I am happy to introduce you to a fellow team etsyBABY member today... Janae of ClaireandJanae. She makes some fabulous things and I hope you enjoy meeting the artist behind the craft!

Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.When did you first start creating things?
I have always liked to make things but I didn't start making baby things until I was pregnant with my daughter Danielle. I got a job at a quilt shop and my mom really helped me pretend I knew what I was doing. I studied art for a few years in College.

What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?
In college I got really in to photography and sculpture. I was on a study abroad and discovered I loved it. Then later I had a job at a quilt shop and the first week they asked me to make an example blanket. I had never made a quilt before. My mom and my 17 year old brother helped me (he already knew how to quilt.) I dove in head first to sewing and two and a half years later I still love it.

How did you come up with your shop name?
I wanted something like fuzzy wuzzy or cuddle elephant or silly made up words that didn't make much sense. I also wanted it to say baby. Then I decided to use Claire because it is my daughter's middle name and my sister's name. My name is ALWAYS spelled wrong so it is in my shop name but not my official brand name. My sister is an attorney and she loves talking about different ideas and what I need to do legally. Baby Claire and I spend all day making things and she has her own sewing machine (one of those kid ones) and a pile of fabric she shows me all the time. Since we are in it together I used our names together- it was last minute.

Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?
I actually just recently opened claireandmedesigns.etsy.com which is a design shop. It has lots of rude and nice cards and photos I've taken.

Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what?
I have a really simple screenprinting kit and I want to start doing that. And how to really use Adobe illustrator because I'm not very good at it. I have always wanted to learn how to blow glass and make vases. Someday....

How did you hear about Etsy?
I heard about it from another sister, who sells hair pins. She had a few ideas about things we could buy her for Christmas and showed me the site. We started talking and I started my shop.

Any words of advice to others?
My only advice is to keep really good records. If you don't know how get a computer program to help you. And to remember that if you aren't having fun, don't torture yourself. Make your shop pay for itself or your husband will wonder where the heck all your money is going.

How will the new law by CPSIA affect you and your shop?
Since most of my items are a few of a kind, I will have to either switch to making just one of each item or not carry lots of things. The onesies will really take a hit. I will probably have to raise prices since it will take so much more time to get each item ready if they are one of a kind. I am really glad they put off some of the CPSIA things and I am waiting to see if they will change it so I can keep making things.


If you take a look at Janae's shop announcement you will see that etsy has become a family thing!
claireandmedesigns.etsy.com- my other site with Cards and Photography
shelleanne.etsy.com - my sister Rachelle's site with great hair things.
magnoliapottery.etsy.com- Pottery from my sister in law Brooke.

Thanks for stopping by my blog to read about another fabulous fellow etsian!

I just want to thank Liz for taking the time to complete this interview with me! I just love hearing what inspires and motivates others along their etsy journey. I hope you decide to take a few minutes to browse her lovely store, www.daisycreek.etsy.com!

Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.


I have a long history in hand crafted items as small businesses. I originally started by designing and hand crafting unique hats for babies and children (Ratty's Hats). Sadly, 10 years ago people were still afraid to 'go out of the box' with their kids and my creations often went unappreciated!In university, I created a very successful pet treat and accessory business called "Treats for Furry Feets". I spent months creating, from scratch, gourmet pet treats from all natural (and when possible organic) ingredients. My fur kids were thrilled to be my taste testers! When I started my honours placement I had to let the business go, there just wasn't enough time in the day for both.



When did you first start creating things?

I was always described as a 'creative child" - I think that was people's polite way of saying I was weird! I learned how to sew when I was 10 on my great grandmothers original sewing machine. It was the first Singer electric model and had one stitch - but that baby could sew through anything! When I was 14 my mom bought me a brand spanking new machine that seemed so luxurious with it's 12 stitches. I used that machine until its sad end this past fall (over 17 years). I love to sew and make 99.9% of my items without a pattern - shirts and a diaper stacker are pretty much the only time I felt I needed one (I got that 'knack' from my great grandma).



What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?
It's be a long journey through the creative land. But Mommy's Lil Monkey started when I went on maternity leave last January. I was hugely pregnant, stuck at home, and BORED - I started sewing blankets, diapers and other items for my pending monkey. When Jacob arrived and we were out and about I got so many compliments on the blankets and questions of where I got them - I figured it was worth trying to sell them! I loved being able to sew while Jacob napped, and creating Mommy's Lil Monkey gave me the much needed brain work out a new mommy needs! Since then my best friend joined me with LilyBugz and we have been expanding our line as our little ones have grown. We create out of the needs we fill for our own monkeys - and hope that it fills the needs of other mommies too!



Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?

I start back to work in (ACK!) twenty days. I am a retail manager for a large Canadian communications and entertainment company. However my background is in social work and film studies - go figure! I do also dabble in collecting and selling vintage pieces - and LOVE a good church rummage sale!



Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what?

I would love to be able to knit or crochet. My grandmother is the most amazing knitter I have ever seen - she is 87 and can knit a sweater in a day. Her work is unbelievable and unlike anything you would find in even the finest boutiques. I tried learning how to knit when I was a teen but succeeded in trying it into knots and bending the needles!


How did you hear about Etsy?

An old friend of mine suggested I take a look when I was searching for sock monkey items for the nursery. I was amazed when I saw the site and couldn't believe I had never heard or seen of it before. I didn't start to sell on Etsy until July of 2008 - I just didn't feel my items were ready for such a high calibre community.




Any words of advice to others?
Do what you love, don't under value your product, and never deny yourself the need to stockpile fabric!!! You never know when you might need that beautiful floral print that's on sale :-)



How will the new law by CPSIA affect you and your shop?
Being Canadian I will still be able to sell within Canada and all other countries but the USA. However 75% of my customer base is in the USA so my store sales would be affected. I don't rely on Etsy as a source of income (unlike so many affected) -- but rather a reinvestment into more materials every time I make a sale. My shop will probably carry less stock and I will cut back on how much I produce and post for Etsy. I worry that many of the suppliers I purchase from through Etsy may no longer be able to sell their supplies. That means I will no longer be able to create - and I need to let my creative energies flow!

What would affect me more is that the many friends that I have made through team Etsybaby would be losing their livelihood and be unable to create and sell the things they love. I worry about the families who rely on their arts and crafts, the public libraries, the second hand stores, the increases on prices in general - especially in these increasingly hard financial times. I wish as a Canadian I could lobby my members of parliament to get involved - but we have such little say in what happens to our neighbours even though it affects us too! I have been spreading the word to my fellow Canadian crafters and buyers to let them know what is happening and most are in disbelief. The CPSIA laws have not received the global coverage they should - which means most outside the US are completely in the dark!


I hope you enjoyed learning more about MommysMonkey! I know I did. Take a few minutes to browse through her shop...she has some adorable things!

*When did you first start creating things?

Yes, we have a stay of one year before the CPSIA Law for third party lead testing comes into affect. That's one small victory for us, the little guy...but that still means in a year all these wonderful shops that sell amazing children's items are not going to be in business. Please check out this link and do something to save us http://blog.buyhandmade.org/ from this unreasonable law.

I will not be doing a feature on a baby item shop every day anymore but I will try to do at least one a week until this law is changed! Today, I'm introducing you to Peg from KuddleZoo! Enjoy!

mattEtsy Admin matt says:Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously(2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.
Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. 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.The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6022029 http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/stayenforce.pdf
To unsubscribe from these announcements, login to the forum and uncheck "Receive forum announcements and important notifications by email." in your profile.
You can view the full announcement by following this link:
http://shopetsybaby.com/etsybabyforum/index.php?topic=642.0

Please read this article to learn about the TRUTH and REALITY of the CPSIA's new law!

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.

Do you really not want to be able to buy your child/granddaughter/niece/friend an adorable handmade tutu from TUTUCUTEANDMOORE? SAVE HANDMADE!
Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.
I grew up watching my mother sew and run a small business with her creations. She taught me patience, as well as giving me the freedom to make messes and jam her sewing machine hundreds of times! I received a degree in Family & Consumer Science, formerly home economics, so I've always enjoyed creating and teaching the arts to my former students.


When did you first start creating things?
When I was old enough to thread a needle!


What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?
Clothing, curtains, pillows, recovering furniture, Barbie Doll clothes, then I was off to children/baby creations. I started Tutu Cute & Moore in 2001, when I was approached by a children's boutique to create a line of tutus for her new shop, which I'm still selling to.

Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?
I retired, after 35 years of teaching Family & Consumer Science to high school and middle school students. I was ready to retire from teaching, but not ready to retire from life, so I've continued with my sales to retail children's boutiques, opened my Etsy shop and I'm now teaching a YogaStretch class, which is wonderful.

Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what? I don't spend time dreaming, as I'm making exactly what I love to make...beautiful flower filled tutus, sweet tooth fairy pillows, fun birthday party hats and personalized onesies and more! Also, I'm adding a new line of personalized handpainted birthday placemats, as well as, a party animal line. How could you not enjoy doing this?

How did you hear about Etsy?
A friend had opened a shop and thought I would also be interested.

Any words of advice to others?
It's been said many times before, but, do what you love and everything seems to fall into place.

How will the new law by CPSIA affect you and your shop? My motto is: things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out. I'm an eternal optimist, so I'll deal with what ever happens. However, it would be an incredible loss to our country if handmade shops were closed!

Time to meet Hilda from WarmandFuzzyBaby...yet another adorable shop about to basically be closed down if something doesn't change...

For the past week or so I've been doing interviews with shops that are going to be affected by the CPSIA Law starting on February 10th, 2009. Turns out...my shop is also going to be affected so I thought I would do an interview with myself so you can see what will be missing from my shop in a few short weeks...

Yup! It's Saturday again and even though I'm featuring etsy artists' that will be affected by this CPSIA Law, I'm still going to show off the treasuries that I either made or my items made it into!
ENJOY!

This beautiful treasury was put together by sewciopath and was called "Danger to Society." It was to emphasize that this CPSIA Law is ridiculous and does someone really think these are 'dangerous'? She chose to use my Rainforest Flannel Quilt (bottom row, middle column)

"Winter Have you Burnt Out?" was put together by eclectibles
She featured my Swirling Oranges wristlet (shown on the first column, second row).









"Spark of Color" was put together by UniquelyNancy. I was really excited to see that she chose to use my Blossom Beautiful ACEO! It's the first time an ACEO of mine has been featured in a treasury.











'Quiltsy Baby' was put together by Dragonflystitches. She featured my mother-in-law's Rainforest Pillowcase (third column, third row).










This beautiful "Pieced Warmth" treasury was put together by lmkquilts. My Mystery World quilt is featured in the first row, second column.











'Spring is coming' was put together by Jacistuff and my Sunrise Curtain quilt is featured (second row, second column).








These next two treasuries are one's that I put together...

I'm sticking to the same theme...another store, Tadpole Creations to be affected by the CPSIA Law....

Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.


A child of the seventies, the daughter of a ceramist and woodworker turned into successful interior designers. Fast forward 30 years, I am the mother of 3 growing kids, a former elementary art teacher turned decorative painter. I specialize in painting art and murals for children’s rooms. Since I was a small child, I have always sewn for pleasure. Tadpolecreations was begun to satisfy my need to paint with fabric.





When did you first start creating things?


My parents have tape deck recording of myself as a two year old asking Santa for a sewing machine. My mother would let my older sister and I work with clay in her studio. My high school graduation gift was a sewing machine.

What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?I have always had a gift for creating big messes. Still do to this day. I look at every past creative experience in my life as teaching me something about how to approach future challenges. Even my biggest challenges have provided invaluable gems of wisdom to learn from.

Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?I have 2 other online stores that I sell my custom hand painted wall hangings for babies and children http://hotchpotch.etsy.com/ and http://stores.ebay.com/Art-for-Baby-and-Kids. My original art is also sold via a select number of online boutiques.

This is INSANE!

from http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1573

January 22nd, 2009 Category: Government Information

WASHINGTON, D.C. –

The American Library Association (ALA) today expressed dissatisfaction with a public meeting held by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to discuss the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and whether the law, which requires children’s products to undergo stringent testing for lead, should apply to ordinary, paper-based children’s books.

Under the current opinion issued by the General Counsel of the CPSC, the law would apply to books for children under the age of 12; therefore, public, school, academic and museum libraries would be required to either remove all their children’s books or ban all children under 12 from visiting the facilities as of February 10.

During the meeting, members of a panel including representatives of the American Association of Publishers (AAP) as well as major book publishers and ink manufacturers, addressed questions raised by the CPSC rulemaking committee regarding the testing procedures and methodologies currently exercised in the production of an ordinary book.

The panel presented a collection of data reinforcing their position that ordinary books pose no inherent threat. This information can be viewed here. Though the CPSC acknowledged that the current deadlines are unrealistic and potentially damaging, the General Counsel gave no clear indication as to when an official ruling would be made and could offer no definite direction to libraries at this point.

“It is completely irresponsible and unacceptable for the CPSC to continue to leave this matter unresolved with the February 10th deadline drawing closer each day,” ALA President Jim Rettig said.

“It is apparent that the CPSC does not fully understand the ramifications this law will have for libraries – and for children – if libraries are not granted an exemption. At this point, we are advising libraries not to take drastic action, such as removing or destroying books, as we continue to hope this matter will be rectified and that the attention will be paid to the products that pose a true threat to children. However, we find it disappointing and shameful that a government agency would continue to leave this matter unsettled when clearly the outcome would virtually shut down our nation’s school and public libraries.”

From BuggaLove:

The Cost of Compliance with CPSIA:
http://buggalove.blogspot.com/2009/01/cost-of-compliance-with-cpsia.html
The Cost of Compliance with CPSIA Volume 2:
http://buggalove.blogspot.com/2009/01/cost-of-compliance-with-cpsia-volume-2.html

The blog 'What Shoes I Wear' just posted a summary of what happened at an etsy meeting this afternoon about the CPSIA laws coming into effect. I strongly recommend you reading it and looking at her links!

http://whatshoesiwear.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-notes-on-meeting-with-etsy-admin.html

Yet another interview with a wonderful shop endanger of closing because of the new law....BABYCHEEKS and The Trendy Tot...

Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.