I’ve done some, haven’t dug out the beads, wire, etc., in a while though, and I’m still at beginner competence level.
Is it possible to make one’s own bubble bath or body spray? I can’t find much I like lately at Bath & Body Works, and I really don’t like their price tags.
Oh yes! There are recipes all over the internet. Let me go down to the basement and find my order form and I’ll get you the name of the company that sells shampoo base. BRB
Okay, I’m back. Elements Bath and Body sells a shampoo base that you can use to make bubble bath, liquid soap, and of course shampoo. All kinds of other supplies too.
For Melt & Pour soap base and beeswax (for lip balm) I like Candlewic.
Tons and tons of recipes here and here.
Many craft sites have links to other sites for supplies and recipes.
And don’t forget eBay. Shop around for the best prices and most reliable suppliers.
The ladies really love me at Christmas. I make them all soft and smooth and smell so goooood! 
Thanks. Finding suitable bottles would also be nice. 
Dollar stores are a great source for spray bottles and other containers. Thrift stores often have unique items, and I stop by this place every so often for the best prices on plastic and glass jars and many creative ways to package my crafts. (e.g. Test tubes, syringes, beakers, etc.)
The best thing to do for photos is to take them outside on a sunny day. Set for micro and use a stand or be very, very still and hope that there’s no breeze.
Thank you for the links, I want to try making some things!
I’ve tried photographing them outside before and wasn’t pleased with the results, but maybe the light wasn’t good that day. I’ll have to give it another try in the spring.
Wow! I love the little pouches…seed bead work is fascinating to me.
I mostly do single-strand necklaces with stone, pearl, or glass beads, and seed beads as spacers. I’m this close to signing up for a Pinterest account; until then, hopefully my links will work. Here is one that features some pressed glass beads; this one has dyed pearls and glass crystal-cut beads.
So pretty, Jeep.
Love that dyed pearl one, Jeep!
I’ve never tried it, but I’ve heard people say you can improve your lighting and photography for stuff like that by turning a cooler on its side and sticking the piece in. Apparently the white walls diffuse the light like those umbrella things photographers use and you get a more even, natural light like you would get outdoors on a sunny day.
You might also keep an eye on the electronics section of your local Dollar Tree. I’ve seen miniature tripods in ours on occasion. It might not help much, but for a buck, what can it hurt?
Here is the finished set I made for my bf’s mother. I love sterling!
I made jewelry (with purchased findings and beads, mostly glass) and sold it at outdoor festivals for about 8 years, from roughly 1999 to 2007. Fizzled out after that; was planning to start making my own glass, but the economy started tanking and hubby’s job precluded him from helping me on weekends, so we put it on the back burner and it’s still there.
Most of my finished inventory is gone, though of course I have pieces I made for myself and lots of pieces, parts, beads, etc. But I made a few pieces for Christmas this year and wow, has my near vision deteriorated. Dang bifocals. No idea how I sat and made stuff for hours on end.
I’ve done a bit here and there. I have a small collection of beads, but I don’t get it out that often. I need a bead board with a lid so I can put it away mid project. If I could do that, I would bead more often.
I’ve done several pieces in the last couple of weeks with my sisters but I haven’t photographed them. Two of them were my first successful multi strand necklaces. I made a full set of copper/red/black bead and chain yesterday but I’m going to pull apart the bracelet to make a second necklace for layering instead.
Beading is fun and easy, unlike some of my other crafts. Like I said to a niece the other day, all you need to be good at beading is decent eye hand coordination and an eye for color and balance. 
I’m seriously considering getting back into selling at craft and trunk shows. Jewelry making is something I really enjoy and I feel like if I can make money off doing something I love then why not?