I grew up learning how to do different crafts, but because I love to handle beads and make necklaces, I finally just decided to try making my own. Of course, it was a learning process. I looked online for tutorials, and just did a simple Target cane. I wanted mine to look a bit tiger-ish, so I cut the soft polymer clay into several pieces, rolled them up, stuck a hole through the middle, and then set in the oven to bake.

This is how they turned out. They are not perfect, but for a first attempt at making my own, it is not too bad.

This is a simple candle and flower arrangement I made for my stepmother. She was thrilled with it. The candle was vanilla and cost only $2 from Walmart. The materials for the arrangment, including the lead crystal holder at the bottom totaled only $7.

It was something I made on a whim. When you cannot find something, make something…right?

In the past, I have sold things like hand-sewn handbags, bracelets, and even earrings. I did make a few dollars, but I was not really promoting it a lot. At the time, there were really no great social networks to try to connect with people who might be interested in at least taking a look at my DIY (Do It Yourself) crafts for sale, let alone even persuade further to buy.

However, in the past 5 years alone, people do not have to turn to using eBay as an expensive place. Here are some ways you can promote your work.

1. DeviantART – Even having a free account, you can load pictures of your items to show others. To connect, use their forums and seek out groups or individuals who seem to be interested in DIY.

2. Etsy – This place allows you to list your items for cheap.

3. Your own website. Whether you use a shopping cart, or WordPress with a shopping cart plugin, you can control your content more. There are some pretty good web hosts. I actually sell 5GB of webspace and 25GB bandwidth for $25 per year at Host Solutions.

4. Forums on the Internet. For those who are moms, finding and joining mommy communities might be ideal. Other moms sometimes enjoy buying DIY for family to keep their gifts unique.

5. Find SAHM (Stay At Home Moms) or WAHM (Work At Home Moms) sites and if they have a site directory, submit your link. I do want to note that some sites might have a minimal fee or even a link back requirement or other submission requirements.

What other ways can you promote your crafts?

I came across a most interesting website through Twitter via a tweet that @Jason_Pollock went through my personal stream. I was like ‘paper beads?’ Yes, I have heard of them, but it has been some time and I remember how I loved how they looked.

However, I also remember how I use to make them as a little girl using a pencil and paper and they were just one big mess. At PaperBeadGirl.com, they sell a utensil called The Paper Bead Roller (the patent is pending, as said on the website.) Now, I am thinking… that is a nifty idea!

It is one of those ideas you wish you had, but who cares… it exists now, so yay! It makes all those days fretting with normal beading because I remember the mess of making paper beads as a kid and teen, just waft away.

Anyway, the creator, Vicki Dehne (@paperbeadgirl on Twitter) gives a video demonstration on how to use The Paper Bead Roller and even has some wonderful purses and even displays some of the projects Vicki has completed using this method. It is actually a DIY crafters dream! If you love DIY stuff and bead making, you should visit PaperBeadGirl.com. It is a real inspiration. Perhaps in the future Vicki might even have some media or book tutorials of her own to share on the amazing stuff she has already created?