Our Clubhouse on ByHand.Me!!

Everyone is invited to our little clubhouse on www.byhand.me!!

Blockhead Radio Clubhouse

ByHand is not a selling venue, but an artisan directory where people can connect and share ideas, thoughts, etc. Sort of like myspace for handmade! :)

Come on down to our clubhouse!! Boys ARE allowed!! We promise not to bite.......

unless you want us to....

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!

Sneak Attack

Join The ChainMailleLady at 7 pm eastern time tonight as she launches another sneak attack.

What is a sneak attack?

Blockhead Radio has teamed up with The Handmade Movement to do a Sneak Attack live on the air. What's a Sneak Attack? 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.

Sign up for your user name for the chat room at http://blockheadradiolive.com (no spam and easy) to post your links in the chat room.

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

Wednesday Night Reminder!!

Tune in guys to our Wednesday night shows!! You don't want to miss this!

7 pm-8pm Eastern, tune in to www.blockheadradiolive.com for the Sneak Attack Live, performed in conjunction with The Handmade Movement.

Then, at 9 pm Eastern, join us for some fantastic tunes from Hot Buttered Rum for our Indie Music Spotlight! Blockhead Rod will interview the band and play some of their great tunes, as well as give away a CD and T-Shirt!!

So don't you miss it!!

Amy, your friendly grooving possum blogger.

CPSIA Blog-In

As parents and concerned citizens I'm sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That's okay though, there's always television. Our children don't need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won't be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. "Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn't been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

www.cpsia-central.ning.com
www.handmadetoyalliance.org
www.nationalbankruptcyday.com

Rockin' Wed Night Shows!!

Goooood afternoon peeps!

Let us not forget that the SNEAK ATTACK LIVE has moved to Wednesday nights at 7pm eastern!! Tune in to the show, and join in on chat to check out the great shop we will attack! We encourage you to join in on our swoop! What is the sneak attack? I'm so glad you asked! You can find out more at www.handmademovement.com Check them out and then come join us Wednesday nights at 7 pm Eastern!! Let the swarming begin!!

Amy, your friendly blogger

SNEAK ATTACK IN ONE HOUR!

Don't miss the Sneak Attack Live 9-11pm Eastern!! What is sneak attack?

It is done in conjunction with The Handmade Movement, so check out their great site! A sneak attack is when a shop with little or no sales is 'swarmed upon' and we try to get as many sales as possible for this shop! Think about how great that would feel as a business owner!! To wake up Saturday morning with a bunch of sales!

So come on over at 9 pm eastern tonight to help support fellow artisans and find some goodies for you! The shop is not revealed until just before the show!!

Don't forget our giveaway for FREE ADVERTISING! and a BLOG MAKEOVER!!

Have a great day!

Amy----Your Friendly Blogger

Sneak Attack Live Tonight at 9 pm Eastern

Don't miss the Sneak Attack Live 9-11pm Eastern!! What is sneak attack?

It is done in conjunction with The Handmade Movement, so check out their great site! A sneak attack is when a shop with little or no sales is 'swarmed upon' and we try to get as many sales as possible for this shop! Think about how great that would feel as a business owner!! To wake up Saturday morning with a bunch of sales!

So come on over at 9 pm eastern tonight to help support fellow artisans and find some goodies for you! The shop is not revealed until just before the show!!

Don't forget our giveaway for FREE ADVERTISING! and a BLOG MAKEOVER!!

Have a great day!

Amy----Your Friendly Blogger