What is the CPSIA all about?

I'm sure many of you have heard about CPSIA and like me have a lot of questions. Especially if you are a seller or buyer of handmade items for children. The law is set to protect children from harmful chemicals in toys, clothing and bedding and in light of the recent scandals we've seen with lead paint and tainted baby formula, regulations are deperately needed. But from all that I've seen, CPSIA is taking the sampling requirements to an extreme and this could prevent many small businesses from providing toys and clothing for children. When in reality, the crafters and local businesses aren't to blame for the recent scandals - its actually the big businesses!

There are great resources already on the internet for information in this potential regulation. With that in mind, I am not going to rehash it all, but instead I am going to share with you some of the best (in my opinion) sources of information.

1) Fellow EtsyNJ member Greco Woodcrafting has several articles on his blog about this topic. Here are links to them:
National Bankruptcy Day: http://grecowoodcrafting.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/national-bankruptcy-day/
CPSIA Hearing Cancelled: http://grecowoodcrafting.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/cpsia-hearing/
More on CPSIA: http://grecowoodcrafting.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/more-on-the-cpsia/
Directly From the Source: http://grecowoodcrafting.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/directly-from-the-source/
Possible CPSIA Exemptions: http://grecowoodcrafting.wordpress.com/2008/12/28/possible-exemptions/

2) Fellow EtsyBlogger Joey & Aleethea:
CPSIA of 2008 + you = change: http://joeyandaleethea.typepad.com/blog/2008/12/cpsia-of-2008.html

3) Change.Org
Save the Handmade Toys from CPSIA: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4) Etsy.com Storque:
Handmade Children's Items & Unintended Consequences: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/

5) Facebook Groups:
Handmade Toy Alliance: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=49551386833
Rally Against the CPSIA legislature: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=38306568596

That is just a small sampling of the information that is available about this pending legislation. Read about it, educate yourself, see if and how it will affect you and then make your voice heard.

~Melissa~

Merry Christmas from Made By Melissa

I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year filled with happiness and crafty goodness!

Photo Challenge Groups

Way back on Friday, May 2, I started the One Object, 365 Days photo project using my first crochet hook as my one object. Today, I have posted picture number 235! Woo-hoo, I rock!


On day 139, I discovered my "one object" for round two. It's been staring me in the face for years and I really can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. I debated doing two objects at the same time, but then opted to just finish up with my hook and save the little plush pup for later. So, in just 130 days, this little guy will be posing for a daily photo:


I also joined a second group called 30 Days, One Object, this group was created for those with short attention spans, committment issues or those who just have way too many cool objects to pick just one and stick with it for a whole year. For this project, I chose my magnetic Stitch. I am currently on my sixth day, and so far, photo #4 is my favorite.


Feel free to follow my progress on Flickr!

Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA

Wordless Wednesday

Dean's new hat
Originally uploaded by madebymelissa

Christmas Blog Carnival! Ho-ho-ho!

Ho-ho-ho! Its almost Christmas! I can't believe how time flies! The EtsyBloggers have two very good Christmasy questions for this month's blog carnival.

1. Christmas traditions & recipes - Share Christmas traditions or your favorite holiday recipe.
2. Christmas spotlight - Show & tell of a Christmas item in your shop or your favorite gift idea in someone else's shop.

I can't decide which theme to go with, so I think I will have to address both of them.

Christmas traditions: When I was growing up, my family ALWAYS went to the children's mass on Christmas eve. We'd have antipasto before we went and then my parents would cook dinner when we got home. Well, my sister and I would be FAMISHED!! In order to pass the time while they were cooking, I would read my sister The Polar Express. We would sit on the couch in the living room with facing the Christmas tree with just enough lights on so that we could see the book without dimming out the tree. Then after reading it a few times, I'd go to the record player (yes, that's right, record player) and put on the Sesame Street Christmas Album. We'd lay under the tree and sing along until dinner was ready. Then right before bedtime, we'd get to open our Christmas pajamas.

Christmas Spotlight: I made two dozen pairs of these adorable jingle bell earrings last year. I sold about half of them last year and this year they were a big hit at my craft shows. This is the only pair I have left:

For now, they are in my shop, not sure if they will stay there, I might decide to keep them for myself!

Happy Holiday Shopping!
~Melissa~

EtsyBlogger Featured Member - Spotted Cow Soaps

Wow, can you believe its almost Christmas already? I'm way behind on everything this year, including the EtsyBlogger featured member blog post! December's featured member is Spotted Cow Soaps. Spotted Cow Soaps is an adorable shop chock full of 100% natural handmade soaps.

There are some great limited edition holiday soaps that look good enough to eat (although its not a good idea to do so). This candy cane soap is by far my favorite, its so pretty!


If anyone out there is considering getting me a gift but is totally stumped on what to get, you can send me this lemongrass holiday gift set.


Spotted Cow Soaps is really a one stop gift source, there are even soaps specially made for men and kids! And don't forget to check out the blog to keep up to date with all the soapy happenings!

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Wordless Wednesday

200/365 11/17/08
Originally uploaded by madebymelissa

Wordless Wednesday

Set of 4 round washcloths
Originally uploaded by madebymelissa

Cyber Monday Sale!!!

EtsyNJ is hosting its first ever team wide sale and what better day than Cyber Monday!! With all the great EtsyNJ shops that are participating, you can easily finish all your holiday shopping without even leaving your seat!

Visit my shop any time during Monday, December 1 and buy any two items, and get the third 50% off! (discount will be refunded via Paypal on the lowest priced item)

Enter code "EtsyNJ Cyber Monday" in the notes to seller at checkout to receive your discount. Sale code is valid Monday, December 1, 2008 only.

Visit http://www.etsynj.com/cyber-monday for all of the participating shops!

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~