Antonio Mcgowan
Empty perfume bottles are often too beautiful to throw away, and many people are looking for ways to recycle, repurpose or sell them. Whether you're looking to sell an antique or vintage perfume bottle or an empty vessel, there are several options to consider. You can sell antique or collectable perfume bottles on online marketplaces such as Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, Ruby Lane, or Etsy. Rare or ornate bottles can often sell for prices up to $100. If you're selling an empty bottle, you can upcycle it into a decorative item, such as a vase, lamp, or scented stick holder, and then sell your creation at a craft stall or online. However, it's important to note that while most perfume companies don't mind, Chanel does not allow the sale of decorated Chanel bottles due to copyright issues.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Selling old perfume bottles | Possible |
| Selling decorated Chanel bottles | Not possible due to copyright |
| Selling vintage or antique perfume bottles | Possible on Etsy, eBay, Craigslist, Ruby Lane, etc. |
| Selling vintage perfume | Mention that you cannot guarantee the contents of the bottle |
| Upcycling old perfume bottles | Possible by filling with DIY perfume, room spray, or reed diffuser |
| Upcycling ideas | Creating a bedside lamp, filling with beads, glitter, or shells, turning into a vase, or creating a sculpture |
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What You'll Learn
Selling vintage or antique perfume bottles
When selling vintage or antique perfume bottles, certain factors influence their value. These include age, brand, condition, and whether the bottle is full, empty, or in its original box. Antique bottles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries often fetch higher prices due to their rarity. The materials used, such as hand-blown glass, gold, or silver, can also impact the value. For instance, glass perfume bottles by renowned French glassmaker Lalique carry a higher value due to the maker's provenance.
To reach a broad audience, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are effective tools. Creating a dedicated online store through platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce allows for customization and control over the selling process. Specialized antique and collectible websites may attract serious collectors seeking rare and valuable items, but they often have stricter listing requirements and higher standards for item descriptions and photos. Collaborating with influencers or bloggers in the vintage and antique niche can also promote your bottles to their followers.
When selling vintage perfume bottles, it is essential to mention that you cannot guarantee the contents' condition. Perfumes over three to ten years old may lose their freshness and develop an unpleasant odour. Being transparent about any changes in the fragrance, such as soured top notes, is crucial. Additionally, understanding the historical context of certain bottles can add value to your knowledge and enhance your selling strategy.
Lastly, consider upcycling empty perfume bottles into decorative ornaments or using them to create your own perfume. These options provide creative ways to showcase the bottles' unique designs and appeal to buyers interested in sustainable practices.
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Where to sell old perfume bottles
There are several options for selling old perfume bottles. Firstly, it is important to determine whether the perfume bottle is antique, vintage, or a more recent empty bottle. This will determine the best place to sell it. For antique or vintage perfume bottles, auction houses or estate sales are a good option. Auction houses that specialise in perfume bottles or vanity items and advertise in antiques publications are more likely to attract buyers for these items. Local auction houses are less likely to attract the right buyers and may sell the bottles in box lots. Estate sale companies offer similar services, although they may not have expertise in pricing perfume bottles. Some estate sale companies may also buy items outright or take consignments.
For antique or vintage perfume bottles that are 20 years or older, online marketplaces such as Etsy are a good option. Collectors or crafters who browse these sites may be interested in purchasing empty perfume bottles for repurposing or crafting. Facebook, Craigslist, and eBay are also potential online platforms for selling rare or ornate perfume bottles, which can sometimes sell for up to $100.
For more recent empty perfume bottles, it is possible to upcycle them into decorative items or create homemade perfume to sell. Empty perfume bottles can be decorated with paint, lace, rhinestones, or filled with beads, glitter, or home fragrances. These upcycled bottles can then be sold at craft stalls or online.
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$13.99
Upcycling old perfume bottles
Old perfume bottles can be upcycled in many different ways. They can be used as decorative items, such as vases, candle holders, or ornaments. They can also be used to create DIY skincare or other toiletries, such as reed diffusers, room sprays, or perfume. Rare or ornate bottles can be sold online for up to $100 on auction sites like eBay or on crafters' sites like Etsy.
If you're feeling creative, you can fill small bottles with glitter, colourful beads, or flower petals and tie a string around the neck of the bottle. These can be hung up as suncatchers or used as ornaments. You can also fill larger bottles with flakes of paper or sprinkles of glitter to create a similar effect.
Old perfume bottles can also be used to make your own perfume or room spray. Simply mix a few of your favourite scent notes together and add a carrier oil if needed. You can also create an aromatherapy spray by filling the bottle with essential oils and water.
If you're looking to sell your old perfume bottles, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, wash the bottles with soap and water or rinse them with alcohol before trying to sell them. You can then post them on online marketplaces like Facebook, Craigslist, or Freecycle. When posting, avoid including personal information such as your phone number or email address. If you have antique or vintage perfume bottles that are 20 years or older, you can list them on Etsy, which has a simpler fee structure than eBay. However, be aware that you cannot sell decorated Chanel bottles, even if you remove the labels, as Chanel will claim copyright.
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Making your own perfume
You can sell old perfume bottles, but it is important to note that if you decorate Chanel bottles, even with the labels removed, you cannot sell them due to copyright issues. However, you can sell other empty perfume bottles or transform them into beautiful decorations and ornaments to sell at craft stalls.
Now, if you want to make your own perfume to sell in those gorgeous old bottles, it's easier than you might think. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Understanding Perfume Structure
Perfumes are made up of chords, with each chord consisting of three parts: the top or head note, the middle or heart note, and the base note. The top note is the first scent you notice and tends to be light and attention-grabbing, with scents like orange, lemon, lavender, grapefruit, or berry. The middle note combines with the top and base notes and is often floral, fruity, or spicy, with fragrances like geranium, rose, coriander, nutmeg, or jasmine. The base note provides the foundation for the perfume and includes scents like patchouli, vetiver, frankincense, cedarwood, or sandalwood.
Step 2: Choosing Your Notes
When choosing your notes, it's important to consider the scent families. Scents can be divided into families such as floral, oriental, woody, and fresh (citrus). To create harmony in your perfume, try combining scents from neighbouring families. For example, you could pair a citrus top note with a floral middle note and a woody base note.
Step 3: Mixing Your Perfume
Start by adding your chosen base note scent to your mixture. Then, add your middle note, and finally, your top note. This order ensures the scents blend harmoniously. Feel free to experiment with different combinations and amounts until you create a scent profile you're happy with.
Step 4: Aging and Diluting
Once you've created your fragrance, it's time to let it age. Place your mixture in a cool, dark location for a minimum of 48 hours up to a month. Aging allows the scents to mingle and develop. After aging, smell your fragrance again and make any adjustments by adding a few more drops of scent. Then, dilute your perfume by adding two tablespoons of distilled or spring water. If making a perfume spray, you can add more water.
Step 5: Preserving and Bottling
To help preserve your fragrance, add approximately five drops of glycerine. Then, pour your perfume into your chosen bottle, using a funnel if needed. If using clear bottles, cover them with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from light, which can cause it to spoil.
And there you have it! You've created your own unique perfume to sell in those beautiful old bottles. Just remember to be creative, experiment, and most importantly, have fun with the process.
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Selling decorated perfume bottles
Selling old perfume bottles is a great way to make some money. Before selling, wash the bottles with soap and water or rinse them with alcohol. You can sell vintage or antique perfume bottles or vanity items that are 20 years or older on Etsy, which has a basic fee structure including a listing fee, transaction fee, and payment processing fee. You can also sell your bottles at yearly auctions, regional auction houses, estate sales, consignment shops, or direct-to-dealer sales.
When it comes to decorated perfume bottles, you have many options for selling them. You can fill the bottles with broken jewellery, odd beads, coloured sand, shells, paper flakes, or glitter to make beautiful decorations and ornaments. You can then sell these at craft stalls or online on sites like Etsy, which has a dedicated section for perfume bottle decor.
It is important to note that you cannot sell decorated Chanel bottles, even with the labels removed, due to copyright issues. However, most other perfume companies do not have such restrictions.
Additionally, you can make your own perfume and sell it in your decorated bottles. Perfume is easier to make than many people realise, and there are many recipes, tips, and tricks available online, along with training courses and videos.
When selling decorated perfume bottles, it is essential to take attractive and accurate photos of the bottles to showcase their unique features and any included accessories. You can also offer free shipping to attract more buyers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can sell old perfume bottles, especially if they are rare or ornate.
You can sell old perfume bottles on online marketplaces such as Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, Ruby Lane, or Etsy. You can also sell them at local antiques markets, consignment shops, or directly to dealers.
Rare or ornate bottles can often sell for prices up to $100. If you are selling through Etsy, there is a listing fee of $0.20 per listing, a transaction fee of 6.5% of the total sale price, and a payment processing fee of 3% plus $0.25 per transaction. Dealers will generally want to pay 30-50% of retail or the insurance valuation for your item.
It is recommended to clean out the perfume bottles before selling them. You can also decorate them to increase their value. However, beware that you cannot sell decorated Chanel bottles due to copyright issues.
