Frequently Asked Questions

I get the concept of a recycled product, but I'm not sure what you mean by "repurposed." Could you define this term?

Essentially, to re-purpose an item means to use or convert it for use in another format or product. For example, glass from old bottles found along the lakefront will have been smoothed over time by the lapping waves. A jewelry designer, then, may go in search of these smooth pieces of glass to repurpose them for a necklace, pair of earrings and a bracelet. The re-purposing process here is from old bottles to new jewelry.

As a mixed media artist, I use a lot of "found items" in my artwork, which means that much of my art is sustainable and/or repurposed. If I want to support the mission of Dogbotz Boneyard by selling my art through your business, would you be interested? If so, how do I go about doing that?

We encourage all of you artists, artisans, or anyone who might have product you wish to sell via consignment on our website to send us your name, phone number, brief description(s) of the item(s), and some sample photos to info@dogbotz.com. Remember, though, that any items sold on Dogbotz Boneyard must be recycled, repurposed, sustainable, fair trade, primitive, hand-crafted and/or collectible products. We will review your request for consignment, and if we are interested, we will contact you for more information and send you our Consignment Agreement form.

What exactly do you mean by "fair trade"?

Fair Trade goods are just that-fair. From far-away studios, shops or farms to your shopping cart, fair trade products come from artisans, farmers and workers who are justly compensated for their labor and product. Fair trade compensation helps folks in developing countries build sustainable businesses that positively influence their families and communities. Many non profit fair trade associations teach disadvantaged communities how to use the free market to their advantage. By buying fair trade products, the money you spend on goods you need or desire helps to improve entire the daily lives of a specific family or entire community. Plus, sustainable business created via fair trade also help to protect our planet, Earth Mother.

Okay, Dogbotz Boneyard sells collectibles, but I want a clearer definition of that term. I mean, really, can't just about anything be collectible?

Yes, in a way you're right: from postage stamps to Barbie dolls, from costume jewelry to designer tube socks, anything can be collected by anyone. In the resale world of Dogbotz Boneyard, however, a "collectible" is an object suitable for a collection, such as a work of fine art or a salt-glazed jug, but also nowadays including any of a wide variety of items collected as a hobby, for display and/or as an investment whose value may appreciate. The operative concepts to entertain for a collectible are "display" and "investment." So, if I don't display my assortment of designer tube socks and/or if they don't appreciate in value, then the socks are not deemed "collectible."