Artisan of the Week: Missus D

I have decided to slow down in producing eyeglass cases, etc., and focus on making gifts, etc., for family and close friends. I also am taking a break from "blowing my own horn" and, instead, will stop to look at other blogs, shops, etc. and show case one on a periodic basis.

I started with looking at my blog followers, and blogs that I follow, and it was hard to select one for this entry. However, I decided to start with Missus D. I adore her quirky amigurumi creations as did my 7-year-old granddaughter as she happened to see the photos of Missus D's amigurumi on my laptop's screen.

This talented artisan can be located on her blog, http://craftymissusd.blogspot.com/, which has leads to her shops on Etsy and Dawanda. I am really impressed with her digital card graphics that she is offering as PDF's which are ready to download and print. Go to her blog and click on Crafty Giveaways and find her Christmas Card Freebie which you can print for personal use. Kudos to Missus D!

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December 16, 2009 update: It was brought to my attention that labeling of all products, "Made in USA," does not always mean that it is made in the United States. I did a little research and found the following information. It seems that in 1999, moves were made to close in the loophole of labeling, but our legislators in Congress failed to do so.

IS IT REALLY MADE IN USA?

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands benefits from substantial subsidies and development assistance from the federal government of the United States. The economy also relies heavily on tourism, especially from Japan, and the rapidly dwindling garment manufacturingsector. The tourism industry has also been dwindling since late 2005. Since late 2006, tourist arrivals fell 15.23 percent (73,000 potential visitors) from the eleven months prior.

The Northern Mariana Islands had successfully used its position as a free trade area with the U.S., while at the same time not being subject to the same labor laws. For example, the $3.05 per hour minimum wage in the Commonwealth, which lasted from 1997 to 2007, was lower than in the U.S. and some other worker protections are weaker, leading to lower production costs. That allowed garments to be labeled "Made in USA" without having to comply with all U.S. labor laws. However, the U.S. minimum wage law signed by President Bush on May 25, 2007, will result in stepped increases in the Northern Marianas' minimum wage to reach U.S. level by 2015. The first step (to $3.55) became effective July 25, 2007, and a yearly increase of $0.50 will take effect every May thereafter until the CNMI minimum wage equals the nationwide minimum wage.

In the extreme, the island's exemption from U.S. labor laws had led to many alleged exploitations including recent claims of sweatshops, child labor, child prostitution and even forced abortions.

Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/northern-mariana-islands