Toy scares raise interest in boutique gifts
By ADAM L. R. SUMMERS
News Review Staff Writer
For some people shopping
for holiday toys, China is
looking like this year’s
Grinch. A series of recalls of
Chinese-made products from
toxic pet food to toys painted
with lead-based paint has
raised alarm among
consumers. And that means
more shoppers this year are
taking a closer look at toys
they feel are safer – including
some made right here in
Ridgecrest.
“I’ve definitely heard
concerns about unsafe toys,”
said Lauren Loewen.
She got into the toy
business in February as the
designer and manufacturer of
handmade teddy bears and
News Review Staff Writer
For some people shopping
for holiday toys, China is
looking like this year’s
Grinch. A series of recalls of
Chinese-made products from
toxic pet food to toys painted
with lead-based paint has
raised alarm among
consumers. And that means
more shoppers this year are
taking a closer look at toys
they feel are safer – including
some made right here in
Ridgecrest.
“I’ve definitely heard
concerns about unsafe toys,”
said Lauren Loewen.
She got into the toy
business in February as the
designer and manufacturer of
handmade teddy bears and
other stuffed animals made from 100-percent-recycled cashmere.
“I’ve heard so many new moms and other acquaintances say ‘I’m not buying toys that aren’t hand-made,’”
Loewen said. “They’re all being much more conscientious.”
Longtime local toymaker Kathi Moe saw a dramatic increase in the demand for her wooden creations this
season, she said.
She said that after her recent participation in the Creative Expressions fall show and sale, she had sold nearly
three times as many toys this year. “I even sold the ones I had made for my great-grandchildren, people were so
desperate.”
Moe met one young mother at the show who said she was not purchasing anything this year unless she knew
where it came from.
Her toys are not only safe — they are free of paints or finishes of any kind — but Moe said they are perfect for
developing children. “They don’t make noise, so children can make their own noises, and they usually have some
function where the little ones can put things together and take things apart.”
Though her stock is minimal at present, Moe said she does have a few items left this season.
Melanie McCarter is another local entrepreneur who recently started making handmade teddy bears. She hasn’t
noticed an increased interest in her bears because of safety concerns, she said, though she pointed out that her
bears are made from safe fabrics and are built to be safe and sturdy.
Some people who have recently purchased her bears could have been looking for a safe alternative to imported
toys, but that’s not why people say they buy them, she said. “Teddy bears are a heartstrings kind of buy – it either
speaks to you or it doesn’t.”
More than once a friend, a coworker or the child of an acquaintance has laid eyes on one of her bears and just
“had to have it,” McCarter said.
Other alternatives are also available to grab holiday shoppers’ attention this season.
Tammy Bouyer started out as a mom with her own concerns about the toys her children were playing with. After
doing Internet research about safe alternatives, she found something she liked so much that she decided to
become a home-based distributor.
Bouyer is having a “catalog party” during the holiday season for Discovery Toys.
“I chose them because they have a higher quality-assurance process that the products have to go through,” she
said, adding that she believes a lot of people share her interest in buying toys that they don’t have to worry about
giving to their children.
Jim Henry, owner of Just Imagine, pointed out that toy safety is about more than just where a toy comes from.
“The American consumer wants value, and value equals low cost,” he said. “Eighty percent of toys are made in
China – even at the higher end.”
Lego toys marketed in the United States are now primarily made in Mexico instead of Scandinavia, said Henry.
And as the costs of manufacturing rise in China along with an increasing standard of living, some toy
manufacturers are beginning to follow the lead of the garment industry, locating production in places like
Cambodia and Thailand.
The key to buying the safest toys possible is to stick with quality brands, he said, pointing out that most of the
recalls have been limited to products from a couple major manufacturers whose quality controls are not as
stringent.
And if people really want to buy American-made gifts for children, Henry offered some advice. “Buy comic books!
They’re still made in America.”
Loewen’s creations can be seen at her website, www.cashmerecreations.com. Moe can be reached by phone at
446-4382.
McCarter can be reached by calling 375-3930. Bouyer can be reached at 375-3930. Just Imagine is located at
827 N. China Lake Blvd.
“I’ve heard so many new moms and other acquaintances say ‘I’m not buying toys that aren’t hand-made,’”
Loewen said. “They’re all being much more conscientious.”
Longtime local toymaker Kathi Moe saw a dramatic increase in the demand for her wooden creations this
season, she said.
She said that after her recent participation in the Creative Expressions fall show and sale, she had sold nearly
three times as many toys this year. “I even sold the ones I had made for my great-grandchildren, people were so
desperate.”
Moe met one young mother at the show who said she was not purchasing anything this year unless she knew
where it came from.
Her toys are not only safe — they are free of paints or finishes of any kind — but Moe said they are perfect for
developing children. “They don’t make noise, so children can make their own noises, and they usually have some
function where the little ones can put things together and take things apart.”
Though her stock is minimal at present, Moe said she does have a few items left this season.
Melanie McCarter is another local entrepreneur who recently started making handmade teddy bears. She hasn’t
noticed an increased interest in her bears because of safety concerns, she said, though she pointed out that her
bears are made from safe fabrics and are built to be safe and sturdy.
Some people who have recently purchased her bears could have been looking for a safe alternative to imported
toys, but that’s not why people say they buy them, she said. “Teddy bears are a heartstrings kind of buy – it either
speaks to you or it doesn’t.”
More than once a friend, a coworker or the child of an acquaintance has laid eyes on one of her bears and just
“had to have it,” McCarter said.
Other alternatives are also available to grab holiday shoppers’ attention this season.
Tammy Bouyer started out as a mom with her own concerns about the toys her children were playing with. After
doing Internet research about safe alternatives, she found something she liked so much that she decided to
become a home-based distributor.
Bouyer is having a “catalog party” during the holiday season for Discovery Toys.
“I chose them because they have a higher quality-assurance process that the products have to go through,” she
said, adding that she believes a lot of people share her interest in buying toys that they don’t have to worry about
giving to their children.
Jim Henry, owner of Just Imagine, pointed out that toy safety is about more than just where a toy comes from.
“The American consumer wants value, and value equals low cost,” he said. “Eighty percent of toys are made in
China – even at the higher end.”
Lego toys marketed in the United States are now primarily made in Mexico instead of Scandinavia, said Henry.
And as the costs of manufacturing rise in China along with an increasing standard of living, some toy
manufacturers are beginning to follow the lead of the garment industry, locating production in places like
Cambodia and Thailand.
The key to buying the safest toys possible is to stick with quality brands, he said, pointing out that most of the
recalls have been limited to products from a couple major manufacturers whose quality controls are not as
stringent.
And if people really want to buy American-made gifts for children, Henry offered some advice. “Buy comic books!
They’re still made in America.”
Loewen’s creations can be seen at her website, www.cashmerecreations.com. Moe can be reached by phone at
446-4382.
McCarter can be reached by calling 375-3930. Bouyer can be reached at 375-3930. Just Imagine is located at
827 N. China Lake Blvd.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Current Issue Links
Caden Summers contemplates which teddy bear he most wants for Christmas.
Photo by Laura Austin
Photo by Laura Austin
|
|
