Save Handmade update: C'mon, Congress. Help us out.

As you probably know by now, there's a bill in Congress to ensure that toys and clothing are free of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Which is good. Unfortunately, while the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act is well-meaning, the way it's been implemented has impacted not only the major corporations accused of making faulty products, but also caused tremendous hardship for small businesses, individual crafters, consignment sales, and our beloved Etsy--folks who have been doing things right all along.

Plenty of them have even gone out of business.

Horrible, right?

Here's the update: The law is officially set to take effect in February 2011, and Congress begins discussing it this week. Which means your input could be invaluable.

Our perspective is that as parents, we want kids' toys and clothes and furniture to be safe. But we don't want already responsible crafters, small toy makers, folks who knit handmade baby booties, wonderful local woodworkers, and those small businesses we love to go away either.

To learn how you can help, visit our Save Handmade resource page. We've got a list of easy ways to make your voice heard. Stuff as simple as emailing or calling your congressional rep. Or you can post the beautiful Save Handmade badge on your blog or website and help spread the word.

Do we really want to live in a world without Etsy? I don't think I could stand it.~Delilah

Visit Save Handmade to see how you can help amend the CPSIA.