Going Green with Mom's Cafe..and a giveaway!

Last night Mom's Cafe went green and YES, we stayed on topic! Rocker and I discussed various ways you can go green and be eco-friendly and NOT break the bank! We chatted about what being green means to us, for myself I will be as green as my pocketbook allows and I respect the earth we've been given; for Rocker, she explained she just cannot stand to see things throw away, she sees potential in everything!

We shared some fantastic links, tutorials and shops you can purchase green items from if you are sewing machine phobic.

Here are some to get you started:

Links to repurposing clothing:
Men's Shirt into girls Dress:
http://therockerchiconetsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/girls-pillowcase-style-dress-from-mens.html

Neck Ties into Jumper:
http://therockerchiconetsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/neck-tie-dress-tutorial.html

Tut for Sleeves into baby pants:
http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2008/06/happy-bum-pants-from-sleeves.html

Make a kids toys from your old clothing:
http://miaoucrafts.com/jill/?p=82

Tees into Reusable Grocery Bags:
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/good-thing-t-shirt-bag
somewhere between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year

Where to buy reusable grocery bags:
Upcycled Creations
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=22851

Did you know the Average American throws away 68 lbs of clothing each year? That is insane!! Think of all the good that could come from that! Even if you are not a crafty person, think of the other places you can share your unwanted items! Freeuse, Freecycle, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Women's Shelters, Homeless Shelters, Schools, etc. There are places you may never realize would take donations..perhaps your local Head Start, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts could use some items? Police stations may take clothing and toys to use when dealing with rape or abuse victims. Donate your blankets to homeless shelters or hospitals for babies...who knows if your blanket could help keep one baby warm? Why throw it out?? Do good!

Parenthood also leads one to many Earth Friendly possibilities, reusing toys, sharing toys, handmade toys and clothing, cloth diapering, mama cloth and many reusable items for mom and baby abound!

Here are some awesome shops to find such items:

Reusable Feminine Pads, and Reusable Lunch Bags:
http://www.dominopads.com/
U.S. women landfill or incinerate 11.3 billion "disposable" menstrual products per year.
It takes approximately 500 years for one "disposable" menstrual pad to partially biodegrade.

Cloth Diapers
http://theelimonster.etsy.com
Takes 4-500 years to biodegrade 1.5 billion disposable diapers into landfill yearly!

You can reduce landfill waste from your kid’s toys by making their toys from old clothing, from the tutorial we’ve given you before…. Or you can purchase, SAFE LEAD FREE toys from that are handmade by moms who understand your safety concerns with today’s toy corporations!

Crayons and play dough, also ouchie pouchies
Turtle Mommy
http://turtlemommy.etsy.com

Play Goop, Surprise Rocks,
Leaky Mouth
http://leakymouth.etsy.com
(shop currently closed-Reopening soon! Bookmark it!)

Also check out green toys on Artfire:
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=categories&main_cat_id=33

Crafty? Follow these tutorials!

For those old broken up crayons:
http://michaelgrace.blogspot.com/2009/03/tuesday-tutorial-cookie-crayons.html
Make your own shaped crayons, or buy them on handmade venues.

Soap with enclosed Toy:
http://whipup.net/2008/01/25/tutorial-soaps-for-kids-to-make-pt1/

All kinds of tutorials for handmade toys:
http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/homemade-toys.html

Essentially, no matter what you do, where you are, you can take steps to lessen your carbon footprint and leave the world a nicer, cleaner, healthier place to live!

Want to calculate your carbon footprint? Check it out here: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/

Happy Green Living..

~~Mama and Rocker

Don't forget Rocker's Super Cool Giveaway!

CLICK HERE for details!

Beautiful Jewelry by Lily Wrey

When I first joined the on-line community, selling my jewelry, I felt a little overwhelmed by all of the different things to learn and to do! One thing that quickly helped me to feel more grounded was making relationships with other on-line sellers. Lily Wrey of Tulips Treasure Box was one person who took me under her wing. In fact, we eventually adopted me! I call here my cyber-aunt, and one day we hope to meet in person.

I love Lily's jewelry design, and I'm not just saying that because we are close friends! I'm saying that as a jewelry designer myself. I've also watched her jewelry design grow quite a bit in the time I've known her. She has a great imagination, and she loves to learn. Recently she's been taking classes on jewelry design, and while I've always enjoyed her work, her new pieces are even more incredible!

Lily got her start by selling on ebay, but quickly grew dissatisfied with that venue for her jewelry. She joined Etsy as Tulips Treasure Box in December of 2007, and that's where I originally met her! Lily hasn't confined herself to that site alone though. She's stressed her wings and tried out many different selling venues, more recently, Artfire, also as Tulips Treasure Box.

We spent quite a bit of time talking last night about both Lily's shop on Artfire and Artfire in general. She's very excited about what she sees developing over there, and plans on becoming even more involved than she already is!

One of the best things about Lily is that she loves others. Remember how I said she took me under her wing? I'm watched her time and time and again reach out to others around her, offering her support and knowledge. Be sure to check out her shop!

Artisan Teams & Groups Co-Host RockerChic

Last evening at 8 pm est, Kristie, the one and only, incredibly talented, shamelessly funny, and deliciously one of kindest in thought and deed persons that I have ever had the honor of getting to know, was my guest co-host on the Artisan Teams & Groups Show.

We learned that Kristie is the fearless and never ruffled leader of the Cafe Mom Etsy Team, or CEM, as they lovingly call themselves. With more than 260 members, and just two co-leaders.

Working full-time in retail merchandising has been an inspiration in how she is able to present a unique view of selling, as well as arranging her trade/craft show booth, while overseeing the CEM team, her own etsy shop, a rambunctious young daughter, husband, and a goat they affectionally call Oreo.

Kristie manages to keep her ilfe in perspective.

Following about a year long conversation with other etsy members, Kristie felt her heart speak of the need to form a group simply to help other Mom's to enter the world of online selling, promoting, and human support. For her, this is a hobby. In my opinion, a true way of Paying It Forward!

Cafemom Etsy Moms Street Team Mission Statement: Our goal is to be the best Etsy sellers and crafters we can be, individually and as a group. We strive to learn together, and grow together. We promote each others shops and crafts. We come together from all walks of life with one common bond: Motherhood.... As different as we all are... we have all held a child in our arms, wiped away tears, and wished we were the ones hurting instead! We know what it's like to have your heart walk outside our bodies... And through our bond, we put our differences aside and come together to promote handmade, "mother-made" goods.

Kristie grew up in a household of self-sufficiency where they made their own clothes. For this, and her spunky, strong sense of self-esteem, she was teased at school. So consider this bullies, just look at her now! Don't you mess with our Rocker cause Charlie will be certain to "nip" you in the bud, bud!

And lest we forget, Mrs. Rocker won last weeks BlockheadRadioLive.com weekly Artisan's Challenge, and is currently in 1st place over all of the other entries that placed 1st, and is headed straight to the finish line with this awwwwdorable youngin....um, Halloween costume dress:

Please, head on over to Blockhead Radio Live, click on the player to listen to totally awesome independent, self-representing music artists on this 24/7 venue. Then scroll to the bottom of the BHR page, click on the big challenge box, click on weekly challenge, then click on weekly challenge once again to vote.

And while you are there, check out how to purchase your very own Radio Commercial for the sale price of just $15!

~Lily Wrey Designs at Tulips Treasure Box

Have a beautifilled everyday!

Introducting, Garsticksandstring

"Man enough to knit...strong enough to purl" is the logo for GARsticksandstring.etsy.com. Gar, as he is referred to, is, are you ready....a 14 year old young man who knits and sells his awesome handmade items online.

But let's not focus on his age. Yes, it is unique to find a teenage boy knitting, let alone using the word "purl"..(which, by the way, caused this blog author to bust out the dictionary.) Apparently, purl means, "An inversion of stitches in knitting, which gives to the work a ribbed or waved appearance." And Gar can do it well! His amazing creations include lambs, hedgehogs (the favorite of a few BHR staff), scarves, hats, baskets and more!

Gar is homeschooled and attributes his love of knitting to several people, including Ms. Kelda, a teacher who helped get him started with knitting. He also owes much to his mom, who Gar says, "brings me through the rough and applauds through the success"...and she buys the supplies of course! Gar lives with his parents, and slightly older sister (just 13 months!) in Louisiana. Gar is ALWAYS having a wool craving, he says, and if he is unable to knit for a few days, feels bad!

When asked if he had a wishlist of purchases, he replied that he would like "patches and a bumper sticker for the business",and earrings for sister and, of course, more wool. Besides his shop on Etsy, Gar also has a shop on Ravelry, www.garstickandstring.ravelry.com.

It is refreshing to see a young man with goals..and Gar has goals indeed! If he had no time or money restraints he'd love to create cable mittens, Easter eggs, baskets, and pottery. He loves to create custom orders, and would probably knit 24 hours in the day if he could!

Gar is also "member/moderator/(co)creator of a group called Minor Effect! Minor Effect is a group for teens (ages 13-19) on Etsy to get together and share ideas. There are 3 other leaders helping out: CrochetRUs (member/moderator/(co)creator), peasantsoup (admin/adult supervisor), and WorksInProgress (admin/adult supervisor)!!" Although they are not an acutal street team, they provide each other with support, encouragement, and share ideas and life has a young handmade artisan on their blog.

One of the things that makes this shop and artist unique is that some of the items are felted, which Gar explains, "for those of you who don't know what that {felted} means I knit my projects with 100% wool and then I agitate them in BOILING hot water for about an hour and the fibers in the wool come together so my projects come out felted!" Now THAT is handmade!

We anticipate many great things for Gar, and a happy life full of wool,sales, and overall handmade awesomeness!

Be sure to check out Gar's shop as he is gearing up for Spring and Easter!

GARsticksandstring.etsy.com

Is Anyone A Nurse? Doctor? Pharmacist?

Apparently there is a funk going around Blockhead Radio and we are trying to nurse some BHR DJ's back to health!! So if you wonder why you don't hear your favorite voices quite as much the past few days, we apologize and will be back to entertaining you ASAP. In the meantime, enjoy what we REALLY do best, which is crank out the awesome music!

Want to help us heal faster? Well, then by all means be sure to check out our fantastic challenge to get Blockhead Rod in a BALLERINA costume!! CLICK HERE to learn how you can help! We are serious!

Get great rates on advertising, excellent customer service...and best of all....we tutu'ize Blockhead Rod!

We've decided "tutu'ize" is a word here at BHR.

Last Days to Win FREE Advertising!!

Don't forget!!! You only have until 2/28/09 to get in your entries to win FREE advertising on Blockhead Radio!!! This is a GREAT giveaway! A FREE commercial, scripting and voiceover for YOUR business, website, etc!!

You will not find a better deal in advertising!

Click HERE for info on how to enter! It's REALLY easy, we promise!


Click here to find out more about all the advertising options on Blockhead Radio, including how you can help get Blockhead Rod in a TUTU!!!

Get your entries in..time is running out!!!

Do you Brew Ha-Ha?

Well, you should!! Check us every weekday morning at 9 am Eastern for the Morning Brew Ha Ha! Join Blockhead Rod and AGoodWitchToo for coffee, laughs, odd news and excellent indie music. What will Witchy say today?

Our Witchy is loading up the broomstick and moving soon, so she will undoubtedly have another fun tale about the joys of moving!!

Let's hope she checks the boxes before she closes them up....

Have you seen Cafe Handmade yet?

Ok, I admit, I was lured in by the possibility that coffee may have been involved.

Although there was no coffee...it was a lovely surprise to find this great site! http://cafehandmade.blogspot.com/

This super cool blog features handmade artisans and hosts what one would call a Virtual Craft Show! There is an EXCELLENT variety of artisans and types of crafts/art.

There are links for Featured Artists, Mommaprenuer, Scavenger Hunt, Weekly Giveaways, Artist Directories and More!!



Want to be involved in the Weekly Craft Show? Then visit this link:
join our virtual craft show

Learn a little bit about the mad scientists behind Cafe Handmade Len and Kerri, HERE!

So check them out, say hello and tell them Blockhead Radio sent you! You never know what goodies you'll find!

And you can NEVER have enough handmade in your life!!

Are You Ready for a Party?

Then mark your calender, chill the bubbly and come on over on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 8pm Eastern!

We're having a "Thank You" party for EVERYONE who has worked so hard to fight CPSIA! It is an especially big thank you for some hard working people who have gone OVER and BEYOND the call of duty to fight CPSIA for handmade artists everywhere!

What IS CPSIA? Well, the words needed to describe it are not appropriate for Blockhead Radio....

If you need to find out about CPSIA simply go to these sites:

CPSIA Central

Handmade Toy Alliance

National Bankruptcy Day


Invite EVERYONE, and come on in, have a drink, listen to some tunes and take a break! Pat yourselves on the back for your hard work fighting CPSIA, and come chill with us! Because it'll be back to work Monday morning!

We also hope to have some special guests in chat, and encourage you to call in!

Oh...and it's BYOB....sorry...still can't figure out how to send you all martinis......

www.blockheadradiolive.com



**no spam. Ever. Or the chipmunk gets it.**

Don't Forget about your chance to WIN FREE ADVERTISING!

Spread the word guys!! Don't miss your chance to win FREE ADVERTISING here on Blockhead Radio!! This is not a wimpy little prize here people! Share your business, blog, site, WHATEVER, with at least 5 thousand listeners!!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

Contest ends soon! Don't Miss Out!

Get All Wired Up on Saturday, 1 pm with the Wire Artisans Guild!!

Sorry, couldn't help the pun...

Join us Saturday at 1 pm EASTERN when Lily of TulipsTreasureBox DJs with The Wire Artisans Guild

Check out some of their awesome work HERE.




So come join us in chat, hear some tunes and learn a little about the Wire Artisans Guild! :)

SEE BLOCKHEAD ROD in a FULL BALLERINA COSTUME!!!

Okay, hopefully that got your attention!!

Now for those of you who are new here, let's bring you up to speed.

Blockhead Rod is our fantastic DJ, Producer, Computer Nerd, all around awesome guy, who (somewhat) maintains control here at Blockhead Radio. (We all know who really runs things...our one and only Huck...)

The point is, Rod is not your typical tutu-wearing kinda guy. He fishes, likes NASCAR, and most definitely prefers tutus on the ladies.

HOWEVER, we have somehow juggled the puppet strings well enough to get this little dare going.

Are you ready?

In case you didn't know, we have lovely rates on advertising here. Please visit www.blockheadradiolive.com/advertising for more detailed info. Anyhoo, here is the deal...

If we sell 50 5,000 Impression Ads (click here) over the next 30 days (Feb. 15-March 15th, 2009)---

Blockhead Rod will wear a BALLERINA COSTUME and the photo will be PROMINENTLY displayed on both this blog, and our website---and of course, for anyone to share!! :)

Yes, seriously.

Now, perhaps some of you are thinking....maybe I don't WANT to see this photo? Don't worry, it will be tasteful and kid-approved (however, the damage it may cause to the psyche of his 6 children who may SEE him in the costume...well, surely the blackmail alone will be worth it for them.)

The photo won't be nasty or raunchy--just PAINFULLY embarrassing for our Blockhead Rod and absolutely AWESOME for all of us!!!

And never fear, we have access to enough seamstresses that we can pull off a tasteful and embarrassing ballerina outfit for a full grown man.

So come on, spread this post, share it with EVERYONE, and come buy some advertising!!!! Let's get this little dare VIRAL!

You can advertise whatever you want as long as it doesn't violate FCC rules!! :) Whether you sell, blog, run forums, non profits, etc, COME ON DOWN! Get great rates and excellent customer service...

and help us embarrass a fully grown man by putting him in a ballerina outfit and putting it on the worldwide web!!

To make this clear:

This is Rod:



Typical ballerina costume:

So you see how this could easily be the most awesome dare ever!!

Spread the word, buy some advertising and let's TUTU ROD!!

Smooth Saturday with Lily

Come and hang out on Saturdays at 1pm with Lily of Tulips Treasure Box and her guest DJ's as they spin some tunes, talk about their work, life and love, and get a little CRAZY!! (This part of the deal depends on how much alcohol is consumed by both the DJ's and the listeners....)

This week's guest DJ's are:

Teri of the Etsy Home Front Team
www.TerisTreasures.etsy.com
www.etsyhomefront.com

Emily of the Americans Handmade Home Front Team - Hyena Cart
http://hyenacart.com/AmericasHandmadeHomefront

Brandi of the Home Front Market Team - 1,000 Markets http://www.1000markets.com/groups/homefront

Enjoy the talk, tunes and learn a little about these great teams and leaders!

Thank you for supporting the handmade and independent movement!

Thursday DJ Guest.....

Okay, so that's not really the guest...that is my favorite PIECE from Andrew, of Englishmaninps. Tune in Thursday night at 9pm Eastern as Ruthie of Roseworks Jewelry, DJ's with her special guest, Andrew. Hear great tunes and learn a little about this talented artisan.

www.blockheadradiolive.com

Where to find Andrew:
englishmaninps.etsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blurredimage
http://twitter.com/englishmaninps

It's Time for Artist Teams and Groups--Saturday, 1 pm Eastern

It's a bear out there! Come join us Saturday, at 1 pm Eastern, to hear our Artisans Teams and Groups show with Lily of TulipsTreasureBox as she interviews Shelley, of the Artist Bears and Friends Team.

What IS the Artist Bears and Friends Team?

From their Etsy Team Page:
We are a collective of artists who make soft-sculptured collectibles produced in the image of a bear and/or any other real or imaginary creature. These collectibles are knitted crocheted, needle felted or stitched with an external covering of yarn, mohair, wool, plush or other fabric including real fur and leather. They may be jointed, partially jointed, or un-jointed. Their common denominator is that none of them are intended or safe for children.

http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=407

Join us as we learn more about this fun team, their work and the artists in the team!

We promise it'll be a BEARY good time!

(Sorry, I couldn't help myself...)

Join in on chat at www.blockheadradiolive.com and call's to the studio line are welcome also!

727-474-1064



Amy, your bear possum blogger

Need Some Advertising?

Then you're in the right place!!! Did you know you can purchase advertising from Blockhead Radio through Etsy or Artfire?

Check out our listings, share them with your friends!! Get a great deal on advertising and raise your feedback at the same time! :)

Click here for the Etsy Listing.

Click here for the Artfire Listing.

And as always you can check out other advertising rates and offers at www.blockheadradio.com/advertising

Thus ends today's advertising announcement. We now resume normal possum activities....

Amy, the awesome possum

Wed Night Sneak Attack---BOO! Who Could it Be?

You'll have to tune in at 7pm eastern to find out!! www.blockheadradiolive.com Join the ChainMailLady for a great show and to find out WHO the Sneak Attack Victim is?

Don't worry...no artisans are actually 'attacked'! What IS a Sneak Attack Live?

Three days a week at an appointed time, an Etsy shop with few or no sales is announce on this site. As many people as possible then buy items from that shop, resulting in a frenzy of surprise business to the unsuspecting shop! During the show listeners are encouraged to call in and talk about sales and specials in their shop. The chat room will be going full tilt so make sure you join us.

So come in to chat and tune in on the player to hear who the shop will be and enjoy some fun chat and laughs!

Support Handmade!

Sneak Attack Live done in conjunction with The Handmade Movement.

Amy, your sneaky possum blogger

Ask Huck Premiering Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009!!

Join us this Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009 for the PREMIERE edition of "Ask Huck"!! Our very own Huckleberry Arts will be LIVE ON AIR and taking questions via phone and in chat!! What could you Ask Huck? Well, she's been around long enough to answer just about anything about marketing, handmade, computers, online business, advertising, art and more!

Just how long as Huck been doing this? Well, no one really knows....legend has it she drank a brew some years ago that left her immortal...perhaps Witchy knows something about it?

Ok, not really! But, she still knows her stuff and can undoubtedly help you!

So drop on in to chat at www.blockheadradiolive.com and then launch your player to hear the awesome Huck.

She may even reveal how she keeps Blockhead Rod in line.....

I'm thinking duct tape is involved.....

Come and join the fun!!

TUESDAY, FEB 3, 2009 (and EVERY Tuesday!) 8-9 pm Eastern on Blockhead Radio!

Amy--your friendly blogger

Come Join Us for The Witching Hours and Saturday Night Sales!!

What are The Witching Hours?
"The Witching Hours" where A Good Witch Too will be the hostess with the mostest plugging shops with "Wicked Good Sales"! Yes, Saturday Night Specials is going live on the air. Call in with your specials and join us in chat to share your links. Don't forget about the Treasure Hunt!!!!

TONIGHT'S FEATURED SHOPS!


www.mamaslittlemonkeys.com

www.fleurdeink.com

www.robynsart.etsy.com

www.cbessentials.etsy.com

www.mercyming.etsy.com

www.marin.etsy.com

http://www.ikowdesigns.com

Http://lillyqueen.etsy.com


GIVEAWAYS!
http://bella1104.blogspot.com/

Find about 18 different giveaways! Hurry… Ends Tomorrow Night!

So come join us tonight, www.blockheadradiolive.com

Amy--your friendly possum

Breaking CPSIA News, Via www.etsy.com

We are so excited to announce that the Commission has voted for a "Stay of Enforcement of Certain Testing and Certification Requirements of CPSIA" — which means that the burden of lead testing and certification has been suspended for a year while they take more time to review the rules and plan enforcement! All of your hard work has paid off (for the time being at least!). You don't have to pay to do the certification and testing, though you are still liable if your products are found to have lead. We are so pleased that artisans and vintage sellers got their voices heard. Your hard work is not over; we must continue to play a role in advocating for small business people throughout the coming year.

"The action taken today provides breathing space to get in place some of the rules needed for implementation, but it should not be viewed as a full solution to the many problems that have been raised." —U.S. Consumer product Safety Commission

You'll find the press release below:

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.

The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.

The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.

The stay does not apply to:

• Four requirements for third-party testing and certification of certain children’s products subject to:

  • The ban on lead in paint and other surface coatings effective for products made after December 21, 2008;

  • The standards for full-size and non full-size cribs and pacifiers effective for products made after January 20, 2009;

  • The ban on small parts effective for products made after February 15, 2009; and

  • The limits on lead content of metal components of children’s jewelry effective for products made after March 23, 2009.

• Certification requirements applicable to ATV’s manufactured after April 13, 2009.

• Pre-CPSIA testing and certification requirements, including for: automatic residential garage door openers, bike helmets, candles with metal core wicks, lawnmowers, lighters, mattresses, and swimming pool slides; and

• Pool drain cover requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act.

The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission. However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates provisions of the CPSIA.

Handmade garment makers are cautioned to know whether the zippers, buttons and other fasteners they are using contain lead. Likewise, handmade toy manufacturers need to know whether their products, if using plastic or soft flexible vinyl, contain phthalates.

The stay of enforcement on testing and certification does not address thrift and second hand stores and small retailers because they are not required to test and certify products under the CPSIA. The products they sell, including those in inventory on February 10, 2009, must not contain more than 600 ppm lead in any accessible part. The Commission is aware that it is difficult to know whether a product meets the lead standard without testing and has issued guidance for these companies that can be found on our Web site.

The Commission trusts that State Attorneys General will respect the Commission's judgment that it is necessary to stay certain testing and certification requirements and will focus their own enforcement efforts on other provisions of the law, e.g. the sale of recalled products.

Please visit the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html for more information on all of the efforts being made to successfully implement the CPSIA.

---Reposted from: http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/breaking-news-the-cpsia-manditory-testing-certification-has--3347/