Stay Up to Date On CPSIA!

Thank you to all those who joined us in chat and tuned in for our CPSIA 'Party'. While we know the fight is FAR, FAR from over, we at BHR wanted to show our thanks and support to everyone who has fought so long and hard for us! Several people have gone FAR and ABOVE the call of duty to help fight CPSIA and save not only handmade, but small business, and our rights as consumers, parents and ARTISTS!!

(If you do not know what the CPSIA is, FEEL FREE To email me at ANY TIME! Amy, (aka, Mama) can be found at mama@blockheadradio.com or mamaslittlemonkeys@yahoo.com If I cannot answer your question (which is very possible..) I will know where to refer you to though!!)

If you need to know ANYTHING about CPSIA, the following sites should be on the top of your 'stay up to date' lists!! Most, if not all, of these sites have ways for you to subscribe and get updates in your emails.

Rob Wilson and crew at www.cpsia-central.ning.com Join this community and make your own Ning page. Stay up to date, videos, blogs, and more! You can also find him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/challengeandfun

Rick Woldenberg and crew at Learning Resources Site and Rick's Blog. Great blog posts, videos, and a strong fighter against CPSIA. Chances are if you need a contact for anyone...check Rick's blog...he has it! :) Rick is also on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rwoldenberg

Dan Marshall and crew at Handmade Toy Alliance. Here you can find a video made by your very own Amy the Awesome Possum, contacts, how you can help, businesses in alliance, and more! There are also many more links on the sidebar of this site to help you navigate your way! There is also a Facebook page for Handmade Toy Alliance.

CPSIA-Compliant Suppliers Blog. BHR cannot verify the validity of any of these suppliers, however we share the link with you because perhaps that will help you in buying your supplies for your own handmade work or families!

Kathleen at Fashion Incubator, keeps us up to date on all things CPSIA...as well as my fave part...SEWING goodness! :) Also run by Kathleen is National Bankruptcy Day. Kathleen can also be found on Twitter. http://twitter.com/kfasanella

Walter Orson from Overlawyered continually eloquently and professional puts into words what we all feel! Find Walter on Twitter: http://twitter.com/overlawyered

Contact the CPSC here about CPSIA.

CoolMomPicks has some helpful info also as well as the super cute bear badge you can have!


Obviously there are MANY more working to fight this, but this should get you going!! :)


HOWEVER, remember the CPSC cannot CHANGE anything about the CPSIA. Who can? YOUR lawmakers!! It is up to YOU to contact them, any way you can!! Find them ALL at www.house.gov If all you can send is a form letter, that's fine. But remember phone calls, snail mail letters and faxes work better than emails. In fact, most of the time you cannot email any representatives out of your district/area. So go ahead, Blockhead Radio gives you permission to kill some trees and WRITE YOUR LAWMAKERS!!

This CAN be changed but it is up to YOU!!!!!


Feel Free to snag this widget off The Possum's Personal Blog.
http://blog.mamaslittlemonkeys.com

Random Artist Find.....

2LAKofINKco over at http://www.madeitmyself.com/user/2lakofinkco.aspx This is some REALLY fantastic handmade wooden goodness! Here's a little about this great artist, from the Made It Myself page:

"I started LAK of Ink co. more than a year ago for custom design and creation.
I have always been a highly creative person; I enjoy working in many mediums,
from illustration and painting, to sculpture and furniture.  If it inspires me,
I will utilize it.  Prior to marriage and children, I was very active with art.
For a time I hung up my pen for a hammer.  In construction I have had the
opportunity to acquire a number of skills that I now employ, opening new doors
to creativity.  LAK of Ink co. was born.

My wife has always encouraged my creativeness.  Not always understanding,
but none the less supported me.  Eventually she began to help with projects,
glue-ups, sanding, and finishing.  She is a sounding board for ideas and an
active contributor of concepts.  Now she actively contributes her own creations
and hand crafts.

As parents, child safety is of the highest priority.  This is why we use non-toxic
and food grade stains and finishes on our toy and kitchen products.
For a wood toy to last even one child’s lifetime, the wood must be protected.
Without protection, one cup of juice spilled on a wood toy would virtually destroy
it. Causing staining, sticky nastiness that is impossible to clean.
I use clear polyurethane as the primary finish.   I hand rub in then wipe off
the excess, twice.  This produces the thinnest possible build up  that offers
durable and permanent layer of protection.
A final coat of wax repels water and is a maintainable first line of defense.
Wax will wear off with normal handling and play."




So click the pics, and check out this fantastic artist!! You can't go wrong with these
beautiful wooden items!! Handmade with love!

Come and Visit The Rustic Cottage WIth Me...

Come on in and visit The Rustic Cottage with me! You will no doubt love it as I did! I mean, I am seriously in danger of breaking my online shopping diet for the month...and it's only the 8th!

Cute, beautiful, adorable, talented...doesn't even BEGIN to describe her amazing items!!

I LOVE these and really wish my son's dresser drawers had knobs instead of handles because I would be all over these---not sure WHICH ones because I like them all--but I'd decide somehow!

Dino Drawer Knobs


Outer Space Drawer Knobs



And the SOAP! OH MY the soap! Now you all know I am developing quite the little soap addiction. This is not helping... (note to self....tell Huck to stop feeding my addictions....)

The soap looks amazing!!! Why are computers not scratch and sniff? WHEN are they doing to develop that?

Check out her FABULOUS soaps here:


Rustic Cottage...take me away...


I REALLY do not think my little blog post can do her awesomeness justice! (And seeing as I am Amy the Awesome Possum, I do not throw that "awesome" label around lightly!)

Here is a little bit about Kay, the lovely creator and owner of The Rustic Cottage from her blog:

"Handcrafted olive oil soap, lotion bars, linen sprays, and cottage goods. Just a few of the fun things made at The Rustic Cottage. I'm a gal from IL who transplanted to the Pacific NW about 23 years ago. I am, first and foremost, a follower of Christ! I'm also mom to two beautiful daughters and a grandma to two handsome grandsons. My blog's just a bunch of ramblings about my life, my walk with Christ, my family, and my soapmaking business. Come back often and visit my cottage - you're always welcome!"

Kay, can I come live in the cottage? Please? It sounds lovely, comfy and warm!

Check out her fantabulous blog at:
http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/

Her even more fantabulous Ebay Store:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/The-Rustic-Cottage-Bath

AND her lovely Bonanzle Shop:
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/TheRusticCottage

Enjoy the look into The Rustic Cottage!!

Remember at Blockhead Radio we're spanning the globe to bring you the BEST in independent artisans!! You never know if YOU will end up in this very spot!!

Amy, your soapy blogger


(must control shopping urges...must control....)