Lately, this sums up my very existence!

Wow, talk about jumping in at the deep end! I'd have taken at least a year, making plans, drawing up to do lists, planning planning planning and then probably never ended up jumping in! hee hee. I think your way is much better. My husband and I have a saying that we try to live by 'to live without risk is to risk not living'. Even if you close the shop after a while, you still haven't failed - you've had amazing experience and learning opportunities. People can be so rude. Ignore them - you don't want to sell to them anyway! I think you are fantastic and wish you all the best. How did you get into jewelry making in the first place? Is it something you've been doing for a while as a hobby?

Thank You Ruth I did it as a hobby and had sold before at art shows. I always get complements and always sold well before.

Sounds like a good way to start and 'test the water'. I'm currently selling bags at party plan level and am thinking of going wholesale and on a bigger scale to make more money - also be more interesting. The thing that is holding me back at the moment is the thought of bad checks and I would be unable to take credit cards which I can if I stay as a party plan Agent. If I take checks at craft fairs, stands etc and give the bag out I take the risk of the check being bad. At parties it will be fine as I will wait til the checks have cleared before giving out the bags. What have you done/are you doing re payment options?

I never take checks!!!!!!!!!!!! I do take credit cards, I just got signed up for that last week. when I was at art shows some do take credit cards with a cell phone way to check the credit card... but I only took cash... people can go to an ATM if they need cash they do not need to write a check.... its too risky for us just in case they arnt good checks. you should be able to do wholesale and credit cards...