If anyone is curious about the new product I have been talking about for the last couple of years, please see page 42 of the Good Catalog Company's Good Finds Christmas 1998 catalog. Call 800-225-3870 to get your copy. It has a picture of a "The Simpsons" chess set on the cover. Only in America.

The product is called CANDLE IN THE WIND ... OH! and retails for $39.95 in the above mentioned catalog. My patent application describes several unique features including a "light pipe" effect and a novel way of simulating a flickering flame. The product is powered by 2 AAA batteries (included) and is made of hardwood and acrylic. I have just started production.

This is a "simple" product. It is comprised of a small circuit board, a wooden base, 2 pieces of plastic and some glue to hold it all together. It took me 2 years to develop and bring to fruition. It has strained my cash flow to the breaking point. It has challenged my creativity as an engineer, designer, purchasing agent, cash flow manager and production engineer. If it doesn't sell I'm cooked.

Long time readers know that I have claimed that a new, higher margin product is what Technacraft needs to grow and prosper. Well, it's here and to some extent the success or failure is out of my hands. It has to sell. We will do all we can to market it correctly with our limited funds. Reaction from customers who have seen prototypes has been mostly positive. Good Catalog loved it. I'm still nervous.

This product is my baby. I designed it from the circuit and circuit board to the way it looks and what it is made of and how it is assembled and packed. I got help on the pricing from Good Catalog. This is not to boast. Remember that good ideas area dime a dozen and this is just another one that is not a commercial success for us yet and may never be. But I have lived with it so long that I have disassociated myself from it and my ego won't be adversely affected it flops. I am already working on the next product.