Needs opinions...

lights - l to r- filled with red apples and cinnamon potpourri, filled halfway with blue stones, filled with purple lavendar scented potpourri, filled with clear stones, filled with vanilla scented potpourri. 6 3/4 inches tall without bulbs, electric
@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
January 7, 2008 2:01pm CST
I made these little lights last night and I'm just wondering what people think of them. I know it's not the greatest picture and I put more details about them in the photo description. Do you think this is something I could sell online...like on etsy and others? How much do you think would be a fair price (I'll say what I spent on materials once I get a few opinions but I will say it was under $10)? Any suggestions or ideas for improvements?
7 people like this
20 responses
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
7 Jan 08
I think that they are cute, but not very kid friendly nite lightes :) i couldnt have one of those plugged in at my house! They would probably go for 5-10 bucks i'm guessing. Try to post a few of them on ebay see what you get for bids on them :)
1 person likes this
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
8 Jan 08
awesome :) either way would work, if you could set them on top of a table because of battery operated ones, or kid friendly ones would work too ;)
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
I planned to use battery operated ones but couldn't find any while out last night so that was kind of a bummer. And no they aren't very kid friendly if left down low...but I am still in the "design phase" so maybe I'll come up with a kid friendly version ;)
2 people like this
• United States
7 Jan 08
You are right about that, sissygrl, no kid friendly. But I believe those are battery operated, so maybe you could put them high up, anywhere?
1 person likes this
@Phlamingho (7825)
• Denmark
7 Jan 08
It's not something that I would like in my home, but you did a really good job and I'm sure you'll be able to sell them. I don't think you should charge a lot more than $10 though, so I don't hope the materials cost 9.99 :-D
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
LOL...nope actually it's less than $5 to make. And I appreciate your honesty, I know everyone's tastes vary but it was good to have your input!
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
8 Jan 08
I made something similiar to this a while back and at one point I couldn't keep them in stock at my craft shows. I had people ordering specific colors, for holidays, for their colors in their rooms. It was insane! I was charging 10.00 for mediums and up to 20.00 for larger ones. I made ones that were knee high sometimes! It was insane. Your's are a bit different then mine, and I love the idea! I might try something like that! I think you could get 10.00 or even 15.00 for them. Do you do craft shows? I think you'd have better luck at a fair then on etsy, but that's my opinion. I looked into etsy and it didn't impress me too much.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Wow, that's really encouraging, thanks! I decided these aren't done yet. I want to pretty them up a little more and solve the candle issue, I think they would look better if the bulb was lower. I'll leave some simple and some bulbs out I think just to see what sells the most. I'm also going to offer bigger sizes and styles. I would do craft shows but we're kind of in the off season for them right now. Usually there aren't any between the before Christmas ones and spring. I know very little about etsy, it's just the only one like that I know of. I think I'll try ebay and myspace also and see what happens.
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
9 Jan 08
Craft shows are off season for us too. We do a few in the spring, but a ton in the fall/winter. We have no more now until probably May. I haven't attempted to sell anything on etsy yet, but when I read the pages of FAQ-- it seemed really difficult. I had never thought about setting up a myspace page for crafts--- if you do one can you send me the link? I'd like to check it out. I might set up one for me too! My creative brain is going now....
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Oh wow, foxyfire, what a great idea and if I had 10.00, I would buy one...Actually, I think 10.00 is on the low side, I would probably go as high 15.00..:)
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Aww thanks! I think if I do it the price will depend on shipping too, I'd like to keep it under $20 total.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jan 08
Oh yeah, don't forget about shipping.. I hope it works for you..:)
• United States
7 Jan 08
I think they are really nice. If you put them one at a time in a really good setting for the picture, you could probably sell them. I've never heard of etsy. Is it a site for crafted items?
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Thanks! I think I'll put down a nice table cloth and bring in an extra light next time I take pictures.
@ky1119 (698)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Etsy is a site to buy and sell things that are handmade.
• United States
8 Jan 08
Those are cute foxy. I'd buy one if I had any money right now....Hmmm, my birthday is coming up in a few days, on the 11th of this month, maybe you can send me a free one for it?...hehehe, just kidding. They are nice little lights, you should be able to sell them for $10. Good luck on your ventures!
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
8 Jan 08
LOL well you didn't even tell me what color you'd like... I really hope I can get a few little things worked out so I can do this. I've gotten enough positive feedback here that I really want to give it a try. It'd be fun for me to put them together and help out financially.
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
7 Jan 08
good work, yes you can really sale them online anyway, it a simple but stylist. hope to learn like you how to make those lights.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Thank you! I can't give my secrets away lol but I'm glad you like them. :)
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Hey foxy I really like them. I think you can more then $10. Do they plug in? Or do you put a little tea light in them? I would definetly buy one. Good job!
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
They plug in...I was looking for battery operated ones but haven't found any yet. I think that would be nicer than having the cord hanging out. I'll let you know if I decide to actually start selling them...I think it's a good idea but I need to check into a few things first.
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
7 Jan 08
I agree with the others that they are very cute. My cat would kill them in an instant though. I also think it would be cuter if the bulb was lower than the edge of the vase. 15-20 bucks would be good. I like the ones with the clear marbles better, but the potpourri is nice too.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
The ones with marbles actually surprised me...I'm more of a potpourri person...but I really liked the looks of the marbles. I think it would be better if there were more of them but I just didn't buy enough...lesson learned!
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
7 Jan 08
hi firefox, i think they will sell - you should try it on ebay and other sites too!
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Thanks...it sure would be nice to have some extra income!
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Hello Foxyfire33, Those are attractive little lamps you've created. I think I would like them better, personally, if somehow the candle lamp was totally within the fluted vase - not sure if shorter candles are available, or taller vases. I think the glow from the "flame" would be pretty reflecting off of the glass stones. I also would much prefer the glass stones over the potpouri, the potpouri is lovely and probably has a fantastic aroma but I am thinking a few months down the road - as our house creates a lot of dust I am thinking the lamp would not be long lived here if I bought the potpouri... er, now that I am writing this out I realize that I could just empty out the old and replace with new when it gets dirty. my father made some lamps out of old granddad bottles when I was a little girl, those were a hot commodity in the 70s, heh.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
I thought about that problem with the potpourri too...but like you said it could always be replaces...not sure if they would ship well filled anyway. I also wanted them to sit inside the vase but they were taller than I thought they were. I think I can make the ones I've already got shorter and next time I'll buy the taller vases. I have no idea what "granddad bottles" are lol I kind of missed all but the last 5 months and a week of the 70's :)
@tonyllenium (6252)
• Italy
7 Jan 08
eh it is not bad as idea to try sell these lights online such a nowadays many people can sell o the net many things even those a bit strange!! as price depends..you can start to try to sell them as 3 $ for one and see if the price can be suitable for majority or not!!
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Well thanks...$3 is a bit too low to cover my materials and time even without adding in shipping costs.
• United States
7 Jan 08
I think you'd do well selling them. Etsy is a possibility. They are more of an impulse buy, so you'd have to promote them often. They would also do weel, I think, at craft shows and possible consigned to boutiques. Good Luck and let us know how you make out!
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Boutiques are a good idea! I'll have to scout around for some. I'm not against craft shows either it's just the wrong time of year for them right now...right before Easter they usually start back up again.
• Philippines
8 Jan 08
You did great Foxyfire! A little more improvement though. Maybe you could put beach sand on one of the bottles instead of Marbles. Or you could put a couple more designs. You did very good it looks really nice! I'd say you could sell them for more or less $13, just add a couple more designs and I guess it would be worth the price!
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Oh sand is a great idea! These were just a "first batch" and I definitely have a few bugs to work out before I start selling. I just wanted to get a few opinions while I had the camera here.
@rakinitin (685)
• Canada
15 Jan 08
You will never know unless you try. What's the worst that could happen? You just never know what will attract the customers nowadays. Remember the 'Pet Rock'? Even after all these years I still see them in stores. Go figure.
@venshida (4836)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I think they might be good to sell at a craft store. I think $10.00 to $12.00 is good price range. I would prefer the light to be smaller, good luck.
@ky1119 (698)
• United States
7 Jan 08
I think they're really cute. I'm sure you could sell them. Try Etsy.com.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Thanks! I signed up with etsy so now I just have to finish them and get some good pictures....and find out about shipping and everything else lol.
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
7 Jan 08
I think they are very cute. I think 10.00 is a good price for them. Good luck I hope you sell a ton of them.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Jan 08
That would be so nice! Even 10 of them a week at that price would bring in a nice profit.
@EMZo03 (213)
8 Jan 08
i cant really see the picture, you should put it on photobucket and add a link! they look neat from what i see though, and i like your red panda picture
@gkurt08 (233)
• Philippines
8 Jan 08
If your going to present those in etsy, you must take another picture. Add more light to it to make them more presentable. And take pictures of them with the candle's bulb on. Hope it works for you.