I don't have any jewelry ideas... but I have a suggestion --- if you have a Hobby Lobby nearby somewhere, you might want to compare prices before you buy everything in Walmart. While Wally World does have a lot of things cheaper than in other stores, Hobby Lobby is a hobby store and so may stock many craft items cheaper. I used to do a lot of Native American bead work. I bought probably 98% of my supplies from Hobby Lobby. I don't do much bead work now, but for any project I dream up...I usually head to HL.*

It may also be worthwhile to check online for some items. I don't know anything about jewelry making...but if there is any item that you would use a lot of, you may be able to get that item in bulk, and it could turn out to be cheaper in the longer.

The less you have to spend, the better prices you can offer, the more you can make.

-Michael

*Yeah, HL is that great little company that apparently doesn't have a whole lotta love for those of us in the TGLB community. Unfortunately however, as a wanna-be-artist, HL is the only place in my area that has a good selection of art and craft materials at a decent price. :(

Sadly there are no HL's in my area :/ My choices are limited to Walmart and Target that are in my driving range unless I drive about an hour, even then I get Michaels (super expensive) and Kmart. I dont think I'll spend too much to just try this out, and see how it goes. But I will certainly keep the bulk option in the back of my mind in case this works better than I think it will.

Warren

http://www.etsy.com/

Dear Warren,

Etsy is a great site to sell handmade goods. It is the largest in the world.

Suggest you explore the website to get ideas . . . and Amazon sells books on how to sell on Etsy.

Warren, there are many men who make beautiful jewelry. Take a look at Etsy's "success stories," and you will find many of them are men!

Wishing you the best.

Yours truly,

Monica

Dear Warren,

I think that's a great idea! Although I can only imagine how conflicted you must be about designing, making, and marketing such girly things. Too bad that the interest in jewelry for men seems to be so low. But is it? Maybe for men in their 20s? I'm sure you'd know or have a much better feeling for this than I.

If you don't mind, I'd like to provide you with some wisdom on creativity. I've studied a lot about this and have a story to relate.

A pottery class was divided into two groups. The first group was assigned to make one pot for the semester. They were told to make their designs, consider it all very carefully, and then make it. At the end of the semester a committee would judge which one was best.

The other group was advised to make as many pots as they could, every day, every week. They would also choose their best at the end of the semester, to judge which was best.

Maybe it's obvious but the second group won by a landslide. Focusing on perfection doesn't work.

So make jewelry, lots of it. Like writing, don't worry too much about having a complete idea to get started. Just start. Anywhere. Some of it will suck. But maybe some will generate more ideas that you can riff on.

And do it for the fun of it, for the joy you'll be providing your customers. If you create that joy the money will follow.

Best of luck with this,

Emma

Perhaps there is a Saturday market to sell your things at that are normally closed in the winter months but worth investigating.