Things Are Getting A Little Fishy.....

.... around here. It's cold outside, thinking of summer, the water, sand in my toes, longing for warm sunshine, to be near the water where the fish are jumping. These beautiful pieces carry me away to that place that's just around the corner.

Catch of the Day, carolinableu


Fish Bone Earrings, CoastalTreasures


Catch of The Day, laspottery


Koi and Lily Pad Necklace, KoiKouture

What is CPSIA?

These wonderful handcrafted items for children may all be but a memory come February 10th, 2009. Why you ask? Well read on.


Fairy Doll, Create Your Own, VermontFairies


Mini I Spy Bags, Trucks and Cars, TheCraftingCorner


Toy Rings, NoonToTwo


Marbled Heart Crayons, GooseHillDesigns


Jovial Jester, blueshedcrafts

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risk putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA?
CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

• Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket.
• Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them.
• To the Lover of All Things Handmade, due to the new law, most handmade toys will be nonexistent due to the costly testing that each piece will have to undertake putting most small entrepreneurs of children's items out of business.
• Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills.
• For the secondhand shopper, many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.
• For the toy collector, due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

And lastly to the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Tag You're It

Indie Sista's was tagged by:

Mea Culpa Body and Bath

And here are my seven tags. I have chosen all indie blogs this time, specifically jewelry designers and along with tagging them I thought I'd show you one of their creations, that also happens to be one of my favorites in their shop. So here you go, these are links to all of their blogs, but you can find where to buy any of these pieces if you stop by and visit them at their blog. I hope you enjoy.

Bonhomie Jewelry


Hot Rocks Glass Jewels


Mu-Yin Jewelry


Contrariwise Ramblings


StudioJewel


time2cre8, Mary Lou's Art [Ad]venture


Dashery Jewelry

Seven Random Facts:
1) I love animals
2) I love really cute and really dark pieces, go from one extreme to the other
3) I am both a bit quirky, but overly serious, go figure
4) Family and friends are extremely important
5) Love to seek out indie pieces from fashion to furniture
6) I am an introverted extrovert
7) Music plays an important part in my life

The basic rules for tagging are simple rules: Mention the person who tagged you and link the person, post the rules in your blog, write 7 random things about yourself, tag seven people at the end of your post and link to them and let each person know they've been tagged.

Words Cannot Express...

How grateful I am to all of my blogger friends and to those who have left so many lovely comments. Words cannot begin to express . . . . .

Baby Pink Thank You Tags, susanschrock


Thank You Card, studiodeb


Friends Necklace, Collage Art, TickleMePinkBoutique


You're Just My Cup of Tea Pop-up Card, CookieBits


Custom Message in a Bottle Necklace, Faeriedtreasures

Dressing Gia - What's Your Style?

Who can forget Gia, the beautiful supermodel from the late 70's, early 80's? She was definitely a beautiful woman and we're here today to celebrate her life and her beauty with "Dressing Gia" -- Gia is going to a party and needs a party dress! What would you pick for the supermodel to wear as her party dress for the evening? You have your choice among these beautiful, handcrafted pieces. I know, it's a hard choice, but hurry Gia needs to get dressed and go.
Striped Tutu Party Dress, Ouma at Etsy


Tart Pleated Tiered Dress, Sacred Heart Collections at Smashing Darling


Edwardian Style Vintage Slip Dress, Labellefairy at Etsy


Bella Patchwork Dress, graziolin at Etsy


Metallic Linen Swing Dress, Bahar Shahpar at sodafine


Teddy Galore Full Tiered Dress, reddoll at Etsy

Do You Wear an Apron?

This is our buy and supply segment and we're curious as to how many of our readers wear an apron while cooking. Is it something that you find a necessity or is wearing an apron something you have never considered?

Whether you wear them all the time or would like to start wearing one, you can either purchase an already made apron or try on your crafty side and make one for yourself.

The BELLA Vintage Inspired Pink Rose Full Apron, Boojiboo


Black Pink Tan Collection Tina Givens, TinkersButtonShop


20 Yards Vintage Seam Binding, bunkie71977


Sublime Stiching Small Pink Scissors, peachpearplum


Fancy Plastic Buttons, GramsVintageButtons


More Retro Aprons, AboveAllFabric

Eco Friendly, Recycled and Upcycled

I am totally loving the recycling of materials and making something new and fantastic out of something old and/or discarded. When people take these old, unused or discarded objects and recycle them into something new turning them from trash to treasure, it not only helps our environment, but makes for some great fashion finds!

Black and White Transit Chair, eco-artware


Flower Power Trashion Pop Art Earrings, LostAndFoundObjects2


Recycled Skateboard Furniture, deckstool


X Marks the Spot Recycled Paper Magnets, teamzvonik


Recycled Wet Mango Blunt Wrapper Belt, OhNoYouDidntDesigns

What's Your Style?

Today it's the wonderful world of cuffs. These beautiful cuffs are all done in mainly white or neutral tones. So let's begin, we can imagine our fantasy outfit and this outfit would not be complete without one of these beautiful cuffs -- so what are you in the mood for today -- classic, maybe modern, whimsical, romantic or chic -- what would be your style of cuff for today?

Classic

Queen Anne's Lace Embroidered Cuff, Waterrose

Modern and Fun

White Cuff w/hand cut guitar, yabettasupadont

A Bit of Whimsy

EcoCuff, Dragonfly Wings on White Leather, greenbelts

Chic and Sleek

Peark White Metallic Whipsnake Silver Lined Cuff, Unearthed

Romance

Golden Nightingale Cuff, arttoweardiva

Buy or Supply - Polymer Clay Beads

Whether you buy them already made or make them yourself, polymer clay beads are addicting so beware, polymer clay beads are habit forming.

Blue Flowers Polymer Clay Pillow Beads, tooaquarius


Sea Blue Rose Polymer Clay Flower Cane, Claychicks


Premo Clay, Polymer Clay Superstore


Ghost Ladybug Cane, marsdesign


Bead Rollers, The Clay Store

And for some great tips on how to make polymer clay beads check out these great polymer clay resources:


Polymer Clay Tutor, Bead Making Tips


How to Make Polymer Clay Beads, Linda Peterson