Need some opinions

I am a lampworker. I talk to people quite frequently about my work. For some strange reason people seem to get this impression that they should get their small children lampworked beads. I'm talking 2 year olds.

I have been asked to make bracelets on a couple of occasions and I worry myself sick about it because I consider the beads to be choking hazards. I also don't really think it is prudent to give a small child a bracelet that costs a reasonable amount because I think they are more likely to break it or lose it. I certainly have beads that can be used in work that will satisfy children but I am still concerned (i.e. not as high a quality as what I would sell on my website or on e-Bay).

What do you do with customers who want fairly good-sized beads in jewelry for really young children?

- Sandy

Reply to
Bacchae
Loading thread data ...

People who don't consider the choking hazard for small children aren't exactly very clued-in as parents.

Remember the woman who was sued over her boro ring that shattered in a car wreck? Of course it wasn't the fault of the artist or the ring but it ruined her life for ages because some opportunistic so-and-so decided there was money in trying to sue her for making a ring out of glass for someone to buy.

Check the laws on children's items. In the EU there are very stringent laws on what you can sell for use by a child and I would imagine the US is the same. If you sell something specifically for a child you may have to meet a number of safety criteria.

When we started making items for sale at craft fairs, Mike and I discussed the whole issue of making things for children too as they do love beads but in the end we decided that it was not easy to make things that would pass every regulation and still keep us happy at the same time so we sell items that are not child-specific.

Beads _are_ choking hazards for children, depending on the age of the child. Take a look at this:

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:iMDAt1q1TZoJ:

formatting link
By those standards beads are definitely a problem, bright, has a 'play value' and is smaller than a golf ball!!!

-Su

Reply to
Su

If someone asked me to make something for a very small child - I would probably decline. I make a few necklaces for "little girls" - but by that I mean age 6 and up (old enough that they aren't likely to put them in their mouth).

Just say "no" -- to a request for a 2 year old... and explain that it is not appropriate.

Cheryl

Bacchae wrote:

Reply to
Cheryl

unlike what everybody else said who replied so far, I'd say it depends.

Given the fact that I mostly work with memory wire which I consider pretty indestructible (I'm usually more concerned with 8-12 yo boys who use the bracelets as slinky toys), I woudn't worry too much (in my case, or in case of other 'pretty much indestructible' jewelry). If you have something where the beads can come off, yes, this is something to worry about, and I think I'd be concerned in case of lampwork, as it might end up on a concrete floor.

It isn't so much whether the individual beads are a choking hazard unless the beads can become individual pieces, but rather the piece of jewelry as a whole.

Maren

Reply to
m.purves

Hi Sandy, Electricity is hazardous. Would you ask the electric company not to supply electricity to young children rooms? Same for water and many other stuff we all use daily. All we need is to be aware of the danger and take proper precautions.

I am not a lampworker nor a strict beader (beading is just a part of my jewelry work). Yet, if I was in your position, I'd attach a paper to the bracelet with a warning. I'd write that:

  1. Beads can be dangerous to children below 5y (?).
  2. Parents should never leave their children unattended when wearing beaded jewelry.
  3. Bracelet was not intended as a game. Never let your children take it apart.
  4. Lampwork/glass beads are sometimes fragile and may cause > I am a lampworker. I talk to people quite frequently about my work. For
Reply to
info

In the US you usually see a demarcation at 3 years - you know, "not for ages under 3, small parts, choking hazard", etc. I know I had a problem with my grandson when he was about two, b/c he tried to eat some of my beads, but generally he's been very cautious around them. Even so, I'd never give him anything with glass beads to wear, as much for the hazard of being broken and causing cuts as much as anything. Young children should NOT be given anything that could come apart or break into pieces small enough for them to swallow, b/c sooner or later they'll try to eat it. Why not stick with large wooden or plastic beads?

I distinctly remember that at about age 3 I put a grommet up my nose - I have no idea why, it seemed like a good idea at the time, and it was extremely difficult to get out and caused quite a lot of bleeding. And I was the "good child" in the family! LOL

I would just tell dear old mom, "No, my beads are not safe for children" and leave it at that.

Reply to
Karleen/Vibrant Jewels

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.