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To kick start my experience, Kinderbliss sent George a pair of pediped’s Jake shoes in yummy chocolate brown. These are now our go-to shoes for church on Sunday and any other time his grungy favorite tennis shoes won’t pass the dress code. Like all pediped shoes, the fit is comfortable, which is super important when you have a son who is picky about socks and shoes (and tags and long sleeves and the list goes on). George’s Jakes are super good-looking—I wish I had a photo but we’re lucky to make it to church only 10 minutes late let alone have time to snap a few pics!

pediped shoes aren’t the only stylin’ things you’ll find on Kinderbliss. The boutique is full of princess-worthy dresses (and yes, even a tiara!), golf-course-ready duds and everything in between. Here’s a note from Angela:

The idea [behind Kinderbliss] was to capture the spirit of childhood, in all the beauty and fun, because we all know childhood only lasts a short while. Kinderbliss isn’t just any store, it is a place where you can find unique and beautiful items for gifts and for children. I have always loved buying apparel and toys for my girls because I know that my time to do this is limited. Soon, they will be picking out their own clothes or shopping on their own, but until then, I get to dress them the way I like!

I pretty much want to buy everything on the site whether or not it comes in my little ones’ sizes; unfortunately the prices are a little bit high for me. But for a special occasion I’d certainly take my time browsing Kinderbliss. It’s a given I’d find the perfect outfit, accessories and all!—Emily

The Diva goes all out for her annual BBQ, catering to all the cute little kids as well as the adults! There’s always a well stocked candy cart, babysitting, entertainment, and of course the opportunity to meet with your children’s designer buddies from Ebay and beyond. Contact the Diva for full details, and wing your way out to NY this August

Not only can you indulge in a unique handmade creation, but you can feel spectacular knowing that you are supporting WAHM’s! Now, that is sure to give you a lovin’ feelin.

Search “Boutique Custom Valentine” for hundreds of items now >>

The sky is falling! Yes, I feel a like an overly dramatic Chicken Little. And I wish it were true considering recent congressional legislation is about to crush the life out of the handmade clothing and toy industry. I’m talking about H.R. 4040, the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) signed into law August 14, 2008, and the ramifications it will have when it goes into effect February 10, 2009 (now being popularly referred to as National Bankruptcy Day).

Make no mistake. CPSIA was necessary in principle and has noble intentions, keeping our children safe and holding companies accountable for importing toxic toys. We all demand safety for our children and this is the intent of CPSIA; specifically to ensure safe levels of lead and phthalates in all products manufactured for children under the age of 12. Unfortunately this legislation lacks common sense, is ambiguous and fails to take into account the handmade industry.

What you see is not what you get with CPSIA. There is no distinction between big, small, or even micro one-person businesses. Whether it’s a large-scale manufacturer importing apparel to be sold in big box stores, or a work-at-home mom (WAHM) selling customs on ebay, the legislation applies the same to all.

Unit testing will be required on finished products, regardless if the components are natural materials or if you have documentation from a vendor stating that buttons, for example, are certified lead-free. As it stands, H.R. 4040 fails to recognize that textile products are inherently lead-free. Why then is an organic cotton shirt being tested for lead exactly?

Unit testing is extremely cost prohibitive to small business, but worse, it is unnecessary. In fact, it is completely redundant if the components that comprise the whole have already been tested and due diligence can prove they meet the guidelines.

To put a real dollar amount to testing one of my products, I solicited a lab quote. I was told it was $75 to test for lead per garment component and each substrate. Coated or painted items such as buttons are $100. So my Little Red Riding Hood Shirt, a 100% cotton knit shirt with an appliqué made from 7 cotton fabrics and 2 buttons eyes would cost $625 to test for lead. Flammability testing is also required and is either $50 for a certificate per component stating it meets weight code or $100 for actual testing. So add another $400-$800 for a grand total of $1,025-$1425. in testing costs for a shirt that retails for $40. If the shirt is offered in another colorway, the same testing is required despite the fact that the same fabrics are used throughout.

Small manufacturers have no way of absorbing the price of such redundancy. And all manufacturers will be required to test a finished component/item from each batch. Easy to do in mass production—simply pull one sample from a lot of thousands. But how does one comply when your “batches” are made-to-order batches of one? SKUs will also be required for each product with a permanent label on the item itself.

CPSIA will be retroactive and takes a guilty-until-proven-innocent approach with extremely hefty fines for violators. As written, any product used by children 12 and under (such as toys, footwear, carpets, clothing, bedding, luggage, lamps, toys, books, magazines, baseball cards, consumer electronics, school supplies, office supplies, jewelry, housewares, sports equipment and so on) without the newly required certification would be deemed hazardous, whether the item poses an actual threat or not. So on February 10, 2009, any unsold merchandise (in big box stores, the corner boutique, your fabric stash, Good Will donations, etc.) will be deemed “hazardous goods” and illegal to sell unless 3rd party testing proves otherwise. By the way, there are only 14 said labs currently in the United States.

Think you won’t be affected? I hope not, but the sad truth is that hundreds of thousands (if not millions) will be. Do you make children’s clothing, toys, jewelry, hair bows, accessories, furniture, artwork or anything else “intended for use by children age 12 and under”? Are you a retailer of children’s goods? Do you resell used children’s clothing or toys on ebay? Do you participate or shop at craft fairs? Do you donate used children’s items to needy organizations? Do you belong to a church that has rummage sales as a fundraiser? Does your child play sports and get their uniforms from a local screen print shop? Are you a consumer shopping for alternatives to mass-produced toys? If so, this law takes away that freedom.

Surely this legislation can be amended by incorporating some common sense and still make it possible to ensure our children’s safety without further hurting the US economy. According to the 2002 Economic Census (the last survey of its type), small U.S. clothing manufacturers (with fewer than 20 employees) contribute over $900 million dollars [consider: nearly $1 billion dollars] annually to the economy and comprise 68% of total apparel manufacturing in the U.S. This is clearly a vital and contributing asset to our economy. Multiply this fallout exponentially when you take into account the myriad other manufacturers, retailers and businesses that will be hurt or ultimately driven out of business.

So, why should you support amending this legislation?

Because the CPSIA isn’t fair and will not function as written. It inadvertently punishes American industries unrelated to toys and will ultimately result in fewer alternatives to mass produced merchandise made in China. The concept that small producers should be subject to the same rigorous standards but with lesser regulation (and common sense) has already been fought for and sustained in the food industry, which is why your local farmers market still exists. Now this same idea needs to be applied to children’s products.

What can you do?
1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman 888-531-9070.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009.
mailto:Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov.

2) Email or snail mail your representatives.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476”>http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476

3) Call your representatives. For their contact information just enter your zip code.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

4) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue. The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

5) Sign the petition.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html”>http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

6) Spread the word! Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.

7) Join others in fighting this cause.
Facebook group
Twitter search
“>http://cpsia-central.ning.com/notes/Notes_Home

Join the etsy community in the virtual chat with CPSIA Small Business Ombudsmen or send a handmade children’s item that will become “hazardous goods” as of 2/9/09 to Bobby Rush, founder of H.R. 4040.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/
Etsy Thread

9) Read more about this legislation and its ramifications:
Fashion Incubator

Handmade Toy Alliance

National Bankruptcy Day

YouTube video

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

5 Minutes for Mom

Cool Mom Picks

The Smart Mama

blogher

Apparel and Footwear.org

Toy Association.org

Cafe Mom

Safety and Compliance

Zrecommends

SleepingBaby.net

Freshly Baked Blog

Hippos Toes owner, Carole Lindstrom wanted to combine her plans for a children’s boutique with her desire to help South African women gain a footing towards financial independence. Having toured South Africa several times-and feeling a connection to the women there- Lindstrom saw first hand how difficult it was for women to rise above impoverishment. “I really felt for the locally disadvantaged mothers trying to raise families with limited income opportunities.” Lindstrom stated.

With it’s Grand Opening this month, Hippos Toes showcases the latest children’s boutique fashions, which are sewn by South African mother artisans. Original styles, whimsical colors and nature themes set a trendy fashion-forward tone which Lindstrom feels sets Hippos Toes children’s fashions apart. “The clothing is really unique,” Lindstrom stated. “The designers change lines every season yet everything stays mix-and-match. It makes for easy, complete wardrobes.”

Lindstrom learned of Fair Trade clothing manufacturing in South Africa while researching clothing resources for Hippos Toes. With high quality control, impeccable workmanship and attention to artistic details, Lindstrom found the resulting clothing met, and exceeded, her apparel requirements. “The women who create our clothing are being paid fair wages and have good working conditions,” Lindstrom shared. “This fulfills my goal of being able to sell clothing with a purpose.”

Hippos Toes welcomes visitors to peruse the latest children’s fashions at http://www.hippostoes.com, read the companies philosophy on Fair Trade and start shopping for the Holidays on it’s newly vamped online store.

**PROMO – Shop Hippos Toes through our Boutique Cafe Holiday Gift Guide and receive 15% off your purchase with promo code BC15 valid through Jan. 1/09.

I’ll be at the park next Tues, Wed, Thursday. If you’re going to be there with your kids, dress them in Boutique, we’ll be watching for you – I’d love to get them into the segment! If you’re a designer this would be a great way to showcase your designs in the happiest place on earth!

We hope to meet several of our Boutique Moms there, and your Disney-kids too!! If you’re going to be in the area, please leave me a comment below and I’ll email you my cell number so we can hook up at the Disneyland park.

See you there! – Daria

***Shhh Don’t tell my kids, they don’t know we’re going there yet!! hee hee

Custom size 2t-8. ODOD! We love the fun little sarong idea on this set – summer just got a whole lot cuter!

Click to view listing on Etsy

Click to bid and make this yours on eBay.

Two spectacular design groups have joined forces to create a whole new group. Congratulations to Lime Vine and The Jaynes who are now known as “LimeJaynes” on eBay. Check out their beautiful creations – we wish them all good luck in this new joint venture!

Boutique News includes:
Marvellous Mouse Designs
Almost Amy
Adagio Bleu Studios new members (123 Mojo and ACherishedChild)
Bon Ami
News on the The Etsy “Blackout” launch >
Brassy Apple

We also have our Valentine Love Notes from YOU our listeners. Have a Lovely day everyone! XOXO
Podsafe music – Collin Raye “All I Can Do Is Love You”.

Fits a 4T,5T or slender 6 (see auction for full measurements). And don’t miss out on all the pictures!

The details and little extras are evident, and make this patchwork Easter set = Adorable!!

Make it YOURS on eBay – click here >

This video is everywhere right now. If you are a member of the Boutique Community and are joining in the Boycott please say Yes below in comments. We’d love to hear what you think.

It’s time to break out the pictures and STRUT YOUR STUFF!

Designers, Crafters, Sewing Fanatics, Photographers welcome!

XO
Boutique Cafe.com

Capri pants and tee with monkey appliqué for your little one. Sure to bring a smile to your child and everyone who sees her in it

Snag it on eBay >>

This set is ready to ship in size 4t-5t. Details include patchwork appliqued hearts, euro ruffles, and under skirting.

Using gorgeous fabrics from Joel Dewberry, the details will leave you drooling! Custom sized 12m – 6. Peasant top and bootcut pants, a MUST see!

Bid here for your chance to own it! >

Not only can you indulge in a unique handmade creation, but you can feel spectacular knowing that you are supporting WAHM’s!

Click here to start shopping and bidding >>