CE testing and why it's important!

Hello all,

I have not had chance to update my blog recently due to the mad Christmas orders, so apologies for that!

I have noticed recently there has been a lot of talk about CE testing in children's toys and thought I would take this opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences on the test process.

What is CE testing? 

In order to CE mark any product which is deemed an item a child would potentially want to play with, it has to meet relevant strict industry safety standards. This is to enable the safety of any children who wish to play with soft toys so that you know, as a buyer, that the item complies with all standards expected. 

Due to making soft toys as part of my business I have to comply legally with all safety aspects and this is a subject which although is difficult to understand at first, is a must to continue to trade legally. I am shocked at how many people sell soft toys without the understanding of CE testing or realizing that it is a legal requirement.

There is a whole range of products requiring the same mark. 

A full list can be found here : www.gov.uk/ce-marking

There are 2 possible options to CE testing

1. Self Certifying (The option I use)

2. Laboratory test (which you will have to pay a fair bit for) 

 All soft toys need to pass a series of safety tests following BS EN71 parts 1,2 and 3. 

The following are links with further in depth information regarding the testing procedure and requirements. 

www.gov.uk/toy-manufacturers-and-their-responsibilities

www.conformance.co.uk/

www.btha.co.uk/toy-safety

Although there is an awful lot to read, it does eventually start to make sense...I promise! 

There is a Self Certification Pack for handmade toys available at the Conformance website. The pack is about £30 and makes things a lot easier with checklists and guidelines. 

So how do I test the toys?

Well, in short... you have to torture the poor toys! 

The testing involves clamps and hanging weights from the dolls, as well as testing the stuffing.

This checks any seams and small items to ensure there are no choking hazards and that the item is not going to fall apart.

Here are some pictures of my testing procedure (poor dirk Dragon!)

 

Then there is dropping from heights and dropping weights on to the items...

 

Then items have to be washed, dried and tested again as above. 

And finally once all of that torture is complete, you have to burn the item to ensure that there is no fire hazard, 

Paper work then needs to be filled out (the technical file) stating all the results from the tests. 

Lab test certificates need to be obtained for all of the components of the doll to ensure they all meet the BS EN71-3 part (chemical migration standards).

And finally you create a Declaration of Conformity. 

Helpful Links

www.facebook.com/cemarkingsupportnetwork

www.facebook.com/CESupportPage

www.facebook.com/groups/cesupportchatter

But it seems like such hard work and expense!

You have to comply with the CE testing by law! 

It may be hard work, but it is far better to be able to say to people with confidence, that your toys are suitable for young children.

So there you have it! A very brief run down of the CE testing procedures! 
If you would like to ask me anything about this subject, please feel free to contact me via email on 
Amy@Pixie-Crafts.co.uk


Happy New Year to you all! 
I shall be back soon with lots more cutie updates!  <3 

August 2015 Update

Hello!

Seeing as things have been so manic over the past few months, I have decided a monthly update is far more realistic for me to do! 

Soooo... here is what has been going on and created over here at Pixie-Crafts since August. 

Firstly, I have been racking my brains over the past few months with regards to labeling my dolls with my business name. I finally settled on these gorgeous buttons which have been printed with my website address. They are wooden and fit the dolls perfectly. 

They come from a shop on Etsy called GirlsFever >>linky link here >>> Girls Fever

There was another creation made for Emma who writes children's books. This is her latest character, Truman Troll and his friend, Barry Bat. I shall share the link to her new book as soon as it has been released. In the meantime, you can find her Edwin Elf and Norma Gnome books on Amazon. 

Peggy Polar bear was another make this month and has made her way to her new home in America. 

There has been an awful lot of this! I have been surrounded by heads, legs and arms for weeks now! 

You lot certainly keep my fingers busy! 

These cute Bumble Bees were also created. I will be listing them in the pixie shop very soon!

Isla and Niamh were twins who were created for a very special customer. Super cute! 

We've had another Horrid Design Fairy appear in the form of Prim. I just love creating the Horrid Design fairies and cannot wait to get started on the next design! 

A completely new product also appeared. This is my Bina Bear Box frame picture which has now gone off to Switzerland. I absolutely loved creating this and have already started on another which I hope to release soon!

Halloween has arrived early and Frankenlaly was created. He is the first of a few oher Halloween characters I am hoping to get made very soon. I was so pleased with how he turned out. Frankenlaly is available in the pixie shop now. 

Henrietta Horse has been made and is off to Canada this week. Lucky horse! 

Aaand finally! A custom monster who is called Gooey. He has been created for a little girl who wanted her imaginary friend bringing to life. <3 

He's soooo fluffy! 

So that's it for now! I have a large list of orders I am currently working through so I will have plenty more to share with you all very soon.

Pixie Hugs

Amy x

July 2015 update!

Hello all!

Time has flown past again and I have been so busy this month, my website has been neglected.
I thought it would probably be a wise idea to just do a monthly update whilst things are so hectic.

July has been my best month ever with pixie-crafts. You lot have certainly kept my lil fingers busy, and it's not looking like August is going to be any slower! :)

A few new characters have appeared in July and a new range of monster Laly's have been launched.

We bid a very emotional farewell to Big Dirk and Mici Mermaid who went off to their new home together.

The first custom order of the month came in the form of Pod Pixie. What a cutie! <3

Pod was created from a picture which was sent to me by a customer. 

A newbie appeared in the form of Errol Elelala. I wasn't too sure on how to create an elephant but after a few tweaks here and there, I was chuffed with how he turned out. 

A bunch of regulars then went out to all over the world. 

We had Princess Bina Bears

And a new daisy rabbit :)

Another custom order came in the form of two gorgeous kitty cats, Prince Rupert and Sir Nigel :D

Another newbie arrived, Olivia Owl :) She wasn't about for long!!

The next doll created was a complete one off. Snowflake Bina Bear. She sold in a record 3 minutes! 

The first of the Laly Monsters then appeared. This is Ludo. Again, he wasn't here for long and has gone off to his new lovely home. 

Aaaaand finally!!! 

Meet Tilly Tortoise. <3 I have literally fallen in love with her, and so has her new owner!! 

There are plenty more that I can't share unfortunately as they have been made as gifts for people, but I shall post them as and when I can :) 

There will be another post later as another giveaway is launched later with a very special prize!

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine wherever you are!

Pixie Hugs

Amy xxx

A whopper of an update!

Yep... I haven't updated for so long so apologies but this is going to be one uber long update!

Lots has been going on over here at Pixie-Crafts over the past few weeks with an order list almost as long as my arm! Hence the lack of updates as my little fingers have been so busy working on new dolls, I just haven't had a chance to do much else!

Summer has arrived in all it's glory with a heatwave here in the UK which is very unusual for this time of year! This has meant that the garden has come to life rather early on which has resulted in the Lalys giving me a hand with the gardening and having fun out in the sun!

We had a very emotional farewell for Angel Bina who headed off to her new forever home. <3

There were 4 new Lalys created who have now arrived safe and sound in California, USA. A new rooster doll was created especially for the lovely lady.

I tackled something new also in the form of African Flowers. It was lovely  to try something new and these were used as a Hot Air Balloon which is still to be finished off. (pics will follow soon!)

More lambs and Unicorns were made and have also gone off to the USA, there seems to be a lot of the Lalys making their way over seas lately

Another new Laly appeared in the form of Clarence Cat <3 

And more toadstools were made and sent out to customers. 

And finally!!

2 custom dolls were created, requested by customers from ideas in their heads and pictures! 

Firstly there was Norma Gnome and her frind Bumble who have gone to live with Edwin the elf and Emma who writes wonderful children's books. 

and little Pod the elf who was a creation from a drawing I received from a lovely customer. 

Pod has a little snail friend <3

I know it's only July... and I am apologising for this... but just to let you know I shall be opening my Xmas order book within the next few weeks, so if you are wanting anything for the festive period for gifts etc, pop over to my Facebook page to stay up to date with what's happening :) 

Pixie Hugs as always

Amy xxx