A quick update for those who are interested in such things…
I have decided to change things up a bit in my etsy shop, the CPSIA labelling regulations which have just come in to force were wrecking my head and draining the fun out of my crafting. So I have decided that I will step away from them and just no longer sell children’s toys, bye-bye felt food.
It’s a bit of a mess really, I don’t live in the States so am not subject to US laws, but etsy is American as are most of its customers, and the forums are hopping with people trying to figure out who is ultimately responsible for an item bought from an overseas seller.
At the moment, the US-based buyer is the importer who (if they are reselling) needs to comply with CPSIA, but who knows, that could change any day! It makes sense for the big companies who are US based, buy from abroad and then resell into US toy shops, but it is causing huge amounts of confusion among etsy buyers who want to buy for their children and not resell.
As it stands now, a US-based toy maker has to label their products with a permanent label stating manufacturer, location, date & batch number. An overseas toy maker does not, as they are not subject to US law, rather to the laws of their own country. So the etsy buyer who buys from a US toy maker will receive a CPSIA-compliant product but if they buy from abroad the product will not necessarily have the labelling. Following me?
So this is leading buyers to suspect that overseas sellers may be up to shenanigans and is leading US-based sellers to question why they need to do all this and others don’t. Fun and games.
It’s a bit of a soap opera, and I ain’t a fan of soap operas. It’s too much thinking to do for the sake of a felt tomato.
So I have finished up selling felt food and am now concentrating on my range of babywearing mama gnomes and mama gnome keychains along with a few novelty keychains. The keychains are not suitable for children due to the metal keychain bit, and the mama gnomes are also not suitable for children due to their small size.
So, in a nutshell, I want to reassure you all that nothing has changed, all my gnomes are still glue-free and sewn very securely, the only difference is that they are now “not suitable for children”, except of course for my darling LittlePixie who loves playing with her gnomes and gets to keep all the prototypes who don’t make it into the shop 
If you are still reading, have a look at my new gnome keychains, they are super-cute, I have the very first one hanging on my house keys and she makes me smile everytime I see her. LP has named her “Mary”.
Actually I shall do a gnome keychain giveaway soon on HPP, once my new stock of keychains arrives, I’d say it’ll be next week! I think it’ll be a custom keychain, whoever wins can choose their own colour combo and name the gnome too, keep an eye out for it!
As a disclaimer: Of course I recognise the need for toy regulation and safety, I’m just not convinced CPSIA is the right way to do it. The big companies who were the ones causing the trouble last year, they have the cash to comply and will sail through all this, the smaller crafters will be the ones feeling the fallout.
Subscribe by email
They’re cute.
Make sure you have a big “THIS IS NOT A TOY” disclaimer when you sell them on Etsy!
@Quirky Vegan, thanks
yup, I have a “not a toy” notice on each of the product pages, on my profile and twice in my policies, and I just added it to my shop announcement section
Ah, sorry to hear you’re having such trouble, your other items were so lovely! Glad I got my purchasing done early!
LOVE the gorgeous keychain gnomes, they are so cute, although I have no idea how you do the stitching and tying on something so small!!
Love Hera’s name
S
@SHG, ah it’s more hassle really, and the anticipation of hassle that has turned me off the children’s toys.
But if any of you Irish lasses need felt goodies I am still open for custom orders 
Yup, I figured you’d like her name
It’s important to keep handcrafters from selling felt fruit. You might prevent people from buying plastic toys or those made from lead. Silly Halfpint Pixie!
CPSIA is bad legislation from a good intent but they didn’t understand the problem, or maybe it was just the lobbyists were powerful and they wanted to seem to be doing something. It’ll be harder to buy wooden toys, too. Sigh. And neither of live in the US.
Oh, how silly and annoying. The mama gnomes are seriously cute though.
I know this is stinky. Too much over-regulation in the wrong way.
Sorry. Your gnomes are adorable.
By the way, I nominated you for an Honest Scrap Award – see the details at my blog
Honest Scrap Award
Casey from the Wonder Years
With my daughter’s first birthday this weekend I cringe at the thought of the toys she will receive that are made in China.
Most of my family understands my need to buy toys that are safe – other just think I’m crazy. It’s horrible that I go into a toy store and have to read label after label only to realize I have to order things online because almost EVERYTHING is made in China… No offense to anyone – but I want toys that are safe for my baby!
I’m so sorry you have to go through this – I wish I would have found your site earlier so I could have bought some fruit….
I am feeling your pain with my own crafts and etsy shop. Your felties make lovely (not a toy) keychains!! I suppose I could order some and remove the key chain part ; )
Isn’t ironic that the big companies that didn’t comply with the original law on lead content are able to “comply” with the new one. But who’s to say they will comply?
Seems to be like the CPSIA has turned out to be a good way to do away with a lot of little businesses.
We too are phasing out our children’s “division” because the law is just to complicated, too expensive and too mind boggling. Why should I have to keep record on where I bought a yard of all cotton fabric “permantly”?
Just discovered your blog and I LOVE IT! So beautiful.
I’m going to give it through Christmas shopping, but planning on nothing into 2010. I researched my suppliers this spring and I can comply I think, but it’s just too big of a pain to wait around while the figure it out.
Major bummer though!!!
Well, I for one am going to allow my child to play with your potentially hazardous gnomes!
Love them! But oy! what a PITA all this labeling is!!
That is such a pain!
I love all the wee things you make. They are so adorable. You must have very nimble fingers and extremely good eyesight!
@Penny, extremely good GLASSES unfortunately
“It’s too much thinking to do for the sake of a felt tomato”
) The gnomes are really great. Mine makes me smile everytime I see her. And DD too. She doesnt seem to mind that its not a toy (whats under her hood mammy, what, what, what…. I have to hide my keys now)
That’s my new favourite quote. I’ll be using it alot (all rights reserved of course
@Carla, nooooooooooo, your gnome is “not a toy”, repeat after me “not a toy”! Delighted you (both) like her
And of course you may use my quote, you may send all royalties to my usual address 