Comments on: Handmade vs Factory Made

By: Akiko

Akiko — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:56:59 +0000

I agree with what has been said so far — I definitely prefer local produce and products although the cost makes the decision. I own a green business making bags out of recycled clothing and attend various handcraft/local artist shows. The commonality of these shows lyes in the high cost of these products. Of course handcrafted products are going to cost more and we should support local businesses but they are so expensive! The choices we have are either cheap, Made-in-China products at Walmart or eco-responsible but spendy handcrafted goods. Most people will choose the cheaper alternative. I am still in the process of reducing the cost of my products to broaden the market. By spreading my market, I hope to increase the mindset to reduce waste and view “waste” as something more than it’s intentional original purpose(s). Handcrafted products are competing with child labored products that are a fraction of the price. We are leaving it up to individual’s conscience for business…sounds unstable…

By: Heather

Heather — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:49:10 +0000

For food I definitely buy local organic when available. For other products I’d love to buy American (my car is 81% made in USA) but honestly it’s not always very easy to find. (I live in rinky-dink-ville). I think it’s a bummer if the new law puts people out of business but I’m not going to trust my child’s safety just on the fact something was made in the USA by a small business–I want proof their products are safe. They need to make money too so what’s to stop them from cutting corners. If our food industry is any indication, the USA producer doesn’t care about our health and safety over profit any more than foreign producers do.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:59:52 +0000

Food-definitely local, because it naturally should be that way, but…I’ll probably get hate mail for this but I actually throw my support to products regardless of where it is made. I think people all over the world should have the right to work and to employment, not just Americans. Where a toy is made us usually low on my list when I’m considering something to bring in my home. Quality and purpose of the product is usually first.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:56:11 +0000

I think it’s very important to support local businesses and restaurants because their tax payments go back into your local government and they hire workers from your neighborhood.

I don’t think all factory-made items are bad (who’d want a hand-made car?), but I do try to avoid buying items made in China because I don’t support the Chinese government’s policies, especially concerning treatment of workers, the one-child policy, and forced abortions/sterilizations. It gets harder every year, but I do my best.
I hope that Congress takes a second look at CPSIA and passes some amendments. It seems that our legislators thought only about the big picture and didn’t consider the effects on individuals…the ones with shops on Main Street, U.S.A.
IMHO, the best way to bring this issue to the attention of Congress – they passed it, after all – is to write your Congressperson and Senators and make your opinions known. Telling the President is okay, but your legislator is in office NOW and can help sponsor a new bill NOW. Don’t wait; draft up a short letter and send it off. (You can use the same letter for each legislator.)
This issue is suddenly getting a lot of Internet play – let’s see if we can get some attention from bigger networks.

By: Lawanda

Lawanda — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:35:25 +0000

I haven’t heard of this, but it doesn’t surprise me. It won’t work either, for what they want it to. China doesn’t have to abide by our rules.

By: Katie @ 3 Blondes and a Redhead

Katie @ 3 Blondes and a Redhead — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:07:47 +0000

It’s a shame that things made abroad have to be SO MUCH cheaper for the frugal moms out there. I’ve given up on trying to only buy US made products, but definitely prefer handmade items. Gotta support the local small businesses!

By: Trusty Dusty

Trusty Dusty — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:31:37 +0000

It is a shame that they couldn’t just make this apply to products that are imported to protect are domestic production. Inside our borders we have ample laws to protect the consumers. When dealing with foreign sovereign countries we are at their mercy.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:30:46 +0000

My friend wrote a post about this about a week or so ago too. It’s terrible they would ban handmade local toys like that.

If I could afford it, I would rather have handmade toys. The quality is usually so much better.

As for food, I do try to buy food mostly from the US. I prefer locally raised meats and my chickens give me fresh eggs. I only buy organic milk for my little one. The rest of the family has to use the regular milk. I just can’t afford it for everyone.

By: jolyn

jolyn — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:50:19 +0000

Definitely prefer handmade over made in China; locally grown over industrial. BUT cost and convenience and availability often play trump.

I had no idea about any of this before you posted about it. Robyn’s comment above about voting on Obama’s website sounds like a word worth spreading.

By: robyn

robyn — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:22:54 +0000

I just found your blog yesterday. Thank you for mentioning this here. So many people have no idea about this law. Even boutiques! They have no idea that they might have to close up shop in a month. I make things to sell on etsy and had plans to try to sell in some kid boutiques locally, but not now. So many people will be affected by this. Onething I have done is voted and commented on Obama’s website, Change.org, where Obama has promised to look at the top ten highest voted ideas/concerns his first day in office. This is a link to the mention of CPSIA – http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia and a new round of voting starts Monday, the 5th. I’m trying to send out emails to all my contacts to vote come Monday. I hope it helps somehow.
But, again, thank you for bringing this up here.