Author Archives: Paul Proffitt

Say It This Way

If you use my bottle stoppers, feel free to take any wording from my site [...]

Show Work-in-Progress

Show customers your work in progress either by using pictures of progressive steps or have [...]

More Places to Sell Stuff

Many libraries, banks, community centers and visitor centers have monthly displays in their lobby or [...]

Get Some New Ideas

At Craft Fairs, after your booth is set up, walk down and around another isle [...]

Bring that customer back

How many times do you hear “I’ll be back”. This is a “be back” tip: [...]

Hotels – A Selling Opportunity

Hotel gift shops and airport gift shops are an excellent venue as many travelers love [...]

Consider Designer and Retail

If you make bowls, vases, etc., check with fine furniture stores. They have rooms arranged [...]

Exclusives for Specialty Shops

Make an “exclusive” design for each specialty shop. They will promote their very own exclusive [...]

Competitors? Or, not.

Other vendors are not necessarily your competition, you compliment each other. If a customer asks [...]

Think of Vertical Markets

Home builders might like to give their customers a nice salad bowl or wine bottle [...]

Expand Your Visibility

If you have a website, try to link with fellow artists, vendors and collectors. Don’t [...]

New Sales Opportunities

Try gourmet kitchen shops or flower shops that make gift baskets. They can sell your [...]

Simple, Attractive Packaging

For your booth at a show, tie a stopper to a bottle of wine with [...]

Think Like a Customer

This is from an article in Crafts Report. “Make what the customers want to buy.” [...]

Enhance Show Displays

Have an empty wine bottle and vinegar cruet in your show booth so people can [...]

Focus Your Customer

If you do wood stoppers with a wood display stand, paint the stand white. Each [...]

Show the Process

If you work with wood, have a “process” display; a square blank, a partially turned [...]

Will the stoppers fit all bottles?

It is impossible to have one stopper that will fit 100% of bottles. With the [...]

Can I lay the bottle on its side with these stoppers?

If the fit is tight, test it before leaving the bottle on its side over [...]

How should the stoppers be cleaned?

Wipe them off with a soapy dish cloth or just a wet paper towel. If [...]

Which Stopper or Opener for trophies, cabinet knobs, faucet handles, gear shifts, etc.?

If you are not sure of the screw size on your item, take it to [...]

Which stopper style works best for golf or pool balls?

There are 4 or 5 styles that work, the stoppers with the 3/8″ studs and [...]

What is the best size for a stopper blank?

The most common size for a stopper wood blank is 2″ square by 2 1/2″ [...]

Should I glue the stopper into the wood and which glue is best?

This is a personal preference. If the stopper threads into the wood real tight, there [...]

I have trouble with the wood loosening on the mandrel while turning

First remember which woods got loose and use the smaller drill bit when using that [...]

Katrin Berger, Switzerland

Katrin Berger, SwitzerlandBeautiful beadwork.

Katrin Berger, Switzerland

Katrin Berger, SwitzerlandBeautiful beadwork.

Timothy School Bakers, Harleysville, PA

Timothy School Bakers, Harleysville, PAA school for the autistic.

Kelli Clough, NC

Kelli Clough, NCToo Cute!

Kelli Clough, NC

Kelli Clough, NCToo cute.

Bathsheba Grossman, MA

Bathsheba Grossman, MAExquisite 3D-printed original creations.

Ken Como, NY

Ken Como, NY, creates very unique stoppers! Ken’s website with fun items.