Ok. Had the women here to look at what I have made so far and it's just so many ups and downs. First of all, they loved my snowmen but couldn't afford to use them. Darn it lol. They liked my ornies and want me to make 50 of them and are willing to pay $4 a piece. I've already got about 25 made so not bad at all. Yipee! Will just have to drag my scroll saw out to cut a few more. BUT after me painting and trying to put together centerpieces for them, they decided they want all 9 of them to be the same. UGH! I had 4 or 5 of them figured out and ready to put together - well almost lol. I showed one which was a charger plate with a candle holder and greens around it. Well, I only have one of those candle holders and it's just too darn expensive to get 8 more if I even could find them so now I have to figure out something else to put in the center of those. That is what they have kind of decided on. Candles were mentioned but those are quite pricy and I'd need a holder on top of it all which would be out of their price range. They only want to pay between $15 and $20 each. The rest of the stuff on them will cost me about $7. Soooo that center part can't be much at all if I want to make any money on it at all. Any ideas? It needs to be something about 10 inches tall and about 4 to 5 inches wide. Could even be less than that if necessary. Thanks in advance for any ideas! The other good thing was they were sooo wanting some of my other stuff so maybe I'll be selling even more stuff without even having to do a show!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: hjvagar,

Can you possibly use the flameless battery operated candles? They have them that size or close. And with coupons you could probably get a good price or try wally world.

Don't you just love people ?? I know how frustrating some of this can be. Do you have a hobby lobby in your area ? If so the 40% coupons would help you a lot in this area. I also would be out looking for pine cones around your area and dry them in the oven, they always look pretty in an arrangment and if you can find them it is no cost. I love that part. I wished I had more suggestions on this but my brain don't seem to be working this morning. lol I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Since they wanted candles can you use the electric candle lights on them and then decorate with the greenery etc.? I know you can often get them at the dollar store.

Don't know if this will help, I did a fast 10 minute basic design. I sell so many of these.
using solid color gift wrap, a box. Attach with
glue foliage, pine cones, double ribbon loops
with streamers, and 2 flowers small xmas balls
can be added. They can be made for any holiday
using items pertaining to the occassion.
Hope this can be of help
Jan
Sunshine from Tucson

Picture 2
top
Jan

At the Dollar Tree they have tall clear glass vases that you could use in the center and put greenery around bottom and a candle (can purchase at Dollar Tree) inside the vase or put a electric candle in them.

flwrsbyjan, I love your decorated box!

Wow! You guys are great!! They are all great ideas and I will post what I end up using but take it from me - eventually I will be using them all! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Jan, those are so pretty! I may make a couple of those & add a string of battery operated little lights. Wouldn't they look good on my tables at my craft shows? Thank you!

All the ideas are great!!

I don't know your time frame; 'greenery' can be really cheap if you have a local resale shop or lots of garage sales. I buy really cheap Christmas trees and use the greenery from them in a lot of projects!!

Also, pine cones are free around here!! If you cut a pinecone it ends up looking like a flower. I have cut and spray painted them red and put them into place looking sort of like poinsettias. I don't know if you can imagine it...I will try to post a pic.

Good luck, sounds like you might be onto some money making with this.

OH, I use painted lids from food jars as candle bases also. And baby food jars!!!

grami

Thanks grami! Wish I could use those jar lids but she decided to go with those fake flcker candles instead of the real things so no need for them this time. Will keep that tip in mind for another time though! And Cookie you are totally right. Those are a pretty idea! (And I do have about 10 of those battery operated lights to use with them too! Thanks!)

Good, I hope they work for you, hjvagar. I get a lot of compliments on mine & I use them year round in various rooms. They are 6 to 8 inches high & 3 inches across & have timers in them. Most of the time I have them on the inexpensive glass candle holders from wally world with the colored glass stones around the bottom of them. At Christmas I just put a pretty candle ring around them. I have also put the votive sized flameless candles in small glass hurricanes with the glass stones in the bottoms of the hurricanes.

Another box I do is wrapped in blue gift wrap,
add foliage sprayed with snow. Then glue in
glitter snowflakes and add lights and small
silver balls. Cookie glad you can use the idea
for your crafts.
Jan
Sunshine from Tucson

I like to use those tall vases from the dollar stores too and I add some of that moisture crystals with water and let them asborb the water, then fill the vases almost to the top and add a tea light candle. You can also add food coloring to the crystals to make any color you wish. Then add some greenery and flowers around the bottom of the vase. The light from the candle and the crystals in the vase will sparkle color into the room. I have done this at weddings, ladies gatherings etc. Good luck to you and try and not let this stress you out. It is suppose to be fun.
DJ