The Woman's Exchange of St. Louis provides a venue for the sale of heirloom-quality clothing and beautiful decorative items handmade by our consignors, the industrious, deserving men and women that benefit from our mission of helping others help themselves.

When The Woman’s Exchange was founded in 1883, there were few options for women desperate to support themselves and their families. For these women, selling handmade goods at the Exchange was a welcome alternative to the horrible working conditions in factories and other less desirable fields. Working as a consignor for the Exchange was an opportunity to work from home, while caring for one’s family.

Society has changed greatly since 1883, and women are now welcomed in every employment field. Still, there remains an intense desire and need for many men and women to earn income from home. The Exchange continues to provide this opportunity by housing, displaying, and selling their beautiful handiwork, paying back at least 70% of the selling price to the consignor.

As our consignors struggle with difficult family situations, such as a special needs child, a handicapped spouse, severely limited income, or an unexpected financial burden, the proceeds from their skilled handiwork bring financial independence, peace of mind, and self esteem.

Our current consignors include:

• A mother of two Marines, both injured while serving in Iraq. As one son recovers from loosing a limb, and the other from severe head injuries, their mother earns the income she needs to visit by selling her beautiful knitted items at the Exchange.
• A woman with several disabilities, including congestive heart failure, difficulty breathing, and limited mobility, that prevent her from working outside of her home. Recovering from two recent hospitalizations, and undergoing oxygen therapy, she receives vital income through the sale of her beautiful handmade children’s clothes.
• A mother of a special needs foster child, who is able to care for her child by working from home. With her husband currently out of work, her family depends on the income she earns by selling her beautiful smocked dresses at the Exchange.
• A widow, whose living and medical expenses exceed her social security income. She is able to support herself by sewing the beautiful bishop dressing and gowns that she sells at the Exchange.
• Several individuals living in rural areas, where there are very few employment options. Consigning with the Exchange provides an opportunity to earn income that is otherwise unavailable in their small communities.
• Over 100 individuals that annually place their handiwork in the shop. They are men and women, mothers and fathers, retirees, and individuals struggling to make ends meet after a disability or loss of a spouse. All consignors receive 70-100% of the selling price of their beautiful handiwork, depending on their circumstance and need.

The Woman's Exchange is always seeking consignors to create handmade items for our shop. Inquires are welcome at 314-997-4411 or via email at nkeath@woexstl.org.