Above is a very touching story about toymaker, mom, and artist Amber Dusick. Is what makes her story so important is that Amber, along with many other very talented crafters and toymakers would be made to halt their activities due to the New Consumer Safety Improvement Act, which demands expensive testing on toys. Small toymakers, such as Amber, can not afford to test their products and still make it cost effective for us to buy.
Toymaker Amber Dusick aka woodmouse has her wood shop in her garage in downtown LA. After the birth of her son, this one time farm girl from Wisconsin became nostalgic for the toys from her past: simple, natural toys that would inspire creativity and imaginative play, made from materials that wouldn't stick around in a landfill for thousands of years.
After years of silver smithing, throwing pottery and drawing with pen and ink, Amber finally found her medium in wood. Using sustainably harvested woods, non toxic paints and beeswax along with her wood burning tool, Amber was able to transfer the look and feel of her previous pen and ink drawings to wooden toys. Woodmouse, founder of the Natural Kids Team, is an ardent advocate of sustainable toys. The materials used are all natural and her toys are 100% compostable. Her imagery is reminiscent of of a child's crayon drawing come to life in wood.
A legion of crafters and toymakers joined together to have their voices heard in a congressional hearing. (From CoolMomPicks the following:)
On Jan 21 Two promising developments! First, a letter to Henry Waxman from members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce (download the letter here) asking for a delay in the CPSIA for "fine-tuning" so that we can "save many jobs and ensure toys are safe." Representatives Joe Barton and George Radanovich write It is becoming clear that, without the rapid application of some common sense, the law also holds potential to impose vast economic hardship...The letters, phone calls and emails we have received...now number in the thousands...This situation is urgent.
Here is an overview of the situation and ways that you can help. Save Handmade ...Please!
Overview
We're all for strengthening the safety standards of mass-produced toys, clothes, and accessories made in China, and banning toxins like phthalates and lead. But this year, congress passed the ill-conceived Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, a law which goes into effect in two months and will absolutely decimate the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters who have already earned the public trust. The very same ones that we often feature here and in our yearly special edition gift guides.
With this act going into effect February 10 2009 so many people we love will be affected: Moms who sew beautiful handmade waldorf dolls out of home, artists who have spent decades hand-carving trucks and cars out of natural woods, that guy at the craft show who sold you the cute handmade puzzle--even larger US companies who employ local workers and have not once had any sort of safety issue will no longer be able to sell their goods. Not without investing tens of thousands of dollars into third-party testing and labeling, just to prove that toys that never had a single toxic chemical in them still don't have a single toxic chemical in them.
How to Get Involved -- it only takes 5 minutes of your time!
-Find your congress person and senators and write a letter like the sample here.
Particularly if they serve on the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection or the House Committee on Small Business.
-Send an email directly to the CPSC or contact chairperson Nancy Nord at 301-504-7923
-Vote for amending the law on Change.org, digg style: We are currently one of 90 finalists, and if it makes the top ten proposals, it will be presented to President Obama in January! Edited to add: Whoo! The propsal has made the top 10 with more than 12,000 votes and close to 500 blogger "endoresements. Thank you so much for the support!
-Place the Save Handmade! button on your blog or website to help spread the word to everyone you know who cares about protecting the little guy and preserving beautiful items made with love for our children.
