Baying Hound Howls

Moving to Wordpress

2009-01-21T14:39:00.002-05:00

We are moving the blog to wordpress. It offers much more functionality for writers on the back end and will be more adaptable to match our website. Please bookmark the new site: bayinghound.wordpress.com. Thanks!

How CPSIA will affect you, and me, and all of us

2009-01-19T09:27:00.006-05:00

Recently, Congress mandated that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lower lead and phthalate limits in children's products in a law called the Consumer Products Safety Information Act, or CPSIA.

We 100% agree with the intent of the act: protect children from needless exposure to dangerous toxins.

It is the extent and unintended consequences of CPSIA that are troubling. Think about this. Do you:

Read books to children?
Shop thrift stores for products that might be used by kids under 12?
Enjoy handmade heirloom toys?
Donate old children's items to thrift stores?
Buy children's items from small manufacturers or retailers?

All of these actions are affected under current CPSIA rules. The legislation currently mandates that as of February 10, it is illegal to sell or give away items reasonably used by children under age 12 that do not carry a general certification of conformity. Penalties include jail time and fines; the maximums have not yet been established.

Handmade toys and clothing are two other industries threatened by CPSIA. Thousands of small in-home businesses make clothing and toys available on Etsy.com and at art fairs around the country. Many offer custom size and decor options.

The CPSIA regulations require testing of the final product (each product, that is the red truck, the blue truck, the yellow truck, etc.) to establish lead and phthalate content, at a rate of between $300 - $1000 per item. Component testing or pass through testing of materials is not currently allowable.

I foresee, then, a toy market that belongs wholly to mega manufacturers. Custom items including specially sized clothing, name puzzles, personalized chairs will be a thing of the past or only available at exorbitant prices. Families who relied on the income provided by sale of their handmade toys will have to find other work.

For used items, the CPSC issued a clarifying statement that is anything but clear. They say "The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties."

In my interpretation, this means that resellers can continue selling used items, but if they sell products in violation of the limits they can be held responsible. I forsee many thrift stores refusing to sell or accept donations, which means many used items will be thrown in a landfill instead of continuing their useful life.

Libraries and bookstores may be held accountable to the same testing standards for children's books as exist for toys, clothing, and other children's accessories. CPSC issued an opinion on books that affirms children's books must adhere to the lower lead limits. While I don't foresee libraries pulling all children's books off their shelves, it does appear that untested books will be considered a 'hazardous item'.

Here at Baying Hound, we have only a few items that fall into the 'primarily used by children under 12' category, namely the Klean Kanteen 12 ounce and sippy bottles. We have requested certification from the manufacturer. If we can not get certification we will stop selling these items.

I am more concerned about friends who make toys and clothing specifically for children, and how the potential loss of this whole industry will affect the American economy. Selfishly I am saddened that soon my choices for toys for my daughter will be limited to mega company junk or handmade toys bought under the table.

There is still time to affect change. The Handmade Toy Alliance has a fantastic site devoted to saving handmade toys. We share their position that the best course of action right now is to contact representatives and CPSC officials with the following proposal:

"I request the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make some very reasonable exclusions in their interpretation of the law as they continue their rulemaking process. These include exempting books and uncoated fabrics from testing and allowing manufacturers to rely upon testing done by their materials suppliers instead of paying for redundant unit-based testing. I would also like to see an exemption to third party testing requirements for micro-businesses similar to the exemptions granted by the FDA for small producers under the food labeling laws."

We have contacted our representatives by phone and email. We urge you to do the same. Find your Congressperson and Senator. The CPSC provides a web form for questions/comments.

Note:

All source data about the law was taken from the CPSC's website on CPSIA, http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML I am not a lawyer, and even CPSIA's legal interpretations are preceeded with words of caution. My interpretations are solely mine.

Love the Earth, Love Yourself, Love Green Gear

2009-01-18T10:24:00.000-05:00

Romance is in the air. Why not treat your loved one to a sweet ecofriendly treat? Here are just a few ideas:

Take a romantic walk with a 27 ounce Klean Kanteen - it fits a whole bottle of wine!

Present your sweetest with wool underwear and watch them enjoy the soft luxury of merino next to skin.

Outfit your honey with a new bag for travel. Women love our OLovesM clutch and purses made from reclaimed yoga mats. Everyone loves our Green Guru Gear billboard and blow out messengers.

Whatever you choose, Love the Earth, Love Yourself, and you will Love Green Gear.

Green Living Project

2009-01-13T13:35:00.003-05:00

We attended a Green Living Project lecture at Outdoor Retailer last summer. It was a truly fascinating and beautiful look at sustainable projects around the world. The lecture gave us hope that people are doing interesting good work.

We are happy to share their latest news with you, including the 2009 lecture series. If you can, get to one of these lectures and enjoy learning about sustainable living projects around the world beautifully documented.

http://www.greenlivingproject.com/lecture/

Read on for their full press release:

Green Living Project Announces 2009 Tour Schedule & Partners

New expanded schedule features new & existing event partnerships (Green Festival, Adventures in Travel Expo, Go Green Expo, REI); Over 40 events across North America

Los Angeles, CA (January 13, 2009) – Green Living Project™, the leading media production and marketing company focused on global sustainability initiatives, has announced their 2009 lecture tour schedule for North America. Following a successful 2008 tour schedule which featured over 30 events in North and South America, Green Living Project™ has established new strategic event partnerships to educate and inspire attendees, while increasing the promotion and distribution of the company’s multi-media production work on unique and successful sustainability projects from around the globe.

The “Green Living Project™ Lecture Series” offers free multi-media events that are open to the public, attracting a wide audience from high school students to working professionals to retired baby boomers. Events showcase projects from around the globe focused on relevant and important sustainability topics such as responsible tourism, renewable energy, wildlife conservation, community development, waste management, and organic farming. Attendees learn about the geographic regions covered, local communities, examples of sustainability, and responsible tourism. Each event also shows how people can get directly involved with each project and organization by volunteering, visiting, donating, or purchasing items.

In 2009, over 40 different multi-media events will be held across North America in partnership with new and existing festival, trade show, and retail event partners, including:

* Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE Travel Show): www.adventureexpo.com

* Green Festival: www.greenfestivals.org

* Go Green Expo: www.gogreenexpo.com

* Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI): www.rei.com

* L.L.Bean: www.llbean.com

The current lecture tour schedule is available at: www.greenlivingproject.com/lecture

"Green Festivals seek to showcase the best of what works for our communities, at home and abroad, and we’re proud to host Green Living Project”, says Alix Davidson, Washington D.C. regional director of Green Festival. “For example, their [GLP] focus on success stories from Africa highlights the Green Festivals’ vision for the future, one that combines social justice with ecological balance and a sustainable economy."

"Green Living Project’s tour creates a space for communities to experience work focused on creating solutions to the challenges we face”, says Sally Johnson, retail events coordinator of REI. “This amazing work is taking place all over the world! And Green Living Project is an excellent channel for people to connect to this work and see the possibilities for change. It is very exciting for REI to promote and be involved with their unique work."

"The most rewarding aspect of these events has been the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees and event partners,“ said Rob Holmes, founder and president of Green Living Project™. “Attendees are engaged, inspired, and have the unique opportunity to get directly involved with interesting projects from around the globe. They also learn about the world, sustainable living, responsible tourism, and how each of us can make a positive impact. Our professional content and unique storytelling about positive success stories really resonates with people since it celebrates and instigates activism to make a difference locally and globally. These educational components will be expanded when we launch our new Education Program this spring. This exciting new program will further develop our educational objectives, and will expand the lecture tour to elementary, undergraduate, and graduate schools nationwide."

About Green Living Project™

Green Living Project™ is the leading multi-media production, marketing and entertainment company showcasing sustainable initiatives from around the globe. Through various production and distribution techniques, Green Living Project™ aims to educate, inspire and entertain while encouraging individuals and communities to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. The company markets its exclusive content online and offline, including an international lecture tour. Key partners include National Geographic Adventure, REI, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE), African Wildlife Foundation, Earthwatch Institute, Timberland, Gregory, and Keen Footwear. Green Living Project™ is a privately held company located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit www.greenlivingproject.com or contact Rob Holmes at (818) 988-2234 or rob@greenlivingproject.com

Survey for Improvement

2009-01-08T12:05:00.000-05:00

Our new year's resolution for the business is to redesign the site. Before we make any changes, we want your input.

If you have time, please take a few minutes to fill out a simple 5 minute survey. One randomly selected participant will win a reusable bottle of their choice!

Last chance to respond to the survey is January 22.

Thanks for your input!

New Year Promises

2009-01-01T10:54:00.003-05:00

We hope you have health and happiness in the new year.

2009 promises to bring big changes in America and our business. As our country faces challenges, we expect to see more customers being choosy about their purchases. We plan to add customer reviews to the website soon so customers can share their experiences.

As always, we will be seeing out unique high quality earth friendly goods. Look for more water bottle choices and eco accessories soon. Feel free to tell us what features or items you would like to see in our store. We always appreciate hearing from our customers.

Green Kitchen Renovation Project

2008-12-26T21:41:00.002-05:00

In personal news, we are undertaking a kitchen renovation project at our home in Columbus OH. The house is 90 years old, the cabinets are 40 years old, and the kitchen is not laid out for functionality. We are going to change all that with a complete remodel (tearing down to studs and building back up). We are using as many green materials and practices as we can along the way.

If you care to follow and comment on our journey, read www.houndsinthekitchen.com.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-25T23:27:00.002-05:00

Whatever holiday you celebrate in whichever way, we wish you Peace and Hope and a wonderful new year.

Eco Bags from Japan

2008-12-20T22:05:00.002-05:00

We received a holiday packaged today from our friend Miyu in Japan. It was really fun to open! Miyu sent Alex and I two “pocketable” eco bags with this cute little note:

"In Japan, we're trying to not have (get) plastic bag at supermarket. I always bring a bag for shopping! Please use it with Alex!!"

Of course we already have tons of reusable bags (and more for sale in the store), but none so adorably Japanese. Yeah for the global spread of sustainability!

1% for Good 2008 Donation Wrap-up

2008-12-17T14:37:00.002-05:00

The charity auctions have ended and we made cash donations today. In total, the 1% for Good program provided over $600 to non profit organizations.

We had so many great suggestions that it was hard to choose which charities to support. We researched possibilities and made our selections on the efficiency of the organizations and how their mission aligned with ours.

Here are the 2008 supported charities:

UNICEF
Capital Area Humane Society (membership and Second Chance Fund)
Nature Conservancy
National Audubon Society
4Paws4Ability for Ryan
Mid-Ohio Food Bank
School for Young Children scholarship fund
Turning Point domestic abuse shelter

Thanks for your support and purchases, without which we could not have this program.

Day Nine of Green Gifts and Tips: Shoulder Tote and Cleaning Before the Party

2008-12-16T22:42:00.004-05:00

You need something to hold all the presents, right? Try an oversized reusable bag! You might have a paper one laying around from all the holiday shopping. If you don't already have a good collection of durable cloth bags, consider the Toteyl reclaimed billboard shoulder tote from Green Guru Gear. It's made in the USA of reclaimed materials. $29.95 in a variety of patterns.Tip of the day: When cleaning for holiday guests (or any time of the year), we suggest slowly replacing expensive harsh chemical cleaners and disposable wipes/towels with natural solutions and reusable rags. We use vinegar and old newspaper for windows and compost the newspaper when we are done. Vinegar and tea tree oil diluted with warm water is our mopping solution.

For bathrooms and other cleaning, we LOVE Charlie's Soap All Purpose cleaner. It is safe, non toxic to children and pets, and not scented. Best of all, unlike most natural cleaners we try, Charlie's actually works. If you are a local friend, email me to come by and pickup a free sample, as Charlie's gave me an extra gallon (!) in my last order and I want to share the eco-friendly cleaning love.

Day Eight of Green Gifts and Tips: OLovesM and reclaiming packing boxes

2008-12-15T22:45:00.002-05:00

I just realized that OLovesM hasn't been getting any love in our 12 Days series! Oops! OLovesM bags are stylish and functional handbags made from reclaimed yoga mat scraps and Chaco sandal straps. Each one is made by hand in Aspen Colorado by fairly paid workers.

The water bottle holder above is a great way to keep your water handy and stay hydrated day hikes or at the farmers market. A mesh pocket holds your keys, cash or business cards. $15.95 in a variety of colors.

Tip of the day: Many people are shopping online these days, which means many people end up with stacks of cardboard boxes at the end of the holiday season. Recycling them is great, but why not keep the boxes in use a little longer? Try these ideas:
*store for the next time you need to ship a package
*allow a child to turn one (or several) into a doll house, rocket ship, or castle
*donate to a local animal shelter if they can use the cardboard for bedding or critter houses.
*cut off or tuck in the tops and use boxes to organize your basement/garage/medicine cabinet
*add in small pieces to your compost box, or add to vermicompost

Day Seven of Green Gifts and Tips: Squishy Stuffers and Spoiling the Dogs

2008-12-14T11:25:00.002-05:00

Day Seven:
Looking for something unique to stuff in a stocking? Try Guyot Designs squishy bowls. These compact silicone bowls easily fit in the toe of a stocking, pocket of a purse, or bottom of a backpack. Pull them out and they snap back into shape! Eat or drink from them. These cool bowls are also dishwasher and freezer safe. $14.95/set of one bowl and one cup. Also available in travel shot size, $6.95 for two.

Tip of the Day: Pets add value to our lives and of course we want to express our affection for them as well. Our dogs have stockings hanging on the mantle waiting to be filled. Squishy Bowls are a fun food dish. If you are looking for a collar or coat, we love Annie's Sweatshop. Annie makes quality durable dog gear from recycled and reclaimed material.

If buying new toys isn't in your budget, maybe your beasts would enjoy a handmade batch of treats? Here's our recipe for dog cookies, from MacPherson's K-9 Cookbook:
3 cupes whole wheat flour
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk

1. In large mixing bowl, combine flour and garlic powder.
2. Make a well in the flour mixture and gradually stir in vegtable oil, cheese, beaten egg, and milk until well blended.
3. Knead dough on a floured surface, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness.
5. Cut with cookie cutter, or into squares, and place on lightly greased baking sheet.
6. Back for 25 minutes at 400 deg F
7. Cool on a rack and store at room temperature with a container with a loose-fitting lid.

Day Six: Holiday Savings and Durable Gifts

2008-12-11T13:48:00.004-05:00

We are halfway through the 12 days of Green Gifts and Tips! Today, we're highlighting green gifts on sale. First, we just announced that all orders placed before December 19 will ship for free. No coupon code necessary. Next, check out our merino wool jackets on sale for 10% off. Finally, visit the clearance corner for great deals on closeout products, including the women's climawool glove, a softshell warm when wet cold weather glove perfect for gift giving. $39 (regular price $70)

Tip of the day: Give durable gifts. Heirloom quality toys and quality clothes will last longer than plastic junk. This will certainly please your gift recipient, but it also keeps waste out of the landfill.

Day Five of Green Gifts and Tips: Balms and Baubles

2008-12-10T10:35:00.003-05:00

Today, we are highlighting a local favorite: Jess' Bee Natural Lip Balms. These all-natural balms are hand poured here in Columbus Ohio by a talented friend using all USA ingredients. They are formulated to sooth and restore dry skin. A super stocking stuffer! $3 each, available in tangerine or peppermint

Last night we decorated our Christmas tree at home. It led me to think about the baubles we decorate with this time of year. I know some people who choose a different decorating scheme each year and end up with hundreds of cheap ornaments that are deemed useless on January 1st. What a waste, I say. We like to reuse ornaments year to year and only add gifts or handmade baubles to our collection. It makes the tradition of hanging ornaments all that more meaningful because we remember where we got the ornament each year as we carefully unwrap it. Do you decorate a tree? What kind of ornaments do you have?

Day Four of Green Gifts and Tips: Kids Bottles and Gift Tags

2008-12-08T14:06:00.003-05:00

On Day 4 of our ongoing 12 Days of Green Gifts and Tip series, we're focusing on children.
Growing kids are more susceptible to chemicals in their environment than adults, making it even more important to reduce exposure to toxins when possible. To help children stay hydrated without spills or toxins, we recommend the BPA free 12 ounce Klean Kanteen bottle with a sippy or sports top. Our 3 year old daughter prefers the sports top on her "shiny bottle" aka a stainless steel Klean Kanteen. $14.55/12 ounce with sports top, $18.55/12 ounce with sippy, additional $2 for color.

If you have a child, here's a great tip for gift tags: Cut holiday shapes out of your child's old drawings, scribbles, or paintings. If you don't love the idea of cutting all those shapes, borrow or buy a scrapbooking tag punch. Simply write your to and from in a contrasting color and you have a re-used unique gift tag!

Warm Wool and Winter Foodstuffs: Day Three of Green Gifts and Tips

2008-12-05T10:17:00.003-05:00

Why not add some wool to your holiday gifts? Ibex merino wool is super soft, breathable, and sustainably harvested. Buy the renzo beanie pictured above for $32.99, wool glove liners for $23.99, or wool underwear for $22.50 (Women's) / $28.00 (Men's) as stocking stuffers.

For the athletic person on your list, give a Shak Jersey they are sure to love. Shaks are getting rave reviews! Men's full zip $145.00, Men's pullover $125, Women's full zip $140, Women's pullover $125.

Tip of the day: Take a trip to the farmer's market. You might be surprised at the local flavors you could add to your holiday table. Here in Ohio, I will be able to get local potatos, salad greens, mushrooms, squash and meat at a minimum.

Don't know where to find local farmers? Check out www.localharvest.org! It has a database of small farms searchable by food type and zipcode. Happy Eating!

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

2008-12-04T14:15:00.004-05:00

To receive your package by December 25, please place your order on www.BayingHound.com by the following dates:

For US packages:
Standard (priority) - December 19
Express - December 22

For International packages:
Standard(first class international) - December 10
Priority International - December 10
Express International - December 16

You can read more about our EasyShip program on our website.

Happy Holidays!

Day Two of Green Gifts and Tips: Wallets and Charity

2008-12-04T13:52:00.006-05:00

Today we feature a classic gift updated for the green generation: wallets. Green Guru Gear makes these fantastic wallets from reclaimed billboard material and bike tire innertubes. Both have two bill pockets and 6 sleeves for IDs and credit cards made of 100% recycled PETE. They make great gifts for the hipster or cyclist in your life. $24.25 each.

Our tip of the day: Consider charities in your gift giving. In this economy, non profits are needed more than ever, yet have fewer resources to manage the growing need. Maybe you can afford to give part of a holiday bonus to your local food bank or animal shelter. Perhaps someone on your gift list is passionate about a cause and you could give to the cause instead of buying a physical present. Or, get a great gift and benefit nonprofits by bidding on our charity auctions going on now.

Green Gifts and Tips Day 1 - Bottles and Bags

2008-12-02T20:45:00.002-05:00

Green Gift: On the first day, we recommend a Nathan Sports Stainless Steel bottle. These bottles have a flip straw top with a built in carabineer in the thumb loop. They are selling like hotcakes this season! $24.95 in a variety of designs or plain stainless steel.

Green Tip: When looking for wrapping, consider reused bags. The gift bag pictured has been through at least two Xmas celebrations around our house. If you don't have any to reuse this year, consider buying sturdy bags that can be saved for next year. There are some festive fair trade bags online at Handmade Expressions. If you live in Columbus OH, head to local store Sprout Soup for fair trade bags.

12 days of Green Gifts and Tips

2008-12-02T20:28:00.004-05:00

Over the next few weeks we will offer you 12 green gifts and tips. Stay tuned for interesting ways to make your holiday more eco-friendly and enjoyable!

Cyber Monday = 10% off!

2008-12-01T09:40:00.002-05:00

Use the coupon code 'gift10' for 10% off any order. Happy Shopping!

Giving Thanks

2008-11-27T11:05:00.003-05:00

Baying Hound has many reasons to be thankful this year:

*great repeat customers who make selling enjoyable

*strong relationships with our manufacturers, particularly Hannah at Peregrine Outfitters and the crew at Guyot Designs

*a growing relationship with local brick and mortar Sprout Soup

*exciting new eco-friendly products

*a business successful enough we can give back

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. May you have many reasons to give thanks this year as well.

Ibex Jersey reviewed in New York Times

2008-11-27T10:52:00.002-05:00

The fashion and style guide at New York Times featured fleece and wool gear today.

About the Ibex Shak, the review says "“Gorgeous!” is how Ms. Chism described this pure merino wool hoody. “I felt very posh in it.”...The wool was “breathable and very thin” but cozy. She was surprised at how soft and “not itchy” it was. Ms. Chism also laundered the top in her washing machine, and then placed it flat to dry, per its care instructions. It dried “beautifully,” she said, and “didn’t wrinkle or stink like wet wool.”"

Buy a women's or men's Shak at BayingHound.com and get free shipping with code freeship50.

2008 1% for Good charities announced

2008-11-24T15:47:00.003-05:00

Thanks for all the nominations. We selected 6 charities to benefit from our customer's purchases this year:

Capital Area Humane Society - local Columbus OH shelter that housed our two hounds before we adopted them
UNICEF Children's Fund
Nature Conservancy
4 Paws 4 Amelia - nonprofit organized to provide a trained mixed breed dog for local Ohio girl with autism
Mid-Ohio Food Bank
School for Young Children scholarship fund - nationally accredited preschool in Columbus OH

Some of these charities will benefit from eBay Giving Works auctions listed in our eBay store. Bid and you can get some fantastic green gear while benefiting great charities. We will start more auctions on Thursday of this week.