It's Webless Wednesday...

out of necessity today. We are all sick with terrible head colds and one is down with a double ear infection - not fun for anyone. So today we'll be getting some much needed rest. See you tomorrow!

Etsy baby Shower

I'm participating in the Etsy Baby Shower which pairs expecting Etsy moms with donating shops. I've been paired with two lovely moms and I've just mailed off their shower gifts. Each mom is receiving a newborn diaper with a gender neutral print and 3 sherpa cloth wipes.








Congratulations Mommies!

How much plastic is in your life?

Thursday challenge:

Take a look around your house and really look at what is there - how much is plastic? Besides the obvious places like the kitchen - for storage; the kids' rooms - their toys; the bathroom - containers; etc, etc.

It's everywhere! Computers, phones, storage, toothbrushes, medicine containers, food packaging, gasp! Even my sewing machine has plastic. Could you eliminate it ALL from your life?

This blog's author is attempting to do just that - very inspiring and well worth the read.

So my challenge to you ~ where can you cut plastic out of your life today. Maybe it's small, like always taking your cloth bags to the grocery store, maybe it's bigger, like using cloth snack bags instead of, you know, those plastic zipper ones. Or maybe it's huge like getting rid of all your kids' plastic toys.

As for me, I'm going to make some cloth snack bags. My kids' use plastic containers, which although reusable, are still plastic and still will be around long after we're gone.

What are you going to do?

My day today...

I'll still check my email occassionally, between sips of tea and bites of cookies.

Customs update...

Kalani - finishing cloth diapers today

Karen - will finish cloth diaper today

Etsy baby shower participants - will finish cloth diapers tomorrow

Please note that I am open for customs starting the week of January 25th.

Time to unplug...

As a small business owner whose business is on-line, I've embraced the internet and all it has to offer. My online business wouldn't exist without all the technology and apps that are out there: Etsy, Artfire, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr.... etc etc. I love the interactions and possibilities but often wish there were two of me ~ one at the computer and one not. Because really? I feel like I could spend all day here and still not be done what needs doing.

It can get to be a little much at times ~ therefore I'm declaring today and every Wednesday that follows as Webless Wednesday ~ time to unplug, rejuvenate and refocus ~ like a mini-vacation in the middle of the week. If you must get in touch with me I'll still check my emails but anything not more important than tea parties with my girls or toboganning with my boys will have to wait until Thursday! Because life happens and I want to take part :)

Enjoy your day :)

Now cadmium???

Handcrafters, who make items intended for children, have been subjected to new legislation in the U.S. under the CPSIA. This act is meant to ensure that all items for children are tested and meet safety standards and that all parts of an item are traceable to the original seller. For handcrafters, this has meant significant restructuring and incurring costs that have simply driven many out of business. Even us in Canada, who sell to the U.S., are affected by this. While the theory behind this is all well and good, it is manufacturers in China who were putting unsafe levels of lead into items meant for small children that were behind the implentation of this Act.

Now, today I read this and I am speechless ~ the same country with the same story ~ unsafe items in items meant for children. Hello? Why aren't these items being tested when all of the handcrafters are subjected to this? Why do we continue to import products from China that have not been tested? More importantly, why do consumers continue to buy these products?

Support handmade ~ support your local artisan! Shop Etsy and Artire!