- Messages
- 11,482
- Location
- Constantine, MI
I have always shied away from building anything meant to be used by a child primarily for liability reasons. I remember looking into making wooden toys about 15 or 20 years ago and at that time there were a slew of new regulations coming out that just seemed a hill too high to climb. Even so, I see a lot of fellow woodworkers on various sites like Etsy doing quite well selling items intended primarily for kids, specifically doll furniture.
I did not realize it, but there seems to be a huge following, and therefore a huge market, for large doll furniture sized for 18" dolls like the American Girl brand. This fascinates me. These are expensive dolls (selling for over $100) and there seems to be a few dollars to be made making furniture for them. I've never been in a position to buy a $100 doll for my daughters, but it seems many others have no qualms about it. I am happy for them! These dolls seem to be both playthings and intended heirlooms.
There are some makers that go the 'child safe' route on finishes using only BLO and such, while others use varnish, lacquer, or paint. None of these pieces, or atleast very few, have parts that could be considered choking hazards. Some of the furniture is banged together pine glued and held together with help from a brad nailer. Other pieces, and those I am most interested in, are assembled just like 'real' furniture with real joinery.
I am seriously thinking of wading into this area and turning out a few pieces to see how well they are received. Having a LOML that likes to sew is a huge plus because we can also offer little mattresses, quilts, pillows, and the like. Much easier to sell a bed that is nicely adorned I would guess.
So, getting back to my initial question - Liability. What need I be aware of? Nothing that can break off and become a choke hazard. Child safe finishes. Age appropriate notations in the advertisements and perhaps reinforced with a note included in the shipping container. Maybe even a liability notice of some sort?
Some of you must make things for kids. How do you address these concerns?
I did not realize it, but there seems to be a huge following, and therefore a huge market, for large doll furniture sized for 18" dolls like the American Girl brand. This fascinates me. These are expensive dolls (selling for over $100) and there seems to be a few dollars to be made making furniture for them. I've never been in a position to buy a $100 doll for my daughters, but it seems many others have no qualms about it. I am happy for them! These dolls seem to be both playthings and intended heirlooms.
There are some makers that go the 'child safe' route on finishes using only BLO and such, while others use varnish, lacquer, or paint. None of these pieces, or atleast very few, have parts that could be considered choking hazards. Some of the furniture is banged together pine glued and held together with help from a brad nailer. Other pieces, and those I am most interested in, are assembled just like 'real' furniture with real joinery.
I am seriously thinking of wading into this area and turning out a few pieces to see how well they are received. Having a LOML that likes to sew is a huge plus because we can also offer little mattresses, quilts, pillows, and the like. Much easier to sell a bed that is nicely adorned I would guess.
So, getting back to my initial question - Liability. What need I be aware of? Nothing that can break off and become a choke hazard. Child safe finishes. Age appropriate notations in the advertisements and perhaps reinforced with a note included in the shipping container. Maybe even a liability notice of some sort?
Some of you must make things for kids. How do you address these concerns?