Monday, July 5, 2010

Safe for Kids?

So for the last while I have been making cute little necklaces and bracelets for little girls as well as grown-up ones. My plan was to market these on etsy as well, under the name Jigglers (an inside joke between my daughter and I). So here I am, buying up silver-plated chain and charms, really cute lockets, some swarovski crystal and handmade lampwork beads, thinking I have a plan in place. Then I realized that children's items need to be tested for safety. Duh. Didn't know that part! From the etsy forums, which I have a new addiction to, I learned that any item marketed to children and sold to the U.S. must only use tested materials and/or be tested by a lab. Well, I bought these materials from other etsy sellers, who may or may not have intended them for children, so there is no way that they have completed this testing. And for me to send each and every necklace and bracelet to an independent lab for testing is a bit out of my budget, especially when I look to make about $10 profit, if any. (This was going to be more a labour of love than a money-maker for me).



Now, don't get me wrong. I am all for safe products for our children, and would not want to potentially harm anyone. I just see my dream of a cute, colourful little girls' etsy shop sort of blowing away in the wind.




So . . . on to Plan B. Now I am going to shift to sterling jewellery for little girls. No silver plate, no glass beads, no enamel, no Swarovski (which does contain lead). On to "my first jewellery", with only solid sterling and real stones, birthstone jewellery and sterling charm bracelets. (Sterling silver is exempt from this testing and deemed to be safe). Stay tuned for my first designs . . .




As for now, help me say goodbye to my old favourites that *sniff* will never be sold:




4 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness - that is so lovely! Don't you just hate all the rules and regulations. Can't you add a disclaimer of sorts that says - I don't pay any attention to the CPSIA because my items are just too darned cute to care - or something? :D

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  2. aw... those pieces are so lovely!

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  3. Are both of the pieces you pictured supposed to be for your kids' shop? Because I think they're adorable! You could still sell them, I'm sure, even if you market them to adults... playful-minded, young at heart adults!

    Thanks for your comment on my blog - looking forward to reading more from yours!

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  4. I agree with Victoria I would SO wear them! I hope everything works out:)

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