Home Based Jewelry Business

Question: How can someone find out if a craft product will sale, before starting a craft business?

I'd like to start an at home craft business, since my jewelry isn't really in demand right now, but I don't know how to go about finding out what people in my area will buy. The majority of people around me don't like to pay much, for anything. Any craft ideas would also be welcome. Any ideas not involving a lot of money to put into the craft would be even more helpful. Thank you.
At the moment I don't want to sell anything online. The research needs in person, if at all possible. Thank you.
The main thing I need to know right now is how to go ahead with the market research. How do I find out if people will buy whatever craft I make?

Answer: Mesa, AZ is starting a weekly Saturday crafts sale which is geared toward attracting artists as sellers. Not a flea market. The lack of market has been the problem for jewelry and craft makers. And you are correct about people refusing to pay top dollar even if the jewelry is first-class.
There is no way to find out if crafts will sell. You just take your chances in business like the rest of us..

Start Online Home Business - Start Online Jewelry Business

Question: How do I joint silver wire and silver precious metal clay in jewelry making?

I'm new to jewelery making and I'm trying to create a necklace that will be made mostly of 18 gauge dead soft silver wire. I'd like to add some other bits like tiny hearts and flowers and thought the precious metal clay would be the easiest way to sculpt those parts. I'll be using a butane torch to solder the wire parts but how do I go about joining the clay bits once they are fired? Will I need solder or flux?

Answer: I don't know the answer to that for sure, but after it's cured and cleaned, Precious Metal Clay (and Art Clay Silver) are pure silver. so I'd guess you could use whatever you'd normally use for that. There may be some differences though with the various versions of PMC, etc, though?

If you don't get a good answer here, you should check out one of the sites for PMC (or Art Clay) and/or ask in their forums.
You can find links for those sites on this page at my website:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/Characteristics.htm

(... click on *Metal Clays* at the end of that list at the top of the page to jump down to the category on metal clays)

HTH,

Diane B.

Jewelry Making Soldering Crown