Hey! I'm in the middle of a similar project. A few months ago I found an old beaten up retro-looking, ROUND hard-case suitcase...and I had always wanted one of those. Unfortunately this one is a gnarly old blue color. I've just been waiting to decide what to do with it. I found some leather paint that I think will do the trick, and I've been told you can even use plain old acrylics, as long as you topcoat the bejesus out of it to protect it. BUT the best part is, I went into this really COOL local import-type store called Bad Blanche. Sorry, but it's not a chain! But they had some awesome vintage-type just drop-dead gorgeous looking travel/suitcase stickers. You know, "Medina Hotel, Cairo" with camels in the background. "Aero Roma" airlines sticker with the vatican in the background. Famous hotels on lots of them. My favorite is a purple and gold one from Thailand with traditional dancers on it. Best of all, these were only a buck apiece! I'm going to leather-dye my suitcase in a battered old brown, stick these all over the bugger, and then poly the heck out of it! It'll be the suitcase of my dreams! I know these are hard to find, so I thought you'd want to know. If you're interested in them at all, I could scan some for you and maybe you could print them out? I could also buy you a few and mail them, but I'm thinking on a printer, you could always minimize these. A couple of them are pretty big, so you could downsize them! Also, I don't know if you're handy with a needle and thread, but I do a lot of beading. Sometimes what I do with cigar box purses is just go to a fabric store and buy fabric to cover it in that I absolutely love. Then do a little bit of bead embellishment to highlight cool bits. Plus, bead stores are always cool places to get ideas, especially for purse handles! Anyway, I hope that helps. I'll stop rambling now!

That's great to hear! Good for you. I haven't worked in about 3 years and have become very antisocial......so....having said that........I did go into a jewelry store 2 days ago to check out some pieces that I saw in the window thinking I could make that........and got to talking with the man in the store.....anyway.....ended up buying a ring and earrings....turns out his relative is a pioneer in the jewelry making business and at 91 is still making pieces today....he told me to make some things and bring them in to him ...... and to see what happens.....if they sell, we'll split 50/50......I thought why not (for the first few pieces - lol) that was a FABULOUS offer! He gave me his name and told me to keep in touch becuase there will be a lot of things being sold at a very good price soon......I have shopped until I dropped on ebay and my credit cards are bulging.......time to make and sell....he told me what he would really like......so I will try some things.....and I'll keep your site in mind also now......thanks for writing! I never come on here anymore becuase I couldn't have the surgery and all I did was become more depressed......but if you want to chat, please feel free to contact me at my own e-mail address.......thanks! Susan

Hi Susan, Congratulations on your new business. I was in your shoes about a year ago and decided to just jump in and start making pieces that I would enjoy wearing. I then started wearing the items I made at work and found many of my co-workers complementing me on my jewelry. Around Christmas time I bring in my work and set up a table in the break room with a note that anyone who is interest to please see me. My co-workers have become my best customers. Often people will show me a piece they currently have and ask me to make a bracelet to match earrings or a necklace. I also sell beads and findings for jewelry making at my ebay store at: http://stores.ebay.com/Half-Moon-Beads . I am pretty selective about the beads I decide to sell and all make beautiful jewelry. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Good luck to you! Terri

I'm very new to this group but thought I'd check out the message boards that interested me...........I have everything I need in life to make jewelry and need to get going on it...........I do have a question ........I feel I must be organized and enter everything into a database before I begin because I would like to eventually have a business ......... do you think it's foolish to wait and be organized first - or just jump in? I have purchased many many items........is that what most people do? Any suggestions to help get me going in the right direction would be appreciated. Thanks!