Tote and Tee

It’s been another great year here for me with Tote and Tee. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 5 years and I am so lucky to say that some of my amazing customers from the beginning are still hanging with me! Makes me a little weepy actually!

There are going to be lots of new changes in 2009 within the children’s industry with the passing of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). I haven’t figured out how I am going to work my business after it goes into effect on February 10th, but I am sure things will be changing. If you aren’t familiar with CPSIA, basically it was passed to protect our children against harmful toys and other products. Sounds good right? Well, the way the law was written ALL products for children ages 12 and under are required to be tested in a lab (I hear there are only 15 certified labs in the WHOLE country). The thing that really sucks, my products DON’T contain lead (I had one of my sweatshirts tested, not official…but tested) but in order to save my butt I still need to have them officially tested which means WAY more money then I can afford and just not possible for my style of business. I like to make few of a kind tees, you want a pink tee with red dots? Sure, I will do it! But once the CPSIA is implemented, I would have to send that tee off to be tested in a lab before I could legally sell it (or even give it away!) Doesn’t seem right, does it?

For those of you that know a little bit about my business, it’s JUST me. I work from my cozy workroom at home. My grandma helps me a lot with cutting and things like that. But we are Small…like a tiny business. I LOVE what I do, I really do. I love the relationship that I have built with my old customers and I am always excited when I get new customers! I am hoping that the law is changed a bit to make it possible for small children’s businesses to stay in business.

If this is new info for you, pop on over to this great article on Boutique Cafe for more info. It has great links on petitions you can sign and tons more info, probably explains it a lot better than I can too! (remember…I just like to sew, bring you fun new things and have sales…all this legal talk is totally not fun for me!)

Ok, enough about that…it’s starting to give me a headache! What I came here to say is…SALE! Big one! It’s the Year End sale and everything is 40% off!

Hi! I am here to share with you my favorite new thing. Twitter. Have you heard of it? If you haven’t then you are probably looking at me(your screen) funny. If you have, maybe you already know how cool it is!

Twitter is hmm, how do you explain it. Basically you sign up for an account there and you start following people you are interested in. You will see everything the people that you follow say and everyone that follows you, will see what you say. The fun thing about this is you only get 140 characters per “tweet” so it’s a quick way to do a little chit chat.

I have found that it’s a great way to socialize while I am still busy doing work. I work from home and don’t have much interaction with anyone other than oh my hubby, kids, grandma, UPS man…you get the drift. I can’t remember when I signed up but in that short time(some months) I have managed to find over 1000 amazing people to follow! Everyone from fellow business owners, old friends, bloggers, PR folks and I am even following Shaq and Lance Armstrong!

One amazing group of women that I am jazzed to be connected with now through Twitter are the following list…they all own online Children’s stores and you can find them on Twitter! If you are on Twitter or just signed up, you might want to check out this fabu group of ladies and follow them. If you aren’t on Twitter, you should click around on the website links and maybe you will discover a new store or 2 to shop at!

@MyPreciousKid - www.mypreciouskid.com

@lovebugclothing – www.lovebugclothing.com 20% off 1st order with code FIRST

@bizziemommy – www.lalababyboutique.com

@tresfun – www.littleedesigns.etsy.com

@SuperMomz – www.supermomz.com

@mumby – www.mabel.ca

@fabrichound – www.sweetgirlboutique.com

@funfelt – www.funfelt.com

@twinklingtees – www.twinklingtees.com

@Babology – www.babology.com

@Momdot – www.bambinaballerina.com

@vusova – www.vusova.etsy.com

@katjapresnal – www.skimbaco.com

@jaybirddesigns – www.jaybird-designs.com & www.mypinkzebraboutique.com

@princesstimetoy – www.princesstimetoys.com

@isewcute – isewcute.etsy.com

@divineclothing – www.divinelittleduds.com

@alexcaseybaby – www.alexcaseybaby.com

@emihill – www.georgietees.com

@pitterpatte – www.pitterpattercreations.com

@polkadotpatch – www.polkadotpatch.com

@bfmwear – www.bfmwear.com

@SweetDreamsDes – www.sweet-dreams-designs.net

@babyfabulous – www.babyfabulous.com

@katjapresnal – www.skimbaco.com

@hippostoes – www.hippostoes.com

@PMKU - www.happypandababy.com

@jussar – www.jusshardesigns.com

@monkeytoeshoes – www.monkey-toes.com

@oopdoo – www.oopdoohug.com

@momfluential – www.francie-pants.com

@fundoodies123 – www.fundoodies.com

@bamdesigns – www.bamdesigns.etsy.com

@marinasmom – www.myprincesscloset.com

@loveseptember – www.loveseptember.etsy.com

@zadyball – www.zadyball.com

@OnTray2Go – www.ontray2go.com

@glamajama – www.glamajama.com

@ashleeallen – www.nonnyandboo.com

@moomettesgram – www.moomettesmagnificents.com

@thatrobguy – www.thatbabydvd.com

@blessednest – www.blessednest.com

@africanABC – www.africanabc.com

I started this list awhile ago and have made many new connections since then. If you are a “Children’s Store owner that Twitters” just leave a comment here or DM me on Twitter and I will add you! (If we are BFF’s and I didn’t add your twitter name, don’t feel bad…I am lacking a few brain cells for now while I get through the holiday rush, just let me know!)

Oh, and if you want to find me and follow my ramblings you can do that at http://www.twitter.com/toteandtee