Help Save Handmade Products!

For those who are not aware, in August of this year, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in an effort to ensure improved safety standards for children's products in the US. This legislation was brought about by numerous incidences in 2007 involving the presence of lead and phalates in products outsourced by large manufacturers to China for production.

I've spent a great deal of time over the past week reviewing the legislation and discussing it with my fellow mom-preneurs, and I must say that I am very discouraged by this law in its current form. The Act is, in theory, a good idea and I am all for increasing the safety of products that we allow into this country and into the hands of our children. However, the CPSIA definitely has it's shortcomings and seems to have been a knee-jerk reaction to a complex and multi-faceted issue. As it currently stands, the Act is incredibly global in nature with regulations that will result in incredibly high expenses for manufacturers, particularly small, mom-and-pop companies specializing in beautifully handcrafted items for children.

With the Act set to take effect in Feb. 2009, manufacturers will be forced to pay safety certification fees that range from the hundreds to thousands of dollars PER ITEM in order to continue selling their items. Not such a big concern for the large manufacturers specializing in mass production...potentially crippling for the smaller US businesses who have a history of providing quality childrens products with no history of safety issues. Items effected are toys (wooden, felt, etc...you name it!), clothing, blankets, hair accessories, tutus, and much, much more!

It appears as though the CPSIA simply forgot to exclude the class of products made in the US, Canada, and Europe that have already earned the public's trust and adoration. The end result is, that unless the law is amended, HANDMADE CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS WILL NO LONGER BE LEGAL IN THE US.

Click HERE to view a wealth of information from the Handmade Toy Alliance.

Click HERE to view the actual CPSIA legislation, FAQs, and updates.

How Can You Help?

Please write to your United States Congress Person and Senator to request changes in the CPSIA to save handmade products. Use this sample letter from the Handmade Toy Alliance or write your own. You can find your Congress Person here and Senator here.

I sent my email letter off earlier this week...it's easy as pie and takes only minutes. If you love buying handmade products for family and friends like I do, please take a minute of your time to try to preserve the privilege that we are soon to lose in this country.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Melanie S. of Nashville, TN! Melanie is the proud winner of the Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby Boutique Holiday Giveaway. I've been in touch with her and her $25 gift certificate will be well on its way tomorrow. Have fun shopping, Melanie!

Thank you to all of those who entered the contest through our site and our blog. The response was overwhelming and we appreciate your interest in our product line!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bullfrogs & Butterflies!!

Feisty, Frugal, and Fabulous Giveaway!

Stop by and visit our friend, Tenille, over at Feisty, Frugal, and Fabulous for her Kick Off to Christmas Event! She's hosting daily contests for fabulous prizes to countdown the days until Christmas.

Up for grabs for the next week is a pair of Bullfrogs & Butterflies own Baby Berries (TM)!

Thanks to Tenille for a yummy review!

Ho, Ho, Ho...I Did It!

My adorable 18 month old niece is a consummate tomboy who just so happens to LOVE to feel like a princess! She loves to twirl and dance, all the while carrying her big brother's football in her little pink purse :-) So this Christmas, I decided to try my hand at making her a fabulously poofy tutu...I used a whisper pink top layer and a super sparkly lavender for the bottom just to give it a bit of bling...TU-TU Cute (if I do say so myself)! I'm so pleased with how it turned out that I've decided to try my hand a crafting a sweet little crochet-flower headband to match.

It's so wonderful when a vision and final product match up!!

Great Advertising Opp!

Hello all fellow mom-preneurs! My friend Tammy over at Milk and Cookeez is offering a fabulous advertising opportunity...click HERE to stop by her blog and find out how you can advertise for FREE on her sidebar...that's right, I said FREE!! There are only 2 spots remaining, so don't delay!!

Where Did the Week Go?

Boy, how time flies! Here it is, another Monday, and I just realized that I haven't written a thing since last Monday. I promise to be better...I swear these pregnancy hormones have me more absent minded than ever!!

Needless to say, I've managed to stay very busy this past week filling orders and sending out some surprise holiday goodies to a few lucky ladies (whoo hoo!).

I've also posted a couple of new goodies at Bullfrogs & Butterflies...feel free to stop by

and take a peek at our new Hair Treats & Accessory Holders!

I have to credit the former to a number of customers who have requested that I make our cupcake clippy toppers available "a la carte" and the latter to a need for a stylish place to store all of those fabulous clippies! Thanks to our wonderful clients for the inspiration!!

Keep checking back for some more great additions later this week!

Holiday Goodies

Earn an extra chance to win by becoming a follower of my yummy blog and leaving a comment here to let me know!