Rollercoaster Time is HERE!!!

October is here and that means its time to take a ride on the rollercoaster ~~~ the Rollercoaster Yard Sale kicks off Oct 1!

Silver Bell Antiques is located directly on Highway 111 in Byrdstown. If you are traveling the yard sale from Albany, KY to Livingston, TN - you'll be passing right by us!!!

We aren't just pricey antiques, so be sure you make a stop to shop!

Furniture

Gifts

Hurricane Creek Candle Tarts

Little Seed Farm Goat Soaps

Watkins Flavorings & Spices

Ruby's Rubbish

Clothes & More Clothes

Vintage

And of course the Glassware

For the Love of Mom

Check out our amazing Etsy vendors & a few local crafters for that special & unique Mother's Day gift!


Wallridge Farm is based out of Franklin, TN - Ms. Cindy makes handcrafted cards with a whole lot of character & a bit of vintage flair.

visit WallridgeFarm's Etsy shop here

For the modern mom - ByIndieEtc offers inspirational necklaces from some of our favorite songs - think Mumford & Sons, Johnny Cash, etc. 

visit ByIndieEtc here

FreshPastryStand offers screenprints on tea towels - we were initially drawn in by the Pyrex prints!

visit FreshPastryStand here

H&J Star Creations are handcrafted in New York - purses & pouches with fun geometric prints!

visit H&J here

By Grace - Handpainted pallet & barnwood signs that are sure to make you swoon!

visit ByGrace here 

Miss Patsy's --- well she can just about make anything that involves a stitch! Here are some sweet ruffled aprons just for mom.

And no I haven't forgotten the goats! Hey they sell at Urban Outfitters & West Elm, so who are we to be proud to sell a little piece of TN right here???

A new kind of chocolate for your delight.

Little Seed Farm

This is the last you will see of the Southern Firefly Candles. We truly love their product, but just don't feel that they are at the right price point for our customers...and we have a little something more local in store for you. With that said these candles are all being discounted on closeout - the Pumpkin Latte is delish! 

visit Southern Firefly

May just happens to be our Birthday month, so we have a few things up our sleeve. Sales, giveaways, and the unveiling of some new products! Prices are effective May 6

• Southern Firefly Candles are on sale 40% off - that brings the glass jars to $16.80
• Hurricane Creek Candles are coming soon!!! Handpoured in B~town ;)
• Check out our ByIndieEtc necklaces because they will be ON SALE!!!
• Starting May 6, every purchase will earn you an entry into a drawing for some free goodies! 
• Ruby's Rubbish is joining the gang - Check Them Out Here

I chose to provide direct sources to our vendors for a couple of reasons. 1) You can see the variety of items available to you, even if we don't currently have them in the store. 2) You can see that our prices are right on spot, and you don't have to pay shipping!!!

Mention a detail about this blog on our Facebook, and you'll automatically be entered for the giveaways!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Mirrors are possibly the most versatile piece of decor. These tips and tricks will have you thinking about where you can add mirrors in your home!

For rooms with few or no windows, a mirror makes the perfect sub.

Photo Courtesy of Lifestyle in Blog

And no the mirror doesn't have to look like a window to give this effect. Consider a square room with only one window. By placing a mirror on the adjacent wall you can create the illusion of an extra window. This trick is all about light - windows let light in and mirrors reflect other light sources.

For dark and dim spaces, add a mirror behind a lamp or near a light source for added glow.

Photo Courtesy of Milk and Honey Home

Photo Courtesy of BuildDirect Blog

For small spaces a mirror can instantly create the illusion that the room is larger than it actually is. Mirrors reflect the lines opposite of them, so perfectly placed mirrors create the effect that a room continues on. 

Photo Courtesy of Inspired Design Ideas

Ironically, the right mirror can make an expansive space seem smaller. This trick isn't so much about light and line, but about adding depth and warmth to a space as well as filling empty voids. 

Photo Courtesy of Proxima Ltd

The rich gold frames of these mirrors help darken up blank white space.

Mirrors provide truly endless possibilities. The effect a mirror has on a space will depend on its shape, frame, size & placement.

Here at The Bell we have lots of mirrors to choose from. Antique to rustic and everything in between! Our favorite mirror trick has nothing to do with its actual use, but rather an idea of re-purposing. If you aren't into the brassy gold framed mirrors that probably once adorned your homes via Home Interior parties, we have a simple solution - REPAINT THE FRAME!!! It is as simple as removing or covering the glass, picking up a fun color of spray paint and painting away. The best part about these mirrors is that the frames often have intricate details that don't really show up until you put on that fresh coat of paint!

Yep this once had a gold frame, and black is my current favorite finish!

 This is re-purposing at it's best. 

Plus I love this pic because you can see this mirror's own reflection!

Love, love, love this antique mirror.

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