I was just reading about these recent laws that are forcing companies to have their toys tested for lead. Don't know if this is really necessary and I think that this lead problem might have been blown out of proportion. I agree that children should be protected from lead, but there might be groups or individuals out there who stand to make some big bucks because of this. I am always skeptical about some of these new laws where you have to do this, buy that, wear this, don't wear that, etc. because I think that the producers/manufacturers of these items, etc., are the ones initiating the bills that create these new laws.
Anyhow, went off track here. There are quite a few people in the Arts and Crafts world out there who are making their toys OR are importing them from China, etc. Here is a link to an article about having to get your toys inspected for lead. Life is tough out there for the vendors and arts and crafts people and things might get tougher.
Toy makers may win lead-testing exemption
Rules on lead threatened to hurt those who create handcrafted items
Dec. 24, 2008, 8:14PM SAN FRANCISCO — The makers of handcrafted toys received some holiday hope Wednesday with support from a federal agency for proposed exemptions from strict lead-testing regulations they feared could put them out of business.
Last year's discovery of lead paint in mass-market toys prompted the government to pass new safety rules requiring testing and labeling that mom-and-pop workshops and retailers said they could not afford.
As a February deadline for complying with the law loomed, toy makers who use materials such as unfinished wood, organic cotton and beeswax sought exemptions from the rules.
In a memo released Wednesday, Consumer Product Safety Commission staffers recommended that the agency exempt some natural materials from the lead testing requirements
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Thursday, January 1, 2009
Makers of Small Toys - Arts and Crafts
Events and Festivals
We have just added listings in Events and Festivals. Check for details on: San Francisco Crystal Fair Feb 28-Mar 1, Holtville Carrot Festival Feb 7-8, the Original Creative Festival in San Mateo on Jan 23-25, the 11th Annual San Diego Multicultural Festival January 17, International Family Film Festival in Los Angeles Feb 26-March 1 and the Southern California Cherry Blossom Festival in Los Angeles Apr 4-5.
I have listed these festivals in Upcoming Events at the Starving Vendors website and there are many other shows listed there also. Check it out. We also have many reviews of events we did this past year and they are very entertaining and I think that you will like reading them. (Guide to Shows>Events>dates)
Go down and get yourself a delicious Philly Cheesesteak, grab a nice cold 2-liter bottle of Briar's Birch Beer or a real bear and enjoy yourself. Later on, take a trip over to DandL CREATIONS, our website where you can buy puka shell necklaces in any size you want or a cowrie shell choker to give to your sweetheart.
