This, and the $5000 challenge (Turn $20 into $5000 in 180 days) at www.savingadvice.com has prompted me to invest some money ($120 actually) in computer hardware for resale on eBay. As it stands now I will break even and make about $3 profit unless someone else bids in the next 3 hours. I really like your idea of crafting jewelry. Its a rare thing today to see someone actually creating something by hand.

Here are the forums following the $5000 challenge on SavingAdvice.com,

http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=103

And here is a link to one of the participant's blog, he has so far made at least $300.

http://5000challenge.blogspot.com/

I am thinking I may create my own blog to track my progress. I will let you know if I do.

I'm interested to see how it goes, I've never sold any non-commodity type (where every copy of a product is practically identical outside of condition, like books or DVD) product on ebay. Good luck.

You might want to try selling some of your jewelry over at Etsy (www.etsy.com), which specializes in homemade stuff. Fortunately, I haven't found anything there I'd actually want to buy.

I was actually going to mention etsy.com! I list there and they have a really wonderful site and it's growing very fast (it's only two months old).

I don't think hand-crafted items are that hard to find but it just might be the 'net circles I travel in.

Nice work on the jewelry! I haven't attempted jewelry making yet because I am afraid of yet another craft addiction.

On ebay I always have the best luck with wedding-related items. People really go spend-crazy around weddings and around the consumer holidays. Good luck!

Since I already did my own version of the $10 challenge, I'm going to check out that $5000 challenge. Wow, that would be a fun and difficult one.

Funny, I'd checked out etsy last week and it was maddeningly slooooow to load (like 5 minutes for the front page). I figured they'd never sell anything at that rate and didn't give it another thought.

But after checking again today, it seems pretty snappy. Must have been a temporary thing. I'll give it another look -- thanks for the tip!

Just as an update... my eBay auction went well. I made $23.00 profit.

How much time do you spend making this jewelry? You are probabally better off just putting in some overtime at work.

Jake, that's great! Congratulations, and keep it up.

Jeff, I think I probably haven't stated my goals clearly enough, but the idea is to do something outside of work that is actually fun -- that is, to have a hobby that actually makes money, instead of costing money.

I suspect you're right, for those who get paid for overtime (I don't), but who wants to spend their life at work? This way, I can relax in the living room with my wife, take my mind off work, and maybe make a little money while I'm at it. At the least, I'm not spending money on some more expensive pastime.

I'm thinking about doing the challenge. I'm a knitter, but I'm in Israel, and I don't know if people really have the money to spend here (or if Etsy and a shipping charge would work).

It will either be a baby hat or a scarf. Or if my current sweater works well, I'll try that.

We will see.

I decided to join the project. My approach includes taking $10 and buying undervalued items. I recently pick up items from a thrift store/sale. I also had a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $10 or more from a local office supply store. I took the coupon and purchase two items and only had to pay $2.18. I spent a total of $9.13 with tax and picked up seven items. I placed them on ebay. So far within a week I have sold three items for $19.48. This total does not reflect shipping cost paid by buyer. I will have to take into account the ebay fees once all items sell.