Susie Says...

It’s “bashart”

furs4u2 — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:16:55 +0000

The word Bashart is the only way I can describe reading today’s Fur Insider Blog. Bashart is a Yiddish word meaning destined. I must give a little background information to this story. In our house, my husband takes our Bichon’s Charlie and Scally for their last walk before bed. However, if they need a midnight potty break it is mommy to the rescue. Last night, after their final walk, my husband says to me “I am leaving a 2×4 near the door in case you take the dogs out in the night.” I looked at him as if he was from outer space (he’s from England, but the Brits aren’t quite that crazy). He noticed my expression and explained there was a coyote in our yard when he took the dogs out. The coyote didn’t run; they actually had a stare down. I am happy to say both dogs slept through the night. Then this morning I noticed an entry on the Fur Insider Blog called “The-Coyote Question : “Now it’s no surprise that you’ll hear the usual commentary from the anti-fur folks when the issue of trapping coyote comes up. But, have you ever encountered a coyote? This is another case where the species has proliferated and now colonizes major cities across the US, preying on pets and livestock and even hurting small children in their search for food. Just last week a friend of mine in Encino, CA was heading out to meet a friend for dinner and when she opened her back door to let her dog in she found her dog being mauled by a coyote.”

On behalf of Charlie, Scally and myself we hope you will read the rest of the article.

Charlie and Scally taking a rest

Filed under: buying furs, Coyote, fur coat, fur repair, fur restyling, fur storage, furs, Uncategorized Tagged: celebrities in fur, fur, fur sale, fur throws, furs, Used Fur Coats, used furs

Fur Fashion 2011/2012

furs4u2 — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:54:12 +0000

I just returned from the International Fur Fair in Montreal.
The runway shows gave an overview of the Fur Fashion trends for Fall/Winter 2011/2012,. I would say there were 6 major trends from the international runways. These trends are as follows:
• Color – vivid brights and saturated jewel tones.
• Vintage – highlighting the 20’s and 30’s, and also the 60’s and 70’s.
• Key Furs – crazy textures and full furs (like Mongolian Lamb).
• Collaged Furs – combining different types of furs together within one garment.
• Contrast Sleeves – using different fur types for the body and sleeves.
• Fox Trims – full fox collars and borders.
But let’s be honest, what models wear on the runway doesn’t exactly translate well to what we wear every day.
My next blog will be about what I purchased for our store and what the manufacturers were truly selling.

Filed under: buying furs, Fashion Accessories, fur care, fur cleaning, fur coat, fur restyling, furs Tagged: Buying fur, buying furs, fashion and color, Fashion Attire, fur coats, fur fashion, furs, mink, mink coat, sheared mink, style, swakara, web sales. fur jackets.

I Need “A Round Toit”

furs4u2 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:44:56 +0000

It is amazing how many times I have said I will get around to it. I remember as a child my mother had a wooden nickel that actually said “A Round Toit” on the face. Boy, do I wish I had one of those now. It has been months since I got around to writing my blog. The only excuse I have is life got in my way……my daughter had a bilateral mastectomy (I will blog about that one of these days or should I say when I get a round to it!) After my daughter was feeling better-other family members were ill and needed my assistance so that took away the time I would spend blogging. Life seems to be getting back on track. So I will try to blog a couple of times a month. To those of you who actually emailed, asking where I have been, Thank you! I am back and in the next week or 2, I will sit down and compile some of the silly things my daughter thought of while she was preparing for and recovering from this major surgery, I may even write about our puppy Scally and her brother Charlie and then a little something about family business, furs and consignment shops.

Until I write again: Happy Spring

Susie

Filed under: family businesss, furs

Exposed – Fur: The Environmentally Friendly Fiber

furs4u2 — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:37:47 +0000

This blog made my day. It made me smile and it made me laugh- I will share one comment now just in case you are thinking about skipping the read. It has great photos also. “leather is jusr bald fur” If that comment alone doesn’t get you to read further – read to learn about vegetarian eggs! Thank you Fur Insider for today’s smiles!!!!

Life is funny. Small, unexpected, random, events and actions can brighten your day and make you smile as easily as they can make you go, “whaaaaaat!!!” Case in point: Yesterday while doing some dinner grocery shopping, I came across ‘Vegetarian Eggs’! Call me cynical!? Educated? Hello… Since when are eggs …

via Exposed – Fur: The Environmentally Friendly Fiber.

Filed under: furs

Exposed – Fur: The Environmentally Friendly Fiber

furs4u2 — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:37:46 +0000

via Exposed – Fur: The Environmentally Friendly Fiber.

Filed under: furs

Fur Appraisals – What type do I need?

furs4u2 — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:58:33 +0000

I was procrastinating once again about what to put into my blog and an email gave me the inspiration I needed. Our correspondence went like this:

Dear Furrier:

I found you on the web and was wondering if you could appraise my fur?

Thank you Lala

Lala We need to see a fur to appraise it. If you let me know the big towns you are near I can research furriers in your area who could possibly do this for you.

Susie
Hinsdale Furriers

Hi Susie,

I live in Frederick, Maryland. The closest large cities would be Baltimore, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. I am planning to make an appointment with Hanna/Demetrios Furriers but would like to get more than one appraisal. Thanks you for any help you can provide. Lala
Hi Lala
There are 2 different types of appraisals so be sure you are very clear what you ask for Insurance appraisal What would the garment cost if I had to replace it with a new one?
Estate appraisal If I were to sell this garment what would I expect you to pay for it? Estate appraisal are also used for charitable contributions and estate taxes.

In Baltimore: Fisher Furs 410-828-4141
Seleh’s Furs 410-547-6733
Tarliow Furs 410-539-1931

In DC

Andriana Furs 202-381-2500

Nieman Marcus also has a fur Department

I spoke to Fisher Furs to be sure at least 1 of the people I am giving you are still in business- I pulled them out of 2007 fur trade directory.

Susie Duboe Bryant
Hinsdale Furriers

Thanks for all the information. The coat is mine free and clear so am only looking for an appraisal with the possibility of selling it. I can’t imagine ever wearing it as it would make me nervous the entire evening wondering whether someone was going to throw paint on it or steal it. It is such a lovely coat but I was wrong when I said it was full length. Only 3/4′s length. Again, thank you, Lala Lala- You shouldn’t worry about wearing a beautiful fur coat. People do not have the right to damage your property and I truthfully have not heard of that happening in many years and then only near the television cameras. Coats do get stolen, that is the reason they should be listed on your homeowners policy.

If you decide you are definitely going to sell your coat. Consider putting it on consignment. We begin taking furs on consignment in September and stop at the end of December. We pay the consignor 50% of the selling price when the garment sells. The selling price is determined before the garment is accepted for consignment. All of our gently used furs are shown on our website. It is updated real time- if it is sold it disappears from the web site. You may look at the web site to find a similar coat to get ideas of our pricing. We have been taking consignment for about 9 years. I am happy to say we have a great success and both the customers and consignors seem delighted. Our business is by the most part referral friends telling friends.
Lala – if you have any further questions , do not hesitate to call or email

Have a wonderful New Year

Susie

A conversation on the web……it just amazes me! To all who read this blog. I am sending my best wishes for a wonderful 2011!

Susie

Filed under: buying furs, consignment, custtomer service, fur care, fur coat, furs, resale, Used Fur Coats Tagged: appraisals, consignment shops, estate appraisal, fur care, fur coats, fur sale, fur shopping, furs, insurance appraisal, resale stores, selling fur, Used Fur Coats, used furs, web sales. fur jackets.

Wishing All A Warm Holiday Season

furs4u2 — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:46:30 +0000

I came across this photo and article on CBS news. It is asking our opinion of the appropriateness the family photo on the Truedeau Family Holiday card. Needless to say I love the photo and the warmth of family love it shares. Here is the link to the article along with wishes for a warm furfilled holiday to all.

Fur: Is it acceptable to wear? – Point of View.

Filed under: buying furs, family businesss, furs, Used Fur Coats Tagged: christmas cards, family, loving fur

Vests

furs4u2 — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:07:08 +0000

I am seeing vests in every fashion magazine this fall. They are long, short, fitted, straight, and full. They are made from wool, vinyl, silk, fur, faux fur, and leather. Not only are they being shown in the magazines and on the runways but I see them on my customers too. I did a little research to learn about the beginning of the vest as a fahion item and this is what I learned…

Vests, or waistcoats, were orginally introduced in 1666 by England’s King Charles II primarily as a political movement to undermine the extravagant French fashion influence in England. The vest featured straight, simple lines…and, oddly enough, sleeves!

By the 18th century, the idea of simplicity was retired and vests became a brilliant display of luxury fabrics and buttons (so much for King Charles II’s political statement). This is also when the vest lost the sleeves.

Throughout the centuries, vests have gone through many transformations and as with many fashions, have gone through extremes in popularity. Today there seems to be a surgence of popularity in vests for men and women. From sweater vests to 3-piece suits to fashion pieces to fur vests for warmth, vests are in-style!

Filed under: furs Tagged: cheap furs, fur vests, new furs, vests

Is it Okay to Wear My Fur in the Snow?

furs4u2 — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:32:25 +0000

The 1st snow fall of the season has hit the Chicago area and we have already received two calls asking if their coats will be okay in the snow. I always try to be nice as I remind the customer that the fur is from an animal and animals get wet. If you do get your coat wet in the snow. Shake it off, hang it in the open to dry. Do NOT put it near heat! If your coat is extremely long and drags in the snow, blot off the excess moisture. It is ok for the fur to get wet but not the leather side of the pelt. If the leather side is wet and blotting doesn’t do the trick get your garment to a reputable furrier while it is still damp. When soaked the leather will shrink as it dries to avoid this your furrier will stretch the garment and nail it to hold the proper shape.

I do not reccomend wearing shearling out in the rain or snow. Since the leather side is the side that is in the elements it could be come stained by the water.

Filed under: furs

Fur Care Hint #5

furs4u2 — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:25:46 +0000

Thank you Mother Nature for bringing us the cold weather. The store is so busy with customers picking up their fur coats from storage and looking to purchase both new and used fur coats that I haven’t had any time to sit down. Not a complaint, just a happy fact. Here is a quick fur care tip- unhook your coat when sitting. We spread out when we sit and the coat doesn’t. Enjoy the cold weather and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Filed under: furs