CPSIA Requirements

Hi! I did a little research and found this to explain labeling well to all us handcrafters. :) Pretty much the info you NEED to have is:

Manufacturer's name/Business Name
Location (City, State)
Date of Manufacturing

Of course you can do more than this, but this is your basic info needed. I highly suggest an email address or website as a way to contact you.

Here is a section from the CPSIA website that refers to labeling requirements:

The Commission has received a great deal of comment and input from hand-crafters regarding the implementation of Section 103(a). As noted in the Statement of Policy, the Commission anticipates that there will be a period of education after the new requirements go into effect and expects that each manufacturer, large and small, will consider how to apply these requirements to their business.
Hand-crafters should consider the following:
What kind of tracking system do you currently use? You do not necessarily have to create a new system of lot, batch or run numbers to identify when you made your products, however your products and their packaging should identify your company in sufficient detail to enable a consumer to reach you so that the required information may be ascertained.
What information can be ascertained about your product? If someone handed you one of your products sold last year, what would you be able to tell them about the materials used? Keeping your receipts and purchase orders will help you to better know the source of your product and its components and when you began using them. Ask your fellow hand crafters if they have any tips or ideas that can help.
How is your product marked? If someone had one of your products sold last year, would they know who to call if there was a problem? Absent any unusual circumstances, your business name should be on your product with sufficient detail to enable a consumer to reach you. Congress recognized that there could be instances where marking a product might not be practicable, such as where the product is very small. Consider the examples outlined in the Statement of Policy where it might not be practicable to mark a product.
How is your packaging marked? Can a retailer of your product see from the packaging (or from the product if the product marking is still fully visible) information that they could use to take just your products from the shelf in the event of a recall?

My latest updates to fill you in!

Mar 1 *****Just wanted to post an update. :) Things are getting better. Most of you have been insanely kind, helpful and patient! I appreciate it soooo much and I'm getting caught up really fast now! I'm hoping to have things running smooth soon, but that seems to be joke these days! :P Thanks tremendously to all of you who keep sharing your kind words with me. It's the best reward in this job! :) *****Feb 24 *****Hi everyone, I'm on a very short and much needed vacation at the moment, but wanted to make a note for those few people that leave neutral or negative feedback before contacting me. I am always fully willing to solve the problems that you have. Being on Etsy, I would hope that people in this community see it being a more personable site than other selling sites. Remember that I am ONE person and a Mother and A wife, and just another normal person doing thier best. Please contact me before leaving me feedback that can be fixed. One other note, it is NOT my fault if the postal service loses your package. Leaving me a negative because of that is completely unfair. I handmake the labels and therefore am frustrated with them being lost too. I've ALWAYS sent free labels when they're lost too...something I don't think I should have to do. This shows that I'm always ready to lose money just to please everyone.*****
Feb 21 *****Happy "I want winter to be over!" :) I am losing my mind at the moment with more orders and conversations than one human being can consume. Therefore, I plan to close the shop for a few days. It will tentatively close tomorrow through Wednesday Feb 25. I might adjust it a little, but it's my wedding anniversary tomorrow and then my son's birthday on Monday. It's a much needed break, and hopefully I'll be back and extremely refreshed and overly energetic for you all. :) I'll pop in here a few times to check conversations and such, and the label orders will STILL BE WORKED ON. Don't worry, if you've already ordered, I'm getting those done. :) Thank you all, and have a nice week!*****
Feb 14 *****Happy Valentines Day! Although I've been quite tempted to throw the label business out the window and give up, I'm going to keep chugging along. Most everyone has been more than understanding, and you all have a special place with me. It's been extremely trying to get things fixed, replaced and back up and running. Thank you all for your support and kind patience. I pray to keep strong in this hectic and stressful time. *****
Feb 7 *******As if things weren't rough enough, I'm now having internet trouble. I'm not going to have internet at home until Wednesday, Feb 11, and therefore will not be listing new listings until then, and hopefully things will be resolved sooner. :( I am going to try and answer all my conversations for the short time I have at a public access point. Thank you for all your support and patience at this time.******
Feb 3*****I'm getting there guys! I'm just getting the final stages of recouping the computers done...but labels are pretty close to schedule...a day or two longer in most cases, but by the end of this week I plan on being on time! Thank you to those that have been a blessing with patience and kindness. So many people shared supportive words and thoughts.*****
Jan 28*****Hi all, I unfortunately had my computer crash today, and then to add to it, while buying a replacement, my husband calls and says my 4 year old knocked over my laptop and it won't work. So, I had to get two new computers today...and wasn't as easy task. I of course am now a few days behind. I really appreciate all the patience and hope to get completely caught up by Friday. Thank you!!!*****
If you all know me, I'm always trying to make the labels better, and now, I feel SOOO happy and complete with what I can provide! I am offering a few different types of labels for everyone with different needs. I've discontinued my tagless for a short time as I'd like to improve those with a new idea. You will not be let down.......BLACK BLACK, SHARP AND CRISP that does NOT fade, run, or bleed and they are FRAYPROOF of course!!! I'm so excited about how my labels look now, and I'm hoping you'll give me a chance to show you my new and improved look!!!

Discouraged...

Not that I really have time to do this blog....but this business has been so discouraging lately. I need to get this out or it's going to just sit in my head while I try to answer conversation after conversation. That's all I do anymore, and as I don't mind them, I just can't get to all of them quickly sometimes. I know people think that I'm slacking and ignoring them, but I just have more than I can handle. I know, you're probably wanting to tell me to take a break and close your shop. Yeah, I am compelled to close it permanently and do something else totally. But, I'm not a quitter. I've been knocked down a whole lot lately and there are a few people that seem to do everything but try and understand. In all seriousness, I know that these people are running a business and they need the labels for their own success. I truly and completely understand that, and that's why I work all the time...all day...into the wee hours of the morning. I'm tired, my kids are needing me, I even have someone working for me...why am I still so overwhelmed? I know one reason is that I'm always working on improving my process and so that's always in my mind, on my plate and I'm always experimenting. It's my dream, my goal and complete desire to run this business. I just want to know why....why did I have both computers crash the same day? (My belief is that at that moment I was able to take from Peter to pay Paul the easiest that day to replace them and God knew I was going to work through it.) I want to know why I had internet trouble just as I got the new computers settled? I want to know why I'm interrupted every time I need to work. I want to know why a few people insist on copying and pasting my listing word for word into their own. When it comes down to it, it's all a learning process and I'm thankful for it. If it weren't for the people that are patient, loving and generous with their kind words, I might collapse in a pit of quicksand. So, thank you to all of you that offer the extra vote of confidence and the words that take the bricks off my chest. There's nothing better, except maybe getting my work done and spending time with my family.

God bless you all...
Jennifer

One of my spur of the moment thoughts...

Good morning, afternoon or night......depending on where you are!

As I was sitting here answering one of my MANY Etsy conversations, I got another one of my genius ideas....

So, I'm wanting to find MORE unique designs and ideas.......and duh, it's time to utilize my drawing skills...OFF the ole puter. Time to put all my new techniques and software to good use! :) I LOVE creating in SOOO many ways! I can't wait to start on one of my customer's label designs. She wants a simple vintage flower and I can picture what I want, but would have to draw it by hand. So, I am going to! Then it hits me, I can just sit and draw TONS of different designs and start using them too.

What this blog comes down to is what I keep feeling lately....I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TO DO THEM!!!! But hey, I'd rather have too many ideas than not enough. You know what I mean??? It just makes me LOVE life to the fullest! Why did God bless me with such a busy mind??? lol

Well, off to answer more conversations, emails, and create designs and labels!

I do have to add something though......and if you're squeamish, sensitive, etc, then this might not be the topic for you....

Yeah, I did a trade with Pinklemonadeshop.etsy.com and I got 3 of her cloth pads. I've been pretty skeptical on the whole idea, and I'm breastfeeding so I really haven't even needed them....that's up until about a week ago. I'm telling you all, I'm spoiled now!!!!!! These are one of the greatest finds I've ever come across!!!!! I REFUSE to buy disposables, those noisy diaper-like POC things. DO something nice for yourself and contact her for the most coziest womanly accessories of your life!!!

Til next time....

Do your labels fray?

...most customers ask.

NO! They sure don't! Not with my new product! YAYYY!!!!

I finally have found the time to create my completely frayproof labels, and as a bonus, they are wrinkle and bunch proof too! :) I'm so excited about them! They've helped me step up even further from my already great quality. I'm really not trying to boast or brag, but I put a lot of work into what I do. I want to sell something that I would personally want to buy!

So anyways, these labels are PERFECT for clothing as they can be sewn on one or two sides, and will keep their form and WILL not fray! They still have the colorfast properties that I've always had, so it's all the best rolled into one!

If you'll look to the left, you'll see my new design created to honor earth day, and our earth in general! I have really made some changes in my life since Etsy, especially this last week! You'll all learn that I hate change...but thrive on it. :P It's hard for me to change routine, but I've actually made lots of changes! To name a few, I've finally jumped into the cloth diaper scene! I am so excited!!! I got a couple pairs of shorties made by wooldins.etsy.com (whom was WAYYYYY helpful I might add and great work), I also got some cloth feminine pads from pinklemonadeshop.etsy.com (also FANTASTIC to work with and beautiful work), and I have some cloth pullups on the make with georganne.etsy.com. She's been going above and beyond to get the fabric I requested. My next quest will be getting some reusable, trendy looking totes for groceries from bagsbymelanie.etsy.com.....and Melanie is one of my longest closest Etsy friend and customer! I just love her and her stuff!

As I always end my announcements in my shop...and I can't help it....

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I can't believe how blessed I am with customers (friends) that are so kind, understanding, and great to work with.

Lots of love,

Jennifer

Other updates...then I'll start real blogging....really...:P

3/24/08 Hello! I wanted to update everyone! We're doing really well right now. My baby boy is a tough little guy even through everything. I've had a few people ask if I was still working, and YES, I am definitely working! My work on Etsy is one thing that keeps my mind sane...So please feel free to order, as I'm chugging along on orders! I know I do this all the time, but THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! I am absolutely blessed to have so many buyers that are understanding, patient and truly caring. Please know that I care about all of you and LOVE to see all your businesses thrive, especially with help from my labels! :)LOTS OF LOVE,Jennifer3/4/08 NOTE!!!!!!!!As a lot of you know, my 2008 has been really rough. To add to it, I am in the hospital at this moment with my infant dealing with a virus giving him a bronchitis or asthmatic reaction. OOOOOkkkkayyyy........the dr just came in with new xray results. He has pneumonia. :( He's getting much better, and will probably be home tomorrow. I will get orders completed as soon as I get home or contact my friend to help me while I'm still in here. I pray that you all will have patience in this difficult time. Thank you all!!

Here's a quick summary of life before blog....

1/30/08 An update with what's going on with my life....my Grandmother passed away this morning from an 8-9 month battle with lung cancer. I have been blessed to have a Grandmother as special as she was, and am thankful for all the memories. I appreciate your patience as I get caught up from the last few days being at her bedside. Thank you all, as I've had nothing but the most kind and caring buyers I can imagine. 1/19/08 Oh boy, I just got home today from the hospital as my infant was admitted with breathing problems associated with RSV. This winter has been complete craziness so far, and I can't wait for spring!!! I will be getting to convos and the rest of pending orders starting today! I'm sorry everyone! I can't wait for things to be "normal" and have business up and 100% again!1/16/08 Hello all, I hope everyone is having a better start to the new year than I am right now! My family seems to be getting sick constantly, and money is just not swinging our way like we need it. So on top of trying to figure out our crazy bills, our sick 2 month old and dealing with SOOO many other things I can't even begin to start with.......I'm trying sooo hard to get orders done and out. I really pray for patience from buyers as well as for myself. I care very much about my label business and everyone else's too! Please forgive my delays, and I hope the labels are nice enough to make up for any misgivings. :(Thank you to all!!!Jennifer12/26/07 First, Merry Christmas! I made it through the MAJOR MADNESS part of the Christmas season! YAYYYY!!!!! We had a good Holiday, except all of us being sick! :( But, we were blessed in EVERY way. Second, I think I should start a blog as I've been told I should as they're great! I like giving updates as to what's going on in my life, so you know what's on my plate. What I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to say is THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I couldn't imagine a more understanding group of customers/friends/supporters ever!!!!!!!!!!!! You've all been extremely understanding of my new baby, the holidays and all the craziness in between. :)Lots of LOVE,Jennifer11/20/07 Hello!!! We're home and adjusting nicely to our new baby boy along with our two other boys. :) I'm recovering pretty fast this time and will be getting to all my conversations by this evening. Labels will start going out again starting tomorrow, so please bare with me on that. :) Thanks AGAIN for EVERYTHING you've all said and done in ways of support! NEWEST UPDATE!!!!!!! 11/16/07 I'm in the hospital bed being induced....so I'll be getting to orders when I get home in a few days...I hope everyone understands! This was a last last minute event! Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers as everyone has been wonderful!11/14/07 An update on my upcoming baby boy! I'm due in 9 days, and feel like he could come any day, so please know that there might be a delay in shipping if you order in the next week or so. Don't worry! As soon as I return home, I'll be back at it...even if I need help from my Mother. :P I thrive on my business and my kids, so please let me know what I can do for you! I would also like to share MANY MANY MANY blessed thank yous for all my customers who are soooooo happy for my family's special time. It's an amazing thing to have a business and create so many great relationships with customers. You're all so kind, and I'm blessed to be doing what I'm doing. :)I just wanted to comment on a new listing I just added. It's saying hot water safe. Please be assured that ALL my listings are representing the SAME labels and they are ALL hot water safe. :) Just wanted to make a new listing! :) 7/2/07 Hello! Just wanted to share our great news! We found out we're having another BOY today! :)