Under the Orange Awnings

we're streamlining!

2011-10-17T15:47:00.001-07:00

Finders Keepers Consignment Inc now has four stores! So, instead of starting yet another blog, we decided to streamline and have... drumroll please... one blog! So check out the new home for all things Finders Keepers: http://www.consignatlanta.blogspot.com/.

Sweet words we want to share!

2011-10-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

A customer wrote us about her experience at our free workshop "Double Trouble," hosted by Finders Keepers Furnishings:

Betsy, I just wanted to let you and Linda know how much I enjoyed the workshop. High time the two of you did one!!! So many great ideas and all very budget minded; you couldn't have done it better unless you did it longer. I called a friend and read her my list; she was just floored and I think will use some of your ideas. I know I will! Please know that ALL the workshops are well done and greatly appreciated in these times when money is tight. Imagination and trial & error are our best weapons. Maybe you and Linda will do a yearly workshop along with your other people that help with our gardens, organization, decorating and keeping our sanity. Decatur is truly lucky to have a wonderful resource in all the Finders Keepers shops. Thanks so much!
~ L. Huffman

Thank YOU Ms. Huffman! You made our day :)

Free Workshop this Saturday! Survive the Holidaze...

2011-10-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

Holidays are often a time of joy, family, and laughter... and chaos, panic, and pandemonium. And that's when holidays turn into holidaze - and makes you feel like you deserve a congratulatory t-shirt commemorating the fact that you made it through with your sanity intact. Is there a way to make the race to the end of the year go more smoothly? Well, this Saturday, you get a chance to learn how to tie a proverbial bow on your practically painless holiday planning. Finders Keepers Furnishings' free workshop series brings you:Surviving the Holidaze with Jonda Beattie: professional organizer, author, presenter, and owner/operator of Time Space Organization. This workshop will begin at 9:30 am this Saturday, October 8th. Learn more about Jonda on her website: http://www.timespaceorg.com/.

A personal note from Saturday's presenter, Jonda Beattie: Is it possible anymore for your holidays to feel peaceful and stress free. To capture that Norman Rockwell feeling? The vision of the perfect holiday fades and becomes dimmer as we get caught up in the turmoil of overlapping preparations. The holidays become a time of long "to do" lists, over commitment, overbuying, overeating, and sleep deprivation. Let's look at how to make your vision of a wonderful holiday come true by prioritizing, using your calendar, and organizing holiday zones in your home.

Free Workshop! Make your decor work double duty!

2011-09-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

Decorating in a consignment store can take a heap of creativity, which adds even more sparkle to the wow factor of Finders Keepers Furnishings. Items in the store often serve double decorative duty. Betsy and Linda - our own Dynamic Duo - has spent the past six years honing their "wow factor" skills How can a wine rack can extend the space in a small bathroom? How do wine glasses make a spectacular centerpiece? There are so many ways to use many items in your house! Learn more at this Saturday's workshop! This workshop will begin at 9:30am Saturday, October 1st. Seating is based on first come, first serve.

Double Trouble! Come pick the very creative and inventive minds of Betsy and Linda this Saturday. Call for details: 404-377-1944

Workshop: Color Splash with Carrie Fowler!

2011-09-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 17th @ Finders Keepers Furnishings: Free Workshop - Color Splash! Want to know the fastest and cheapest way to add life to your room? PAINT! Registered Interior Designer Carrie Fowler, of Carrie Fowler Interior Design will be offering a color workshop to help you add life to your rooms. Carrie will discuss paint color trends, textured wall treatments, wall coverings and how to punctuate you room with colorful accessories. Please bring pictures and fabrics swatches, Carrie will have pint decks on hand to help you individually pick a color! This is great opportunity to have an Interior Designer pick the right color for your home!

Workshop: GiGi Miller - your nest might have gotten quiet, but it's definitely not empty!

2011-08-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

We had about 8 for the workshop and GiGi was nice enough to stay after for awhile and help our workshop attendees shop and put ideas into action.She spoke about changing up lamps with new lampshades, changing drawer pulls on dresser for a facelift, switch up area rugs for a new look, update picture frames or refinish them for a new look.

Free Workshops are back this month!

2011-08-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

With the new school year upon us, the first 3 workshops will focus on getting your college bound kids in to their dorm rooms and reclaiming your nest once they've spread their wings! Tomorrow, Diane Quintana will give you the scoop on making that big college move easy through preparation and organization that you can do at home before you hit the road. She'll also give you tips on setting up your student's room in a way that will help set them up for success in this new chapter of their lives.

Our workshops begin at 9:30am and will last about an hour. Seating is first come, first serve. Call for details: 404-377-1944.

August Worshop Line-up!

2011-08-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Our free workshop series is back this month! Check out a basic schedule below:

Sat. Aug.6 - Diane Quintana: "back to school" organizing
Sat. Aug. 13 - GiGi Miller: "declutter after they leave"
Sat. Aug. 20 - Suellen Germani: Life coach
Sat. Aug. 27 - Kenneth Rice: re-upholstering

Workshops will begin each Saturday morning at 9am sharp! Call for details: 404-377-1944

New Arrivals!

2011-07-09T04:53:00.000-07:00

Check out pictures from some of our new arrivals! And stay tuned for exciting news about a new workshop series coming soon!!

Has boots, will travel.

2011-06-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

Yeehaw! Our manager has flown the coop - in an airplane bound for Dallas! Every year our managers attend the NARTS (National Association of Resale and Thrift Stores) conference to learn how to make our stores even better for you. This annual event is held in a different city each year, and will be in Dallas, Texas for the 2011 conference. I hope Betsy packed her cowgirl boots!

If you're interested in starting your own consignment store, or if you already have and want to be a part of an amazing group of THOUSANDS of store owners, check out the official website: http://www.narts.org/.

p.s. Finders Keepers Menswear - our new men's consignment store - is coming along! The build-out is well underway and we hope to open some time this summer.

Name the new store and win $100 cash!

2011-05-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

It might be a man's world according to James Brown... but that hasn't been true in the world of consignment. Finders Keepers is one of the few consignment companies that markets menswear. Our mens department has enjoyed a consistent influx of designer and contemporary menswear and essentials, and we wanna show it off! We're opening a new location - right next door to our Boutique in Decatur - to showcase and expand our high-end consignment selection.

Here's where you come in: We need a name for this new addition to the Finders Keepers family. Help us take this new store in the direction that best serves Atlanta's savvy, stylish men. It's easy: just comment on this blog post with your suggestion (don't forget to include a way to contact you) or email us directly at casey.kallenberg@fkconsign.com. If we choose your idea for our new name, we'll give you $100 cash and you'll be featured on our blogs.

We will accept submissions now through midnight this Wednesday, May 11th. So get your creativity on and show us what you've got!

Change someone's world with 50 cents

2011-04-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

Shop with any Finders Keepers Store this Earth Day weekend (April 22nd + 23rd only) and help your world and refugees from all over the globe that now call Atlanta home. Residents of our refugee community often can't afford tampons or sanitary pads, and simply go without. Just bring in a package of tampons or sanitary pads for residents of Atlanta's refugee community and we'll take 10% off of your total purchase at any of our stores on April 22nd and 23rd.

What if 50 cents could change the future? For girls in developing countries who miss a week of school each month during menstruation, 50 cents buys a month of sanitary supplies and an uninterrupted education. 50 Cents Period, a joint project of Just Cause, Inc., and the LaVya Initiative, represents a worldwide network of women dedicated to creating more options for girls by providing supplies, facilities and education related to menstruation. The solution is simple; the impact lasts a lifetime. (from http://www.50centsperiod.com/)

This Saturday's Free Workshop: Creating Curb Appeal

2011-03-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Whether or not your house is on the market, curb appeal can be an unsung source of value for your home. If you are selling your home, it's the first impression for every potential buyer. The rest of their overall opinion of your house is colored by that initial introduction. And while you may not realize it, the way the front of your house speaks to you every time you come home can be a source of serenity or stress. You don't have to wait until you're ready to sell to gift wrap that first impression. Learn how to give your curb appeal a little TLC (or CPR) this Saturday as Vickie Bracewell, an award winning local real-estate agent, shares easy ways to cash in on your curb.

Top Tips from Helen Preston

2011-02-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

Helen Preston with Rise and Organize shared some great tips for organizing your jewelry with the space that you have. If you missed the workshops, here are a few easy tips that she wanted to leave you with:

1. Give the jewelry you wear most often the prime location - and the same location - every time you take it off.
2. Keep everything in the same area so you don't have to check twenty places for where it "might" be.
3. Determine which approach works best for you: wall, drawer, or surface. Organize accordingly.

See more of Helen's tips on her website: http://www.riseandorganize.com/

Clean and sleek or shabby chic?

2011-02-25T15:04:00.000-08:00

My house is divided in many ways: politics, favorite sports teams, etc. We also stand on opposite sides of the line when it comes to decor. I'm a fan of rustic, shabby chic, weathered pieces that look like they have a story to tell. My husband prefers clean lines and 90 degree angles. We're learning to blend and bend our different tastes, but we both loved these new arrivals that just came into the store. Check out pictures below!

New Store Hours beginning in March!

2011-02-25T06:15:00.000-08:00

Beginning March 1st, Finders Keepers Furnishings will have a new schedule, and we think you're gonna like it! It's easier to remember, and it gives you more time to do what you love: save money, make money, and shop smart.

New Hours:
Sunday 12pm - 5pm
Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

p.s. Did you know that we have a standard markdown schedule? Once an item has been with us for 26 days, we reduce the price by 25%. Once an item has been with us for 50 days, it is marked to HALF OFF the original price! How do you know how long an item has been in the store? We put the arrival date right on the price tag! Hey, we don't believe in keeping secrets from our friends like you!

An Organizational Wrap-Up Workshop with Suellen Germani

2011-02-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

Making Room for Purpose and Passion: Certified Life Coach and Organizer Suellen Germani will discuss how to create room, literally and figuratively, for more fun, creativity, purpose and passion in your life. She'll cover everything from cutting clutter to dumping toxic relationships to reclaiming what YOU want more of in your space and in your day-to-day life.

When: This Saturday, 2/26 from 9:30am - 10:30am
Where: Finders Keepers Furnishings - 2753 E. College Avenue in Decatur
Cost: FREE, of course!

A HUGE thank you to NAPO-GA and a couple of its associate members..

2011-02-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

It all began in the back of the room at the January re-scheduled NAPO-GA meeting. A new associate member, Doug from MonkeyBarStorage had set up an awesome display with before and after pictures from a garage overhaul. “I want THAT garage” I whined. There was nothing on the floor, everything was neatly placed on super sturdy shelving and versatile poles and hooks.

Doug and I set up an appointment for an estimate when my husband was out of town. My plan? To redo our 2-car garage that barely fit my husband’s 1973 Mustang convertible into one of these picture perfect photographed garages that would house 2 cars AND all of the stuff.

Day 1: Doug came out and listened to me. He gave me a quote. He rearranged his entire week so we could do this when my husband was out of town for the week.

Day 2: Doug planned to arrive at noon to begin the project. I had to have everything down off of the existing shelves and pulled to the center of the garage, leaving a 5 foot perimeter for his installation. I enlisted Kanu, who works for me, and we began at 8:00 am and had it all down by 10:00. I called Doug and let him know we were ahead of schedule.

I took a picture of the pile and regretted not taking a real “before” of odd assorted shelving piled with stuff and every inch of floor space covered by something. He started working. I went to Big Lots to get 10 matching bins….so my garage would look like catalog. Doug worked until about 5, taking down all of the old shelving and getting everything ready to install the Monkey Bar System.

Day 3: I enlisted the organizational help of Betsy (Parke’s sister) and Haji, who works for me. This was a day of many decisions:
What to
1. Throw Away
2. Give Away
3. Take to Charity
4. Take to Finders Keepers to sell
5. Keep and organize

To make the cut for #5, it had to pass the test of “do I want this in my “new” garage?” We touched every single item in the pile and made a decision on each thing. We made multiple trips to Second Life Thrift Store and Finders Keepers. We call in another NAPO-GA Associate member, Just Trash It, to come pick up the huge pile at the end of our driveway because I was not totally sure that the City of Avondale Estates would pick up so much junk at one time. Just Trash It was great! They told me to fill the partially full paint cans with kitty litter so they could take them….all 50 of them, along with old shelving, wood, broken items and an old hot tub that hadn’t worked in years. Yes, I was on a mission. Just Trash It made 2 trips and the fee was very reasonable for everything they did.

Doug continued to hang shelving in 4 foot sections. Each 4 ft. section guaranteed to hold 1000 lbs!

Our good friend David, a carpenter, came and picked up some items he could use for remodels or for “re-purposing” so those things didn’t end up in the landfill.

We sorted the “keeps” into bins:
1. magic (it’s Parke’s hobby)
2. camping
3. Finders Keepers paperwork for long-term storage
4. Sporting goods
5. Yard stuff and equipment

I even had room to bring up a lot of stuff that had been stored in my basement! Now my basement is much cleaner….but that’s a blog for another day!

Doug positioned various items in the “keep” pile unto the storage system to show me how to use the hooks, which come in about 8 sizes. We started putting everything onto the shelves and learned that the height was perfect for 2 bins high or 3 copy paper boxes high. Everything fit and everything is off the floor….and guess what….It looks just like the catalog picture….don’t you think so?

And finally I just want to say that I could not have done this without the inspiration from being an associate member of NAPO-GA, the help of other associate members of NAPO-GA, Just Trash It and MonkeyBarStorage, the brawn of Haji and Kanu, and the tireless energy and encouragement from Betsy.

Parke was thrilled and more importantly….totally amazed at his new garage which now houses not one car but 2!

stuff... stuff... stuff

yes, all of that was in my garage.

sorting begins!

MonkeyBarStorage to the rescue!

ahh, a nice, clean slate!

Just Trash It had their work cut out for them...

Y'all were amazing!

It's safe to say that I "Got Organized" with NAPO-GA :)

A job well done... and a really good night's sleep ahead

I love surprises!

Free Workshop: Closet Chaos to Closet Confidence

2011-02-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

Our very own fearless leader Bonnie Kallenberg took a turn on the free-workshop stage earlier this month to teach attendees how to fall in love with the wardrobe again. The first step: Try every. single. thing. that you own on. If it doesn't fit NOW, it doesn't flatter you, or it doesn't make you feel good when you're in it, get it out of your active wardrobe. You pay for your clothing - which means that THEY work for YOU. And if they're not meeting your expectations, they need a pink-slip departure from your closet. Free up room in your wardrobe for clothing that makes you feel like the very best you, and remember that when it comes to clothing, less is more. A lean, mean wardrobe in which you actually ENJOY every piece of clothing that you're choosing from makes getting dressed in the morning simple and fun.

Taming your Jewelry Jungle

2011-02-16T06:15:00.000-08:00

Jewelry is a great way to add a quick finish to any outfit. But it's not so simple to throw on a necklace when it's hopelessly tangled with two other chains and bobbles. And that perfect pair of earrings isn't so perfect when you can only find one of them. Jewelry may seem like a small thing, but when you can't find it or detangle it, that perfect touch can turn into a source of stress and wasted time. During this Saturday's free workshop at Finders Keepers Furnishings, NAPO member Helen Preston will give you simple tips to organize your jewelry with the space that you have, and will help you learn how to keep it that way. This workshop will begin at 9:30 am sharp. Learn more about Helen on her website: http://www.riseandorganize.com/.

Meet Helen this Saturday!

Did you know? Finders Keepers Furnishings has three large cases filled with fantastic jewelry: costume pieces, fine jewelry, gem stones, vintage, and more!

We Got RAD!

2011-02-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

Participating in last Saturday's Rail Arts District Studio Cruise Event was awesome!! Local, young artists Meghann Girard and Max Williams enjoyed a huge turnout as thousands of people toured venues throughout Decatur and Avondale. Meghann Girard also organized several local musicians who played sets during the afternoon. Oh yeah, she sang too. Talk about talent! Another cool attraction was the live graffiti demonstration one artist held in our parking lot. Check out a few pictures from the spectacular event:

New Arrivals: Get floored!

2011-02-14T09:21:00.000-08:00

When Betsy sent me a few pictures of some of the great things that came in over the weekend, I thought maybe she'd pointed the camera too low. Then I realized with an "oohhhhh...." that we'd gotten in several BEAUTIFUL rugs and runners. There are also several great larger pieces just-in. Take a peek:

The Rail Arts District Studio Cruise Event is Saturday!

2011-02-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

We're so excited about the upcoming Rail Arts District Studio Cruise. Local artists and musicians will showcase their work and talent at small businesses in Avondale Estates and Decatur this Saturday, February 12th. And we're even more excited that we're going to be a venue for this year's event! One of the girls from our Boutique location - Meghann - will be showing her artwork alongside fellow student Max from 11am to 7pm. Meghann recently completed a very competitive summer intensive art program at NYU. Check out pictures of their artwork and the official promo flier below, as well as: http://www.railartsdistrict.com/ for more information.

Free Workshop: Kitchen Organization Made Simple

2011-02-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

Kitchens see a lot of action every day: from fast and furious breakfasts to dinner clean-up (or clean later...) And more often than not, this daily use happens in frantic fashion as we rush to whatever we have to do next. This lends itself to time lost as we perform a search and rescue operation just to locate the matching lid to the tupperware we need for the night's leftovers. Finders Keepers Furnishings's free Saturday workshop series continues this Saturday with NAPO member GiGi Miller as she reveals a few neat and tidy tricks of the trade to successfully reclaim your kitchen.

Learn more about GiGi and her business: Vision Organizing on her website: http://www.visionorganizing.com/

This workshop will begin at 9:30am sharp and seats are first come, first serve.

Before

After

Meet GiGi this Saturday

This Saturday's Free Workshop: Closet Chaos to Closet Confidence

2011-02-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

Are you planning on getting a Valentine’s Day card for your closet this year or have the two of you had a falling out? As silly as it sounds, a negative relationship with your closet can create a lot of stress. A NAPO associate member and owner of Finders Keepers Consignment Stores, Bonnie Kallenberg has seen a lot (and I mean a LOT) of clothing in her lifetime. She knows how important it is to make your wardrobe work as hard as possible. Bonnie will walk you through the simple steps of a complete closet-transformation process and show you how to fall in love with your clothing again.

When: Saturday, February 5th @ 9:30am
Where: 2753 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030

See the full February lineup on our website: http://www.fkconsign.com/ and click on the "Future Sales + Events" page.

High tide, low tide...

2011-02-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

Our furnishings store has looked a lot like a beach - and I'm not refering to the sun and sand. Things roll in and roll out like tides: the store fills up, the store clears out. Sometimes it happens so fast we have to pinch ourselves to make sure we didn't just dream that a ton of inventory was snapped up and moved out. And then a new wave of decorative goodness pours through the door (usually punctuated by the "beep, beep, beep" of a truck backing up) and it starts all over again. It's so fun!!

Leather chair and ottoman

Empire style secretary

Farm table and four wicker chairs from Pier One

Pair of green crystal lamps

Mirrored end table

Painted cabinet on stand

Painted chest of drawers

Pier One basket cabinet

Queen rice bed

Shabby farm table

Shabby coffee table

Storage tower

New Hours Beginning in March!

2011-01-31T14:26:00.000-08:00

We're shaking things up at Finders Keepers Furnishings - and I think you're going to like these new (and way easier) hours, which will begin March 1st:

Sundays: 12pm - 5pm
Mondays: 10am - 5pm
Tuesdays thru Fridays: 10am - 7pm
Saturdays: 10am - 6pm

p.s. A pop-up sale announcement is coming very soon... are you on our email list? They're the first to know! Email us at subscribe@fkconsign.com from the email address that you'd like to add and we'll get you signed up!

Workshop tomorrow! (and facebook today!)

2011-01-28T09:23:00.000-08:00

Finders Keepers Furnishings finally got its very own facebook page! We'll post pictures of new inventory, decorative tips from Betsy Johns - the display queen of the furnishings store, and updates about upcoming sales/events/workshops/etc. Check it out: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Finders-Keepers-Furnishings/137525492976138

Reminder: Jonda Beattie's "The Magic Suitcase" workshop about doing downsizing right (and avoiding common pitfalls/mistakes) is tomorrow at 9:30am. Check out our website for more information and the full workshop description: http://www.fkconsign.com/ - and click on the "future sales and events" link.

Creating Your Own Sanctuary

2011-01-25T06:43:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, NAPO member Carey Lynn gave a workshop about creating your own sanctuary to a packed house! A quick tidbit from the seminar: "Getting rid of clutter will reduce your housework by 40%" (Martha Stewart.) What could you do for yourself with that extra time? If you missed the workshop or are shouting for an encore, let us know! We are planning on continuing these workshops, so tell us what you want and we'll do our best to make it happen! This Saturday's workshop: The Magic Suitcase... learn more on our website: http://www.fkconsign.com/ and click on "future sales and events" for a complete description.

Speaker, Carey Lynn

More New Arrivals!

2011-01-25T06:36:00.000-08:00

Evidently our consignors have gotten serious about getting organized - and they're bringing in furniture and decor they are willing to part with by the truckload! Check out all these great new arrivals from this weekend:

Beautiful dresser

Over-stuffed chair and ottoman

Chic and simple chair

Modern Style accent lamp

Jewelry Cabinet (how cool is that?)

Twin poster beds

great farm table with awesome distressed pattern

New - it's our middle name!

2011-01-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

It's a new year. Maybe you're already started doing some new things with your self, home, time, etc., these first few weeks of 2011. Here at Finders Keepers, new is our middle name. New things roll in every single day. Sometimes it's a lot of little, decorative things. Sometimes it's a huge truckload of pieces so enormous I feel like Alice in Wonderland. Whether they can fit in your hand - or can't even fit through the door - a new item can change your mood and a whole room!

Leading by example

2011-01-14T06:18:00.001-08:00

Finders Keepers Consignment owner Bonnie Kallenberg was interviewed by a Patch.com writer as she shoveled snow and ice from the Finders Keepers Furnishings parking lot on Wednesday. The article appeared on Aol.com's local news section! Check it out at: http://decatur.patch.com/articles/the-great-thaw-more-businesses-ready-for-customers

Talk about Do-it-Yourself!

2011-01-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

We missed you so much that we dug out our parking lots to make them safe for you to shop and consign. Our stores will open today from 11am - 5pm, so come see us! Here are a few of our snow pictures and pictures submitted by our customers:

Day Three: Do it Yourself!

2011-01-12T07:12:00.000-08:00

It's now day three of Snow Fest 2011. My neighborhood has been completely iced in since Sunday night, and watching people attempt to drive up the massive hill in front of our house reminded me of a bad video game. By Monday afternoon people simply stopped trying to come or go - scared off by the pile of abandoned cars and fender-benders at the bottom of the hill. But by yesterday morning, enough people had had enough, and about 15 residents joined forces - and shovels - and literally dug the main road out from several inches of packed snow and ice. "Sometimes, you've just got to do it yourself," one neighbor said when I brought them out drinks. And then that got me thinking: I *love* do-it-yourself projects, especially arts and crafts. I found a great website that has all kinds of do-it-yourself ideas, which is especially helpful for homes with kids who by now might be ready to head back to school just to get out of the house. Check it out at: http://www.instructables.com/

Here are a few of my favorite snow pictures. Send us your favorite snow-day pictures and stories and we'll feature them on our website! Email them to: casey.kallenberg@fkconsign.com

Another Day, Another Project!

2011-01-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

If you're anything like me, you constantly think about what you could get done at home if only you had more time to spend there. Well, it's now day two of Atlanta's winter wonderland. I spent yesterday morning organizing my closet and have a pile to take with me to the store when we re-open (hopefully tomorrow). Afterwards my husband and I took to the couch like two potatoes and spent the evening watching movies, scrapbooking, and eating way too much junk food. So now this morning my living room looks like a bomb went off. I stared at it in fury and dismay for a few seconds, and then thought: silly me, I have plenty of time to get this back together - and to get it back together better! HGTV.com had some great tips to keep a family/living room neat and tidy. These are a few of my favorites:

1. Welcome the Waste Basket: Few family rooms actually have a wastebasket in them; they're not attractive and they can smell. Counteract this by choosing a can that fits your room's decor.

2. Keep Flat Surfaces Clutter-Free: Make a quick sweep of all flat surfaces by piling papers in a bin, then sorting and purging as necessary. Take a vow, and get your family to follow it, to put papers in files rather than on the coffee table.

3. Curb Your Collectible Enthusiasm: Large collections display best when bits and pieces are shown at a time (think shadow boxes) and rotated to keep the decor fresh.

Read the whole article at: http://www.hgtv.com/organizing/quick-tips-for-organizing-living-rooms/index.html

Finders Keepers Stores will stay closed again today. We hope to open tomorrow. Until then, stay safe and warm!

What a great day for a treasure hunt!

2011-01-10T05:49:00.001-08:00

Stuck Inside? We are too. In order to keep our staff safe, all Finders Keepers Stores will be closed today, January 10th. Are you stuck at home? If so, it's a great day to clean out your closet! Get rid of clutter and make money off of things you no longer love. Already organized your wardrobe? Rearrange a room to refresh the energy and see if there's a piece or two you no longer have use for.

Saturday Morning Workshops are Back!

2011-01-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

It can plague any home - and it followed you into 2011: stuff. Knick-knacks, clothing, clutter, papers, receipts. We stash away an old jumbled pile - out of sight, out of mind - only to have to face it again in the future. Stop making more work for yourself and G.O. this January, which is Get Organized month. Finders Keepers Saturday Workshops are back this month to help you jumpstart your goals, and we're bringing you four of Atlanta's savviest organizational professionals who will teach you how to make the process easier and more effective.

January 8th: Creative Order
Suellen Germani, Certified Life Coach and Organizer, will help you clear the road to your goals by helping you identify and eliminate your “Life Clutter,” which often claims the time, space, and energy that could instead be used to pursue your passions. Her workshop will outline four key elements to developing an organized lifestyle, which includes exploring the important emotional aspect surrounding our “stuff.” Learn more on her website: http://www.creativeorder.com/

January 15th: Chaos to Comfort
Susan Fox is a true warrior of stuff and can help you declare battle on the piles of I’ll-get-to-it-when-I-can-or-when-I-figure-out-where-to-stick-it clutter taking over your house. Learn how to reclaim every inch of your home and make the space you have work harder for you. Susan’s service, Chaos 2 Comfort, has been written up in the Wall Street Journal for her organizational know-how. Learn more on her website: http://www.chaos2comfort.net/

January 22nd: Creating your own Sanctuary
Carey Lynn Quinn practices what she preaches: our mental states mirror our external environments. Maintaining tranquility and order within is easier when your surroundings work towards that sanctuary instead of creating more stress. With a desire to share the secrets of serenity, she began OrganizeAtlanta in 2005. Carey Lynn will (neatly) spill the beans on a few critical steps to turn your own home into a place to truly recharge, regroup, and relax.

January 29th: The Magic Suitcase
Professional organizer and author Jonda Beattie knows that there’s nothing small about downsizing. Whether you’re facing this major life decision now or considering it for the future, this workshop will help outline how to make this transition a successful time in your life by exploring how to get started, pitfalls to avoid, and rewards that can be achieved at the end of that long – and often intimidating – road. Learn more on her website: http://www.timespaceorg.com/

Did You Know?

2010-12-28T07:46:00.000-08:00

We know - your inbox is full of spam and the idea of giving a perfect stranger your email address may not seem so super. So here's our promise to you: First, we will never give anyone else your information. Period. Second, we'll only send you emails if we've got cool news to share with you, such as: awesome inventory, sales/events that we're hosting, exclusive coupons, or need-to-know info like if we close for a holiday. And if you ever find that you don't want to get our emails anymore, all you have to do is click "unsubscribe" on any email we send you and you're instantly removed from the database.

Want to sign up? Just email us at subscribe@fkconsign.com from the email address that you'd like to add.

Recycle your tree

2010-12-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

Rejoice, re-gift, recycle... your tree! If you have a live tree for your Christmas decorations consider recycling it once you're ready to de-holioday your home. There are a lot of choices.

"Bring One for the Chipper" event on Saturday, Jan. 8. Residents can drop off live Christmas trees at the Christmas Tree Recycling Center in the Agnes Scott parking lot. The entrance is between 184 and 206 S. Candler St. The recycling center will be open Thursday, Dec. 30, through Saturday, Jan. 8. (Please do not leave trees anywhere else on the Agnes Scott campus.)

Home Depot
Not only is the Atlanta-based home improvement retailer participating in the "Bring One to the Chipper" event, they are holding a Christmas tree recycling program of their own. Most locations will accept live Christmas trees for recycling between January 1st and January 10th, 2010.

Local Fire Stations
Some fire stations in the 9 Metro Atlanta Counties will also accept Christmas trees for recycling as early as December 26th, 2009. Contact your closest fire station before hauling your tree off, as recycle dates are subject to change each year.

Information provided by: Decatur Freecycle Moderators
http://www.decaturga.com/cgs_citysvcs_sfm_recycling.aspx
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2464074/where_to_recycle_your_christmas_tree.html

Smells Like Christmas

2010-12-20T07:09:00.000-08:00

I love the way Finders Keepers Furnishings smells. The heavy, wood furniture and rich fabrics fill the air with warm contentedness. Of course the hot cider and cookies Betsy puts out every day don't hurt either. This overall atmosphere is amplified by the holiday decor strung artfully from every rafter - lights, ornaments, and holly-jolly trees give the store an even cozier feel. I know they use artificial trees every year but I swear some how these very plastic decorations make the store smell like the holidays. Some times I'm tempted to take my cup of hot cider and sit in front of one of the glowing trees, sure that I can smell the pine.

You've got stuff. You want to help charities. Now what?

2010-12-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

Charities and fund raising efforts depend on people like you and are eternally grateful for your contribution. And you can give even more support by taking the time to sort through your items before you send them somewhere for donation/consignment. Collection sites spend a lot of time, effort, and resources disposing of items that aren’t usable. Look at each piece. Is it still truly useful? Is it current enough for someone to wear/use today? Is it (really) in good shape? Throwing out belongings might feel wasteful, but it actually saves the charity/organization time and money for you to screen your own items with a careful eye before you donate them.

Consignment stores have become a great way for charities to earn money from the resale of better merchandise. Keep this in mind: consignment stores are for profit companies, so the prices tend to be higher than thrift stores (because they don’t receive government funding of any kind to offset expenses) so customers expect good quality and only minimal (if any) signs of wear. Shopping consignment has become trendy, and these trendsetting shoppers expect stores to keep up. Look at each piece and honestly answer: would I buy this again today? If the answer is yes, then it’s likely someone else would buy it again too. If the answer is no, then decide whether a donation center could truly use it or if it should simply get tossed out. Don’t feel guilty! You’re actually doing charities a favor.

Finders Keepers Consignment Stores have set up accounts to raise money for multiple charities. These accounts earn more than regular consignor accounts, and receive 50% of the purchase price of every item. In 2010, Finders Keepers raised more than $10,000 for Haitian Relief Efforts alone. If you have things you’d like to sell in the name of a charity, bring your items in neatly (note: clothing wadded in a trash bag wrinkles within seconds and people won’t buy wrinkly stuff) and fill out our “pink slip” with the name of the organization that you’d like to donate the proceeds from your items to, or let a store representative know what charity you’d like to support and he or she will help you from there. That’s it! We will then screen the items for sell-ability. Anything deemed unsellable will be donated to the charities that we support, but we do not give tax write-offs and do not receive funding as a collection center, so a pre-screen by you in your own home will help all the way around.

Our three stores each have accounts set up for many different charities, and each have different consignment needs. Finders Keepers Fashions sells men’s, women’s, plus-sized, and maternity clothing as well as accessories: shoes, handbags, scarves, jewelry, etc. This store has a customer-demand for current and good-quality work-wear, suits, and wardrobe staples as well as fun and trendy pieces. Check your clothing for moth holes, tears, discoloration (particularly around the neck or under the arms,) spots, and stains. Shoes must be in new or nearly-new condition with no visible wear inside, and very minimal wear (if any) outside. The same rules apply at Finders Keepers Boutique, but this store has a high demand for funky and trendy merchandise, and doesn’t do so well with the basics or conservative wear like suits or sets. This location starts with labels like J. Crew and Banana Republic, and continues through couture fashion designers like Chanel and Prada. This store only carries clothing sizes 0-14, and also only sells clothing for women. Neither store accepts knock-offs or counterfeits of any kind, so please don’t bring them. Finders Keepers Furnishings sells furniture and home décor, and does best with contemporary pieces from retailers like Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. They’re looking for newer import styles, neutral colors, and clean lines. Knick-knacks, do-dads, porcelain figurines, etc. do not sell in this store. A good rule of thumb: if it didn’t sell at the yard sale, it won’t sell here.

Learn more about our consignment policies and the charities we support on our website: http://www.fkconsign.com/

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2010-11-27T07:41:00.000-08:00

I'm not much for the annual holiday-music domination of radio stations, or for the fact that Macy's usually has its halls decked while it's still hot enough to don a swimsuit. But there's something about decorating our stores that dusts off my Christmas spirit each November. The ornaments, presents, wrapping paper, ribbon, tinsel, and lights create a hustle and bustle in the air: a new kind of anticipation even if the store is quiet at the time. Something about the festivity also brings the staff together like a second family as we string up lights and decorate a tree with mardi gras masks and beads. Simply: it's a lot of fun and we're a group of grown ups that really digs being silly.

Black Friday Sale Event at Finders Keepers Stores!

2010-11-23T08:51:00.001-08:00

Save Three Ways when you Shop Finders Keepers Consignment Stores this Black Friday! I'll let you in on a secret: we love sales just as much as you do! So this Friday we're bringing you three ways to save as each of our stores hosts its own sale all day long. All you have to do: celebrate Black Friday by wearing black when you come in to shop. So here's the scoop:

Finders Keepers Fashions: 20% OFF all full-priced coats, jackets, and blazers if you wear black. Also enjoy shopping new markdowns. Many items have been reduced to half price!

Finders Keepers Furnishings: 20% OFF all holiday decor if you wear black! Also, shop the bargain room at half-off the lowest marked price!

Finders Keepers Boutique: 20% OFF all handbags, scarves, jewelry, and shoes if you wear black. Accessories are necessities!

You save money whenever you shop at Finders Keepers, and this Black Friday is no exception. Remember, you have to wear black to get the sale price!

We Want to Win the Best of the Best!

2010-11-18T11:25:00.000-08:00

OMG - we've been nominated as one of Aol.com's City's Best! But we wanna be "Best of the Best" - and we need your help to do it! Click on this link:

http://www.citysbest.com/atlanta/lifestyle/best-thrift-vintage-stores

and then click on "Finders Keepers." That's it! You can vote once a day. The website is really cool, and has tons of categories. Check it out at: www.citysbest.com/atlanta/ and if you're not from Atlanta - or if you're traveling this holiday season - get the scoop on what's hot in most major U.S. cities: http://www.citysbest.com/

It's a mess!

2010-11-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

"You can't take pictures now - it's a mess!" Linda told me when I pulled out my camera. My response: "Umm where?" Finders Keepers Furnishings looked as beautiful and inspiring as always, and I'd already eyed four or fives things I wanted to take home with me. I mean this girl KNOWS a mess - like last weekend when my husband helped me clean out my car, during which he unceremoniously unearthed a book called "Tips to Unclutter Your Home" from a pile of food wrappers, water bottles, a couple of jackets, a pair of rainboots, elastic cables, and moving blankets. Or my purse, which currently holds: my wallet, a smattering of wadded up receipts, a paint-can opener, a pack of bobby pins, a measuring tape, a camera charger, nine fun-sized starburst packs, and an empty box of gum. Linda relented - mostly because she was too busy rearranging ENORMOUS pieces of furniture in the lower level of the store to waste time arguing with a very stubborn me. I'll let you be the judge: do you see a mess? Because I sure don't!

7 Simple Ways to Dress Up your Holiday Table

2010-11-09T10:13:00.000-08:00

One year during my childhood, my mother asked me to be in charge of the centerpiece for Christmas Eve dinner. Nearly 20 people were coming - including my grumpy uncle - and my mother's centerpieces always wowed them (well, except for the aforementioned grumpy uncle - but nothing really "wows" him) so the pressure was intense. I decided to go a bit of a... non-traditional route and created a geometric 3d sculpture with candles, vases with different color marbles, and my multitude of beta-fish pets that I'd accumulated during our many trips to Walmart. Do I recommend the flaming, fishy centerpiece... well, only if your family has a sense of humor (and doesn't bang the table when they eat or argue.) But I do recommend taking a tour down the path of non-tradition. I wouldn't say my grumpy uncle was "wowed," but he stared at the fish so much that it was the quietest I think he'd ever been. Thankfully, I'm not the main source of creativity around Finders Keepers Furnishings. Here are seven of Betsy's ideas to help you make spectacular centerpieces a snap:
* Fill a basket with fruits and nuts. Scatter some of the nuts around the basket on the table.
* Make an arrangement of different sized pumpkins, gourds and squash. Scatter a few leaves around the centerpiece and add orange, brown or dark green candles.
* Cut the tops off small pumpkins and scoop out the centers. Place votive candles inside and make a grouping.
* Make a bed of pine needles in the center of the table. Fill a basket with pine cones and tie a brown plaid taffeta ribbon on the handle.
* Make floating walnut candles: scoop out the meat from walnuts and set aside the shells. Melt the stubs of old candles in a coffee can set in a pan of water on the stove. If you place the shells in a pan of sand it will be easy to fill each one without dripping wax on your hand. Use a short wick and hold upright in the center of each shell as you fill it with the melted wax. Float the candles in a pretty bowl filled with water.
* Fill a bowl with water and float the tops of flowers such as chrysanthemums or marigolds. Surround with fall colored candles.
* Instead of a centerpiece, create a tiny arrangement of fall flowers in little vases, cups or glasses at each person’s place. Use fall colored napkins & tie each one with ribbon. Tuck a flower under each ribbon or bow.

New Arrivals!

2010-11-09T09:59:00.000-08:00

I stopped into Finders Keepers Furnishings yesterday and was floored by how much it had changed in only DAYS! From simply modern to charmingly chic - you've got to check out the new arrivals from this weekend:

Walnut Farm Table (72 in. round)

1960's walnut bar cabinet with mirrored back

Black leather and chrome sling chair

French shabby-chic end table (set 2)

Cherry full-sized bed

Marble-top dresser credenza

A pair of club chairs

Another picture of the French end tables

Set of 6 New York Design Ctr. dining chairs

Vintage tea cart

Janet Jackson is Sleeping in our Bed!

2010-11-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" comes out in theaters today. We at Finders Keepers Furnishings are HUGE fans of Tyler Perry - not only because he's super talented and tackles hard issues in his productions, but also because he's a sincerely nice man. We get the honor and priveledge of working with his set crew when they frequent our shop for set furniture and decor. In "For Colored Girls" most of Janet Jackson's character's bedroom set is from Finders Keepers Furnishings! In honor of our pseudo-cameo, here are a few pictures of other beds currently available in our store:

Ikea King-size Bed

Cannonball King-size bed

King-size sleigh bed

Tommy Bahama King-size rattan bed

Consignment Store Bus Tour This Saturday!

2010-11-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

So I went shopping at Home Depot yesterday and couldn't believe my eyes: Home Depot already has her party dress on! Christmas trees, lights, ribbons, ornaments, wreaths, snowmen, and reindeer were everywhere. And then I realized with a start: "I haven't gotten anybody anything yet."

Why am I telling you this? Because this Saturday, from 10am - 5pm, Back By Popular Demand is hosting its own Consignment Store Bus Tour - which means you can be chauffeured around Atlanta on a chartered bus, enjoy a catered buffet lunch, go home with a goody bag, and find gifts for loved ones (and yourself!) from FIVE of Atlanta's fantastic consignment stores. AND bus tour participants will enjoy 20% off their purchases all day long.

All of the sudden this whole holiday shopping madness seems a lot less like work and a lot more like spending a great day with people who love resale shopping just as much as I do... Tickets are $35 a piece, or $70 a pair and are available for purchase online at http://www.bbpdconsignment.com/

New Arrivals!

2010-10-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Fall cleaning is obviously in full swing here in Atlanta - made very evident by the new arrivals marching in through our front door like ants to a picnic! Check out pictures of some of the beautiful pieces.

p.s. We are now accepting holiday decor! We'll accept better holiday decorations until November 30th.

Michelle Hammer's Fall Gardening Work Shop

2010-10-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures from Michelle Hammer's fall gardening workshop from last Saturday. She's a fan favorite, and with her enthusiasm and hands-on approach it's easy to see why! She's hosting a pumpkin/flower sale this Saturday in the garden area beside our store, which will open at 9:30am!

Fall Floral Workshop with Alana Kelly of Getchy Yah, Yah

2010-10-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday's free workshop taught attendees how to make their own spectacular fall floral arrangements. Alana Kelly of Getchy Yah, Yah is a crowd favorite with her enthusiasm and hands-on approach to teaching. She even gave away two of the arrangements she created during the workshop in a drawing.

Alana with drawing winners Vanessa and Ellen

Alana starts at the very beginning...

...and quickly creates a lovely arrangement!

Tip of the Week: Mirror, mirror

2010-10-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

"Mirror, mirror on the wall..." Group mirrors of various sizes and shapes into a pattern as you would with paintings. If you have interesting antique or vintage frames you can easily have mirrors cut to fit them. This creates a fascinating effect in a room. It also reflects light down a darkened hallways by hanging them opposite each other down both sides. Whether your theme is fun and funky or modern and clean, mirrors fit in well with any interior design.

Happy Decorating!

RRISA's Threads of Promise and Artists Market

2010-09-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

We had a busy Saturday! Finders Keepers Furnishings was host to not only Carrie Fowler's free workshop on down sizing and re-organizing management, but also enjoyed RRISA's Artists Market, including weavers from Threads of Promise. RRISA's Learning Center houses the Threads of Promise weaving co-op, a program that enables refugee women to retain the cultural practice of weaving while simultaneously developing streams of additional income for their families. The Threads of Promise co-op supports community development through engaging members in all aspects of production and sales. We had so much fun with these extraordinary people. I posted pictures below!

p.s.
Our Fashions location also hosted a Bag Sale charity event to raise money for RRISA - and raised $1638! Click here to check out their blog and see pictures from the event. Also, click here to take a peek at our youtube page, which has video clips from the Bag Sale madness, interviews, and more!

Carrie Fowler dishes on space management and organization.

A RRISA artist talks about her products

Stunning and unique artwork

It's been a really good day!

2010-09-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

It has been QUITE a day! For starters, I finally finalized the new website (the web address to the test site is: http://www.finderskeepersconsignment.vpweb.com/ in case you want to check it out before it goes live.) And fantastic news just keeps coming in!
The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Blogger Rena Cash picked up the email we sent out about our bagsale and posted this on her blog:

Finders Keepers semi-annual bagsaleAs the weather cools, it’s a great time to think about summer clothes. Seriously. Finders Keepers is holding its semi-annual bagsale on Saturday from 9 a.m.-11 am. in front of the store. During this time period, stuff as many summer clothes and accessories from Finders Keepers Fashions and Finders Keepers Boutique into the bags they provide and pay only $10. Only cash will be accepted and all proceeds will be donated to Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services in Atlanta. Additionally, everything in the store will be 20 percent off.

And then we opened the much anticipated Best-of-Atlanta 2010 Issue of Creative Loafing and saw that... YES! Finders Keepers Consignment Stores won best consignment stores in Atlanta! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who voted. We are so grateful for your support. We love what we do, and winning these titles make us feel like you love what we do too!

New Inventory = New Inspiration!

2010-09-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

My favorite part of walking into Finders Keepers Furnishings are those first few steps. My eyes adjust from the bright sunlight to the soft track lighting and I have that "wow" moment as I take in a completely new scene - every single time. Turnover in our store is pretty fast, and even pieces that call us home for a little while longer than others get to take a turn in several new displays during their stay. So here's what I saw when I walked into the store this week:

A Day with the Diva - The Thrift Talk Diva!

2010-09-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Barb Tobias made a stop at our store as she tours Georgia promoting her new book: Tossed & Found. Former fashion model, author, life coach, survivor, thrift-a-holic, and a self-describe diva, Barb's message is as down to earth as a pair of jeans and as applicable as sunscreen. If you missed her, you missed one heck of a presentation. Good luck with the rest of your tour, Barb! We hope you'll be back our way some time soon!

Congrats to Betsy on 20 years with Finders Keepers!

2010-08-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

Furniture and decor comes and goes - but one face remains ever present at Finders Keepers Furnishings: Betsy Johns, the manager of one of the best furniture consignment shops in Atlanta. This month marks her 20th anniversary with the Finders Keepers company. It's no secret that Betsy works HARD - but I learned the story of her history with Finders Keepers yesterday during a surprise - congratulations we threw for her during a managers meeting last night.

20 years ago, Betsy worked full time for Atlanta Dental - and not just full time, but 60 hours a week. Bonnie, the owner of Finders Keepers, had recently purchased the little, 600 square foot space from its original owner, and was quickly becoming busier than one person could handle. Betsy began working on Saturdays in the little store to help with the rush of incoming merchandise and new customers. So that's how she started: tacking on eight more hours to her 60 hour work week.

A few years later, the store hosted a couple of "late night" shopping days a week. Betsy would work at Atlanta Dental during the day, and then drive to the store to help them close from 6pm - 8pm. And she maintained her Saturdays with the store, of course.

Six years ago, Betsy left her Corporate America job with Atlanta Dental and came on full-time for Finders Keepers. Her eye for staging quickly created a buzz in the consignment world. The fantastic furnishings and decor come to life through her artful combinations. Our furniture store has even drawn the interest of TV and movie set producers who are filming in Atlanta.

So Betsy, here's to 20 years! We couldn't have done it without you.

Surprise!

She's taking a trip to Nashville to celebrate! (She'll jump at any chance to put on her cowgirl boots)

We're Hosting a Book Signing for Barb Tobias!

2010-08-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

We're so excited to be a stop on Barb Tobias's southern leg of her new book tour! She'll be hanging out with us in our store on September 11th from 9:30am - 11am to sign books as well as speaking during her time with us.

Barb Tobias, America’s “Thrift Talk” Diva, is an admitted thrift-aholic…
a veteran radio and TV personality who has crisscrossed the nation in

her search for fabulously frugal finds.

Barb is a professional speaker and inspiring coach who renovates lives, homes and wardrobes by sticking her curious little nose into other people’s
“thrifty business.” After a lifetime of transforming trash into treasure, this savvy mistress of thrift shares her secrets to finding deals, repurposing
before tossing, reconstructing the tattered and renewing things others view as passé in her recent release…Tossed & Found. Her “tell all” book is not only a journey of personal transformation, but teaches a newly frugal nation how to purchase, purge and profit from thrift.

Thrifty Living…
Barb Tobias has spent a lifetime transforming trash into treasure. She is
a master at creating stunning interiors, dressing clients like supermodels
and turning the forgotten into the unforgettable—for a fraction of the cost.
· Decorating the DivaWay

· The Frugal Fashionista

Business…
An astute businesswoman, Barb Tobias has walked the competitive walk
in both the entrepreneurial and corporate worlds. After successfully
running three businesses, she was wooed by the corporate world and
embarked on a seven-year stint as the trainer, coach andmanager of a
top-notch sales teamfor web-basedmarketing systems. She teaches how
to dream big, break through self-limiting beliefs and blast away
procrastination.
· Thrifty Business…Big Business on a Budget

· The Entrepreneur…Unleashed

Motivation and Lifestyle…
Barb has scaled some formidable peaks, visited her share of murky valleys
and, out of necessity, become the Diva of Reinvention. Her experiences
are the tools that now support those who want to build remarkable,
fulfilling lives.
· So YouMissed the Boat…Buy Another Ticket
· After theMotivationWears Off…What Then?

Learn More at www.thrifttalkdiva.com

These are a few of our favorite things...

2010-08-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

My project this week is to collect 5 images combined from the three stores for an online brochure on http://www.wheretraveler.com/ for Finders Keepers stores. That meant going through the incredibly large archives of pictures to find five that could command on their own, and played well with the others. And it also meant getting sucked into the years of pictures like a scrapbook. It's so fun to reminisce about the development of the store, its culture, its inventory, its staff, its customers, and its consignors. It's practically a living, breathing thing: a house to its own heartbeat. So here are a few of our favorite inventory pictures. Enjoy!

BEEP BEEP

2010-08-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

BEEP*BEEP*BEEP... it's the best sound in the world! What is it, you ask? The alert beeps of a truck backing up to deliver even more beautiful new pieces to Finders Keepers Furnishings. It can be a little daunting sometimes as we frantically look at each other and at the lack of space and think: Where the heck are we going to put all of this incoming furniture? Luckily, we moved record amounts of inventory at the sale last weekend, so we cleaned out tons of room for all of these great new arrivals. It's like a whole new store! You really don't want to miss this week...

Interested? Give us a call: 404-377-1944 or check out our website: http://www.fkconsign.com/.

Staying Cool - Furniture Care Tip

2010-08-05T07:50:00.000-07:00

Keeping cool this summer doesn't just apply to people. Treat your outdoor furniture just like your car. Use automobile wax on any metal or plastic frames of your sun-worshipping decor. On these extra steamy days that added layer will protect your investments from the effects of sun exposure and inclimate weather.

Couch It

2010-08-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

I finally get that expression! To couch an idea - to, ya know, let it sit and ponder for a while. (I also just learned that the word "pondre" in french means: to lay an egg, like a chicken. Kind of the same concept in a far-fetched way.... but I digress. In a nut shell (or a chicken egg...) we've got a TON of couches in right now. From moleskin to finished wood, slouchy to structured, overstuffed to straight lines, gray to purple to green, there's some good places to put your feet up around here and, you know, couch it!

Lazy Days of Summer

2010-07-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

Summer days *are* lazy, at least easier to convince myself to be lazy. I think that's because it's so incredibly, unbelievably hot. When I take my dogs outside sometimes I just sit in the grass and watch them loll around. They don't last long either. One will stretch out in the tall grass and the other will seek refuge in the shade of the young pine trees that grow along the short hill side. What might this have to do with furniture? Well, when I was in the furniture store this week my eye was drawn over and over to all these supremely comfy-looking pieces of furniture. I tried each of them out, rating which one inspired the most long-lasting laziness. While there were several nice candidates to choose from, there was definitely a clear winner. Here are a few of my favorites, and I've saved the best (in my opinion) for last!

This lovely Armani couch matches the Armani chair in a previous post.

This deliciously chocolate-brown recliner was a close second. My husband probably would've chosen this as the winner because he's a huge fan of structure and straight lines.

And then, there's me, a proprietor of all things unstructured! This chair feels like sitting on a cloud. I had to resist the urge to curl up like a cat and take a nap. Oh if only we didn't have to buy a new washing machine, you would be coming home with me!

We wanna win Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta 2010 Survey

2010-07-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Yeah, we want it!

Winning a "Best of Atlanta" consumer vote is like the ultimate shopper's high. It means you like what we do. It means a nifty newspaper article that we'll frame and hang proudly in our stores. It means we're doing right by our customers and our mission -- and that's what we work to do every single day.
And right now, we need you! Creative Loafing is holding its Annual Best of Atlanta Survey now through July 31st. This year they've made it oh-so-simple! Go to their website: www.atlanta.creativeloafing.com and click "vote now." You only have to vote for five categories for your votes to count. We want to win like a six year old at a kickball game.... really (really) bad! And we can't win without you!

New items blew in... and blew Betsy's skirt up!

2010-07-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't read any previous posts, the title may have seemed a bit odd. So I'll recap: a LOT of stuff comes and goes through our door here at Finders Keepers Furnishings. So it takes a lot to "blow her skirt up" as Betsy says. The good news: it's been really windy this week! AKA: the new arrivals this week are *AMAZING*. You really (really) don't want to miss taking a gander at these Category-5 skirt blowers.

What goes around comes (back) around: Fantabulous Retro Sectional and Ottoman

Moleskin Sofa (I love green and gray together - it's one of my favorite combinations!)

Super chic Armani chair (there's a matching sofa!)

No living room is complete without a cozy man-chair!

Beautiful, decorative chairs from Pier 1

A Customer's 5 Week Adventure with Finders Keepers Consignment

2010-06-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

A customer wrote me a letter about her 5 week "adventure" with Finders Keepers Furnishings and Boutique. I'll let her tell it from here:

My husband Richard and I had lived in Decatur for more than 20 years. We loved our home on Pinecrest and had many happy memories of our time there. However, as with many people our age, we began to think of downsizing and simplifying our lifestyle. Therefore, it was not a surprise when one evening at dinner we began a discussion regarding moving back to our condo near Emory University. The decision to sell our home and move was made that evening! However, the five weeks that followed our decision were filled with many unexpected surprises and events.

Week One
A move to the condo would be a major downsizing on my part. My first task was to determine which articles of clothing and accessories I would move from my home's attic storage space and three closets. At the condo I would have one small walk-in closet. The downsize seemed overwhelming--for help I went to Finders Keepers Boutique...

Finders Keepers Boutique to the Rescue!!

The boutique staff offers a wonderful service for a small fee. A staff member comes to your home and she helps you evaluate your wardrobe piece by piece. I made an appointment and me, Julia and I, worked through one apparel season at a time. We divided my clothing, handbags, shoes, etc., into several different collections -- clothing for me to keep, items for their boutique, clothing for the main store in Avondale Estates, and items to be donated to charity.

Once Julia had removed the clothing and had left my house I felt a great sense of joy. I recognized the advantage of working with a clothing specialist and felt confident regarding the apparel that remained for my use. A great sense of accomplishment swept over me. I realized one of the major downsizing chores was completed. I really would be moving.

This was the week Rick had the first of two successful surgeries at Emory University Hospital. Finders Keepers Furnishings held a series of Saturday morning Workshops in March and April. One of the Saturday seminars led by a local realtor was entitled "Staging your House to Sell." I knew there must be some tricks of the trade to ready a house for the real estate market. I decided to attend the seminar -- I had a house to sell. What better way to get started than attending a free program, presented by a certified staging realtor? Also, parking at the Furnishings store is always easy. The event would be hassle free for me.

The store's staff offered cheerful greetings and breakfast snacks to get the seminar off to a great start that morning. Our speaker was wonderful -- knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and willing to remain and answer questions at the conclusion of her presentation. Armed with my seminar handouts I asked if she would be available to drop by my house for a quick walk through and to make specific suggestions for staging my house. If there were some items I needed to update our house, I knew I could depend on the inventory of Finders Keepers Furnishings. The seminar had taught me that many of my personal pictures, etc. needed to go into hiding when the house was being shown.

Week Two

The seminar speaker really impressed my husband when she came over for the staging walk through. We asked her for sales representation and decided to list the house with her. Our realtor brought the other members of her sales team to see our house. One of the realtors commented he was going to sell our house that weekend.

Week Three
Several realtors stopped by to look at the house, and for the first time a realtor showed our house to a potential buyer. The next day that couple made a second visit to our house. The following day they submitted their contract for the purchase of our home. Negotiations followed, and terms were agreed upon. A closing date was set for the end of the month. (This allowed about 20 days for me to complete the downsizing process and move out of my house!) An "Under Contract" sign went up in our front yard. So much stuff, so little time...

Finders Keepers Furnishings to the Rescue!!

The staff of the Finders Keepers Furnishings store offers their customers a selection service. For a small fee they will come to your home and help you select items to keep when downsizing, selling your home, or remodeling. They will also make item selections to go into their store for consignment sales. Their furniture store was a great place fo rme to sell linens, rugs, and furniture that I couldn't use in my condo. They also helped me select items for donation to a local charity.

My realtor helped my find someone to conduct garage sales at the house. Downsizing was now in full swing. Friends helped me start packing. Movers were selected and a move date was scheduled.

Week Four

We moved into the condo. Rick had the second of two surgeries at Emory University Hospital. Unpacking continued in the condo was done as time and energy allowed. Rick continued to recover from surgery and helped unpack when he could.

Week Five

We closed on the sale of the house. Rick's health continued to improve with each passing day. Rick set up his office and was officially "back in business." I named our condo "The Hutch." Our space is small but cozy. Everything I moved has a place in our new home, but there are some furniture items I need to purchase for the condo. New porch furniture and a new headboard, to name a couple of items.

Beyond Week Five

S-o-o-o where is my car taking me several times a week? Why Finders Keepers Furnishings, of course! I am finding great accent piece to spice up "The Hutch" and give my older items a fresh feel in their new spaces. One of these days I am going to walk into Finders Keepers and there will be the perfect headboard and porch furniture for our condo.

Footnote of the downsized wardrobe at the hutch. There hasn't been a single time I have stepped into my closet that I could not find the perfect outfit! Truth to tell, I am inventing new "outfits" - what fun! I have purchased one great jacket from the Boutique since I moved. Did it fill a hole in my wardrobe? NO, but it was just so cute I couldn't walk away and leave it in the store.

Special thanks to the staffs in all three Finders Keepers stores. You have all been major players in my move. You were there with proffessional services, good humor, and a "we can do this, let's get it done," attitude. You were all the UNDAUNTABLES!"

Will I forget your kindness during these past weeks? NO

Am I a customer for life? YES!

Ode to the Little Things

2010-06-23T12:12:00.000-07:00

There are lots of clever quotes noting the importance of the small things. And never is it more true than when I spot some brilliant, unexpected, colorful spot of lovely like a dainty flower or a vibrant glass accent. I think it's the intricacy - the tiny scale on which the details are crafted by man or nature - that make those beautiful small things so special. They have a huge impact on a large space: a single flower in a giant field; a little blue glass bottle in a large pane window. So I went on a hunt for the small things in Finders Keepers Furnishings, and I was not disappointed! The only problem: I wasn't suppose to buy anything today...

I'm evidently still really into corner cabinets... there are several in the store right now that are quite tempting!

Funky artwork is always a great conversation piece. I don't usually go for the word-stuff, but the metallic look totally caught my eye.

The striped vase is adorable! Even peeking out from behind the pictures and dried grass it still makes itself known.

I couldn't give a nod to the little things without showcasing the great jewelry collection that we have.

When I work at Boutique I tell customers about the jewelry selection at our Furniture store and often times they tell me that they've never noticed jewelry there. It's one of my favorite parts!

Watering cans, baskets, and candles are some of my favorite accents of the moment. And the detailing on the desk top is really cute too.

This is exactly what I've been looking for! I want to turn the bedroom in our new house into a spa-like zen place = candles + rocks + plants

Fantastic New Arrivals

2010-06-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

The turn-over for merchandise in the store is pretty extraordinary. I usually only come in about once a week, and it's always like walking into a totally new store. Needless to say, Betsy sees a lot of decor come and go, so it has to be quite a piece to make her say wow or, in her words "something that blows my skirt up." These three new arrivals had Betsy pulling a Marilyn Monroe...

This mirrored table could be used in a variety of decor-themes; shabby-chic, glam, and modern, just to name a few. And it looks so lovely between the two leather chairs!

This green sofa has great clean lines and will fit right into most color pallets. From rustic browns and oranges to artsy plums and pinks, this piece was made to please!

This adorable chair could be used as a statement piece in a sea of solids, or to anchor different colored pieces together. What Betsy really loves: the couch and the chair together...

Shabby Chic - how to distress furniture

2010-06-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are in the arduous process of moving into our first home, and we're on a pretty tight budget. A lot of the furniture we have right now is a little.... Ikea. It serves a purpose, but it's nothing to write home about. Standard and functional - but not a whole lot of personality. You get the idea. It all started with a cute little coffee table that I bought about two years ago, about a month before I brought home a new puppy. Well, the new puppy, Sam, wanted to know what the coffee table was made of - so he ate the corner. With a sigh, I turned the coffee table around so at least the gnawed-off corner would be against the wall.

So here we are, two years later, and I have to decide what to do with the table. Is it worth moving (especially in a heat index above 100 degrees) sans a corner? So I asked a few furniture professionals and googled the heck out of refurbishing wood furniture to get some good ideas. Distressing it seemed like the simplest and most fun way to give it a second chance. And it was so successful that I have since decided on a shabby-chic theme for the foyer and kitchen in the new house. It's so easy! The process is a great creative outlet and sanding wood is an amazing stress reliever. And what I really love is when people come over to check out the new house and ooh and ah over the corner shelf I refinished in the foyer, and then ask me where I bought such a cool piece.

The good news: I really had no idea what I was doing when I started. I still don't really know, but that's the best part about the shabby-chic look; it's almost impossible to screw up. And if the finished product isn't what I had in mind, I can sand it off and start over. So here's my step-by-simple-step way to distress wood pieces.

1. Pick your colors. This is my most favorite part! Most of the sites I checked out advised using a darker color underneath if you opted to use two colors other than bare wood for the base. I've used shades of green, black and silver, red and light wood, and brown with tan. I would definitely recommend testing what you like on less expensive pieces: aka, don't experiment with a family heirloom or a major investment piece.

2. Sand away! Depending upon whether or not the piece you're using already has paint or a finish on it, use a fine or medium grain sand paper. This also helps exfoliate, so to speak, and can create little grooves that will add to the character of the piece. Wipe off all surfaces with a dry towel.

3. If you're only going to use one color paint (with bare wood showing through) rub a wax candle on the corners and in places that would be most likely to show wear. If you are going to use two colors, paint the sections of the piece that you would like to with your base color. This will be the color that shows through (like layers of paint over time.) Let this coat completely dry. Multiple coats are totally up to you. I'm usually too impatient, except for with red shades. After the paint is dry, rub wax over corners, edges, and places that would likely show wear over time. The wax will make sanding the top layer of paint of much easier and gives you a little more control in terms of where the paint will sand away.

4. Painting - Round 2! Paint the desired portions of the piece with the top-coat color. Allow to dry, and don't rush it!

5. Sand again! I like to use a medium grain sand paper for this part, but that because I like the really-shabby-chic look. But I think the amount of distressing is subject to the color choices as well. I refinished a kitched shelf in a candy-apple red and used a lot of sanding to tone it down. Experimenting is the only way you'll find what you like to do, so again I would stress making some test runs on thrift-store finds or bare pieces of wood.

6. Technically, you don't have to do this step, and you could've called it a day after step 5. But I like to protect my hard (or not so hard) work, so I recommend finishing it off with a water-based poly coat.

How easy was that?

Here are links to a few great articles that I found:
http://budgetdecorating.about.com/od/youruniquedecor/ht/Distress-Wood.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Distress-Furniture---Step-by-Step-Guide&id=1298090
http://www.hgtv.com/ is another great resource for at-home how-to's

In keeping with the shabby-chic theme, a new piece just arrived at our store that I'm completely in love with! This distressed corner-shelf has an eggshell top coat and distressed bronze trim. It's currently priced for $136. The book-ends are really cute too!

Bargain Hunters Rejoice

2010-06-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

I popped into the furniture store on the hunt for an overstuffed chair, and, as can often happen, was immediately put to work. Luckily, we were doing two of my favorite things: marking down prices, and moving stuff around. I feel so accomplished when I help stage a setting or move something really (really) heavy... and then I get to skip the gym! But I digress...

Linda and Bonnie were hard at work moving tons of furniture and decor into the Bargain Room. Now the Bargain Room, my fellow budget-warriors, is the stuff that decorating dreams are made of. Prices are slashed to a fraction of the original price! And don't forget to look *everywhere* - up, down, under, above, and sideways. Especially now! They're packing so much into the little-room-that-could that some serious stacking is required. Come help us make some room!

Vivid

2010-06-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

So I was playing with the settings on my camera and I came across a setting called "vivid." The furniture store can be a little hard to take pictures in sometimes because of the many different sources of light - sunlight streaming in through the glass garage door, a menagerie of track lighting that sets interlocking circles aglow, and flourescent lighting downstairs (not my favorite kind of lighting, but it's economical and environmentally friendly.) And even still, for reasons I have yet to figure out, the flash wants to lend a helping hand in every picture. So I'm always a little disappointed in the pictures I've taken in the past because once captured, the images don't show the true energy of the rich colors that I find in the store.

Now, this may not seem related at first, but give me a second to bring it all back around. My husband and I are moving into a fantastic home (our first!) in a couple of weeks. We lucked out all the way around: it was a foreclosure, and it's in perfect condition. It was only built a few years ago, and the previous sets of owners didn't even put a coat of paint on the walls. So the clean khakis and creams of the walls and carpets are primed and ready for whatever we want to do. Well, what I don't want to do: paint. The good news: since the colors of the carpet and walls are so wonderfully neutral, we can use statement pieces to develop a vibrant, vivid, and non-commital color pallet. And furniture is so much easier to move/change/refurbish than floors or walls. I went to the furniture store on a hunt for the perfect coffee table. And while I didn't find what I was looking for this trip, I found some fantastically inspiring, vividly-colored pieces would speak volumes in anyone's home. Inspired? Call to inquire! 404-377-1944

We're on Blog Lovin!

2010-06-09T09:27:00.001-07:00

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Garden Graffiti with Jan Riley

2010-06-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

Meet Jan: For nearly 30 years she has created murals, decorative painting and faux finishes for homes and businesses in Atlanta with her business called WallScapes by Jan Riley. You can see lots of examples of her faux painting and murals here http://www.janriley.com/.

We *love* Jan here at Finders Keepers Furnishings. She's decorated almost every side of our store, adding life, character, and wow to the outside of our building. Check out some of the pictures on our original blog post: Welcome to Finders Keepers Furnishings. Here's one just to pique your curiosity:

The biggest and most dramatic change you can do to a room in your home is to change the color scheme. Don’t be afraid to paint with bright and bold colors, especially if your room is unfurnished. The color will be enough until you find what you need to fill it!
Although it is a fun project it can also be really frustrating. Colors are personal. Every one has a special relationship to different colors and different hues. If you have trouble choosing your colors, we can help. We have a program called Color-Coaching where we come to your home and help you learn how to choose paint colors for your space.

What colors do you like? How do certain colors make you feel?
Think about what you wear. You probably know how to dress for work and mix and match colors, so I know that we will be able to find out what colors will work in your home. You are going to live with the colors so we make sure that you love the colors, hues and shades you choose.

On the April Agenda - Contact info for April's Experts

2010-06-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

1st Saturday: Garden Grafitti ~ Murals and whimsical art with Jan Riley
* contact Jan: 404-294-5549 or email at: wallscapes@janriley.com

2nd Saturday: Curb Appeal ~ Get it sold/spruce it up with Vickie Bracewell
* contact Vickie: vickiebracewell@bellsouth.net

3rd Saturday: Container Gardening ~ Creative spaces with Michelle Hammer
* contact Michelle: http://www.creativespacesdesign.net/ (email form on website)

4th Saturday: Chaos to Comfort ~ Get organized with Susan Fox & Theresa Taylor
* contact Susan and Theresa: 404-313-1778 or email at: info@chaos2comfort.net

Spring into Creative Lighting with Lee Cuthbert

2010-06-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not a doctor and I don't know the technical terminology, but I do know that sunshine activates our happiness glands.

~Jessi Lane Adams

Light has a tremendous effect in a home. The way you use light can set mood and tone. Manipulating and crafting the artificial and natural light in the rooms of your house can have an instant effect on a living space. The good news: Lee Cuthbert can show you how to turn any decorative object in your home into a unique source of light!

About Lee: From 2003 to 2008 Lee Cuthbert owned and operated Decatur's Victory Vintage Home, a mid-century furniture and gift store. Refurbishing vintage lamps became a fun, spin-off business; and as demand for her product and expertise grew, she turned her full attention to this new venue!

Light (or the lack there of) has a tremendous impact on your home. The good news: creative lighting is easy and fun!

* Make lamps our of heirloom statues, vases, pottery, old sterling teapots, or sports trophies. They're a conversation starter, and you look oh-so-smart when you tell your guests how you did it!
* Hanging lamps can be given a touch of personality with large drum shades.
* Old lamps can be rewired to add new life to the charm of an antique fixture.
* For do-it-yourself projects, parts are available from Lee and Beth at Kudzu Antiques

Spring into Staging with Vickie Bracewell

2010-06-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

Meet Vickie:

Vickie Bracewell is a Realtor with the Kirk and Marshall Group of RE/MAX Metro Atlanta. She has been on the #1 Sales Team in DekalbCounty for the past 3 years. She has earned the Accredited Staging Professional designation and really enjoys helping her clients stage their homes to sell. A true believer in staging, Vickie can provide you with tips on making your house the prettiest girl at the dance when it hits the market.

Vickie Bracewell got down to the nitty gritty on how to give your home the best chance to stand out in this buyer's market. If you missed the lecture, you missed a gold mine of advice and how-to's, so we took some notes for you!

Key Words of Wisdom on Staging to Sell:
* Paint is one of the least expensive investments you can make, and it often has the highest rate of return. Neutral colors are the best bet.
* Less is more: clutter eats equity and energy.

* Remove all appliances, groceries, dishes, etc. from kitchen counter tops to maximize space.
* Buyers only know what they see, not what it could be.
* You can't sell it if you can smell it!
* Hang visuals/pictures at the average woman's eye level

Get it Sold: Vickie lays-down the how-to's

It's not too late to get Vickie's advice! Give us a call if you want her contact information and she will be happy to help you get your home sold! 404-377-1944

Spring into Decorating with Connie Raines

2010-06-02T11:32:00.000-07:00

Meet Connie:

Connie Raines has over twenty years experience working in both residential and commercial design.

She has worked with some of Atlanta's top design firms including Hendrick, Epperson Design and Emory University design studio.

As a business woman operating her own firm since 1992 along with being a wife and a mother of three, she has an understanding of designing for real life with a desire to create spaces that address client's unique needs and budgets with the end results achieving a beautiful living space.

In her workshop, Connie focused on re-purposing what you already have to update your home for a fresh look. An old picture frame can become a trendy bulletin board. A pop of color or a bold texture can turn a ho-hum set of walls into an inviting, interesting living space.

Find out more about this week's expert, Connie Raines, on her website for her business: CF Raines Interior Design at http://www.cfraines.com/

Connie Raines with Betsy Johns (Finders Keepers Furnishings' fearless leader)

Connie Raines during her workshop

Spring into Action - A review of our March Workshops

2010-06-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Finders Keepers Furnishings hosts free workshop series! We're taking a break in June (Georgia's summer climate clearly likes to rise and shine... and rise some more) so we'll recap this spring's past workshops for your inspirational pleasure.

Ahh spring cleaning! Maybe you dread it... like going to the dentist. Or maybe you can't wait to start... like a kid on Christmas morning. Either way, it's that time of the year, ready or not. This year, we're here to help you get the jump-start on your project list! So spring into action with us this March as we host 4 special guests over the next 4 Saturdays who will help you achieve your home-makeover goals!

Your March Action Plan
1st Saturday: Spring into Decorating with Connie Raines: Timeless Designs
2nd Saturday: Spring into Staging with Vickie Bracewell: Real Estate Staging
3rd Saturday: Spring into Lighting with Lee Cuthbert: Rewiring and Creative Lighting
4th Saturday: Spring into Organizing with Carrie Fowler: Interior Design, Downsizing, and Organizing

Hey all you gurus... want to host a workshop? Email or call us to pitch us your specialty!

Don't take our word for it... Rana Cash discovers consignment

2010-06-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

Atlanta Consignment Stores hosted its first-ever Atlanta Bus Tour, and bargain-writer Rana L. Cash for the AJC wasn't about to let the potential money-saving opportunity go to waste! Check out her write up below:

A picture of the Bus-Tourees!

My newest discovery: Furniture consignment stores!
7:00 am May 20, 2010, by Rana Cash

A short zigzag between couches and china cabinets, bedroom suites and dining tables, and shoppers quickly recognize the deals here at Southern Comforts.
The furniture consignment store is almost hidden behind a drug store, but once found, there is a treasure to behold. And it’s not at all unusual in metro Atlanta.
“If you’ve never been to a furniture consignment store,” said Beth Richardson, owner of The Board of Trade, “you’ll see the quality and you’ll be shocked.”

Dozens of shoppers were introduced recently when they traveled by busloads on a seven-hour tour of stores. Some concentrated on clothing outlets; others on furniture stores. Each shopper paid $35 to take part in the AtlantaConsignmentStores.com event and spent 45 minutes at each location.

It was the first major event for the group of retailers who’ve joined forces to drive home the distinctions between consignment and thrift. Melissa Baxter, owner of Back by Popular Demand and Forever Young, partnered with her former employer, Bonnie Kallenberg, owner of three stores — Finders Keepers Boutique, Fashions and Furniture — to start the organization.

“Consignment, thrift, donation and pawn shops all get kind of lumped together,” Baxter said. “None of us [consignment store owners] had $10,000 to take out, but together we could make a brand. On average, only 10 percent of people know what consignment stores are.”

In general, here’s how they work: Name-brand adult and childrens’ clothing, bridal ware, high-end furniture and items in near-perfect condition are taken to the consignment store of your choice. The store decides which items it will take, sometimes turning down 50 or 60 percent of the offers. Stores require items be ready for sell. The store sets a price and the consignor gets a percentage of the selling price, which reduces by percentage each month. If it’s not sold, it can be picked up or donated.

And when it comes to furniture stores, bargains abound. They are newer to the shopping world than clothing consignments, but have experienced rapid growth, particularly since the economy turned downward. It’s not hard to see why.

“It’s a good model when you have money, and when you don’t,” Richardson said.
A Hickory Chair brand sideboard, $6,000 wholesale, is $1,995. This $1,700 leather sofa is $3,500 new.

“People with money are more apt to come to consignment stores than people who do not have money,” said Southern Comforts owner, Mark Eid. “They don’t have money because they are big spenders; they have money because they are good shoppers.”

The furniture may have a more classic than contemporary, but it depends on the store. While Board of Trade and Southern Comforts are more formal, Finders Keepers avoids antiques and looks for more unusual pieces. Stores complement the inventory with newer pieces they purchase.

“People who shop this way realize that you can’t always walk in and say, ‘I have to find a green armchair,’” Kallenberg said. “You have to be open-minded.”

Eid says his stores, including one opened two years ago in Alpharetta are “not a dumping ground.” It’s much more and the bus tour passengers saw that first-hand.

“It’s the tip of the iceberg with resale,” Kallenberg said. “Back in the early 80’s, there was a stigma attached to it; it was only poor people who shopped consignments. Now cool people buy used clothes and furniture.”
Follow me on Twitter @atlbargains and on Facebook at AJC Atlanta Bargain Hunter

Learn more about the Atlanta Consignment Stores organization at: http://www.atlantaconsignmentstores.com/.
p.s. Plans are in the works for a *huge* consignment bus tour this September... stay tuned!

Welcome to Finders Keepers Furnishings

2010-06-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Six years ago, Bonnie Kallenberg, owner of Finders Keepers Consignment Inc., found a burned-out auto repair garage in need of some serious TLC and had one heck of a vision: expanding the furniture aspect of her then-only store into its own building... that building. Since then, Finders Keepers Furnishings has become a force to be reckoned with on Atlanta's consignment scene. Featured on CNN, CBS, and written up multiple times in many publications, the award-winning store has certainly made a big impression.

New items arrive every single day. The store's team, headed by Betsy Johns, carefully scrutinizes every piece before it ever hits the floor. Their main concern: making you say "wow" the second you step under the orange awnings and walk through the door... and trust me, they do it every time. Come on by... get inspired.

The new garden area - inspired by Jan Riley's Artwork

A trick of the eye - Jan Riley painted another orange awning on the side of the building.