Ya know, you don’t have to sell used stuff as-is.
You don’t have to be “just” a consignment or thrift or resale shop. You can be (or inspire!) an innovator! There’s all sorts of wonderful ways to reUse. (Maybe I should add that to HowToConsign’s motto of ReSell RePlace ReJoice!)
Some crafters doing clever things:
Sweet Pepita on Etsy takes parental band t’s and more and makes them into garments for the coming generation. Another Etsy member, Hyena, does a variety of things with…a variety of things.
Those Hefty bags full of no-thank-you’s that clutter up your back room? Get out the strapping tape and create a chair!
Remember when you sold all the old consigned mink stoles you could get your hands on to teddy-bear makers? Well, here’s a woman making handbags out of those horridly-out-of-style leather coats your consignors think are so valuable.
A shop which wins the Kate Prize for Bad Shop Name, but which has some interesting photos: got a handy friend to inspire to raid your NTY rack?
And some big- and not-so-big business answers to the question: How can it be ReUsed?
- William Good (Update 8-09 Guess Big Biz isn’t always right either…William Good’s gone.)
- Frame Nation (I love these!)
- Preloved in Toronto
- Another Canadian business: On & On Ecolo Chic (Ditto, this company seems to be out of business.)
- Sneakers out of jeans? And more. Worn Again.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Wonderful examples of reUse! Thanks for bringing this up here. We’re doing this kind of thing with our creative teens at our non-profit shop that benefits the school district. http://www.sequelsresale.com
Hey there!
Thank you very much for speaking about my work! This is greatly appreciated.
🙂
Cecile
That is EXACTLY what I was thinking, Cathy, and exactly WHO I was thinking of was you! Any resaler with some creativity and sewing talent could have a wonderful, wonderful side line going… and a terrific Weird & Wonderful shop-within-a-shop.
No talent? No creativity? How about fostering a relationship with people who DO have it, and who might be able to make this into a tidy side line for you BOTH?
Like I said: You don’t have to be “just” a consignment or thrift or resale shop.
Ya know at 30-40 bucks for those baby t-shirts, I’m in the wrong biz, maybe I need to fire up the ole Singer again!