Better Late Then Never. Great News on the CPSIA front!

Finally some good news!The CPSC put out a statement today giving us more guidance on the law specifically as it pertains to textiles/fabrics. This is a great step forward in providing relief for clothing designers.

As stated in the press release:

Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers should also be aware that CPSC will:

Not impose penalties against anyone for making, importing, distributing, or selling


*a children’s product to the extent that it is made of certain natural materials, such as wood, cotton, wool, or certain metals and alloys which the Commission has recognized rarely, if ever, contain lead;

*an ordinary children’s book printed after 1985; or

*dyed or undyed textiles (not including leather, vinyl or PVC) and non-metallic thread and trim used in children’s apparel and other fabric products, such as baby blankets.

(The Commission generally will not prosecute someone for making, selling or distributing items in these categories even if it turns out that such an item actually contains more than 600 ppm lead.)

Here is the LINK to the entire press release.

O-kay, so what does this mean for us? Well, it means that if I were to make a dress that didn't have any snaps, buttons, zippers, etc. that I don't have to test it. Super great news! Except that I've already started to shut down this part of my business and pursue a new venture (stay tuned for that update by the way!). I so wish that they would've made this decision months ago before companies started closing their doors. But hopefully, it isn't too late.

I actually received a phone call from an aid in Senator Harry Reid's office tonight. I was impressed that they were taking note of how this law is effecting their constitutes. They actually read the article written by Glenn Cook in the Las Vegas Review Journal.

He asked what I thought about this new development. He also had questions about my thoughts on testing methods including using the XRF gun and testing at the component level. This tells me that they are listening. I felt like it was a productive conversation or at the very least I got to voice more of my concerns, thoughts and ideas. Which is all I want to do from the beginning.

I can't help but sit back and smile just a little tonight. We are far from the end of this, but I can't help but feel like we made a difference. All the emails, phone calls, product mailings, message boards, etc. made a difference. It is our own personal 2009 version of a sit in, email style. We yelled and they heard us. Let's just hope that they continue to listen and use wise judgement so that our children continue to be protected by this law, while well meaning business continue to not only survive but thrive.

Cheers everyone! For tonight, I'm kicking back and raising a glass of wine. Lord knows I need one!

Pass It On!

This ad is being run by a coalition of trade associations In Washington D.C. Please copy and pass it along, post it on your blogs, send it to your local representatives.

Who Knew?

Did you know that a token system can help you determine your child's money management personality? Well it is true.

Working at home and being a full time mom has its challenges. The biggest being that you are working full-time, but your kids are also trashing your house full-time. When my 3 year old said "hey lady, I want some food!" as she was lounging on a pillow, I knew it was time for something to be done.

So we unplugged the tv. I know, mean mom. We painted some jars that we bought for $1.00 at Walmart and filled the big one with foam "tokens". They are really foam ball stickers, but whatever, they are worth their weight in gold right now. Each token is worth 15 minutes of tv. To earn tokens the kids must help me around the house. You wouldn't believe the things kids will do for a foam token. Oh yes, my 7 y.o. even offered to clean the toilets!





But the most interesting part of this little experiment was getting a sneak peek into my children's money management skills. My oldest, and the most soft hearted (7 y.o.) hords her tokens. She works hard, constantly asks what else she can do to help, but is scared to death to give up one of those tokens. As if by giving up one, the entire jar will disappear.

Our middle child (5 y.o.) has clearly been living in Vegas too long. The minute he earns a token, he is turning it in for 15 minutes of tv. I've tried to explain to him that he could watch an entire cartoon episode if he saved his token and earned another. No dice. He wants his tv and he wants it now. I think he is actually going through withdrawl. We set a timer for the amount of tv they are allowed to watch. He bursts into tears everytime that thing goes off. I'm sure I will have to pay for his therapy later in life. "My mom was so mean, she wouldn't even let me watch tv.........."

And the youngest (sigh). We like to call her Eloise. Those books could have been written about her (by the way did you know they were written about Liza Minelli? Who knew?!). Our 3 y.o. seems to be the brains behind this operation. She has swindled more tokens out of her brother and sister then she has actually earned. She can give them those big brown eyes and before you know it, they are opening their little jars and handing her their sacred tokens. Then she grins and yells, MOOOMMMMMM, I WANT TO WATCH TV NOW! I don't think this is working the way it is suppose to with her.

The moral of the story is, I'm teaching my kids a lesson about working hard to earn what you want. My house is a little cleaner which means I can get a little more work done. But I have to admit that I miss turning on a movie so I can jump on the computer for a little while (isn't that what the parenting books say to do?) LOL. So who is really getting the lesson here? I'm not sure but I think I just punished myself.

We won a battle!

And I say battle and not the war because there is still a LONG way to go before this is over. On January 30, 2009 the CPSC announced a Stay of Enforcement of Testing and Certification Requirements. This made many designers start dancing around their computers. And it is definitely a step in the right direction. So do your little dance my friend, I'm dancing right along side you.

Now, take a breath and let's get back to work! This stay essentially says that we do not have to test and provide testing certification until February 2010. HOWEVER, as stated by the CPSC: 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.

Ummmm, I'm thinking I would have to get them tested. Hmmmm, that doesn't sound quite right does it? So we have a catch 22. You don't have to test, but if you sell a garment with lead in the buttons, snaps or zippers, etc. that don't meet requirements then you better get out your check book for the fines.

I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer, I swear (though I have been called such names and worse). LOL. I truly from the bottom of my heart am trying to just lay it all out there so that NO ONE is in a situation where you are paying big fines or worse yet being sued by a family who claims their child was never the same after using your product. It is the sad reality of the world we live in.

But let's celebrate our battle victory. I think we can win this war. We just need to keep fighting!!! So keep writing your representatives and letting them know you support the Stay of Enforcement! Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) has also announce that he is sponsoring legislation to amend the CPSIA. So while you are in the mood, drop him a note as well and let him know that you are behind him 100%.

And just in case Tim Gunn from Project Runway is reading (Hi Tim, I LOVE YOU!) hee hee. Wouldn't this make a great Project Runway challenge?! All the designers must make garments for children that pass all CPSIA requirements. Oh, and you might want to get them tested just to be sure or be faced with a fine and an Auf Wiedersehen from Heidi. The only catch is you have a $30 budget. Make It Work!!!

Thank You LA Times!

Last week Alana Semuels of the LA Times called me and asked if I minded talking a little about how the CPSIA would effect my business. Of course by now you know that I will talk about this to anyone who will listen. I think my family was thrilled to have me give someone else an ear full of what I thought.

I was impressed with the questions she was asking. And had a good feeling about the piece she would write. So many journalists are only talking about how great it is that this law passed. And it is great to an extent. Who doesn't want our children to be safe?! But the other side of the story needs to be told as well. And that is exactly what Alana Semuels did. Her story is a great read and easy to understand. I think she got the attention of many consumers, business owners and parents.

The reason I know that her story reached far and wide is because after it was published the orders on my website started to pour in from all over the country. I can't thank her enough for giving this topic exposure and also indirectly promoting my business to help me through this difficult time. And thank you to all my customers who are supporting me by helping to clear out my inventory before February 9th. I wish I could thank each of you personally!

If you have a second, click on the story and pass it on!

LA Times Story

As seen in the Las Vegas Review Journal

Where has the time gone? The holidays have been a little crazy around here. My oldest has a birthday on Dec. 22nd (poor thing) and my youngest has a birthday on Jan. 6th. What was I thinking. It is like a month long marathon of birthday parties, Christmas events, wrapping presents and thank you notes. So that is my excuse for being gone so long :)

In the mean time, not much has changed on the CPSIA front. And February 9th is just around the corner. However, Glenn Cook of the Las Vegas Review Journal did an amazing job writing a column about this law and how it is effecting my business as well as other businesses in Las Vegas. If you have a second, it is a great read.

CPSIA Article

I was also just interviewed by the LA Times. Hopefully all this press will start to wake consumers up to the fact that we are about to lose a large portion of the children's apparel and toy industry. Very sad times indeed.

On a brighter note, look at this little cutie from Norway wearing her Molly O on Christmas! I love to see that little faces are lit up across the world in their Molly O's.

Huge Sale at Molly O Designs

I'm the type of person that likes to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I want to make sure all angles are covered and I don't get blindsided by anything. I have a gut feeling that amendments will not be made to the new CPSC law until after February 9th when more consumers start to take a stand. Right now, very few journalists, business owners, consumers and even designers know about this new law.

So, I am going to prepare. Everything on my website is 50%-75% off. I think I might have just shed a tear even typing that. And I have more spring styles to put up. So, buy it now while you can! After February 10th, it will be no longer. Or at the very least we will be on a break until some kind of reasonable amendment is instated.

Take a peek. Do some shopping and PLEASE pass this on to everyone you know. Even if you don't have little girls to shop for, you might need to buy a gift for someone you know, right?

Pop on over to www.mollyodesigns.com and have fun shopping the sale racks!

Maybe Everything Happens for a Reason

I just spent about 20 minutes writing an update on the CPSIA battle. Just as I was about to post, I lost the entire entry! So frustrating. But I feel like maybe I need to slow down, relax, take a deep breath. And maybe you didn't want to hear my ramblings any how.

So here is the cliffnote version (do they still make cliffnotes?).

1. Don't believe everything you read. There are so many posts floating around the web about how people are exempt from the law if they work out of their home, work while no one sees them, only make left shoes or run in 5 circles counter clockwise before they start sewing. The law is the law. If you make something and sell it for a child, it needs to be tested. If you don't believe me, see the 800 number from yesterday's post and give them a call.

2. There may be a little hope in regards to testing between now and August. Not a huge break through, but a little glimmer of hope. You can use "reasonable testing" between now and August 2009. That doesn't mean a hardware store lead testing kit. That means a lab (does not have to be certified by the government) that uses testing applications such as the XRF gun. Much cheaper. But keep in mind you still have to go through the regular (insert expensive) testing in August. So it just buys you a little time. Here is a great article by Kathleen of Fashion Incubator.

3. Hmmm, I forget what my third point was. See, everything happens for a reason. I guess it wasn't that important.

Now, just a little something fun to take our mind off the craziness that has consumed us. My gorgeous friend Natalie just did a photoshoot with her singing group "Swing City Dolls". And she was nice enough to wear one of my Molly O aprons (only intended for moms therefore exempt from testing). See I told you there was something to smile about.


Anyway, I don't have the original photo yet, but here is a link to the photographer's website that did the shoot. Can you believe she is the mother of 3 little ones?! Seriously, I think I should go and do about 1200 situps. Or maybe I'll just go and eat the apple crisp I just made. Decisions, decisions.

Click Here: Molly O Apron

Don't Shoot the Messenger!

O-kay, I have to say that I have received many supportive emails regarding my business and how the CPSIA applies. However, I have also gotten a lot of nasty emails as well. Listen, I didn't make up the law. This isn't a conspiracy theory that I drummed up on my own. It is happening. The impact will be wide spread. Probably beyond what we are imagining even now.

So here is what I have to say. If you don't believe me, call! Here is the number:

CPSC Hotline: 1-800-638-2772 Ask to speak to someone about the CPSIA and how it will effect your business.

Call them and give whomever answers the phone your scenario. They will tell you how the new law applies to you.

In the meantime, let's try to get along. The point of writing about this on my blog was to bring together a community of designers, consumers, moms, etc. so that we could fight as one solid team. Not to spend time fighting amongst each other about whether you think the law will apply to you.

The hard facts are this. If you make ANYTHING that is intended for children ages 12 and under, you must have your product tested by a certified lab. The government is determining which labs will be used. This does not mean buying a lead testing stick at home depot. Once you have your product tested you must have the required lead tracking label attached. If your item does not have this label, you will not be able to legally sell it.

I feel like because I have taken the time to educate myself on the new law and wanted to share it with thousands of other people who it will effect, I'm the one put in front of the firing squad. Let's just try to all get along.

And in the mean time, everyone take a moment to click on this link and write your representative. Whether you are a designer or consumer, you can use this link. The letter is already written. You only need to fill in your name and address. The website will find your representative and email the letter to them.

http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476

O-kay, I promise to go have a glass of wine and relax. Tomorrow is a new day and I promise to have a better attitude. Until then, cheers!

Congressional Hearing Canceled

I have to admit, I have been holding out hope that on December 10th, the representatives involved in the congressional hearing for the CPSIA would suddenly open their eyes and realize the devastation that is about to erupt throughout our economy. But sadly, the hearing has been canceled.

So what is next? I really have no idea. It seems consumers are supporting this law in hopes of providing safe toys and clothing for their children. And I couldn't agree more. As a mother of a child with Autism, I'm the first to get in line for all natural toys, clothing, food, etc. But, the law as written is overlooking the fact that many of these items do not need to be tested. Fabrics for example are inherently lead free. Yet, thousands of clothing companies are preparing to shut their doors because the cost to test their designs and prove they are lead free is simply too expensive.

Several European toy companies have already announced that they will stop production as of December 31, 2008 on all toys that typically sell in the U.S. Others have announced that the cost of their toys will increase between 30-50%. Clothing companies who can afford to test will now be offering fewer styles, colors and sizes. Gone will be beautifully embellished dresses or tshirts with appliques that use a variety of fabrics, trims and crystals. Did I mention that "bling" will be non-existent for little girls. Swarovski crystals are lead based. Need I saw more. Will we survive without "bling"? Absolutely. But the children's runways in New York will have a new look and feel. Basic, simple, few options. Period.

The bigger question is did congress just open Pandora's box. Where do we stop? What about the furniture our children sit on everyday, or the plates they eat off of, the floors they walk on and the beds they sleep in. Where do we draw the line?

I want a safer environment for my children. But I also want them to have choices. Most of all I want our economy to repair itself and thrive once again. This law is kind of like kicking a horse while it is down. I'm not sure how we are going to get back up after February 9th.