Just take them to the charity shop. Assign your own value to them for your tax return. That's what we do. For some reason, my whole family thinks I am the "keeper of all things" and they keep passing down collections, furniture and other things I do not want. They go straight to the local charity shop or Habitat. If there's something I truly love or it has a high monetary value I keep or sell.

Ah, lynn, thanks--but it's family only :) Seriously, I do know someone whose mom was extremely into spinning/knitting and she made a sweater out of their collie's fur. WAY too hot to wear, but fascinating. I'm thinking a scarf? It's so soft. And justgotabme, we have three cats but only one really sheds visibly and collectably. Even though he's a shorthair. He seems to have a very thick coat and I comb him to keep him from getting hairballs--and just think it's a waste of -- something -- to throw the fur away. I'm sure I could wash it too. They're really soft felt-feeling little balls. Maybe a pillow, but then the softness would be lost. There are lots of things to do with lint--wish I could remember any of them! But it's basically clothing-grade fiber...I'm not as attached to it as I am to the cats' fur, so we put it outside for birds, pretty much.

Thanks so much. Funny you ask about baskets. I am a Longaberger consultant but a lot of the baskets you see Are Linda Searcy Baskets - they are handcrafted and not as sturdy as Longaberger but I LOVE THEM. The ones on my kitchen table and dining room table are by her as well as the huge one on my red armoire in the family room. They are pretty pricey - more so than Longaberger but REALLY unique. I love Longaberger in the kitchen and as a "Work basket" - I have A LOT in my kitchen but for decor, I prefer the Linda Searcy Baskets...Thanks for noticing!!!!

If you can hang onto them till the market swings back up again, you can get a much better return on them. I was just in Dresden, OH last month (Longaberger home base till they moved a short distance west). I've been to Dresden several times (it's near my hometown, so we stop there on occasion when going home). Shops this time were full of secondary market baskets, and there were "Sale!" signs everywhere. Prices much lower than I've ever seen. They are not generating the high $ on ebay they typically do either. Several shop owners told me that they are in a dryer spell right now, but fully anticipate coming out of it (Longaberger collectors are among the most die hard ;D ) Way back when a certain limited edition shamrock themed basket came out I kicked myself for not getting it (Irish). At the time felt it was too much $ for such a tiny little thing. So then in the secondary market the price went through the ceiling, well over a $100 for just the basket. I could have snatched up whole combo (basket, liner, and lid) in Dresden for $40 and I passed. I'll probably kick myself some more for doing that ;D I'm not a rabid fan, I just like them. But I do have too many and find myself floundering when it comes to 'creative' uses. Market baskets are my favorite, I store magazines and catalogs in them, they hold up very well, too. I know someone who ranks fairly high up on the Long. food chain in these parts and her creativity is amazing. Her house looks like a show place ;) I'll wait till the market for them rebounds though before I try to sell. Way too much $ invested, would like to recoup more than what the market is getting right now. In the past it's been common on ebay to see current (still manufactured) baskets get at least their initial selling price (when in good shape). Retired, limited edition or signed, I've just been blown away by what people will pay for those (double + the original price). Although I've noticed Christmas is the height of activity across all ebay, so you might have good luck selling now? Especially if they are retired pieces. If you're serious about getting your $ back, I'd check out a Bentley Guide for price (current and former dealers I know use that heavily).