Here's to a New Year!

The New Year will be bring more exciting changes to the store! We look forward to expanding our gift selection, and would love feedback from our customers about the things they would like to see in our store. Another great benefit of shopping locally is the ability to put things on layaway. We now have a 90 day policy for layaway and you can only put items on hold with a 10% deposit.

At this time we are focusing more on consigning antiques or offering booth rental, versus outright buying antiques from folks. We have many reasons for this, one being that when we sell your items on consignment you can make more money than with us outright buying them. Remember we have to buy below retail and we usually like to be at or below the 50% mark in order to still make money.

If you do consign with us there will be a few rule changes for new consignors. If you bring your items tagged and floor ready the commission will remain at 25%. If you would like for us to tag and price your items the commission will be raised to 30% - this takes time and uses our resources so the extra 5% is to help cover the costs of tagging your items. (This pertains to folks who have not previously discussed consignment with us)

Clothing items being sold on consignment will only be accepted on a limited basis. We only put out items as we have available space. We are also very picky about our clothing. Please no stains, tears, holes, etc. we will not put damaged items on the floor. The commission rates above apply to clothing as well.

Consider the benefits of consignment, it is a much better deal than a yard sale! Your items are on display indoors on a daily basis. No packing and unpacking or worrying about the weather. Usually you can expect to make a little more money than you would at a yard sale. Items in stores tend to sell at a higher price point. Please do remember that we are providing the space, the work, and often tags, hangers, etc. So that commission doesn't look so bad, right?

Though we would love to make friends with new folks who have antiques and vintage items that they would like to sell, we are not limiting ourselves to an antiques only relationship. We have found that folks like a bargain, and it is so true that one man's trash is another man's treasure. The key to our success is an ever changing offering of items! Want to clean that clutter out of your basement? Have an estate you are trying to liquidate? Does a yard sale sound like too much work?

P.S. We do provide a consignment contract if that makes you feel more comfortable leaving your items in our care.

We can offer an honest opinion on what sells, so don't be afraid to ask!

It's a Small World

In today's world it isn't that hard to be connected with the rest of the world. But in the spirit of slowing things down and doing things small our store is looking to expand its year-round gift selection. For years I have said "you won't find that in Byrdstown" and me being the do-it-yourselfer that I am - I want to change that!

With that being said, we need you, our community to support our idea! Show us some love and check us out, give us feedback, let us know what you would like to see at arm's reach! First chance is Saturday at our Shop Small event!

Shop Small Trunk Show with Etsy

 Reminder that we will be hosting a trunk show for Robbinstown ~ Five Thirty Jewelry on Nov 29.

November 29 is Small Business Saturday. The Saturday following Black Friday is a day to "shop small" and keep money in your community. We believe in buying local for more than just the economy:

1. Meet your maker - the maker of the goods that is. 

This allows you the opportunity to get exactly what you want. 

Custom doesn't mean expensive, it simply means you know who you are buying from.

2. Quality

Items produced on a small scale aren't being made in a factory in who knows where!

3. Unique

These items aren't setting on the shelves of thousands of stores across the world, and that isn't a bad thing!

Etsy in Byrdstown!?!?

Ok... so you caught us ~ but the Bell will be hosting a trunk show in partnership with Etsy with a real life Etsy seller on November 29 as part of Shop Small Saturday.

View the Details

Visit our Facebook

Visit Etsy

Rollercoaster Yard Sale

It is that time of the year again! We are certainly looking forward to a busy week around the Bell.

There will be lots going on indoors and out so be sure you swing by and check us out! We will have all our usual indoor goodies, with our newest addition to the store - Southern Firefly Candles - made just down the road in Nashville, TN! We have some new things in and will be adding more in the coming days.

Outdoor vendors will have everything from collectibles to clothing... and BBQ! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with all the latest news!!!

Join us for the Rollercoaster Yard Sale October 2-4

Pick of the Day ~ Union Bank

One of the reasons why I love my "hobby job" is because, well you just never know what you will find or what type of connections will be made.

While me and my crew were out and about I found what might be one of my favorite picks yet. They walked right on by as I took the time to pick these little goodies up and read them... to my surprise I was reading something I recognized!!!

I will admit when I picked this one up I thought it was just coincidence...

 However, this one was all the confirmation I needed.

The stamp reads-

PAY TO THE ORDER OF

THE BANK OF JAMESTOWN

JAMESTOWN, TENN

HUGO & ARTHUR GERNT

The Bank of Jamestown & the Farmers Bank merged on September 21, 1933 to form what is now known as Union Bank!

Happy 81st Birthday Union Bank ;)

Busy, Busy, Busy

It has certainly been awhile since we have posted to the blog. With school starting back and the arrival of the newest Bell member any day ~ we've had our hands full!

We hope you are enjoying our new hours, and we hope that you continue to support us as we try to keep our business growing! We are now open Mon & Tues 10:00 - 2:00, Thurs & Fri 10:00 - 3:00 & Sat 10:00 - 4:00.

Booth spaces are also available. Most spaces will rent for around $1.00 a square foot - and we are willing to work with you to provide the size space you think you can fill.

We are gearing up for the Rollercoaster Yard Sale which will take place the first weekend in October. However, this baby's arrival may prevent me from fully enjoying the weekend! Do come out and see what we are all about. We will have BBQ & fresh kettle corn on site, as well as junk, junk, junk.

We are beginning an email based newsletter, so please email us at silverbellantiques@gmail.com and let us know that you would like to be added to that list. The newsletter will contain a lot of the info that we share on Facebook, but also some special promos and exclusives.

Just a sneak peek but this is the next item I hope to add to the store - just waiting to hear that my order has been processed!

Photo by: Fresh Pastry Stand

(And yes those are Pyrex bowls!!! Hand printed in the good ole USA and vintage inspiration!!!!)

127 Yard Sale

Just a reminder that even though we are located on Highway 111 we are only 5 miles from 127 when traveling between Albany, KY & Jamestown, TN!!!

If you are passing through Byrdstown on your way to the 127 Yard Sale - you will be driving right by! We will be open Wednesday, Friday & Saturday!!!

Stepping Up the Game

 Many of our loyal friends and followers probably wonder why we have such limited hours. I'll share a few reasons:

From August to May I am a full time employee of Pickett County Schools. Year-round I am a mother to an energetic 4 year old, and there is a bun in the oven due very soon! I love spending time with my family, and I love going on picking adventures - and sometimes being at the store prevents me from doing that. We farm & we garden - so as you can see I'm a very busy little girl!!!

I have stressed myself all summer over what to do about the store. See this is a dream of mine, to have my own store - may sound silly to some, but ask my mother she's heard this tale for years. I've often been heard saying that if I only worked for fun, an antique/oddities store would be exactly what I would do. Lucky me, I met an awesome man and he helped bring that dream to a reality... except I'm still not working just for fun :)

It is to the point that one must step up or step out. I am choosing to be brave, take some risks, and step up to give Byrdstown something it needs. I love our little town, but I agree you just can't get everything here that you want or need. Perhaps my agenda is more want-based, but I hope to provide a shopping experience that our tourists can appreciate as well as our local folks. I want to give tourists a place to go when they aren't on the lake, and I want to give the locals a place to shop to help keep revenue in Pickett County. Shopping small & local is very important to me, and its very important to our community.

Therefore, I am making the decision to open up booth space @ the Bell. I hope the revenue from the booth space will help fund the employees that we plan to hire. Jobs, those are important to me as well!

I am actively seeking booth renters - it doesn't have to be just antiques. We are quite fond of local talent - so bring those handmade goodies on! And I think I have overwhelmed myself with potential employees so I hope to see us back at a Mon-Sat schedule!

Rusty Trusty Love

A few of our favorite rusty items:

Porcelain Casters - complete with hardware store bin

Take the entire lot home for $80 or just one caster for $1.50

 Igloo Water Cooler - $45

Set of 3 mini pulleys - $10

We have plenty of large pulleys too!

Ox yoke - $250

 Economy Motor Oil $45

 Railroad Spikes - 4 for $10

 Lard Press - Enterprise MFG Philadelphia USA 

Old Irons - $10 $7 $7 (respectively)

1/2 Gal Liquid US Standard Penn Serial No W12 Oil Can $18

 Bureau Premium Motor Oil $25

Alliance, Ohio

 Corn Grinder $45

Wood Folding Chair $24

 Sun Stove $100

 Scoop & Fork -  $15 & $10

Old Door Knob Sets $12

Wexford Glass

Wexford glass was one of the many creations by Anchor Hocking Glass. They began producing the glassware around 1967. Many of you will recall growing up with at least a piece of Wexford in your home- or as many like to say Mama or Grandma always used that!

These are pieces we currently have available in the store. Most items we do have multiples of, and we can always ship items for those that aren't local! Just email silverbellantiques@gmail.com if interested in purchasing a piece from our collection or if you are looking for a specific piece (even if you don't see it here).

 Plate/Saucer with Scalloped Edge $3

 Divided Dish, 3 Part $8

 Divided Platter $16

 Lazy Susan $45

2 Tier Server $22

Snack Set $7.50

Candleholder Bowl with Scalloped Edge (Pair) $25

Large Footed Vase $16

Other items that are available:

Bowl, Centerpiece with Scalloped Edge $9
Bowl, Large with Scalloped Edge $22
Bowl, Small with Scalloped Edge $9
Canister Set (3pc) $25
Sherbet Cup $3

This is an incomplete listing at this time! We will be adding more soon!

George Shai of Ohio circa 1930's

We recently acquired several photos & portraits all of which come from the Ohio area. The first group we wish to share is of a George Shai. We would love to locate a relative who would wish to own these photos.

What we know about Mr. Shai from the photos:

• June 24, 1928 on a street in Kenmore OH & also in a baseball uniform
• Aug 11, 1928 he visited Niagra Falls
• Dec 25, 1928 in an ROTC uniform
• May 29, 1929 participating in ROTC event at Ohio State University
• Sept 6, 1931 pictures with 3 children - Joe & Paul were the names I could make out
• July 1932 played on a baseball team called the Sterling Oils
• 1932 graduated from OSU
• July 1950 pictured at the Athens Fairgrounds with Frank & Victor Shai, Lula Gattrell, Grace Saver? & Esther Henthorn? 

Please contact silverbellantiques@gmail.com 

The Ag Life

With summer in the near future (we hope) we are toasting our agricultural background!

 These egg baskets were used in the 1950's not only to gather eggs but also to wash them.

Upcycled version: Make a rustic chandelier.

 The Harvest Moon

 1850's Antique Sausage Stuffer

 1950's chicken waterer.

Upcycled Version: Succulent Planter

Cottage in the Oaks

Early 1900's? Wool Card Combs Ole Whittemore Patent, Leceister Mass