say goodbye to the little tees

i am just so sad today!!!!

when i started my little business of making shirts in the summer of 2007, my main motivation was to dress my own two children in unique clothing that was made locally. i was so tired of the ridiculous clothing options for boys....i mean how many different dinosaurs and trucks does one little boy need. so, i bought some shirts from american apparel and started printing owls, pigs, birds, dogs, trees, and other designs that really are not very childlike, but look great on my kids. i was so happy to print on shirts that are made in the USA (los angeles to be exact), and that are 100% cotton. not only was i supporting our own US economy by purchasing these shirts, but i managed to create a small business of my own. a business that works with the needs of my family, and that fuels my creative needs. i am able to be at home with my children, and i only work long hours while they are asleep or on one of the few days that i have childcare. sounds like the perfect stay at home solution, right?

well, as of february 10 this year, i could face conviction with fines of tens of thousands of dollars and potentially even jail time if i continue this innocent little business.

the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which will take effect on february 10, will force me to shut down production of all of my children's products. this new law, while very good in many ways, will ultimately be the demise of many unique and talented arts and crafts people who make products for children. i cannot complain about the law overall. this law will regulate lead and phthalate levels in children's products. as a mother, i have never understood how so many children's toys could be sold in this country with high levels of lead and phthalates, so i am grateful and 100% supporive of this type of law. however, there are many layers to this law that need to be clarified. for example, as the law stood last week, all thrift stores and re-sale stores would have been banned from selling any used items. luckily, the public complained and the law was revised to exclude re-sellers. could you imagine what that would have done to so many low-income families, and families affected by our economic crisis who depend on low cost resell items. not to mention the fact that once this law takes effect on february 10, the cost of all children's items will be going up to accomodate the new testing and certification that will be required of each item.

so, b hive designs shirts for kids are a thing of the past. i will not be able to afford the labratory batch testing that is required off all children's items. the cost alone would raise the cost of a onesie to about $100 each, and i just don't think anyone would pay that much for a teeny weeny piece of fabric that will inevitably be covered in food and goo. the frustrating thing for me is that even if i were to buy shirts that are already cerfitified lead and phthalate free, and if i were to print with ink that is already certified lead and phthalate free, i would still be required to test the final product. i guess i will need to change the "about" page on my website. here is what is says until february 10......

"The goal of my business is to be creative and promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for my children. All of my baby & kid’s tees are made in the USA sweatshop free. And all adult tees are either made in the USA sweatshop free, are oganic cotton, or are conventional cotton made by manufacturers who comply with strict fair labor principles. The totes are made from organic cotton, and the grocery bags are made from recycled cotton, manufactured fair wage, fair labor. I am also an avid recycler, and only purchase paper that is 100% post consumer content for my business purposes."

so much for trying to do the right thing. but never fear, you will still be able to buy kids shirts at the mall, because big corporations who can afford the testing will win again!

sorry about that little bitter jab, but i just can't help being a little upset. i love all of my little tees. they are the cutest little things, and my customers love them. it is a sad, sad day!

needless to say, this is it, your last chance to buy a b hive designs shirt for your little ones. i have about 3 weeks to deplete my inventory, so every last item that i have will be 50% off through 2/9/2009. i have limited stock on-line, but i will be posting more items within the next week. so be sure to check back if you can't find what you want.

also, this does not mean that i am going out of business. you will still be able to purchase all of my adult shirts after february 10. this law only applies to items made for children under the age of 12.

Where to buy my kids tees.....
www.bhivedesigns.com
www.bhivedesigns.etsy.com

Splurge artist boutique
1323 NE Fremont
Portland, OR 97212
503.288.7770
www.splurgeportland.com