Open Letter to crafters, small businesses, and supporters of handmade
Published May 27, 2009 @ 06:12PM PT
Back in 2008, after learning that the future of handmade children's products was threatened by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), we reached out to you as fellow citizens. It was our hope that if enough people became aware of the situation, together we could keep handmade toys, clothing, and other wonderful products for children legal, and available in the United States. About 15,000 people signed our petition, and many of you have worked hard to spread the word. Thanks to you Congress has heard loud and clear that Americans (and citizens of other countries) do not want our cottage industries and crafters to disappear.
We joined together out of necessity, in what was felt by many to be an emergency situation. Since that time, it's become obvious that it would be beneficial both to small business owners and lovers of handmade, if we continue our mission to support handmade, as an official organization. The HTA is now a non-profit, committed to working for change in the CPSIA, and also helping crafters and small businesses succeed in the children's industry. If it weren't for the cottage industries producing these innovative products, parents and children would be limited to mass produced products in big box stores. We are working to ensure that American children continue to have the option of playing with, wearing, and using unique handmade items, and our economy is strengthened by the ongoing employment of thousands of crafters.
Whether you're a small business owner, or a concerned citizen, please consider joining the HTA. You can do so for as little as $35. If you're not able to join at this time and can make a small donation--even $5.00 would help--we would be so grateful. Visit http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org to donate, or http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/join-the-handmade-toy-alliance to read about the benefits, and join the HTA. Thank you for your support of small batch children's products!
Yours truly,
Cecilia Leibovitz
craftsburykids.com
President, Handmade Toy Alliance
handmadetoyalliance.org
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Author
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Cecilia Leibovitz
- Montpelier, VT
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Cecilia is founder and Creative Director of Craftsbury Kids, an online marketplace offering handmade goods for children.
