I've been asked to make "some pieces" for a charity art show. They offered to let me split the profits but I'm not sure I'm ready to start being a business! I'm feeling a little unsure where to aim for an "art show".  They really liked some very simple beaded earrings with wirework and purchased SS horse-themed charms which I made to sell alongside a silent auction at the last fundraiser, so I should probably make some items along those lines. I was also thinking of making a set of napkin rings using that horsehead stamp I made a while back. It's a therapeutic riding program FWIW.   I'd love to make a "really artistic" piece, too.  So far my most successful PC jewelry item is a gold/amber ghost-imaged lozenge bead made into a bracelet with brass/silver chainmaille.  What sort of PC pieces tend to have wide appeal and are fairly likely to sell?  How do you describe your polymer clay pieces?  Do most people know what it is? 

I have found that mokume gane beads and pendants sell very well. people also go nuts over swirlies. I am also successful with textured and colored pendants. These are the main things I do with PC so have nothing to compare to. No, most people don't know what it is!

People like color and they like shine.  That means mica clays for the shimmer, powders where applicable, foils where applicable, and glazing where applicable.  I'd stick with the horse theme since you know that works with the crowd and seems to be appropriate for the event.  In addition to "literal" horse, don't forget to suggest horse with general forms, shapes, and even things that suggest movement.

Yes you are ready!  Don't doubt that you are.  You have good design insticts so don't let your analytic side of the brain over-think it. 

Lori is right - mokume gane and swirlies are always hits, especially if there is plenty of color. 

Depending on how much lead time you have, you might want to check out www.madaboutmolds.com to see if there is a horse mold which you find appealing.  I put a gold mica-powder-covered molded dolphin on a solid black oval in the landscape orientation and it's simple, effective, and easy to replicate. 

Make sure you hand out business cards so people can contact you to buy more later.  Plus have them sign up for a contact list so you can email them when you have new pieces of interest.   Take a few samples of things that are not horse related - Mother's Day is right around the corner!

As for ART show rather than CRAFT show - pay attention to how you finish off the pieces to make sure they are well sanded, etc.  Great workmanship and attention to details will make a difference.  ART usually means one of a kind rather than a bunch of the same thing, also 2-3 or even six of a "memento" piece is probably a good idea.

Check out Lisa Pavelka's site.  She has done very well making her themed eggs in quantity for special events and it has been good for her business.

Thanks Lori and Jill!  And, Jill you are very kind!   Both of your posts gave me a ton ideas! I'm feeling kind of excited!

How do I know if buy a mold, a texture sheet, or for that matter a purchased charm, that it is OK to incorporate into a piece of work and then sell?  Is it clear if such material is copyrighted or for "hobby" use only? I read somewhere, maybe here, that only some texture sheets are free to use this way.  Is there a keyword I should search for?

One thing I'm thinking of doing is taking a charm I bought a while ago from FMG, cleaning off the hanging loop and embedding it in a PC pendant. Maybe coloring some of the detail on it as well.  Is there anything wrong with doing this?  I would describe the materials as inclulding a SS charm...

well, I would certainly think so! I know some rubber stamp companies have issues with this though. I think they are mostly worried about mass-produced stuff. embedding a charm - I do it constantly.

It's going to vary.  If you buy stuff from Mad About Molds, they clearly state that you are free to use in any way.  Ditto most molds.  Rubber stamps can be a bit trickier - try searching for "Angels" in that regard.  If you go to the bottom of the home page here at AJ and go to the archives you might be able to find a post in which someone listed the Angels and named the ones that are picky. 

A little trick - buy buttons and use them to make your own molds.