Hi everyone! I'm still working hard at my new job, they have lots of vacant shifts due to holiday vacations and openings and I have been working day and night! This has left little time for my minis, and even just for being in contact with everyone.
First things first, Merry Christmas to all my friends and followers! It's coming fast and I might not be able to post anything new before it comes.
Second, sorry to everyone that I have been ignoring!
Susan, sorry for the delay in finally getting your steampunk set to you, hope it arrived in one piece.
Nikki, I got your package ages and ages ago, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I've been meaning to do a whole post on it but haven't had time.
Ewa, oh my gosh thanks so much for the Christmas present! I couldn't wait and opened it early of course! I'll do a post on it later on. Thank you!
And I'm sure I owe words to many others, thanks for being patient with me!
Okay, now I need some help with my steampunk dilemma. While I was building the other 5 sets, I noticed the first set was loosing it's light quickly. I found out that the bulbs were needing too much power and my tiny batteries couldn't provide it long enough. So, in talking to Susan about what could be done, we came up with a base that held a bigger battery (one of those 3v lithium coin cell batteries) and a switch. We also swapped out the bulb for an LED bulb. I wished I could have made the base much smaller, but I think Susan is happy with it :). It's the one in the pictures below:
So my dilemma... I have 5 original sets pretty much done. I have to make the tiny pressure gauges and then just permanently secure the bulbs (they're just being held with putty at the moment). It's been so frustrating with the lighting not working the way I wanted, I really wanted everything to be hidden in the original wand box and not have to have extras, but I can't have everything I want! :) So I wanted to see what you guys thought about these two options:
The set goes for $39.00 and it comes with the box and the wand. Should I cut $10.00 off the price and sell it without it being able to light up?
or
Should I build the base like I did for the one pictured above?
Here is what they look like so far: (click on the picture to see it bigger)
They still need the pressure gauges and the bulbs are being held in place with putty at the moment, but they are very close to finished.
So, tell me what you think and we shall see where it all goes :)
Thanks for your help!
Lorraine! So good to hear from you!! It's great that you've got work :)
ReplyDeleteFor the steampunk wand boxes - maybe you could exchange the light with a glow-in-the-dark 'bulb'? Wouldn't need batteries ;)
Very best wishes of the season to you and your family :)))
xxx Glenda
I thought you might have been busy at work so glad you're back!!:)
ReplyDeleteHappy to read my little surprise arrived safe and sound!:)
As for your dillema Glenda's got great idea:) I would leave them as they are, after all we don't switch on the light all the time in our miniatures ;)
Have a very Merry Christmas!:)
As the owner of the "original" prototype, I can tell you that lighting up that little light is the coolest thing EVER!! It's like the wand is "recharging" whilst on it's base. I showed it to my son (the 18 y/o physics geek) and he was quite impressed with it.
ReplyDeleteI put lighting/wiring in most all my miniatures setting...I'm wiring some candles right now...but that's just me. Many folks don't. But the neat thing about this item is that it is independent of any internal wiring.
Glenda's suggestion is a good one to bring the cost down. I don't know of any glow-in-the-dark bulbs but it could be coated with GITD paint for a similar effect.
I just adore mine and it will be spectacular in my Steampunk Inventor's setting. Thank you so much, Lorraine!
When I return from the holidays, I promise to blog it (and all the other wonderful things I've recently acquired!)
Well I love the fact that they light up, so please keep that option open!! They are simply superb! I hope I manage to acquire one! :o)
ReplyDeleteYou have been working immensely hard at your new job! :o))
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Michelle xxx
So good to see you posting Lorraine. I like both options. I would buy one without the light. The glow in the dark option sounds good. Have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteVictoria ♥
Hi Lorraine lovely to hear from you again. I love the boxes, as usual! Why not do half with lights and half without?
ReplyDeletePersonally I would have either, I like the novelty idea of the light.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a less hectic New Year!
Do not know your blog has interesting things, I will see him very slowly. Merry Christmas to you too.
ReplyDeleteDifficult question. I love both options, but the possibility that you can let the light burn is giving it so much extra!!
ReplyDeletebut without a light it is still very beautiful!
I do love the original size so wouldnt mind one without the light too. They are looking fantastic Lorraine , youve done so much, how do you find the time when work is so busy! Happy Christmas to you and your family Love Kate xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! So far 3 of the 5 sets have potential owners, I think I will then list 1 with the extra pack and 1 without on Etsy when I'm finished with them. Unless anyone out there wants to claim one of the last two, then I can build it how you want it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!!