Help Save Handmade Toys and Children's Products from the CPSIA

It's been an awful long while since I've blogged! These have been some crazy months...my oldest turned 4 years old....the holidays of course....business AND the CPSIA

I'm sick about the CPSIA...I love what I do! I love handcrafting items for babies! I take pride in everything I make and I would never, ever sell anything harmful to children....Yet, THIS LAW WILL PUT ME OUT OF BUSINESS if it's not amended!

I will be posting a sample consumer letter that you can send to your representative or senators...please write! please help me save this wonderful industry!

For those of you not familiar with the CPSIA (consumer product safety improvement act) it was a law passed last August that reduces levels of lead and other chemical acceptable for children's toys and other products. On face, this law rocks! It was triggered by the dangerous toys being imported from China. As a parent, I applaud the effort the Congress has made to put our children's safety first and foremost.

HOWEVER, the law also requires ALL manufactures to test ALL children's products that are intended for use by children under the age of 12 years. This may be a good idea for large companies who may import their products from China but it would put many small US and European manufacturers out of business. This is especially true of the many, many small business that specialize in handmade or custom made products. Testing as the law and the CPSC require will put a HUGE financial burden on small and handmade manufacturers! Every product and it's components must be tested....for a bib that is made of two fabrics and velcro the tests can run upwards of $600. I agree that products intended for children should be regulated but they should be regulated in a way that is efficient, effective and that doesn't lump them with products mass produced in China.

The vast majority of these products are made with lead-free and phthalate-free materials such as cotton fabrics, organic materials and wood. These companies take pride in their work. In addition, in these tough economic times, they employ artisians and support families. These are the toys and products that I have been relying on since I've lost all trust in companies like Mattel.

Manufacturers must comply with this law by February 10, 2009. This day has become the "National Bankruptcy Day!

This is personal for me, not just because I rely on these products for my boys, but because I am a small manufacturer of handmade baby blankets and bibs. My materials are organic and non organic cotton and that's it. Yet, I will be required to test EVERY style of blanket and bib I make. My handmade items are often made to order and are at times, one of a kind. There is no way I can remain in business and comply with this law as it is written. This story is being played out throughout North America.

Soon consumers will only be able to buy products from the large manufacturers that triggered this law in the first place. The independent toy makers and handcrafters of children's products have earned and kept the public's trust. They provide jobs for hundreds and quality playthings and products for thousands. Their unique businesses should be protected.

There are other unintended consequences of this law: we will not be able to donate untested children's products since after February 10, 2009 since they will be illegal to sell or distribute; thrift stores may be forced to stop reselling children's products unless the test them under CPSIA; churches and hospitals will be unable to accept donations of children's products for fear that haven't undergone the proper testing....yikes! As my baby would say: "That not good!"

Visit www.handmadetoyalliance.org and http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/ to learn more about this issue.

Vote for this issue to be given to President Obama at http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

read the law at
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML

Contact the House Energy and Commerce Committee
http://energycommerce.house.gov/

Contact the Senate Commerce Committee
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/

Great New Blog: My Boys!

Holly (of GoKye and My Boys Custom Cards fame) has just started a wonderful blog, My Boys, on which she features, reviews and gives away great mommy and baby products. She also features great graphics she's created...they are so very cute!

She has a great sense of style and knows exactly what mommies needs and kids want....check her out!

Yippie! Another Great Giveaway!

I'm happy to announce another great review and giveaway!

Turtle Park Tots is giving away a Green Tots Organic Baby Toddler Bib (pictured below) on S.I.M.P.L.E. This bib features Harmony Art organic flannel fabric and super absorbent organic terry cloth.

Click here to enter the giveaway.....Click here to see more of the Green Tots Organic collection.

Green Tots Organics Giveaway

Yippie! We're giving away a Green Tots Organics "Let it Grow" Baby/Toddler Bib on Raising Peanuts blog site. Click here to read all about Turtle Park Tots and to enter in the giveaway for this wonderful bib.

Turtle Park Tots now showcased on Trunkt!

Turtle Park Tots has been chosen to exhibit a portfolio of its baby accessories on Trunkt. It's quite an honor! The portfolio includes the Sleep Baby! Chenille Baby Blanket, Green Tots Organics(tm) Changing Pad and Green Tots Organics(tm) Burp Cloth Set. Check out this portfolio at www.trunkt.org/turtleparktots.

Trunkt is a showcase of exceptional artisans who want to display their work to the retail world in a beautifully organized manner. It's a juried showcase and artists must apply to become a member. I'm very proud to have been chosen!

THANK YOU TRUNKT!

My Cutie-Patootie Model!!

I've photographed my little Leo to show off the Green Tots Organics bibs...and he's so cute I had to post them here...he LOVES the camera and is very easy to photograph.

Let's all go GREEN for Fall!

It's fall and it's time for everyone to go GREEN!!

Turtle Park Tot's Green Tots OrganicsTM line is nearly complete. This line will include all the old favorites: change-me-anywhereTM changing pads, bibs and burp cloths, and some new favorites: wash cloths and blankets.

Featured in this line are certified organic fabrics from Harmony Art and certified unbleached organic fleece and terry cloth. I've posted swatches of featured fabrics.




Click on the swatch to see some of the organic goodies!





The Green Tots OrganicsTM line can be found at turtleparktots.etsy.com and www.boodabubs.com.au

Newest member of Etsy Kids team!

I am proud and honored to be a member of the Etsy Kids team!

Etsy Kids is a diverse group of talented & dedicated Etsy sellers making items for babies, toddlers, and children. We will be working together to creatively promote our shops & Etsy in venues specific to this market.

Members of this wonderful team can be found by searching for "Etsykids" on the Etsy website. Come check us out!

Turtle Park Tots Chenille Baby Blankets are here!!!

Yep, the long awaited TPT Sleep Baby! Chenille Baby Blankets are finally in. Babies feel warm and loved when wrapped in this wonderful baby blanket! It makes a great gift for winter babies!

It measures 23 X 30 inches making it great for keeping baby warm in the stroller, car seat or while at home th is winter. It also makes a great tummy time floor blanket and can double as a changing pad when needed.

This chenille baby blanket is super soft and extra warm. It is made with Heather Ross designer cotton fabric and high-quality, durable cotton chenille. This blanket will last forever and it'll get softer and softer with every wash.

The first blanket in the Turtle Park Tots Boutique features the wonderfully whimsical Blue Dogs fabric from Heather Ross. I will be adding many more fabric choices this week. Contact me if you don't see the fabric choice you want. These baby blankets will feature seven designer fabrics:

It's SALE time at Turtle Park Tots!

It's Fall clearance time at the Turtle Park Tots boutique! It's time to make room for cool new fabrics and styles for Winter...I'll post pics of the new fabrics and styles soon...but now it's all about the sale!

...selected Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) changing pads are $16,

...selected Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Diaper Keepers are now $10,

...selected Messy Baby! Burp Cloth Sets are now $12 and

...selected Eat Baby! Baby/Toddler Bibs are now $8

The newest member of the Etsy Organic Team!

Turtle Park Tots/Green Tots(tm) is now a proud member of the Etsy Organic Team! Etsy Organic is a unique team uniting sellers of organic goods and promoting a organic, sustainable lifestyle. Each member of the team believes in the merits of organic products and promotes these values through selling organic products.

A sample of the team's organic products can be viewed on Flickr at www.flickr.com/groups/819261@N21. The team's products can also be found by searching for "etsyorganicteam" on Etsy.

Turtle Park Tots' Messy Baby! Burp Cloths are back!

Yippie! After months of searching for a new cloth diaper supplier the Messy Baby! Burp Cloths are back stock at turtleparktots.etsy.com & www.boodabubs.com.au....and they are better than ever!

The new Messy Baby! Burp Cloths are now made using Gerber(r) certified organic cloth diapers...better for your baby, better for the earth.

Three styles are now in stock: Blue Wallflower, Sage Kleo, Blue Disco Dot....more styles are coming soon.

Salut Euro! Turtle Park Tots on DaWanda

Bonjour! Salut! Guten Tag! Ciao! Hej! Dobry Den! Hallo! Jo Napot! Zdravo! Hola! Geia!

Hello DaWanda! I am happy to announce the opening of up the newest Turtle Park Tots boutique on DaWanda at turtleparktots.dawanda.com.

DaWanda is a wonderful European marketplace of handmade goods...everything you can imagine :-) I'm happy to finally be a part of DaWanda...come check it out!

Turtle Park Tots are now Down Under!

I'm excited to announce that Turtle Park Tots handmade baby/toddler accessories can now be found in Australia at the wonderfully adorable Boodabubs Boutique! Check it out! Boodabubs sells the cutest handmade and one of a kind baby/toddler clothes, blankets and accessories.

Boodabubs Boutique will be carrying Turtle Park Tots' Eat Baby! Baby/Toddler Bibs, Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Changing Pads, Messy Baby! Burp Cloths and Clean Baby! Wash Cloths.

Boodabubs will also be carrying the brand new Green Tots(tm) line of Organic Messy Baby! Burp Cloths, Organic Clean Baby! Wash Cloths and Organic Baby Bundle gift sets.

I'm happy to be Down Under!

Green Tots(tm)--- It's good to be Green!

Good for the Baby, Good for the Earth!

Turtle Park Tots has just released its organic line of baby accessories, Green Tots(tm). This line features organic fabric from Harmony Art and Michael Miller and will include Baby/Toddler Bibs, Burp Cloths, Wash Cloths and Changing Pads.

The Michael Miller organic terry cloth is luxurious and the organic fleece is so soft. The initial release features the Harmony Art's organic twill "uncomplicated" and is available at turtleparktots.etsy.com. It is absolutely beautiful. Subsequent items will feature different fabrics from Harmony Art.

Green Tots(tm) Organic Baby Bundle

Green Tots(tm) Organic Baby/Toddler Bib

Green Tots(tm) Organic Burp Cloth and Wash Cloth

Green Tots(tm) Organic Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Changing Pad

Pirate Kids Baby Bundle

I just finished a custom order for a Pirate Kids Baby Bundle. The bundle turned out great and it's so cute I just had to share it.

The bundle includes a set of three Pirate Bibs, a set of two Pirate/Anchors Burp Cloths, a Pirate Change-Me-Anytime(tm) Changing Pad and a Pirate/Anchors Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Diaper Keeper. They are all made with Michael Miller's Pirate Kids and Sailor fabrics.

I love custom orders...they allow me to be so creative!

My Little Leo's 1

My precious little Leo turned on July 27...I can't believe he's already a year. Oh, my dear Leo is growing up...I can still remember being in the hospital. This year has gone by so fast. It's so bittersweet! Although I'm looking forward to seeing him grow and learn and become a little boy, I am going to miss his babyhood...

We had a little party for Leo with some friends. It was really nice. Leo had a great time. He wore a custom "#1" hat and bib that I purchased from Rachel at Goldenshop (goldenshop.etsy.com). He was adorable in them. He devoured his cupcake and got it all over his bib...it was so cute.

Isn't the Bib adorable! It's covered with cupcake...

He LOVES cupcake!

I also purchased a felt/fabric "Happy Birthday" banner from Olive Ewe Baby (oliveewebaby.etsy.com) that was beautiful (below). It was so colorful and festive. I absolutely love it! I'm going to use for all of our birthdays.
Wow...soon he'll be walking and talking...it's hard to believe. He's such a wonderful baby...I know he's going to grow into a wonderful little boy!

I'm a proud new parent...

of a brand spanking new computerized sewing machine! Yes, I finally took the plunge and I'm so happy. I feel bad for my old one...we were together for so long that I can't take her off the desk (so I've crammed both on...kind of cramped!). At first I was really intimated....and it took a while to get used to the "automatic" nature of this one. My old one was nice because I seemed to have more control..but the new one is so much more efficient. No more dropped stitches....no more bobbin jams (at least not yet :-)). I guess I'm still in the honeymoon phase...I guess I'll enjoy it while it lasts :-)

New Website: www.turtleparktots.com

Announcing www.turtleparktots.com!

turtleparktots.com will have an updated listing of products, fabrics and retailers in addition to contact information. Turtle Park Tots items will not be available for purchase through this site. Please shop turtleparktots.etsy.com, verysweetbows.com or Love Your Earth in Denver for Turtle Park Tots products.

New ways to contact Turtle Park Tots: info [at] turtleparktots.com for general information, orders [at] turtleparktots.com for questions/comments regarding orders, wholesale [at] turtleparktots.com for wholesale inquiries, and newsletter [at] turtleparktots.com for those who'd like to subscribe to TPT's quarterly newsletter.

It's a work in progress so check it out and let me know what you think (I did it myself...can you guess :-)

Turtle Park Tots around "town"...July 2008

Hey...here's some new places to find Turtle Park Tots' goodies! Check them out!

In July, Turtle Park Tots Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Changing Pad can be purchased from www.verysweetbows.com. This great online boutique specializes in wonderful accessories for mom and baby. The Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Change Pad in "Boy-oh-Boy dots" (seen below) will be exclusive to www.verysweetbows.com.


Turtle Park Tots Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Changing Pads are featured/reviewed on www.vhielscorner.com....Thank you!!!

The Aqua Chestnut Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Changing Pad will be part of a giveaway from www.canofthoughts.com July 14-31, 2008...check it out and enter to win!

For those of you in the Denver area, Turtle Park Tots full line of accessories are sold at Love Your Earth boutique located at 4110 Tennyson in the Highlands area. It's a wonderful boutique that specializes in local handmade items. Come take a look!

My New Logo!

Check out my super cool logo created by the designers at Skybelle Designs (skybelle.com; skybelle.etsy.com)...isn't the turtle adorable!?!

Turtle Park Tots Summer 2008 E-Swatches (June-July)

Below are some of the fabrics I'll be featuring this summer. I will be adding new fabrics sometime in August/September. In addition to these I welcome custom order...please contact me if you don't see what you are looking for. If you are interested in wholesale purchase of Turtle Park Tots please contact me at turtleparkdesigns[at] gmail.com for a price list.

Basics 2008: Slate Morning Glory

Summer 2008 Collection: Aqua Chestnut

Summer 2008 Collection: Lime Star Paisley (Diaper Keeper Only)

Basics 2008: Blue Wall Flower

Basics 2008: Blue Temple Flower (Diaper Keeper only)

Summer Collection 2008 - Sage Kleo

Basics 2008: Coral Morning Glory

Summer 2008: Blue/Brown Disco Dots

Summer Collection Sneak Peak!

Turtle Park Tots Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Diaper Keeper

Turtle Park Tots Change-Me-Anywhere(tm) Changing Pad in Aqua Chestnut

Turtle Park Tots Baby/Toddler Bib in Aqua Chestnut