Consignment, Consignment, Consignment!

The Kid's Clothesline - May 3 - 6, 2012

Let me first start out by saying that I really enjoy being a Mom.  The hugs, the kisses, the yelling the screaming...OOPS!  I think I said too much.  Seriously though...being a Mom has had more rewards than I can count.

But there is one thing that gets under my skin...all the clothing that we go through.  I literally blink my eyes and the pants that we just bought for my 5 year old are now capris.  That's fine for spring but for the winter?  Not so much...  And that trendy sweatshirt that my 8 year old "just had to have" is now too small.  But what is a Mom to do???

As I have said in the past, one of the many benefits of running my own business (http://www.lehighvalleyfamilyfun.com/) is meeting new people.   And I was recently introduced to Amanda D'Ambrosio, Owner of The Kids Clothesline. 

The Kids Clothesline or "Consignment Extravaganza" as I like to call it, offers families a place to sell their children's outgrown items and to buy new and gently used items at up to 90% off retail. 

The next Kids Clothesline Event will take place May 3rd - 6th, 2012.  

In 2004, when Amanda's kids were in Preschool she developed that entrepreneurial "bug".  Not sure which direction to go, Amanda met a woman who had a children's consignment event in the south.  After that meeting she knew what her next step would be...CONSIGNMENT! 

"So many people benefit from the sale"  says Amanda.  "Any time I think of giving it up I meet someone really wonderful who tells me how much they appreciate it!"

With over 2,500 Shoppers at the last event and filling approximately 250 Volunteer Shifts and 375 Consignee Spots, the growth of the sale has been tremendous.  For Spring of 2012, they will move to Ag Hall, which can fill 550-600 Consignee Spots.  "I think this has always been my goal (moving to Ag Hall)" says Amanda.  "So I'm happy that we've finally done it!"

Mom to 4 kids, Amanda is a busy WAHM (Work-At-Home-Mom).  "I think a lot of people think the sale is 2 weeks of work, twice a year. That is so far from the truth."  In reality, Amanda begins preparing for each consignment event approximately 12 weeks prior to the Sale.  " I am usually at my desk any spare moment I can find and a lot of times into the night. When it's not sale season I am still working part time coming up with new ideas..."

I wanted to find out more about this amazing Mom...so I asked her what life messages she has for her kids.  "It's important to me that my kids be kind to others and that they are honest," says Amanda.  "We are very open minded and do not judge others, I guess it's just the only thing they have every known, it's just how we live."

I also wanted to know what tips she would give new parents of things she wished she knew before being a parent.  "Patience is so important and enjoy every second...it goes so fast.  It is so cliche but SO true!" 

The Kids Clothesline is dedicated to bringing families excellent quality items at a fraction of the price.  TKC is a selling and shopping experience not to be missed!

The Kids Clothesline will hold its next event May 3rd - 6th 2012.  

The Kids Closet Sale...Out with the Old and in with the New!

As a transplant to the Lehigh Valley, I am always looking for new places to explore.  One area that I feel is often overlooked, since it is further north is Carbon County.  A close neighbor to the Lehigh Valley, Carbon County offers many "family-friendly events".   From the Fall Foliage of Jim Thorpe, to the Switchback Railroads, to the Pocono Mountains, there is so much to see & do!

So, in my travels I have become friendly with a Mom up in the Carbon County area, more specifically Lehighton, PA.  This Mom has taken on a big challenge...the challenge of CONSIGNMENT!

But "What is Consignment"? Consignment, as defined on Websters.com is "Property sent to an agent for sale, storage or shipment". Like a yard sale, you sell your stuff, except better!  Way better, in my opinion.  The "Consignment" Event takes care of all the Marketing & Advertising, they host the sale and they watch the inventory.  They do all the "Not-so-fun" stuff.

With that being said, one thing that I absolutely dread is cleaning out my kids' closets.  And with two growing girls this is done quite frequently.  However, I do LOVE the feeling once it is done.  Everything is neat again, I've finally trashed the stuff with holes and I am left with that feeling of completion.  Yay! 

Now What?  What do I do with the "gently worn" clothing that my "darling daughters" have used so preciously over the past few months?  Yes, I am a little sarcastic here but actually there are MANY times that a blouse or skirt is worn one time...Or that Easter dress that was used just for pictures and a trip to Church...Or how about those shoes that fit yesterday and now they are just too small.

Are you with me?  My eyes blink and all I can think of is
 "Show me the M-O-N-E-Y!!!"

Danielle Andreas of the Carbon County Area and employee of the family-owned business "Andreas Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning" of Lehighton PA. has figured out this "Consignment Thing" and has done a really great job for the people in the area. 

An active "WAHM" Mom (Work-At-Home-Mom) to 4 children, Danielle has a full plate.  With "kids in tow", she & her husband run the family business from their "Home Office"...literally in their home with a separate store front.  In addition to her daily activities of being a Mom, you know running here, running there...they are active at Church and also like to ski as a family. On top of all that Danielle finds time to own & operate a "Consignment" business. 

So back to the "Consignment Thing". 

The Kid's Closet Sale, established in 2010, came about when Danielle shopped at other consignment events and felt that the community of Carbon County and the surrounding area could benefit from a Consignment event.  With experience in running a family business, she and friend Mary Lichtenwalner, decided to put their talents to use and hence the beginning of The Kid's Closet Sale.   

With the help of 40+ Volunteers, Danielle & Mary organize the event, which takes place twice a year.  The next event is scheduled for March 22 - 24, 2012.

 "People are talking about it, we are growing, so the Community must be benefiting...and that is all we wanted" explains Danielle. With steady growth at each sale, 100 Consignees in the Fall 2011 and a goal of 125 for the spring, they decided to upgrade the location to The Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, which is located at 101 East 10th Street, in Jim Thorpe, PA. 

With 1,000 checkouts through their system last spring, they expect to double the amount of shoppers they had in the fall with a new location and new advertising strategies for the spring of 2012. 

For those who may be in the market to purchase, this is an awesome event for you to check out.  You can purchase name brand items for less...much, much less.  And remember, most kid's stuff is hardly used.  So...

Mark your calendars now for the 2012 Spring/Summer Event

  "The Kid's Closet Sale". 

March 22 - Private Pre Sale

March 23 - 10am - 6pm

March 24 - 10am 6pm