Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Help the independent dealers

Time to Unite

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.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Marshalls, Aj Wright 15% off

Customer Appreciation Day!

On 1/22/09, get 15% off your purchase at all TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Homegoods, AJ Wright stores nationwide.

15% off of everything, no exclusions, and the prices will not be changed from what they currently are, if anything they will go down further before the discount day.

Anyone making a purchase the entire day is getting 15% off no questions asked. Extra 10% if applying for a credit card.

Cannot be used to put items into layaway.


They are doing this to apologize for the credit card number breach a while back, but it doesn't matter if you were affected by the breach or not, you still get 15% off your purchase on 1/22.


I mentioned this to some cashiers at my local Home Goods and they had no clue about this. I really think management would let their workers know what is going on. The cashiers told me they were already having a clearance and were not marking anything down. I wonder if they were told to not say anything today or just were not told.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Barak Obama Inauguration speech

Text of speech.

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/full-text-president-obamas-inauguration-speech-2009

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Stumbleupon Tutorial

I found this great tutorial that answered many of my questions about stumbleupon. I think I can use it much more effectively now. It is great fun to just stumble different sites, sites I would never have noticed otherwise.


http://www.doshdosh.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-stumbleupon-how-to-build-massive-traffic-to-your-website-and-monetize-it/

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Talent Database Feature

My work has been featured in the Talent Database featured listings. It is great to get this recognition during these tough economic time. Maybe I will get a few bookmarks and reap some business when times get better. :)

Thank you Talent Database.




Stumble Upon Toolbar

Monday, January 12, 2009

Tina Fey at the Golden Globes

I was so sorry to see that Tina Fey had to waste her special moment admonishing website bloggers. She would have been better off being classy. Now they have more reasons to hate her and be mean.
I have no idea who Dianefan or cougar letter are or even if they exist but I know giving them publicity can't be the best way to go.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Monday, January 5, 2009

STORE CLOSING 50% OFF

Closing my craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com store. It is getting to be more than I want on my plate right now.

All items are marked down 50%. Final Reductions. Shop now for best selection.

http://craftsfromthehearty.etsy.com

Stumble Upon Toolbar