Filed under: Know-How

Consignment shops can often attract the good (vintage Chanel jackets), the bad (80's power suits) and the ugly (um, 80's power suits). So I asked Jane Henderson Kenyon and Isabelle Taylor Kenyon of the hip consignment shop Jane for the lowdown on what does and does not make it to the sales floor. You won't quite believe some of the items people have tried to consign.

Consignment shops are like thrift shops, but curated. Here's the deal: People bring in their "pre-loved" items to the shop and if it's sold, they get a certain percentage of the sale. Generally (but not always), consignment shops focus on designer items of a more recent vintage. It all depends on the consignment shop, the owners and of course, the consignors.

I've always been curious at what doesn't make the cut at my favorite consignment shops (which become my favorite because of a well-curated selection of items). Jane, a hip consignment shop in Princeton, N.J., qualifies as one of those well-curated places. Owned by stylish mother-and-daughter duo Jane Henderson Kenyon and Isabelle Taylor Kenyon, the shop has a high-quality selection of clothes and accessories. Here's what Jane and Isabelle had to say about the odder items that have been brought in for consignment:

- An antique bris set. "It sold...quickly!" Isabelle says.
- A carved wooden chair shaped and painted to look like a trout.
- A deer skin rug. "Apparently it was...made...by the consignor's ex-husband!"
- A collection of kama sutra and erotica coffee table books and statuettes. "These were from a consignor emptying her new boyfriend's house...we declined these."
- A Leonora Carrington painting. "In this case, we recommended that the owner take it to auction. The painting's estimate was $15,000 but sold for $117,000...who knew that a bunch of creepy monkeys could be worth so much!"

If you're thinking of consigning, Jane and Isabelle encourage bringing in any and all items (even if they're a little strange). "You really never can tell [if an item is worth something or not]," Jane says. Just be sure that all items are clean and free of damage. Above all though, Jane encourages potential consignors to never take a rejection personally. After all, you never know who will want that antique bris set someday down the road.

Want to learn more about consignment? Check out...
Finding Deals at Consignment Shops
How to Make Money Selling on Consignment
Where to Find Thrift and Consignment Stores

And for more expert advice about consignment, watch this...

 

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Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/07/05/secondhand-stories-the-weirdest-things-brought-into-my-consignm/

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If you have never painted polka dots in a room before, it is easy to assume that there is only one style that will work for all decors. In actuality, there are many different types of polka dots and color combinations that can work in a variety of rooms.

Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/painting-polka-dots-room-by-room

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Just a concept. It's basically a Triforce that can be easily hung up on someones wall using a nail or two. Make anything of it. If you decide to make one, or something similar, post the pic(s) here. I know mine isn't an equilateral triangle like it should be, but it's not like I worked long on it. I...
By: prosper58

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Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/Wall-Triforce/

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Launch mini paper airplanes from your desk, without ever winding up your arm. Perfect for office shenanigans or other indoor fun! By using common electrical components we can make our own electric paper airplane launcher! You might even discover you have many of the parts required already ...
By: mikeasaurus

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Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/electric-airplane-launcher/

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1 reader + 7 issues of This Old House magazine = a new house with old-house charm

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThisOldHouseLatest/~3/BZzxrxOQ-Oc/0,,20509066,00.html

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Hi guys! this is my first attempt at a knex padlock... i like it and it works! its not a unlock with key type thing or combination lock or whatever its just a simple twist the nob pull the ummmm padlock bit out!=D Pls rate and Comment!
By: jimopertrat

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Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/Knex-Padlock/

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Filed under: Outdoors

Because a little dirt goes unnoticed until it's time to entertain guests, here's the best way to clean off that patio furniture.

Plastic patio furniture may get a bad rap in the decor world, but there's no cheaper way to seat lots of people outdoors. The main problem isn't a stylistic one, though. It's that plastic is porous and can hold onto dirt like there's no tomorrow. For a particularly stubborn stain, the vinegar treatment and standard soap-and-water didn't help. I even tried tile cleaner, but all I got was a headache.

I had a few Magic Eraser sponges (swear this is not a product placement) in my cleaning cabinet and on a whim, used it on the stain. To my surprise, it removed the stain with minimal effort. Just don't rub too hard, because I noticed that the sponge can dull the plastic surface.

Want more tips on cleaning outdoor furniture? Check out...
Removing Rust from Metal and Concrete
How to clean outdoor furniture
Prepare Your Outdoor Furniture For Entertaining

And to see other methods for cleaning patio furniture, watch this...

 

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Source: http://www.diylife.com/2011/07/03/the-best-way-to-clean-patio-furniture/

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Sometimes a hardwood board can be damaged or stained so badly it needs to be replaced. Often people would prefer to leave this job to a professional who has the experience to do the job, but since there are no special tools required to replace a floor board, a confident DIY'er could take on the job themselves.

Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/replacing-damaged-floor-board

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Ah, summertime! No matter how much you love the other seasons, summertime, with its patriotic parades and festive decorations is a joy. The 4th of July marks the day of independence for the USA and it is celebrated in small towns and big cities all across the country.

Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/decorating-front-porch-4th-of-july

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What do broken doorknobs, salvaged pavement chunks, and pieces of unused sewer pipe all have in common?  Some serious - and surprising - DIY decor potential!  

Source: http://www.curbly.com/capreek/posts/10530-thrifty-ideas-for-stunning-diy-decor

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