Sunday, September 5, 2010

I love Consignment Stores

In the beginning.....oh wait..different story....

When we first launched our online store, we sold only items we acquired through our own various means. Then after a couple of years we started receiving emails asking if we sell things on consignment. (Apparently our customers are smarter than we are) We eventually got the hint and opened up the consignment side of our business.

It's been another couple of years since then and we think we made the right decision. In some cases we are giving struggling artists across the country their first opportunity at selling their designs. What always comes to mind when a new consignor and their designs join our family is whether or not they'll turn out to be the next Kenneth Jay Lane in jewelry design.

Truthfully, not all of our jewelry designers fall into the ranks of a Kenneth Jay Lane creation, but at least the artists we showcase have their creative juices flowing and who knows what can happen with them in the future?

Right now for instance, we have Cute as a Button earrings listed for sale at only $2.00. These cute little earrings would make great stocking stuffers, teacher's gift, co-worker gift, or maybe just a small token of your friendship to someone.



As you will see, we currently have a unique cross selection of items designed and hand made by our consignors. For example and even though we covered some of the jewelry made with the healing stones in our last Blog, I'd like to show off some of the other designs available from this artist. The necklace to the right is made of Hematite with a colored crystal accent. Again, the Hematite is a powerful stone in that it helps to enhance personal magnetism, optimism, will, and courage. It is also said to be a good healing and grounding stone, as it strengthens the body and improves resistance to life's stresses. And finally Hematite inspires inner life and helps to keep inward peace.

Here is yet another hand made consignment item and a such great way to show your support for our troops. Troop Bracelets made by an Army wife who is a is a stay-at-home mother of 3 boys and who after caring for her family takes the time to design and make bracelets. On a personal level, bracelets and rings are her two favorite pieces of jewelry to wear. Each of her bracelets are hand-made of 550 cord, and each knot on the bracelet represents a fallen soldier. The button securing the ends represents the uniform they wear. There are 3 color combinations.


Changing course a bit, we have another consignor who loves to paint. She paints in acrylics mostly and get this... on sand paper. It's been hard for us to keep up with her and her latest techniques; one being the newest craze in the art world of ACEO cards. To the right is an example of one of her ACEO cards of a French Jumeau doll. These cards are playing card size and the fun is trading them like you would baseball cards. Using acrylics, she also painted the Folk Art on wood to the left. I love Folk Art for it's nostalgic look back at our humble American beginnings.
The pumpkin patch scene to the right was painted with acrylic paints on sandpaper. A 'rough' technique wouldn't you say? Seriously speaking, the sandpaper gives the painting a great texture.
Her primitive artwork is beginning to get some notice now after selling on eBay and we can see why.

Moving on to other types of consignor merchandise: Currently on the site we have some awesome Norman Rockwell collectible figurines dating back 30 plus years. Anything having to do with Norman Rockwell and The Danbury Mint is always a treasure in my book!



Looking for shoes? Boy have we got a selection for you and only because of our consignment merchandise! We have shoes in various sizes and for the ladies, children, pre-teens, boys, girls, casual and of course dress. In other words, there's something for everyone. Check out these heels by Nina: Fabric outer, closed heel and open toe. Stylish and sexy enough to go with any solid colored outfit; suit or dress.




Clothing is one of our biggest sellers and as soon as you review the category you'll see why. Our prices are good, and we like to list items that are in either good, meaning they still have a long life ahead or in like new condition, where you can't tell if they've ever been worn and the chances are they haven't. Oh and we also love the "New with tags" merchandise! Again, our size are all over the place. Maybe not so much in the Plus size category, (We do have a few items, thanks to our consignors) but we have many items in the small, medium and large categories both in career and casual clothing. By the way; the outfit to the left is by Norton, and is a newly listed size 12, two piece with the tags still in place. Priced at only $15.00.

Clearly we can't show you everything we have listed on the site. My goal was to only give you a quick little peek into what we have listed from our consignors. I'd say we've got some pretty cool stuff! Wouldn't you?

And now you know why I love Consignment Stores!