Norm in jail
From the Haddy2dogs shop posting on Etsy.com (photos and text used with permission):
Meet Norm, a mild mannered playful house gnome of modest means. He could not afford the testing required by the CPSIA so he was fined and sent to jail. He was forced to trade his natty red cap and charming green cloak for garish prison attire.
Norm longs to be adopted by a loving family with children who love natural toys, open ended play and fairy tales. This will never happen if the CPSIA forces small business folks to test their toys. Norm is made from 100% wool. The wool used for him was from a small flock of sheep in rural Oregon far from a plastic toy factory.
Farewell my gnomey friend, you will be missed but not forgotten.
Norm in happier times
The CPSIA was created to hold toy companies accountable for the products they create and import. Many of us do not think their intent was to punish the small business owners who have been using natural materials to make safe toys and clothes in small batches. However, that will be the case when the law goes into effect on February 10, 2009, without any modifications. This law covers not only toys but clothing and books intended for children under 12.
Fortunately, small business toymakers are taking action to petitioning our elected officials to modify the law. Please help by contacting your elected officials before February 10. The Handmade Toy Alliance has sample letters you can send, as well as a petition to sign at http://handmadetoyalliance.org/.
