I made this box and was thinking of selling it in one of my Etsys described as a decorative birch box. It’s a little thing (2 1/4" x 1 1/4" x 1"). I haven’t put it for sale though because I’m having this twinge of conscience as it is made out of craft sticks more popularly known as Popsicle sticks. Although they shouldn’t be called that as Popsicle is a brand name and I don’t think they like losing their brand-ness to crafters.
Anyway-- craft sticks are made of birch. White birch, to be exact, because the tight grain resists splintering and it has a neutral taste. It is also used in corn dog sticks and tongue depressors. This is plain, unadulterated, untreated white birch. I’ve already had one person tell me they would feel angered if they got the box and later found out it was made from craft sticks. I asked would they be less angered if I called it a ‘wooden box’. They didn’t reply.
It’s not that I can’t see the point. A Popsicle stick box conjures up images of 1st grade arts and crafts. However, this box took me two days of re-sawing, gluing, sanding, staining and finishing and I definitely do not want to give that impression. So, am I being deceitful by not mentioning its craft stick origins? Can I call it a birch box or a wooden box with a clear conscience?
I think you should not use a description that is misleading. If someone who got the box was upset about the materials and you could have described them more clearly so they would know what they’re getting, then that’s something you should do.
So the challenge is how you can mention that the original wood is birch craft sticks, but that your method of assembly adds significant value and finish.
A clearer picture could help show the quality. That photo looks pretty blurry or grainy or heavily filter/post-processed to me.
Tough call. From the picture you can’t tell that it’s made from Popsicle sticks, but I think I would also be annoyed if I could tell that’s what it was once it was in my hands.
It’s too late now, but if you had put some type of heavy material under the map inlay, the extra weight would likely make it feel heftier and harder to tell what it’s made of.
Even just a few metal washers with another layer of sticks over them.
But, yeah, it looks really nice, but I finding out after the fact that it’s made of popsickle sticks would be annoying, at best. It would be like ordering something from Ebay and finding out it’s a cheap knockoff.
According to the trademark database and Unilever, “Popsicle” refers to a frozen confection.
“Popsicle stick” is not trademarked, so it is perfectly legitimate to use the term (with “Popsicle” capitalized) for anything that isn’t a frozen confection.
If you want to avoid the connotations, call them craft sticks.
Well, my goal is not to fool people. The opposite, in fact. This is why I haven’t put it up for sale yet because I don’t want to make someone feel cheated but I don’t want a kid’s craft connotation attached to it.
I personally wouldn’t care that it was made from craft sticks- in effect, it’s just really small dimensional lumber. I’d be paying for something I found aesthetically pleasing, and not for what it’s made of.
Now if it was literally made from old popsicle sticks, I’d be grossed out. And if it was represented as being made from sustainable mahogany or something, and turned out to be stained craft sticks, I’d be annoyed at the fraudulent aspects.
If it’s obvious that it’s popsicle sticks once it’s in your hands, then I would not be pleased. If it feels very light weight, then I would not be pleased.
Is it substantially different from a project that my kids might make in an arts class at school? If not, you should rethink selling these. If it is, then how and why is it different? Why should a person pay for the box?
My two cents on the pictures: I think the non-Instagram one looks better.
What were the sticks called when you purchased them? I see a wide variety of shapes, sizes and descriptions on Amazon including “Jumbo craft sticks” “Craft Sticks” “Popsicle Sticks” “Coffee Stirrer Sticks” Wooden Ice Cream Sticks" “Natural Jumbo Craft Sticks” “Paint Stirrer Sticks” “Crafts Paint Sticks” etc.
Why not just put in the description “Partially made from White Birch Craft Sticks”
I think that’s the best idea. If someone were to call you on it, it’s easily explained that they’re Birchwood Craft Sticks. You could even send them a link to them on Amazon.
Also, I agree with Sunny, the non-instagramed picture looks better, at least for selling it.
Something can be true and misleading. There are many types of wood.If people are likely to assume something more substantial than a craft stick, and you leave those words out of your description so you don’t scare off people that don’t want that, then you are absolutely misleading them.
I don’t get why people would be upset. You’re describing it truthfully, and you’re showing pictures. If they like what it looks like, then they’re buying something that the like what it looks like. Yes, you’re using a material that could also be used by kindergartners. Are you using it the same way that kindergartners would?
I think there could be an issue. There’s no visual indication of size. It really is small, but it looks (to me) in the pictures like it’s small jewelry box size rather than matchbox size. The craft sticks look “real wood” thick, not craft stick size.
Craft sticks or no, I think a picture selling it should have something to show how big (small) it really it.
