Lil’ Tinkerbell Owner May Shut Down Business After CPSIA

[This is another in a series of posts by Susan Maphis covering the impact of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). For more information about the CPSIA, read Susan's previous article: The End Of Handmade and sign up for her CPSIA Alerts Mailing List ]

Krissly Carter of Lil’ Tinkerbell Boutique has been making hair clips for less than 6 months. She might have to abandon this new business soon, however, due to the CPSIA’s enactment on February 10.

“I have been amazed at the popularity and fun I’ve had creating them,” Carter says. “I’m a stay at home mom who has been able to find something I can do at home that helps pay the bills. It has been such a blessing, but now what do I do? The economy is already tough as it is. Will I be able to find a job outside my home when people are losing them left and right? I’m sad that in less then 2 weeks I may have to stop completely.”

The new testing requirements imposed by the CPSIA may force Carter to close her business. “I can’t afford testing everything on each clip,” she says. “I don’t want to have to increase the price of my hair clips so no one can afford them. I wanted to make hair clips that were of great quality but very affordable.”

Carter’s business has already felt some repercussions from the impending CPSIA legislation. “I was invited to a wholesale meeting for a local company where I’d show my product to store owners for them to buy wholesale,” she says. “Just recently, I was told I would not be able to attend unless I had a certificate saying my items were tested for lead. So, unfortunately, I had to decline going to the meeting. I couldn’t get everything tested in less then two weeks. I was sad because I felt going to this meeting was getting me closer to my goal of getting them in local stores.”

Carter is currently trying to sell her existing inventory, just in case the business has to end. “Before the Feb. 10 deadline, I’m going to be posting several hair clips on my blog,” she says. “The holidays are times of the year for everyone. I love to create the perfect clip to match those holiday outfits. Since I’ve only been able to sell them for Halloween and Christmas, Im going to be posting some valentine, Easter/spring and even 4th of July hair clips before Feb. 10.”

You can view the variety of hair clips available at Lil’ Tinkerbell Boutique.

[ For more information about the CPSIA, read Susan's previous article: The End Of Handmade]