One of my goals last year was to be able to pay for all my grocery store purchases by earning that money back by selling totally random things I had collected on my walks along the beaches surrounding our home or just from our walks in general.
And well, a lot of other projects sort of creeped up on me {the kitchen remodel, my husband deciding to tear up the yard and install a religious sized family garden, gardening season of course and then traveling} that my goal of earning my grocery money back got put on the back burner. So last year’s goal is now this year’s goal. 🙂
Last year we spent $1,493.04 on groceries.
*****
So far this year I have listed 2 boxes of driftwood for sale online for $89.95 each. So far, one box has sold. {Yipee!}
This morning I listed 1 magnificent box of “12 Heart Shaped Rocks” for sale in my Etsy shop for $24.95.
I based my price on a three factors:
Quantity of heart shaped rocks in each box, “free” shipping and aesthetically pleasing natural packaging.
Here is my Etsy listing:
This listing is for 12 local organically harvested heart shaped rocks in various sizes ranging from 3/4″ to 1 1/2″ wide collected from the beaches near my Maine home.
All rocks have been rinsed with fresh water and dried in the sun.
Each heart shaped rock is unique and has its own bit of character to it. You will receive the exact heart shaped rocks as shown in the listing photos.
Also included in the box is a mini pink pottery heart ornament I made myself. 🙂
So what do you think. Will it sell? 🙂 🙂 🙂
And if you were in the market for a box of heart shaped rocks, what would you do with them?
~Mavis
UPDATE: The rocks have sold!
Here’s the note I received from the purchaser:
Since some of your readers are curious as to what one would do with your found objects….I create hand made jewelry and want to use these as props for my photography! Years ago, I had some beautiful stones I used…but I moved and lost them somehow. Rocks and organic materials are beautiful props!
Patti Vanderblowman – Jewelry Artist – Website: PattiVan.com
Aunt Diane from Streator says
That box of rocks is worth at least $100! Absolutely lovely!
Rosemary Calhoun says
Did it sell already? I clicked the link but it went to the driftwood listing. The heart shaped rocks are truly unique (and reasonably priced), and I am not surprised that they are sold.
Jennifer says
I was going to be in the “yes they will sell category’, but I was surprised the price was so low, compared to the driftwood AND with the addition of the ornament. Great job!!
Jamie says
Wow! I love finding heart shaped rocks!!
Toni says
I still remember the Pet Rock craze!!! People will buy anything if it is marketed well. You go Mavis!!
Lesley says
With your classy packaging and amazing ornaments, you will be able to sell anything!
Tammy says
I’m glad you’re updating your blog with what you are selling. I find it very interesting! While I will probably not buy the items, I think it is awesome that you have collected these things and that you are selling them. I was going to say that yes they would sell, but apparently they already did so there’s your answer! 😀
Jennifer Jo says
You could sell them for more, I bet.
Mavis Butterfield says
Just think what N could get for his popsicle stick art!
Bec says
Oh Mavis, you need to charge more for that. When I first started reading, I thought $2 a rock? Steep! But then you’re including free shipping, lovely packaging, and an ornament? This would be such a sweet gift to send to someone for Valentine’s Day or a thinking of you. I think you could easily charge $40 and have no issue selling. And this is coming from a cheapskate!
Pj says
I was going to say the same. $39.95.
Melonie K. says
I’m not surprised the rocks sold quickly – they made my inner “WANT” pop right up!
I’m so glad you shared the note about the purchaser’s intent for using them, and her website. It was fun to see Patti’s beautiful jewelry creations. WOW.
Patti Vanderbloemen says
Aw, thanks for looking!
Linda Practical Parsimony says
You gave them away, considering the heart you made and free shipping! I loved “organically harvested.”
Lindsey says
Well, I am obviously in the minority because I did not think the driftwood would sell and I thought the rocks were certainly not going anyplace. I am glad for you that they sold and I applaud your ingenuity.
Ruth says
Need to raise your price! Maybe factor in the length of time it took you to accumulate…and how long it will take to do it again. Nice packaging.
Christopher says
I would make them part of a Lamp or Rocking chair inlay OR put them in an acrylic diorama.
Sue says
I looked at the site and the heart rocks were sold. I get the post around 3:30 here in Alabama. She’s very lucky and am happy for her and you. Sorry I missed those I am a collector.
Dianne says
Way to go Mavis. Congratulations! If you don’t try, you will never know. I know there are people that like to purchase flats stones as well to paint. You might find a market on Etsy.
Dianne
Jules says
That’s great!
This goal of yours has ms looking around my corner of the world to see what I could sell!
Linda Sand says
Another blogger I read just bought two boxes of sea shells. Apparently, anything found from the sea will sell. I also love your “organically harvested” phrase.
Christy says
Organically harvested…might need to add that to my listing of natural items. Can’t get more organic then with my own hands and feet as the power source 😀
Susan Williams says
I would say to raise the price as well. How much was the postage to ship a box of rocks? I’m curious what was the amount ‘cleared’ after shipping, packaging, ornament and handling?
Susie says
If you can find even tinier heart-shaped rocks, I’m sure they would sell like crazy. I see very cute framed pieces of art in gift shops using rocks (ovals, rounds, rectangles) as people and/or animals, and small heart-shaped rocks with them.
Bonnie from GA says
Those rocks are beautiful. Even put on a coffee table in a pretty glass dish. Especially with Valentine’s Day coming up…..I think they were worth more. Especially with the ornament!!
tia in boise says
I think the price (considering shipping was free and the addition of heart ornament) was spot-on, but I was surprised that they were purchased. (My thinking was: if you wanted a collection of heart-shaped rocks, you’d probably want to collect them yourself…) shrugs
This is from someone who collects flat circular rocks when I find them on my runs/walks.
Thank you for sharing what the purchaser said!
Ashley Bananas says
Everything I find from this day forward will be ‘organically harvested’ 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
From a “native” landscape. 🙂
LaToya says
*gah* I clicked to try and buy it before I read it was sold.
Find more?!
Janet says
I don’t know where you are collecting your driftwood or heart shaped rocks from Mavis other than Maine but I think it needs to be stated that collection shouldn’t be done in national, state or county parks or nature preserves. I am sure you are collecting from public land where you have gotten permission as after following for for years now I know you are that kind of woman.
Most of those groups on only heavily frown on collecting they also frown on moving and or creating new piles as it hurts native flora and fauna and destroys habitat.
I nice article on the import of driftwood is here https://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/why-driftwood-matters/
And Leavenotrace.org has a free online class to learn about their 7 principals and following them https://lnt.org/courses/online_awareness_take_action_html5/#/
Can’t wait to see more of your adventures through Maine as I spent 2 wks every summer as a child visiting Boothbay Harbor and wandering the woods and roads and beaches with a 2 plastic bags – one for trash and one for cans which I cashed in at the recycling place and then spent usually at The Smiling Cow.
Angel says
I felt certain they’d sell….
Katie P NC says
Another thing you can sell a boat load of- sea glass. “Sea Trash” as my land lubber brother calls it, but for people who live near beaches, this stuff is gold. Every person that comes to my house comments on my jars of colored beach glass. I don’t know how much of it gathers near your shore but its aplenty in NC. Love all of the ideas you’re selling because I have them all displayed at my home too 🙂
Donna says
I just wanted to say that I think it was so thoughtful for Patti to explain how she’s using the rocks!
debbie in alaska says
sea glass sells for quite a bit online — so definitely keep an eye out for that if you aren’t already — though I bet you are.