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Inspiri Craft Business Magazine, Issue #019 -- Will the CPSIA Affect Your Craft Business?
January 13, 2009

Read this issue of the Inspiri Craft Business Magazine online.

Each month Inspiri Craft Business Magazine brings you current and in-depth information and resources to help you build and grow your own home craft business. If you have a friend who would enjoy this newsletter, please feel free to forward it to them.

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In this month's issue of Inspiri Craft Business Magazine:

Newest Articles at Inspiri

Soap Making Business
Of course, the majority of the general craft business tips will apply to your soap making business. Here are some additional tips that are specific to professional crafters who are building a home based soap business.

Craft Room Design
The perfect craft room design will vary depending on the media you work with, but there are some general concepts that apply to good craft rooms no matter what type of materials you use to create your crafts.

Baby Room Mural
Instructions for painitng an easy baby room mural.

New Articles on the Inspiri Blog

Selling Crafts Online - Have a Plan to Promote Your Site
Outsourcing Craft Business Tasks
Nursery Decor

Your Contributions

There are two easy ways to share craft business tips at Inspiri.

If you have a great craft business article (400 words or more) and you'd like a link back to your own craft related site, find out how to share a full article here: Share a Craft Business Article.

If you have a quick tip you want to share but don't have a full article, you can add your tips here: Quick Craft Business Tips

Please keep in mind, backlinks are not included on the quick tip forms, so if you'd like to receive a backlink to promote your craft business site, you'll need to use the full article submission option.

Your Contributions

Add Some Height in Your Craft Booth
Jan Messent’s "World of Embroidery"
Work at Home Tips

Feature Article

Will the CPSIA Impact Your Craft Business?

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) will create tighter safety requirements for children's products sold in the US. These requirements include lab testing and certification that lead and phthalates are not present in children's items. While the intention of the act may be to protect children, many professional craft artists and other small business people are concerned that the unintended consequences of the act (i.e. tremendous costs incurred to test each item) will jeopardize their businesses.

There has been a lot of strong reaction to the CPSIA. Opinions and concerns vary widely including:

  • Small business owners convinced they will be forced out of business as a result of the legislation.
  • Retailers who intend to stop carrying items from companies outside of the US because they assume international companies won't be in compliance with the US regulation.
  • Craft professionals who intend to make changes to their business models as a result of the new regulation.
  • Professional craft artists who support the legislation and feel they won't be negatively impacted because they have contacted their suppliers and have been assured the suppliers will have certificates in place.
  • Consumers concerned they will have far fewer choices in products for their children as a result of the legislation and will have to pay more for the products that are available to them.
Whether this legislation will impact your craft business (and the extent of that impact) depends upon the age of the customers you target, the types of items you sell, your location, and other factors. The legislation won't have the same blanket effect on all professional craft artists; therefore, my suggestion would be to inform yourself (see the links at the bottom of this article). Read and understand all you can about the legislation and how it relates to your particular business. Seek out professional, legal advice if you have questions or concerns about meeting these requirements.

Keep in mind, when you read the forum posts and blogs about this legislation, there is a lot of emotion out there, which is completely understandable considering the negative impact this legislation could have on some professional craft artists and other small business people. While venting frustration can be necessary and helpful, be sure to get beyond that stage. If you discover this legislation could impact your business, do any venting you need to do, then go beyond that to take positive action and take the steps you need (perhaps contacting a legal professional, adjusting your business model, contacting your suppliers, contacting politicians, etc.) to protect your business.

Get Informed About the CPSIA:

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) (Government site)
Fashion Incubator Blog (a lot of information posted here)
Fashion Incubator Forum (The CPSIA section of this forum has been opened to non-members)
Handmade Toy Alliance (toymakers and children's product manufacturers who want to preserve unique handmade toys, clothes, and children's goods)
Etsy Forum (links to CPSIA discussions in the Etsy forum)

"A business leader has to keep their organization focused on the mission. That sounds easy, but it can be tremendously challenging in today's competitive and ever-changing business environment." Meg Whitman

Search Inspiri Art and Craft for more tips on building your craft business.

Thanks for reading the Inspiri Craft Business Magazine.
I welcome your comments and questions.

Best regards,
Lisa

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