I started writing this post a couple of weeks ago at the same exact time that I learned about the new federal rules that will go into effect on Feb. 10. The new rules require testing of lead in any product for kids 12 and under.

For a few scary days, it appeared that consignment sales might shut down because the testing is so expensive. Several were considering canceling their sales or moving them up.

Well, the feds decided that resellers do not have to test for lead (though they still cannot sell anything with lead in it). And that clarification has made most feel a whole lot better about it all. (Though many, including lots of small businesses are still wary of the rules and what it means for them.)

So here's the post that I'd planned to post two weeks ago. Kids Exchange is going on, but it marks the start for consignment sale season around here. There are many, many more to come.

As always, if your sale is missing, I want to add it! Just e-mail me or simply post a comment at the end of this.

A note on the list: This list only has the dates for the public sales. If you volunteer or consign, you usually can get in sooner. And usually on the last day or two of each sale, you can get some items for half off or more.

Happy shopping!

The Kids Exchange Consignment Sale's public sale is from Jan. 23 to Jan. 25 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

The Divine Consign Show's public sale of its high-end children's clothing starts Feb. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (when anyone can shop as long as they bring a grandparent) to Feb. 5.

First United Methodist Church of Cary's Children's Consignment Sale is Feb. 7 at the church in downtown Cary. All of its proceeds are donated to local groups serving women and children.

Nearly New Clothing Exchange in Raleigh on Capital Boulevard is from Feb. 21 to Feb. 29.

Twice as Nice in Apex will hold its sale from Feb. 27 to Feb. 28 at the New Horizons Fellowship's Annex Building on E. Williams St.

The Monkey Exchange, which normally sells its upscale, gently used children's clothes online, will hold a sale at a home in Raleigh on March 12 and March 13.

Upscale Resale's public sale of very nice children's clothes is March 13 and March 14 at Cary's Masonic Lodge on Maynard Road.

Just 4 Kids in Fuquay-Varina is from March 17 to March 20 at Life Spring Community Church.

Kids Stuff Consignment Sale at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh's Five Points is from March 19 to March 21. Several changes this year for both consignors and shoppers.

Carolina Kids Consignment in Smithfield is March 20 to March 22 at the National Guard Armory.

Kids EveryWear, the very big sale in Morrisville, is open to the public March 24 through March 27.

The Triangle Mothers of Twins & Triplets spring and summer sale is from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., March 28 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

Chatham Kids Consignment will be April 3 through April 5 at 50 W. Salisbury St., Pittsboro. More details to come on times.

Durham Children's Consignment Sale is from April 4 to April 6 at 3438 Hillsborough Rd., Durham, next to AutoZone.

Next 2 New 4 Kids will be April 3 through April 5 at the Cleveland Gymnasium in Clayton.

The Kid's Co-op at Crosspointe Church in Cary is April 24 and April 25. Part of the proceeds will help a local family moving to help needy children in Haiti.  

KidAround KidSale is May 2 through May 4 at The Factory in Wake Forest.

Second Blessings consignment sale at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church is from May 8 to May 9.

And I'm waiting to get the final details on a few sales.

The Friendship Closet at Apex United Methodist Church will not be held this spring because of the death of Katy Williams, the sale coordinator and also co-founder of Upscale Resale. (A portion of the proceeds from the Upscale Resale sale in March will go to a fund for Katy's two young children). Casey tells me that they are restructuring and should have a sale later this year Update: Aug. 7 and Aug. 8.

Details to come on the Durham Children's Clothing Exchange(see above). And it appears that the Chapel Hill-Durham Mothers of Multiples Spring Yard Sale, which had been scheduled for March 7, is canceled, according to its Web site, because of concerns about the new federal rules.

I've contacted the sales, but if you know anything more about these sales, please share.