Currently, and sadly, there is nothing available for sale.  I have heard from many customers inquiring about why my characters are not in the store.  So, here’s the story.  In August of 2008, President Bush signed CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) into action.  It is an end-component test of ALL products marketed to a child twelve and under regardless of where it is made.  It affects products made in China, the U.S and yes, even in your own sewing room at home...if your intention is to market or sell to a child age twelve and under.

Now, what is an end component test and why is there not a "Phebe" available for sale right now?  It more than doubles the cost of my toys!  It is approximately a $300.00 per component test of every thread, fabric or color change involved in my designs.  Some pieces can have as many as 20 to 40 components.  I always order in small volumes because I try to keep integrity of design and my availability limited to special stores and customers...so the combination of small volume and high components causes a drastic change to my pricing.

Since 1983, when my company started, my toys have always been tested by the standards that were required at the time, with costs being several hundred dollars per style...the new CPSIA ruling now makes the testing costs as high as ten-thousand dollars or more per large size style (as in Dancing Tutulina Rose Rabbit pictured to the right)...and the test is not done just once, but on each group that is reordered even if the exact same fabrics are used.  So, to answer the question; Why are there no Phebe characters available for sale right now?  Simply stated, I just do not have the volume of sales to support the quantity that I need to produce that would absorb this cost and keep my retail prices in the range that you are accustomed to.

Unfortunately, the companies that started the problem are so big and mass market, that they can absorb the cost and go on.  However, because smaller companies cannot absorb this cost, the customer with be left with less of a selection of artistic and creative products and worst of all many moms with dreams of new inventive products will have a more difficult challenge bring their designs to the world!  Just like me, many small and special companies are also taking a break to figure out how to deal with the costs and how this will pass onto YOU the customer. 

As a reference, there was a story in the Dallas newspaper about an educational company, twenty-something-years in business, absolutely no problems...and it is over a year of their revenue just to test.

Now, back to the beginning of why I wrote this note.

Will there be a new line soon?  Yes, I am hopeful, but it may not be till Fall 2010.  I am taking this time off to write and illustrate many of the characters you have come to know into storybooks...which was my original intention in 1983!   I am seeking the best fit for a publisher for my work...which has proven to be such a job it has taken on a life of its own.  

On a personal note, I started taking classes last year (before CPSIA even started) to explore the subject of health and nutrition...something that has been a long-time interest to me. I have found the subject of science so interesting that I am now hooked!  My goal is to enter the Masters of Clinical Nutrition Program at UT Southwestern Medical School with the full intention of following with a Doctorate from Texas Women’s University.  Because of this, I have the honor of giving the commencement address at Texas Women’s University in the College of Arts and Sciences, May 2010.  So, the future holds not only children’s books, but nutrition books for women!

So, if you have not already, please sign up for my email newsletter on the home page of this site and you will be the first to know when new items...and books will be available.

With friendship,
Phebe
Posted Novermber 1, 2009

Other Articles about CPSIA:
Burden of Safety Law Imperils Small Toymakers (NY Times)