Aug. 27--RALEIGH -- Kelly Rives wasn't a shopper -- at least for herself. She never felt like she was good at finding clothes that worked for her. That changed when daughter Caroline arrived five years ago.

Rives' mother-in-law was generous, treating the baby to fine children's clothing with intricate smocking and adorable gingham. And a couple of friends invited Rives to trunk shows in homes where the price tag for fancy duds for kids can start at $50.

Soon Rives was hooked.

Then she decided to get into the business herself.

The North Raleigh mom has turned her passion into The Divine Consign Show, a growing consignment sale business that extends to five other Southeastern cities. The sale offers only upscale childrens' clothes, including overstocks from several manufacturers.

Her Raleigh sale, which began three years ago, opens today at the Quail Hollow Swim & Tennis Club with a special preview for grandparents.

"I'm a stay-at-home mom who works two weeks a year," said Rives, mom of Caroline, 5, Sarah, 4, and Lindley, 22 months. "It's so fun to be able to think about things and see how they grow. God just blessed it."

Rives had been in Raleigh for only a couple of months when she decided to launch the sale.

Digging for jewels

Rives had shopped at general consignment sales before, sifting through worn-out Target T-shirts and Carter's jumpers to find the smocked outfits she sought.

"I was digging for a jewel," she said. "But I never wanted to sell."

Rives was paying $8 or $10 at the sales for outfits that might have cost $50 or $70 brand new. She knew that even her used clothes could fetch much more than that.

So, in September 2005, she held her first sale in her home. Fourteen consignors offered about 300 pieces. No more than 40 shoppers showed up.

Rives, who had moved from Atlanta to Raleigh a few months before, got the word out by dropping off postcards at preschools, asking new friends at church to spread the word and walking up to strangers at the mall who seemed to dress their kids in the kinds of clothes she was selling.

The twice-yearly sale has grown every year, expanding to Atlanta, Charlotte, Montgomery, Ala., Williamsburg, Va., and Corinth, Miss., where she has friends or relatives.

Some sales, such as the Raleigh one, offer both used clothing and overstocks from children's clothing boutiques and trunk shows, including Wish Upon a Star, kate & libby, and Three Mommas. Others offer just the overstocks.

The clothes are carefully scanned and refused if there are missing buttons, stains or other blemishes. Mall brands typically aren't accepted.

Sellers receive 70 percent of their take, with Divine Consign getting the rest.

Thanks to the money she has earned from the sales, Rives no longer worries much about what she spends on her girls' clothes.

She likes to dress them alike, so she still shops trunk shows for new outfits. But she buys at her own sale, too. And she also dresses her daughters in clothes from Target, Gap and Gymboree.

Rives, who was a seventh-grade teacher before becoming a mom, said she's been amazed by the success, especially since she's not the most business-savvy.

This week's sale in Raleigh will feature more than 100 consignors and 7,000 pieces.

"Every time, I've been surprised," Rives said. "I've been blessed and amazed."

Sarah.Lindenfeld@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-8983

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