The Handmade Toy Alliance Reaffirms Commitment to Buy Handmade and Local

Online, October 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - In celebration of American Craft Week (www.americancraftweek.com) 2010, the Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) outreached, in conjunction with bloggers across the country, an open call to all to pledge to buy handmade and local products this upcoming quarter (http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/Community/HandmadePle ...). Throughout the ten day period, HTA promoted their members, and artists in all mediums, by utilizing social media outlets such as facebook and twitter to create a community of energy around the current thrust to buy hand crafted and local goods.

"We are always overwhelmed by the outpouring of support - not just from the artist community - but from individuals and families throughout the country," stated Jill Chuckas (CT), owner of Crafty Baby® and Board member of the HTA. "Once again, we were affirmed that people really do value the products our members create - the love, time, energy and story behind each creation is so very important."

Over 40 blogs cross posted with the HTA during American Craft Week. All posts were shared on the HTA facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ToyAlliance) and twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ToyAlliance) pages. In addition, a twitter newspaper (http://paper.li/tag/HTApledge ) was created to highlight the event.

Participating Blogs include:
daddymojo.net
almostallthetruth.com
www.wilkiecraft.com/apps/blog/
doobleh-vay.blogspot.com/
foxandowl.blogspot.com/
curlyqcuties.com/blog/
www.sunshinepolkadots.com
thecakeathomemom.com/
natural-kids.blogspot.com/
mommaistameetsshopaholic.blogspot.com/
handmadeinpa.net
coolmompicks.com
EcoBabySteps.com
shoestringmuse.blogspot.com/
evascrafts.blogspot.com/
theconnectedmom.com/
MomInTheUSA.com
mommyperks.com
liliputians-nyc.com/blog/
goodamericangoods.com/blog/
alwaysBdesigns.blogspot.com
Citymommy.com/ (city specific)
TheIndieTot.com
indiespotting.com
whimsicalwalney.com
livingmyMoMent.com
saras-toy-box.blogspot.com/
theshoppingmama.com
ourmilkmoney.blogspot.com
buybymomblog.com
awishfulthought.wordpress.com
thewishplace.blogspot.com
ramblingsbynicolerenee.blogspot.com/
designmom.com/
grecowoodcrafting.wordpress.com/
maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.com
HandmadeToyAlliance Blog
Lilipoh.com

The HTA consists of 564 member businesses, including 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. For more information, visit www.handmadetoyalliance.org.

Dan Marshall, co-owner
Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care (St. Paul, MN)
Tel. 651-238-8398
[email protected]

Jill Chuckas, Owner, Designer
Crafty Baby (Stamford, CT)
Tel. 888-788-5168
[email protected]

Cecilia Leibovitz, President
Craftsbury Kids (Montpelier,VT)
Tel. 802-223-7143
[email protected]

Mary Newell, Owner
Terrapin Toys
(Eugene, OR)
Tel. 541-461-1585
[email protected]