Poems out there in the world
December 7, 2008I keep forgetting to mention that I have two poems in the current Portland Review. So there it is. And if you’re in Portland, I know you can get a copy at Powell’s.
Toy Regulation
So, I just found out about this new legislation that passed regarding the regulation of children’s toys. My dumbed down version: anything made for a child (under 12) must be submitted for testing and will cost several hundred dollars. If that item comes in different colors it must also be submitted. This is great for large manufacturers, but small businesses, especially people who make one of a kind items, will be subject to the same costs. In my mind, it will ruin small businesses and the handmade market.
You can read in depth about it on the Fashion Incubator’s website and there’s quite a long letter that you can copy and paste from Ruth’s Creations. Both sites are full of information on this. You can also check out the government’s site.
If you want to do a copy and paste, feel free to use what I wrote to the CPSC:
I am completely against this new legislation. I understand that children’s toys need to tested for safety, but the measures of this act will effectively put small businesses, who cannot afford the testing, out of business. Many of these businesses already make child safety their priority and provide products for children that large manufactures do not. As a consumer, I am more likely to buy items handmade by a person who sells small batches of their product rather than a mass-marketed item. The very idea that I will be limited to purchasing from a major manufacturer, because the high rate of product testing will come close to annihilating small business toy manufacturers, not only frustrates me because the measure seems to ignore this problem, but also because there will be fewer choices. This is unacceptable in a country built upon freedom of choice. While there are many companies who choose to use products which will harm children, there are many more small businesses who make it a point to provide harmless products. These businesses have used their freedom of choice to provide what they see as safe for children. Must this regulation be so stringent upon the small businesses? Is there no way to create leeway for the handmade market who simply cannot afford to go through this new process, especially when their items are clearly safe for child use? While I think that child safety is an extremely important issue, and the steps to monitor big toy manufacturers, I am troubled by the apparent disregard for the entire market. Please rethink this measure and consider ways that might effectively protect children and regulate toy safety while providing small businesses the opportunity to stay in business.
Magical Fabric Pon Pons
December 3, 2008
I am working on a quilt for myself and had a bunch of long skinny scraps leftover after I cut out the squares. They looked so pretty together that I had to do something with them. I decided to make some pon pons (forever pom poms in my mind). These make great present toppers and it saves scraps from filling up the garbage.
Without further ado, I give you Fabric Scrap Pon Pons, the unabridged version.
You will need:
Twine
Scissors
Fabric Scraps no more than 1/2″ wide and no shorter than 5″
Pick out the scraps you want to use.
Cut a length of twine around 24″ long.
Start wrapping scraps around your fingers, which should be spaced about 3-4″ apart.
Keep wrapping until you have a thick layer of scraps. It shouldn’t be too thick, or it will turn out wrong.
Carefully remove the scraps from your fingers and center them on top of the twine.
As tight as you can, knot on one side, then flip over. Knot again. This keeps it secure.
It should look like it’s wearing a corset. Nice cinched waist right there.
Slip the scissors in between the loops. Cut.
It should resemble a butterfly at this point.
Now, twist the pieces to and fro, disguising the center.
There you have it! And if you want to make an extra special pon-pon, tie three together at the bases of each. Lovely gift toppers… and all from landfill material.
