Classic Bells Generate Worldwide Demand

Classic Bells Generate Worldwide Demand 31-2-9 Restoring antique horse and sleigh bells is a business that's grown steadily over the past six years for Chuck Kelly and DeeAnna Weed of Postville, Iowa. The couple has filled orders from all over North America, as well as from Australia, Britain, Belgium and Northern Europe. They specialize in heirloom bell straps and creating custom designs with antique bells. Calling their business "Classic Bells," the couple uses antique bells from their own large inventory or heirloom bells supplied by the customer. They purchase bells at flea markets, off the internet and directly from people they meet. "I don't know anybody else who does what we do," Chuck says. "Our website drives our business. There would probably be no way to do this without it." Classic Bells is a part-time business during summer months, but between October 1 and February 1, it morphs into a full-time entity, "even though we both have other full-time jobs, too," Chuck points out. "We're usually able to fill most small orders in two to three business days. This includes orders for Santa's sleigh bells, door straps, antique straps, and ready-made items. But you have to allow six to eight weeks for us to complete large custom projects." Recently, the couple added some new items to their product list for "horse folk." They now make home decor and equestrian gift items without sleigh bells on them. These include: leather covered horseshoes and "Doc Hammill's adapters for driving lines". The idea for Classic Bells sprouted when, some years ago, Chuck was looking for sleigh bells for the couple's Norwegian Fjord horses, according to DeeAnna. "He didn't like the weight or sound of the new bells, but the old ones were not usually in good enough shape to use on a horse," she says. "After searching in vain for someone who would restore old sleigh bells for him, he realized there was no one to do it. Chuck heard from folks who waited years to get their sleigh bells back from harness makers. Others told him about paying high prices for careless workmanship, cheap leather and hardware, and poorly polished bells." Intrigued by the engineering problem of learning how to efficiently, gently and thoroughly clean, polish and preserve sleigh bells, the enterprising couple determined to teach himself. The typical cost to have Classic Bells clean, polish and lacquer a bell is $3, but the fee is flexible according to how much work is requested, according to Kelly. Some people just want them cleaned and not polished, or polished very little and not lacquered. The Classic Bells website also serves as an informative resource for many articles about all aspects of sleigh bells. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Classic Bells, Chuck Kelly and DeeAnna Weed, P.O. Box 370, Postville, Iowa 52162 (ph 563 864-3201; fax 563 864-7416; info@classicbells.com; http://classic bells.com).

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