Marquetry/inlay - ideas please

[Sir Henry]

I've worked out a quick and easy way to do marquetry and inlay. It looks glorious and I'm sure if I can make things using the technique I should be able to make a bit of money for once.

The problem is, I have no idea what kind of thing people would pay money for.
It has to be small enough to post;
It can be just about any design, though using the large library of Celtic designs and Arabic geometric designs that I've built up over the years would make it easier still;
It can also be any colour, not just different colours of wood.

Anyone got an idea or two of what I could make to sell?

All ideas welcome, and many thanks in advance.

As an example, this is the bottom of a box I recently made (yes, I need a much better camera). It took about 4 hours to do (and 4 days to varnish):

[SeVeNeVeS]

The first thing that springs to mind is jewellery/ trinket boxes in various sizes, not too big, for a dressing table or mantel piece.

If you go into any head shop, ethnic store there's usually always a selection.

With all handmade items you will always be competing with cheap stuff from India/ china etc, so prices will have to be comparable methinks.

[Sir Henry]

The first thing that springs to mind is jewellery/ trinket boxes in various sizes, not too big, for a dressing table or mantel piece.

If you go into any head shop, ethnic store there's usually always a selection.

With all handmade items you will always be competing with cheap stuff from India/ china etc, so prices will have to be comparable methinks.

Yes, that's the major problem - how to add value so that I'm not competing with sweatshops (by paying myself sweatshop wages).

[morozow]

Stand for hot dishes. But the considerations that are given just above are even more justified.

In general, it looks like a puzzle. Maybe that's how you sell it? Puzzle, for collecting coasters for hot pans.

[Synistor 303]

Since you are in Britain, personally, I would look at something like a tray with a dog image on it. Nothing sells like pictures/artefacts of dogs. Do a few different breeds and you have created a product for a huge market.

[Mercury Wells]

My dear Sir Henry.

I think it would be wise for you to have a quick chat with Herr Doktor, with regards to artistic designs.