Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Games in print


I love well designed things and couldn't help posting about this blog I just found. I was bouncing from link to link on some new sites looking at the beautiful imagery and came across the SCOOP, which blogged about another blog Made Sweet and I found this shower game that was too clever not to show everyone.
Since I have a wedding to participate in next month this is quite relivant to my life, but I can see how it could be redesigned for all sorts of occasions. The little golf penciles are wrapped in coordinating paper and fit inside the hear cut-outs, it would also be a great scavenger list design as well. So cute!
Off to the sewing maching!
Head Bather

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Holiday sewing

I have begun my holiday sewing this week, a few gifts and a few wardrobe pieces. I wanted to share a find, saw this while looking around for inspiration! Crafter is a great forum check it out sometime!


http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=283869.0

Monday, November 16, 2009

Thanks to everyone!

I just finished my first Orange County CA area craft show called Patchwork, and I have fallen in love. Santa Ana and the area where Patchwork was held reminds me of my favorite towns and the things I am missing about them. It is located in an arts district that had shops and designers that remined me of College Park FL where I started RitualBath, and is around the corner from an artist colony that is reminicent of Towels Court in my hometown of Sarasota.
Everyone I met was so friendly and unique, the neighborhood had all the old houses I love. There was a yoga/meditation studio called Aadara that has the same vibe as the Yoga Shala we practiced at as a couple and expecting parents, oh how I miss you Linda. There was a great shop and learning anex called The Road Less Traveled, stocked with all sorts ecologicaly minded supplies. They have things for your home, office, remodel, gifts and a bed that looked quite enviting by the end of the day. There was also a Harvey's which being new to LA, I was not aware. Great bags of all styles and rugged to boot made out of seat belt straps, with a lifetime warrenty. I love their ruffled bags and large wallets that could carry everything I need, yet float from bag to bag.
Many of them have websites but if you are in the area I highly recomend driving down to North Main St Santa Ana, and just get lost in the one way streets or better yet enjoy this mild SoCal fall and walk around.
Off to do paperwork,
Head Bather

Monday, October 19, 2009

Clay, more than something for the potters wheel.

French Green clay has the amazing ability to draw and absorb oils, dirt, and bacteria from the skins surface in a gentle way, I have tried others and this clay is the best for sensitive skin.
Once a month or more I make sure to treat myself and my skin to one of the many clay mask recipes I have. You should too! Your pores look better and your skin just feels great.

Going to my RitualBath,
Head Bather


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Patchwork Craft show!

I will be at booth 52 outside near Harvey's. Come down to Santa Ana on Nov. 15th from 11-5 and get your holiday shopping done early!

Off to whip up more product!
Head Bather

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Is Butyrospermum paradoxum in your lotion?

Well it should be! It's the scientific name for one of my favorite mosturizers Shea butter. I put it in almost every recipe I make, I love it straight out of the tub too without anything else.

It has been touted as a skin softener, soothing to chaped skin and even has some natural sun protection (anywhere from 0spf to 8spf). This nut butter is grown from trees that are twenty years old or more, in central Africa. It's best obtainted from an organic fair trade source. So try it out today as the air gets drier your skin will glow!

On the road again,
Head Bather

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Juice


Found in my body wash bases in the Love and Balance line Aloe has long been used on burns in my family. From the occasional cooking accident to the over baking in the sun that seemed to plague my Floridian teen years, I always keep an aloe plant growing by my door.

Aloe vera is used both internally and externally on humans. The gel found in the leaves is used for soothing minor burns, wounds, and various skin conditions like eczema and ringworm. The extracted aloe vera juice aloe vera plant is used internally to treat a variety of digestive condition

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Look into my crystal ball....

 
Do you see the future? I can only guess but rest assured that it will include more blog posting and photos.
Updating all my tech gadgets,
Head Bather
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Thursday, September 3, 2009

Technical upgrades

Have you ever had a few months that just fly by and before you know it they are gone, where did they go?
I am returning from just such a time warp, so please hang on we are testing and revamping. I promise not to be absent from now on.

Scrubing the tub,
Head Bather

Friday, July 31, 2009

Need a little haunt in your house?


Head on over to Gothic Rose Antiques for some stunning home accessories and art. We are looking forward to one day having the "haunted" house on the block, here is where I would love to shop for that house on the hill. One day, one day.

Off to kill some zombies, Have a great weekend!
Head Bather

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Do you need a place for your alternative DIY fix?

Then you should check out Creepy Queen online mag. Loads of links to great stores and websites to feed you steam punk crave or Helena Bonham Carter fix. They are currently running a contest so if you are a store owner give it a look!


Off to make pizzas!
Head Bather

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Move over twilight.....



So this might show my age but I don't care, here is a forgotten gem from late eighties early nineties. Another vampire remake from a sixties show by the same name. What do ya say, third times a charm, is there a Dark Shadows three out there in the works?

Giggling in my vampire geekiness,
Head Bather

Henna hair dye, thank you.



First picture is of the after, second is the before.

While shopping at one of our new Henry's Farmers Markets I found my new favorite hair color, Surya Henna hair cream. I have gotten a bit of flack in the past over my use of chemical hair dyes, though I don't think it's so much because of my green tendencies as my orange, purple and blackberry hair colors annoying my mother. Well now she will have to find something else to be annoyed by, because I have converted to an all natural dye, Henna. Some of you may know that henna dyes skin and hair a red color, but add indigo a plant based blue dye and alma a neutral plant dye your choices begin to broaden from reds, browns, and blacks.

I have been wanting to try henna and was just about to order it and indigo from my botanical supplier when I found Surya cream. I bought two bottles because I have thick past my shoulders hair, and with chemical dye it usually takes two bottles. Well I was even more excited when the instructions said that I could save any left over product for next application, I am thrifty after all or I wouldn't be doing my own hair, cut it myself too, but that's another post.

The small bottle open and gloved hands ready I began applying, it was fabulous! There was no strong smell to burn my nose, no tingling on my scalp, and it applied like a balsamic reduction sauce, or at least this was the only thing I could think to compare the consistency with. I only used two thirds of the first bottle and it covered everything evenly, and smelled like sweet anise. It was almost spa like to sit there with the plastic cap on my head for 45min, though I think they would frown on you Skyping your Sis cross country, disturbing the peace and tranquility or something. Rinsing out was a breeze though it did take a little while to get semi clear water, but the finished color was shiny and rich, love love love it!

A few words of advice, wear a dark tee or button down this stains skin but not for long, apply un-petroleum jelly or Vaseline at hair line and on ears to keep dye off you face. I have washed and styled my hair since the first application and it still remains rich and glossy, even for a demi permanent color. I will continue going back to my Surya, it is what I have been looking for. Oh and my new straitening balm by Enjoy has made a world of diffrence too, check it out.

Heading out,
Head Bather

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Could you wear only one dress for an entire year?


Day 38. Sun, June 07 2009
This woman can and do it with style! Not only is it her exercise in sustainable fashion but there is a humanitarian side, she is raising funds for The Akanksha Foundation a grassroots non-profit founded in Mumbai in 1990 through the volunteered efforts of college students devoted to bringing education to slum children. All accessories are either handmade, hand me downs or thrift finds to give each day it's own flair. I will definitely be keepin up with the Uniform Project and thanks to Miss Fruitfly for sharing!

Going out to enjoy the sunshine,
Head Bather

Friday, June 12, 2009

When last we met....


I am happy to say that things have calmed down considerably. We have almost everything unpacked and set up, still some packing trash to get rid of but I close my eyes and it's not there. I am still sorting and setting things up in each room but finally everything is functional and homey. We have a beautiful view of the "Valley" though with "June Gloom" sitting thick and heavy for the last two weeks visibility is suffering, but the twinkling lights at night are great. Everyone is settling into our new digs and I like it.

Now on to keeping up with business, Stay tuned.
Hemming the new shower curtain,
Head Bather

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Bare Escentuals to open an outlet

Well this might be good news for my Sister and I, hey at least it is half way between the two of us.
http://www.happi.com/news/2009/05/26/bare_escentuals_to_open_texas_outlet

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The waves keep rolling and so do we...

Well amidst the house hunting drama, my DH decided that maybe renting a more cost effective place was the answer, you know we save some money for an eventual down payment. Crazy how luck works, in the span of twenty four hours we found a place, looked at it, and signed a lease. It's a bit larger than what we have now, and more cost effective. Then the craziness in sued since our current lease ends the first of June, and we had arranged to move into the new place on the seventh, after a family weekend.
Weeehhllll, that didn't add up, so we called both landlords made arrangements and bought some boxes. Hopefully we have booked movers for the twenty ninth (yeah next Friday) by now and we will move all big stuff that day and any little things left can be moved by the fourth in our cars. DH made some great checklists that have been helping me get things accomplished and keep me from being overwhelmed. So wish us luck this is the fastest move we have ever had to accomplish.

Going to get my Gypsy wagon hitched,
Head Bather

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Rough seas people!

Well I must say life is never boring and this month has been proof of that. We have been renting a place for a year this June and since our lease is up and housing prices are down we thought we would look for a house. Sounds reasonable right, we have a little cash to put down, but not enough in this crazy market. The news says there are a ton of REOs and that sounded good too, since our price range is still much lower than the average cost of living in CA (It's hard to reconcile double the price when it's not better than what we had in FL, with worse schools) but we are trying to adjust.
Due to our financials we are trying to purchase a house under three hundred thousand and with an FHA loan, but in that is another problem. FHA regulations are strict and should be, but many of the houses that have been foreclosed on in our price range are picked clean of "essentials" or "remodeled" without permits. In case you didn't know essentials are things that are necessary to habitat like water heaters, or air handlers, but recessed lighting and sinks come on! The remodeled problem is crazy we had a 911 emergency when my little one was locked into one of these bedroom "remodels". They wham bam thank you Mame turned the living room into two bedrooms smaller than some walk in closets and a wall that went through a window. So now folks are crawling out of the woodwork to offer over asking price for these places, and many are going to be picked up by investors, again, and they will try to hold on to them until the market comes back. And the cycle begins again.

Stay tuned for more as we move at the end of the month to a new apartment,
Head Bather

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Recycled fabric and notions



Well I guess I have good taste, cause what I thought was a fix to a lack of matching fabric/empty wallet has become one of the most requested projects from my friends and family. Now I must give credit where it's due, Amy Butler designed this lovely messenger bag called the High Street bag, and since I love her and messenger bags I had to have it. I promptly went to cutting the pattern out and realized that I didn't have any matching upholstery fabrics (boo) ok fabric shopping (yeah) wait no money (boo), and I must have this made for an upcoming trip to visit the fam in FL. What to do, what to do!?

What any self respecting fabric addict would do, check your stash and begin matching up according to a color or theme. So out came the mustard yellow rubber backed brocade from some little thrift shop find, and zippers from the decade when I was born. Seriously I pick up all sorts of stuff at the thrift shops. Now I was proud of my creation but didn't think it was all that special, it was just a bag that would work as a diaper/purse while racing thru the ATL airport with a toddler to get to my next flight. To my surprise it caught the eye of my best bud (who may get one one day ;) and my sister, both of whom have excellent taste though very different from my own. Now back home and wishing to give a dear friend something for her soon to be here babe, I head back to my fabric stash and I have come up with this treasure. Salvaged french fabric that had been curtains, upholstery swatches and over sized zippers cut down to size. I hope she likes it as much as I do!

Covering the sewing machine,
Head Bather

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

RitualBathBabe


RitualBathBabe
Originally uploaded by uniquelosangeles

The pictures from Unique Los Angeles were just posted on flickr, here is one of two pictures of me and my booth. Thanks for a great weekend!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Handmade Housewares on Etsy - Feel Good pill bottle - Aqua by LoucheLab

Handmade Housewares on Etsy - Feel Good pill bottle - Aqua by LoucheLab
Somedays you need to surround yourself with beautiful things and what better way than in your daily vitamins. I have always loved amber glass bottles (the old apothicary thing) and these cute bottles reminde me of the days of house calls and compounding pharmacys. Check out their ceramics as well very cheery and spring like.

Enjoy,
Head Bather

Monday, May 4, 2009

Ahh a clean house


Say what you must about a house cleaning, it sucks but it is necessary. I spent the entire day cleaning up after letting it slip while getting ready for the show. Now my floors are clean, counters shiny and I feel refreshed. It's amazing how a clean house (whether you do it yourself or not) helps your outlook, everything is possible. In honor of that I found this great store on etsy wlrehab, also known as Under the Bodhi Tree Designs They have this great kit of cleaning supplies, and it comes with more recipes! Check it out they also support an animal rehab shelter and make amazing cloths. Get clean and green!

Sitting down to a cup of tea,
Head Bather

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Come and Join Me!



I am getting ready to leave and wanted to share with you all the amazing show I am working this weekend Unique LA I did a quick lap last night after I set up and there are so many great vendors and artists. If you are in the Los Angeles area you have to come check it out!

Off to take a bath,
Head Bather

Thursday, April 30, 2009

What? No murder mystery tonight?



Oh Where oh where is my Harper's Island? It's the closest I have come to the Twin Peaks days.
Boo,
Head Bather

Friday, April 10, 2009

Easter on the cheap.



This Easter year is the first where the little one is interested in gifts, toys and such. The deeper meaning is still way over her head but that's ok, it's still in the activities. So being the thrifty crafter that I am I said poo poo to all the plastic grass, and pastel baskets, we are going hand made and reusable. So Easter basket is a simple fabric purse, and I am still not sure what to put in it but I have two days left plenty of time.

Resting and Relaxing,
Head Bather

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Anyone like Chocolate?


Well at long last I am trying to update my chocolate face mask that is currently only in 1/2oz sizes and in the Love Ritual Bath kits. It is still a work in progress but I plan to have it ready for the Unique LA show beginning of May. Off to make cold cream or vanishing cream, yeah vanishing cream sounds better.

Stepping away from the Craknet,
Head Bather

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Actual Conversation....


Head bather: "We didn't do to bad"
Tub honey: "What's the damage?"
HB: "$35, your two zombie books were about $15 and $13 each my herbal medicine book was only $7"
TH: "But mine will help us survive the zombie invasion"
HB: "and so will mine"

Thanks Beau

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I have been accepted!


I was accepted to vend at Unique LA, I have that excited/nervous/scared feeling that usually precedes something great. WoHoooooo

99cent sale on strawberries at Ralphs...

So if you bought eight containers like the guy I saw at the store last night here is something to do with them when you are all berried out. Its great for the feet and knees that need to be sandal and sundress ready for the coming heat. Strawberries contain vitamin C, which helps keep skin firm and smooth, they also contain Vitamin A, which is vital to healthy hair and skin.

Mix together with a masher or fork:
8-10 Strawberries

2 tablespoons Olive oil

1 teaspoon of coarse salt, but if all you have is table salt that's ok too.
Mix together all ingredients, massage into hands and feet, rinse, and pat dry.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Viking Family


I should preface this with the little known fact that the first time I saw my Hubby he was wearing a Viking helmet, this is something our child needs. Check out http://supermarkethq.com for more fun stuff by ::Short:: and other neat artisans.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

What I have been working on...


Here is a picture of the items that have been occupying my time lately thought you might like to see they all turned out so well, it was a beautiful wedding.

New photos, what do you think?


I wanted to update my photos but I don't think they are quite right yet. What do you think?
http://www.ritualbath.etsy.com

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Where do you shop for your craft?

I took a morning trip to the big craft store today, getting the final supplies for my Sister's wedding programs. Of course while there I had to check almost every isle and ended up with some beads I don't need but were "on sale". I rationalized it by matching beads to my maid of honor dress (that reminds me I need to write a toast) even though I have enough beads to open a small store. That got me wondering if there was anywhere that had a real community feel, like you walk in the door and they know you or feign wanting to. I have had relationships with stores like that when I was in school and always running out of this or that art supply and then later when I was ordering for my class room. I wish we had more craft stores like that, one's that we we're happy to keep in business. It is hard to compete I am sure, we have gotten so used to getting a push by the craft muse and running out to the nearest chain that is still around, where there is often what you want or something you will settle for so you can get started right away. Instead of a place where you are not only going for supplies but to share your excitement in your new endeavor, where sometimes you might have to wait until your order comes in.
Would you wait?

Head Bather

Monday, March 2, 2009

Hard work or Hardly working, you decide.



I have been working lately (though you wouldn't know it by my blog or twitter) in one of my many other skills/loves, Graphic Design. My sister is getting married soon and as a gift to her I have been working on some wedding items for her. First we created a lip balm as the guest favor, it is my basic recipe but a stronger sent of rose (her fave) and we even altered the label to match her colors and added their names and wedding date. They turned out great, so wouldn't you know I forgot to take a picture but there is a working copy. Now I am working on the wedding programs and some accordion books that will go on the tables to add decoration and help get people talking about the bride and groom. Once I get the go ahead on thous I will take pictures and post, because I am just so proud of us, we collaborate well.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Mustard do you like it on your sandwich, how bout your feet?

Here in "Sunny" So Cal, we are basking in the first few rays of sun after almost a week of rainy weather. I know some of you think that's not bad, and I would agree if I didn't have a couped up two year old, but this post is for all of us with cold wet weather.
We spent most of Sunday in the rain, our feet staying wet and cold. When we got home we all were feeling a little off, so down went all the vitamins and greens we could stand. I was reminded though of an old practice that also helps ward off the colds, a mustard foot bath. Yeah I know could be messy, but oh so worth it. So put a towel on your floor, find a pair of your warmest socks and a tub that will fit your feet, heat up about a gallon of water on your stove or microwave, and just before boiling add two heaping tablespoons of ground mustard. NOW WAIT, I want to remind you to wait until the water is cool enough not to burn you, but it should be just as hot as you can stand. Once it is the right temperature for you add your feet, and sit there soaking your feet for about ten minutes or less. Take your feet out and towel dry, put those warm socks on and get comfy you might just nod off then and there.

Staying warm,
Head Bather

Friday, February 6, 2009

Have you ever been labled?

My father in-law is an amazing writer and recently sent us a reminder of his prowess with prose.

Defining People by their Actions and Ideas
In America, we have shown a real inclination to label people. Often the labels are gross exaggerations or ad hominem attacks for political or ideological purpose. That doesn’t necessarily mean that labels are a bad idea, but maybe it would be better to derive labels from specific actions and ideas. Here are some examples:

• Starting a war and refusing to institute a tax to pay for it – irresponsible
• Believing that lowering their taxes would encourage businesses without customers to stay in business and create jobs – detached from reality
• Deregulating the financial markets to enable short term profiteering – destructive
• Preventing Medicare from negotiating prices with pharmaceutical companies – corrupt
• Destroying the environment for short term profit – pillager
• Using tax policy to redistribute the wealth to the rich – thief
• Allowing soaring health costs and declining public health in the name of maintaining a failed health care model – blind
• Denying science and making laws according to evangelical dogma – fanatic
• Eliminating the citizen soldier so that the poor-as-mercenaries fight the wars for the rich – sacrifice averse
• Hoping, as Rush Limbaugh does, that the government fails in fighting the economic crisis – traitor

Check out his book My Brain My Future
Heading to the tub,
Head Bather

Hookin'


http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-pop-goes-crochet-preview-pattern.html
So excited just checked my favorite blogs and found out Vickie Howell who you may know from such things as: knitting gritty, Austin craft mafia, and other crafty ventures is putting out a crochet book (due out in May 2009) now that is worth learning to read a pattern for.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

The oldest facial cleanser in the world


Back in the second century Greek physician named Galen created many healing ointments while tending to the gladiators one of them was our beloved cold cream. Originally it was only olive oil, beeswax, water and rose petals, it was called cold cream because when the water ingredient evaporated it created a cooling sensation. This emulsion softened skin,conditioned it, and gave you a subtle aromatherapy treatment. There has even been a poem written about the virtues of cold cream credited to "Dr.Russell" here is a portion:
Whoe'er with this cream shall her countenance smear,
All redness and roughness will strait disappear,
And the skin to a wonder be charmingly clear;
If pimples arise, this will take them away;
If the small-pox should mark you, those marks will decay;
Over the many years of use and change in ingredients it still remains on the shelves of our drugstores for purchase. Many are most familiar with Ponds (still the top seller) or Noxzema cleansing cream, these can be wiped off with a tissue or washcloth.
I personally like using a warm wash cloth it heats up the essential oils in my cold cream and gives me a touch of exfoliation. I don't know that I will ever buy a face wash again, I love how my skin feels after washing now, and my minor crows feet have softened. It is in my mind better for my skin with all natural nut oils, essential oils, distilled water and a touch of borax (to give it that creamy color) than some of my other options . I have been so impressed with this personal experiment I should go make more now.

Whipping the cream,
Head Bather

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Marketing Genius


Well the fam and I spent the early morning on an adventure or a moment in pop culture. Some of you may have heard about a national dinner chain giving away a free signature breakfast to anyone who showed up at their stores. Well heaven forbid we pass up pancakes (which I don't make often), eggs, bacon and sausage for free (the kid and I are carnivores so it really is a good deal with the price of breakfast meats).
Now I don't know what kind of money this marketing took and what the return will be, with the TV spots, print and the cost of food they were giving away, but the place was packed! The closest I have come to seeing it that packed with people waiting outside was when all the local high schools in my smallish hometown had a dance the same night.
There was a fairly even display of Americana, teenagers (skipping first periods) moms with their kids, business people, construction people, retirees, servicemen, and most everyone was fairly amicable. The line moved quickly we only waited for twenty minutes or so, and the service was pretty straight forward, you got a drink and the deal, then you were out. Or at least we were.
I was told that it was a way to remind people of the great value they have and to get them into the store to receive coupons for future purchases. I think it was a fabulous idea, what a way to get people in the door, I just wonder if it make them want to come back?

Friday, January 23, 2009

On shelves now

I just want to drop a line from sunny FL to let you know that the new Bust magazine is on shelves. "Well why do I need to know that" you say, because I am in it! That's right yours truly has a small add near the back in a world wide publication! I am excited can ya tell.
Oh and I am planing on being at the Ghetto Gloss Vintage/Art/Craft show on the 8th of February, so if you are local and need a Love kit for the one you love come check me out!
Night all,
Head Bather

Monday, January 12, 2009

The CPSIA

What follows is one of my fellow crafter/moms who is now being affected by the CPSIA, recently the cottage bath and body industry was threatened by the Globalization act of 2008 http://candleandsoap.about.com/b/2008/09/14/stop-the-fda-globalization-act-of-2008-small-bathbodycosmetics-makers-threatened-by-us-fda.htm, we are crafters who wanted better quality and sustainability than what the big corporations were giving us (who these regulations were begun for due to their inequities) and took the leap to create it for more than just our friends and family. Please write a letter/email/ or call many of the representatives don't even recognize how this will affect their contingency. If you are in a hurry just check out this brocure about it created buy artistcs28 and frillerup of Etsy. http://shalomscottagehome.com/Assets/Special%20Graphics/save%20handmade_book.pdf

Thank you Leila Miyamoto owner of Immature Couture for this:
http://immaturecouture.blogspot.com/
“Your outfit is absolutely adorable!” I heard a woman say behind me and my daughter replied with, “Thank you! My Mommy has a clothing business!” and I sighed. Sighing is not my usual reaction when I get a compliment for my work. The woman and her sister were very polite and had no idea that they had just brought to surface so many terrible feelings with their compliments, “You made her outfit? It's amazing! You really have talent and I've never seen anything so adorable.” They didn't have kids but talked about how they almost wished their biological clocks started ticking simply to shop for my line of clothes. I was completely flattered but almost muted because of the recent decision to close up my Immature Couture shop. When they asked where I sold my clothes I didn't have the energy to explain what was going on so I simply said “On line.” thanked them and went back to grocery shopping with the kids.

I want nothing more than to know that the toys my children play with are safe and will not cause them any harm. I understand the urgency to protect the children of this country from high levels of lead and stop the ridiculous recalls. What I do not understand is why these new regulations were passed with such carelessness that it requires testing for products that have virtually NO risk of lead contamination! Products like clothing, blankets, wooden toys and books! The CPSIA is essentially causing many small businesses that make products for children under the age of twelve to close up shop because of their haste in passing regulations that have an insane amount of loopholes. Congress decided that a problem caused by ridiculous and irresponsible mass-market toy makers should be solved with a solution that sucks in various other industries that are completely unrelated to toys!

Later on when the kids and I were checking out the two women approached me and asked for my business card because they wanted to tell their friends about my clothing line. I smiled and tried to explain to them as plainly as possible that as of February 10th I would be officially closing up shop because of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act . Shockingly they were outraged that they hadn't heard of it. That they felt their rights as consumers were being taken away. That the deadline is so close and there isn't a media outrage over it. That more small businesses are being shut down and allowing the big companies to triumph. We exchanged information, I gave them my card and they said they would be writing whoever they needed to and be in contact with me. They weren't business owners who are effected by this nor were they parents but they were as equally outraged as most of us that have to close our shops.

The apathy that I have seen from the general public and even those that own small businesses and are not effected by the new regulations have saddened me until I spoke with these two women. They were absolutely right! This does not just hurt my business. This hurts everyone no matter if they have children or not. No matter if they have a business selling products to children under twelve or selling something that, thankfully for them, does not have to be burdened with the CPSIA. Why don't more people care?

I loaded up the kids, put my groceries in the trunk and at that moment it finally hit me. Something I started as a side business for extra cash in hand and as a creative outlet was taken from me. Just when my business started to take off it was ripped from my hands, discarded and no real explanation for it. I sell clothes. Not jewelry. Not toys. Not anything that has been manufactured overseas or injected with lead. I design, cut, iron, serge, stitch and package every item of clothing myself. To comply with these regulations each product I made would have to be tested which means each individual component of the garment would have to be tested for lead. A 15$ onesie now costs 400$ to make simply because of the testing fees! I put sleepless nights into marketing plans, helping Etsy teams and writing blogs to help the handmade market. There is no reason for so many of us to be swept out of the way because some major corporations wanted to cut their overhead costs and put MY children in danger. I stood there and cried in the parking lot. There is no reason why so many handmade artists look away at the pain so many of us are going through simply because they are not in the same boat.

Do something. The children in this country need to be protected but by regulations that target only the products that can cause potential harm. If you don't do it for yourself and your business, or your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friend's kids then do it for the sake of what's right and stop being silent and a doormat in our society.

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_hand..._from_the_cpsia

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economi...PSIA/index.html

http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/