A Day in My Life: Stocking My Handmade Products in Consignment Shops

April 29, 2026

If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like to run a small business selling handmade goods through consignment shops, come along with me! Today I'm taking you through a full restock day — three shops, three very different processes, and one well-earned iced coffee at the end.

The Pile Before the Plan

Before I even get out the door, there's the packing. Today I've got three restocks to deliver, with a fourth sitting in the corner waiting for Sunday. It's a lot of product to haul, but during tourist season, this is just the rhythm of things. My restocks have been more frequent lately, and honestly, I'm not complaining — busy shelves mean a busy business.

Stop #1: The Merchantile in Scottsdale

My first stop is The Merchantile in Old Town Scottsdale, and it's always the biggest restock. Old Town is a magnet for tourists, and my little corner of the shop benefits from all that foot traffic. This is a vendor-style space, which means I rent my spot, I tag my own stock, and I'm responsible for keeping everything looking clean and well-stocked.

Depending on how busy the shop's been, this stop can take me anywhere from one to three hours. Today, it was on the longer end. I'd been out of town, and things had really moved while I was gone. I brought mini prints, stickers, earrings, greeting cards, magnets — all the things tourists love.

My cactus stud earrings are one of my top sellers, and I had 100 pairs to tag today. They take forever, but they fly off the shelf, so it's worth every minute. I also had greeting cards to restock — those move fast this time of year too.

A big part of managing a consignment space isn't just dropping off product. It's straightening, cleaning, and making sure the display looks inviting. I find that a neat, organized shelf sells faster because customers can actually take it all in. I have a slat wall and two jewelry shelves at this location, plus an overstock area in the basement so the staff can pull product when things get low.

By the time I was done, my displays were full, my overstock was organized, and I was actually leaving with more bins than I arrived with after clearing out some things out of overstock.

Stop #2: The Plant Mill in Tempe

Next up: The Plant Mill on Mill Avenue in Tempe, right by ASU. This place is half plant shop, half plant-themed gift shop, and it's absolutely charming. The process here is completely different from The Merchantile — the owner does all the tagging for me, so I just have to show up with the goods.

We don't have a designated space, but most of my products end up on a cute little green slat wall. I also took the opportunity to have my little succulent baby repotted while I was there. No complaints.

Quick stop, happy drop-off, and I was back on the road.

Stop #3: Why I Love Where I Live in Gilbert

Last stop of the day was out at a boutique called Why I Love Where I Live in Gilbert — a super cute shop full of local-themed goods. Like The Plant Mill, they handle the tagging here, so it's another straightforward drop-off. I just make sure my products are ready to go, hand them over, and peek at my finished space before heading out.

It was a little bit of a trek from Tempe, and I'll be honest — I was watching the clock. I had another video to record back home and the light in my office only cooperates until about 1:00 PM.

The Reward: A Sugar-Free Iced Coffee

Three shops down, and I allowed myself my Friday treat: a medium vanilla sugar-free iced coffee from McDonald's. I know, I know — but it is so good, and I've earned it at this point in the day.

What I've Learned About Running Multiple Consignment Spaces

One thing I love about this little tour is how differently each shop operates. Every consignment relationship is unique:

The Merchantile = I do everything myself. Tagging, stocking, straightening. It's the most time-intensive, but I also have the most control over how my products are presented.
The Plant Mill = They handle tagging. I just bring the product.
Why I Love Where I Live = Same as Plant Mill — drop off and trust the process.

There's no one-size-fits-all approach, and I've learned to adapt to each shop's system. The key is staying consistent, keeping an eye on what's selling, and always making sure your shelves don't go bare — especially during tourist season. Because it can't sell if it isn't on the shelf!

Thanks for coming along with me today! If you have questions about selling through consignment shops, drop them below. I love talking shop (literally).