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Bottle Stoppers?

Joined
Jan 28, 2024
Messages
97
Likes
126
Location
Petersburg, AK
I have never made a bottle stopper, but I have an affinity towards small decorative forms with a high gloss surface. My dad's birthday is coming up, and he wants to turn in some bottlestoppers to sell. So, I need to buy some kits. There are high-quality kits and kits that are 10 for $10 on Amazon, does it matter? I believe that some items, buffing wheels, for example, are not worth spending much money on, because they are simple, and cheap works just as well as expensive if that makes sense. Does it matter if I buy cheaper ones or more expensive ones? What do you recommend for our first bottlestoppers that we will eventually make and sell a few?
 
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
2,575
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2,017
Location
Bozeman, MT
I have made quite a few bottle stoppers and found that the cheaper ones have a plating that breaks down and starts to peel, in time. Not sure if the wine accelerates the process or not, but I was pretty upset to see some of the stoppers I made looking shoddy after only 18 months.
 
Joined
May 8, 2024
Messages
25
Likes
5
Location
Dillsburg, PA
I've started using all Niles Stoppers. Something to pay attention to also, on many, especially the cheap kits, they're not stainless, which could cause issues down the road
 
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
310
Likes
2,217
Location
North Ogden, Utah
Ruth Niles sold her bottle stopper business to Carl Jacobson but they're still the same top quality stainless steel stoppers Ruth designed. There are also some available in brass. Bottle stoppers are a big seller in some areas but where I live I can sell more bottle openers. And the Pop top openers sell very well too.
 
Joined
Apr 20, 2006
Messages
1,362
Likes
1,152
Location
Erie, PA
Ruth Niles started the stainless steel bottle stopper business and the place she had them made started selling them as their own, lawsuit ensued with no happy ending if my memory serves me. Ruth had another place make them (I happened to visit that place and was very impressed with the business and the guy who ran it). For that reason and that alone is why I have always bought Ruth's products (now sold by Jacobson). The reason I don't use chrome is that wine actually will eat away at the chrome. While they may not be the best sellers around here is the fact that I don't know anyone who opens a bottle of wine that does not finish it😁
 
Joined
Oct 8, 2020
Messages
209
Likes
139
Location
La Porte, IN
Yeah--we're not wine drinkers, and when i decant a good root beer i empty the bottle. But, we cook and keep use Ruth Niles stoppers for wine, oil and vinegar bottles. I think one of my vinegar stoppers is nearing 10 years with no degradation.
 
Joined
Jan 28, 2024
Messages
97
Likes
126
Location
Petersburg, AK
I have made quite a few bottle stoppers and found that the cheaper ones have a plating that breaks down and starts to peel, in time. Not sure if the wine accelerates the process or not, but I was pretty upset to see some of the stoppers I made looking shoddy after only 18 months.
Are there any decent ones on Amazon? I reckon that a couple of cheap Amazon ones to get a feel for it, and a couple of high-quality ones from Niles.
 
Joined
May 15, 2024
Messages
12
Likes
169
Location
Debary, FL
Cheap stoppers can be had on Amazon. They run about $1 a piece if you buy in bulk. You can sell them cheap and make a nice profit. If you buy the better quality ones, your price can go up accordingly, and you can take more pride in your work. If I were making for a gift, I would definitely spend a little more. I also find that if I display them side by side, I have to explain the difference. Most will spend the extra cash.
 
Joined
Mar 27, 2019
Messages
154
Likes
124
Location
Evergreen Park, IlL
Do you think people would be less attracted to them without the shine of the steel?

Different horses for different courses. I have no insight about your potential customer base. I’m guessing you could profitably sell a cork bottle stopper for USD 5 - 7. My guess is that the a stainless steel bottle stopper would be priced between USD 15 - 20. Is shiny worth USD 8 - 15 to some customers? Probably. To all customers? My intuition is no. I fear the only way to determine the product, price and customer interaction is to perform the experiment. Best of luck and I hope you share the knowledge you gain.
 

Kevin Jesequel

TOTW Team
Joined
Sep 9, 2020
Messages
233
Likes
1,842
Location
Portland, Oregon
Another vote for Niles Stoppers. I haven’t met Ruth, but Carl and Robyn are great. An added bonus for me is that they live about 15 minutes away. I like the stoppers with a flat bottom. They act as a little display stand when not in a bottle. I use exotic and highly figured cutoffs and sell them for $25-$30 whenever I do a show. I’ve covered the cost of several shows in stoppers alone.
 
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
2,575
Likes
2,017
Location
Bozeman, MT
Are there any decent ones on Amazon? I reckon that a couple of cheap Amazon ones to get a feel for it, and a couple of high-quality ones from Niles.
I have learned to value making prototypes, but you can make 50 stoppers and throw them all out without using up a single metal piece. Save the bucks you'd waste on cheap ones and buy good quality.
 
Joined
Jan 28, 2024
Messages
97
Likes
126
Location
Petersburg, AK
Another vote for Niles Stoppers. I haven’t met Ruth, but Carl and Robyn are great. An added bonus for me is that they live about 15 minutes away. I like the stoppers with a flat bottom. They act as a little display stand when not in a bottle. I use exotic and highly figured cutoffs and sell them for $25-$30 whenever I do a show. I’ve covered the cost of several shows in stoppers alone.
Thank You, we get a good deal of tourists in Alaska from cruise ships, and they seem to like the species that are unique to Alaska, or they haven't seen before, which is a double-edged sword because they are cheap, but they are soft. Maybe spalted beach wood or burls... a CA finish may help. That is good to know.
 
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