Since 1998, designer/owner/seamstress Jill has been creating fun and functional creations for children.  Colorful, whimsical and unique fabric prints are constructed into nap packs, clutch balls, nappies and more.  Her one-of-a-kind designs are constructed with attention to detail, quality and durability in mind.  They withstand active little ones and many visits to the washer.  Crafty Baby nap packs, nappies and blankets are cozy and comfy and the Crafty Baby business approach is warm and fuzzy too.  It’s a home-based company and truly a family affair, with Jill’s children helping to pick out fabrics and field test new products.  We love Crafty Baby designs and are proud to now offer them in the liliputians boutique.

Like liliputians, Crafty Baby is a member of the Handmade Toy Alliance, a non-profit organization made up of crafters, manufacturers and importers of small batch children’s products whose businesses cannot survive without repairing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act . The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Ace, otherwise known as the CPSIA, is a far reaching law passed in 2008 by Congress to regulate the childrens product industry and affects every product intended for children under the age of 12.  The Handmade Toy Alliance is lobbying for meaningful reform of the CPSIA to aid small businesses caught in the snarl of unintended consequences.  This reform is needed to preserve the heart and soul of small batch specialty toys and childrens products.  The HTA is urging Congress to amend the CPSIA in a way that keeps safe products in the market place while maintaining safety standards that protect our children and still keep small mom and pop shops (like liliputians) in operation. Learn more about the HTA and what you can do to help by visiting www.handmadetoyalliance.com.

Enter “NEWLOOK10” at checkout for 15% off your order!

In addition, we have tons of new designs for Easter, birthdays & un-birthdays too, & spring/summer items are being added daily.

Don’t forget to checkout all of our new toys, personalized lunchboxes & plates, cupcake bath bombs, classic books, sterling silver jewelry and other fabulous finds.
Most are made in the USA!

PARENT GUIDE NEWS is a print magazine and website that is the oldest and largest local parenting publication covering New York City, Queens, Long Island, Westchester County, Rockland County and New Jersey. And, yes, a liliputians design is on this months cover!

Official Handmade Toy Alliance Press Release – Sep 11, 2009

Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) Board members Jill Chuckas, owner of Crafty Baby (CT) and Kate Glynn, owner of A Child’s Garden and Impish (MA), attended a hearing in the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection on Thursday addressing issues regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).  Although not invited to formally testify, the HTA has vocalized a solid and consistent message to fully participate in the process to address the unintended consequences facing its members from the CPSIA.  This hearing, although solely focused on the information shared by Chairperson Inez Tenenbaum of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), was the first of its kind to discuss the implementation process and ramifications of the CPSIA.

When questioned directly by Ranking House Member Radonovich (CA) and Chairman Emeritus Dingell (MI) if the CPSC needed flexibility in the CPSIA to grant exemptions and fully implement the law before them, Chair Tenenbaum repeatedly stated that it was premature for her to answer the question.  Later, when Rep. Dingell further pressed the issue asking if she would support targeted amendments to the CPSIA, Chair Tenenbaum again stated that it was premature to fully answer, but once her staff finished “untangling the knots”, that a legislative response may be needed.  Throughout her testimony, Chair Tenenbaum reinforced her commitment to work diligently to educate consumers, implement the legislation before her and be transparent in the process.

One issue that Chair Tenenbaum began to touch upon was component based testing – an area on which the HTA has long awaited a ruling.  “We heard it clearly stated by Chair Tenenbaum that a ruling relating to component based certification will be forthcoming, but no time line as to when that will be and exactly what it will encompass,” Chuckas stated.  “We recognize that she has only been in office for just over 2 months and has made tremendous progress in a short period of time, but our member businesses are closing now and this ruling could keep them open.  It is extremely frustrating that this process takes so much time when it appears, at least from our standpoint, to be a fairly straightforward request.”

Following the hearing, Chuckas and Glynn visited with their members of Congress – the offices of Sen. Kerry (MA), Sen. Dodd (CT) and Rep. Himes (CT).  Chuckas and Glynn had met with staffers from these offices after the April 1st rally and had kept in consistent communication with these Congressional members. At this meeting, the HTA team sought additional support and outreach to request further hearings and open dialogue with both Congress and the CPSC, hoping to enact common sense changes within the fabric of the CPSIA.  “It was encouraging to hear that my Congressmen are willing and able to openly discuss the concerns of the HTA membership as a whole,” Glynn commented.  “Although I recognize that our journey is not yet over, I feel some amount of hope that our voices are being heard.”

The Handmade Toy Alliance is a grassroots alliance of 382 retail stores (including liliputians), toymakers and children’s product manufacturers from across the country who want to preserve consumer access to unique handmade toys, clothes and all manner of small batch children’s goods in the USA.  Formed in November of 2008 in response to the CPSIA, HTA members are parents, grandparents and consumers who are passionate about their businesses as well as the safety of the children in their lives.  While in support of the spirit of the law, the unintended consequences of the CPSIA have motivated members of the HTA to work to enact change at a federal level.  More information at www.handmadetoyalliance.org.

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The Handmade Toy Alliance is a grassroots alliance of 382 retail stores, toymakers and children’s product manufacturers from across the country who want to preserve consumer access to unique handmade toys, clothes and all manner of small batch children’s goods in the USA. Formed in November of 2008 in response to the CPSIA, HTA members are parents, grandparents and consumers who are passionate about their businesses as well as the safety of the children in their lives. While in support of the spirit of the law, the unintended consequences of the CPSIA have motivated members of the HTA to work to enact change at a federal level.

There was some A List Baby buzz about liliputians hair flowers and how perfect they are to complete a flower girl’s ensemble.

There was some buzz about our über popular boys birthday shirt, the Birthday Cupcake Monster on Tot Trends Weekly.

And on the Back to School Thingy by Brown Couch Events, there was some buzz about a special coupon code good for 15% off your liliputians order through Sep. 30th.  And check out their fabulous give-aways too . . . there’s a liliputians birthday shirt of your choice going out to one lucky winner!

Vicki Bodwell, owner of the online children’s bedding and decor store, Warm Biscuit Bedding Company, and Heather Flottmann, owner of NYC-based children’s clothing and birthday outfits boutique, liliputians, became Handmade Toy Alliance members shortly after organization’s inception. Heather joined the HTA Board of Directors in May. Like all HTA members, their involvement has been fueled by a desire to raise public awareness of the unintended consequences of the CPSIA; how an unamended CPSIA will put small businesses, such as theirs, out of business with cost prohibitive and redundant third party testing for lead and phthalates in all products intended for children age 12 and under.

On June 8, 2009, Vicki and Heather were guests on David Rushkoff’s WFNU radio show, The Media Squat (archives of this show can be listened to in an array of formats). The three discussed the CPSIA and the broad nature of the law’s language.  The effects on small businesses vs. large corporations were also debated as well as the changing marketplace and growing demand for organic, handmade, quality goods.  The pair offered up possible solutions to improve the CPSIA, such as allowing component based testing.  David asked what concerned listeners could do.  Vicki encouraged them to, “Join the Alliance at www.handmadetoyalliance.org,” Heather urged, “Let them know that this law needs to be amended.  We are for safe toys but not at the cost of small business. Contact your representative about HR 1815, an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton along with 24 co-sponsors. It’s the Consumer Product Safety Solutions Act of 2009 and currently in committee.  Tell your representative to vote in favor for it.”  Vicki responded that, “Once these laws are passed it’s almost impossible to reverse, so that’s why at this stage it’s critical that people get involved now.”

Rushkoff concluded, “It will be pretty hard to make anything once there is the barrier to entry of a few hundred thousand dollars in testing. It’s almost a form of the worst kind of deregulation masquerading as legislation.”

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The Handmade Toy Alliance represents small toymakers, children’s product manufacturers, and independent retailers whose businesses cannot survive without repairing the CPSIA. We believe that these changes will not only help our businesses, but many other companies large and small who have been caught in a snarl of unintended consequences, affecting everything from apparel to educational materials for children with disabilities. We need common sense reform to preserve the heart and soul of American toys and children’s products.

Tis the perfect for your little swashbuckler’s big day whether he’s sailing the seven seas in search of treasure, battling piñatas with his trusty sword, or feasting on birthday cake.

We were happy to hear about the much deserved attention they received as well as the unexpected surprise of finding out that the liliputians Strawberry Icing Ruffles Birthday Outfit was mentioned/pictured among their numerous offerings.

Liliputians entered the Handmade Kids Sweepstakes on etsy (thanks to the urging from our friend Whitney, liliputians retailer and co-owner of The Silly Wagon).

Twenty nine finalists were chosen in each category and the liliputians Little Red Riding Hood Skirt Set was one of the chosen for the clothing category.

So go to etsy and VOTE FOR RED (you only have until September 8th 11:59pm EDT)!

Liliputians thanks you . . . and you may even win a $350. etsy shopping spree just for doing your part.