;)
I didn't wrap my almost 2 year old Aaron much as a newborn, and only got into it when he was about 9 months old. We were pouch and mei tai people before that. And now he's too big for me to wrap comfortably. Hopefully soon I'll have another one to snuggle! (and I already have a wrap on the way!)
Check out my shop for the full line, but here's one of my fav from the bunch:
Inka
I didn't wrap my almost 2 year old Aaron much as a newborn, and only got into it when he was about 9 months old. We were pouch and mei tai people before that. And now he's too big for me to wrap comfortably. Hopefully soon I'll have another one to snuggle! (and I already have a wrap on the way!)
Check out my shop for the full line, but here's one of my fav from the bunch:
Inka
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