I’ve Got Your Number!

Centerpiece by the Numbers

When customers ask where we get our ideas…I just laugh, I have no idea. But, today I was looking at these really fun numbered balls – reminds me of an old bingo ball drop – and I thought what fun it would be as a centerpiece! Taking the half-shell eggs we got for our Easter collection I filled each egg with a number, set it on one of our metal trees and created a bunny display around it.
Now, what I especially like about this idea is that you can turn it into a conversation piece during that Easter brunch. Invite guests to pick a number and having a list of questions or topics, pick the matching number question/topic and start the fun….

Question #4?

Question #4? How old were you when you discovered there was no giant rabbit putting colored eggs in the yard?

Ready to Grill?

Grillware

So, spring has officially sprung, right? Well, even when I lived back in Chicago, if a blade of green grass crept through the snow, it meant spring which meant — it was time to grill. Now, Wilton Armetale has launched the best grilling collection we’ve ever seen. Guys love that our store has “something for them” as well.
I love how this stuff conducts heat so no worry about the food getting cold, and even the Vege griller can cook the potatoes better thanks to spikes you can insert the potato on for the grill! Very cool. And, all I can say is…..HAPPY GRILLING

Not A Typical Watermelon

So very cool!

Went to a wedding this weekend and a young food artist, Ryan Kulhanek created these watermelons for the bride and groom. They were so cool I just had to post them. They are true works of art. We are hoping to get Ryan to create some bakery goods for Silver Barn as well. If he can bake as well as he carves, we will have one heck of a winning combination — our merchandise, his treats!

Our Bunnies @ Home

Before

One of our customers wanted us to help give her mantle a spring update…and we did!

After

And, if you ever come visit us in Columbus, come early on Saturday to stop at Keyser’s Meats for the absolute best kolaches and cinnamon rolls in Texas. Oh, and the homemade bread…mmmm. And, the great bbq smell permeates the area, including our store, so stay for lunch. And, while you are in Keyser’s, tell Joanne you love her mantle!!

Welcome Spring ’09

Happy Hoppy Spring

The first day of spring is always welcome, and this little bunny was too cute not to let her put out the welcome mat for us. When I lived in Chicago spring was more significant a milestone, but nonetheless, I love spring almost as much as the beginning of the holiday season.

So, welcome spring and have a happy, beautiful weekend and season.

A Picture is Worth a 1,000…

Got Photos?

My business partner and I love photo frames, and so do our customers. We are always looking for something new and different to add to our assortment. What I also like is how folks create their “look”. Some like all frames to be the same – all variations of silver, or wood, or something else that gives it a cohesive look. Others, like me, like a variety of frames styles and materials. I like the look of a sophisticated silver frame mixed with the relaxed style of wood or other materials. Look around your house, check your personal style. Do you have an eclectic style, mixing colors, woods, vintage and new? Or, are you more of a traditionalist in your home style? That will give you an idea of the type of frame you should keep a look out for when shopping.

Also, be sure to mix sizes, no matter what your style. Too much uniformity creates a lack of interest, on the other hand, watch that you don’t create a mish-mash of a look with no theme. Pick your largest frame, say an 8×10 and then pick some smaller 4×6, 3×5, even 2.5×2.5 in that same material. Then, mix and match from there, and voila, you have created an area of interest filled with interesting family and friends….and maybe a pet or two!

In Honor of St. Pat Day

Vegas, the Party Animal

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I was going to show this cool new drink concoction we just got in, Tea Forte’s Infusion Cocktails. However, the pic I selected didn’t select me….

So, I thought Vegas, our faithful store cat (and queen at home as well), and I, would say HEY. This was not taken today, so that is why NO green. But, being that my family is only 4th generation American, I felt I should show that we celebrate at the drop of a hat, and as my husband says, we supply the hat!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and may all your days be as happy as an Irishman’s, as flush as the lush green meadows of the homeland, and may they celebrate your life with gusto when you pass. And, may the Jello shots not get on your shirt!.

A Salute to St. Paddy

Busy Bees!

All from bees!

I’m a bit of a candle snob and when we started Silver Barn I wanted to be sure and have a good assortment of candles that were better for the home environment. One of our candle lines is from Bees Wax Co out of Mason, Texas. These 100% beeswax candles also use a cotton wick, another important element to a cleaner burning, more natural candle experience. All our candles are either beeswax, soy or at the very least use an essential oil for fragrance vs. synthetic. When looking for a candle, check for the most natural product you can find. That synthetic fragrance, synthetic wick, heavy paraffin ( a chemical by product) are putting toxins in the air — your air. The brands we carefully carry are: Bees Wax, Root, Pacifica & Voluspa. You may pay a bit more, but you will not be getting more than you want!

“I’m Looking For A Gift”

Great Gift Ideas

That is a term we hear daily at the store, and one of the most unique gifts we can recommend comes to us from Kurtz Design. These hand cast (bas relief) decorative stones come in a variety of designs and quotes, but when looking for something truly one of a kind, Kurtz can custom design on seven different finishes. We are especially fond of our Silver Barn plaque that sits at a special place of honor in our store. We’ve ordered stone plaques celebrating weddings, births, new homes and much more. The stones range in price from $30-$75 and only take about two to three weeks to complete and deliver. Talk about a unique gift! It’s certainly one we go to when a customer comes in with “I”m looking for a gift”.

These Bunnies Are Multiplying!

Ahhh - nother Bunny!

Let our cute bunny say Happy Spring for you. We thought she was so sweet she deserved her own space to say – Welcome Spring