Moms the Word at Massive Consignment Sale

One mom’s trash is another mom’s treasure – and it just may come with ruffles.

Consignment sales have been growing in popularity among parents, grandparents and caregivers looking for a great deal on gently used baby and kids clothes, gear and maternity items. After all, raising kids does not come cheaply – and with the price of cotton rising, a mere T-shirt from Gymboree can run $14.95 at full price.

Enter the Bumps and Babies Fair.

This is a sale with a twist – instead of being sponsored by a company or one of many of a group’s consignment sales across the country, this one started last summer with a small group of moms in the parking lot of a bar in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of Seattle.

It has grown into a sale with 6,000 items and counting, and will be held Sunday at the Bitter Lake Community Center Annex, 13040 Greenwood Ave. N. Doors open at 10 a.m. Admission and parking is free.

While it may seem like a bit of a haul from Lakewood to Seattle, such sales are not common – the closest one, the Just Between Friends Sale, will not hold its spring event until April 1-3 at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. The group also has a sale in the fall. Additionally, many consignment sales are held on the Eastside.

If you are looking for Babylegs and cloth diaper covers, lampshades and high chairs and a variety of toys for all ages – at bargain prices – this is your sale.

And organizer Michelle Simpson of Seattle promises there will be plenty to buy.

“The amount of space is actually pretty similar to what we had in the parking lot, but it will all be utilized much more efficiently,” she said. “It will have to – we have so much to bring in!

“Walking into a sale like this is amazing because it’s an entire room – or building – filled with great deals on things I’m actually interested in.”

Consigners have been steadily entering items into the sale’s online inventory all week, and among them are thousands of clothing items from preemie to 4T, boys and girls shoes, books, bathtubs, breast pumps, changing tables and Halloween costumes.

In addition to standard consignment fare, the Bumps and Babies Fair also features 12 boutique vendors. They include local photographers Stacey Atkin Photography of Puyallup and J. Shelton Photography of Everett, both of whom do work in the Lakewood area, Tiptoeing Tutus, Critters By Chris and Tiny Toppers, which, after a mere glance at its Etsy site, sells pretty much the cutest knit hats ever.

“I really try to promote the boutique side of the sale as much as I can because, while the consignment deals are definitely great, what really makes the event special is the unique, handmade items and specialty services offered by talented local moms,” said Simpson, who owns Chic Bambino. The purveyor of unique baby accessories, such as belts and bibs, will have a booth.

“If I am going to spend money on boutique items or services, I’d much rather support another local mom than just buy something online.”

Justine Shelton, who will be offering discounted photography sessions and the chance to win a free mini-session, said she feels similarly.

“It is an awesome opportunity to buy product and services from local mothers who work right in your community,” she said.

Mom is truly the word at this sale – it is run by moms, most of the vendors are moms, the volunteers are moms.

“I’m a loser with a shopping problem,” joked Breanna Roe of Mountlake Terrace, who is consigning some of her 1-year-old daughter’s clothes in addition to helping at the sale Sunday morning. “Actually, I love passing on good deals to other moms.”

Leanne Davis of Everett, the proprietor of Tiny Toppers, said that she has encouraged other moms to attend after snapping up such deals as a $2 play mat at the summer sale.

“There are all types of moms contributing to this sale, so there are all types of clothes, gear, toys, etc., to be found,” she said. ”Many of us are saving our pennies right now, and this is a great opportunity to get baby items at a great price.”

Simpson said that for those planning to attend, cash is preferred – there is a $.75 convenience charge on all credit-card transactions – and shoppers should bring tote bags or laundry baskets to haul their purchases. Large items, such as swings and pack-and-plays need to be disassembled, if necessary, by the buyer.

And many items will be discounted half-off from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Simpson, the mother of a 1-year-old girl, said that she plans to check out the racks during her few spare minutes running the show.

“I'm learning how to be a more frugal person and that has translated into hardly ever paying full price for anything,” she said. “I'm getting to a point where I get really giddy about a great deal, especially on clothing for my daughter.”