I’m wondering how local crafters and artisans are coping with the economic situation. Are a lot of people closing up shop? Or is there still enough demand to make ends meet?

I think it’s been tough. And it’s about to get tougher: http://www.mountainx.com/news/2009/new_lead_testing_rules_concerns_local_crafters_childrens_retailers_and_book.

I’m sure there’s a way to hyperlink here, but someone will have to explain to me how to do it.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act imposes stringent new lead-testing rules on all products made for children 12 and under.

Just don’t make anything for children 12 and under and you should be okay.

(Lousy, stinkin’ paint-suckin’ kids and their higher rate of ingested lead absorption and their smart-aleky permanently reduced cognitive capacities. Serves ‘em right, I say!)

smart-aleky permanently reduced cognitive capacities

I blame lead for my problems.

You mean selling things to tourists isnt a sustainable economy?

It looks like there’s been a reprieve on the lead thing, as reported today on the Xpress frontpage: http://www.mountainx.com/news/2009/enforcement_of_new_lead_testing_rules_halted_for_one_year

“The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission on Friday agreed to wait one year before enforcing new lead testing rules for the makers and importers of products for children 12 and under. The new law, set to take effect Feb. 10, has had Asheville-area book sellers, toy retailers, crafters and even libraries worried about the rules’ impact on them.”

Sales were up this holiday season for my friends who show at Woolworth and Kresge downtown.  Maybe they benefitted from a drop in high-end sales?