Why not just start sewing something for one or two of your friends based on your planning. I applaud you for doing this

Fear of rejection--it's the curse of everyone in sales! Minnie's advice is excellent--start with your friends and go from there. In fact, start with yourself, make the items as if they were only for you to keep, plan on keeping them, but show them to people when you have the chance (you don't say what they are, so I can't be specific about how to do this) but if say, you have a great new design for a purse--make it and use it as your everday purse. Make it in a couple of different colors and keep the spares in your car. If someone expresses an interest in your bag, go to the car and show them the others. Always know exactly what you want for the item, and be ready to talk about why it's better than anything else out there.

Annie

wonderful, inspiring, practical advise. thanks so much, annie and minnie. keep it coming, folks, if you would. i need all the help i can get. i do feel less overwhelmed now! kindly, molly

Check out setting up a shop on Etsy.com! It's a site for handmade things, vintage items and supplies. I have had some pretty good sales this past year. My shop is:
bungalowstitches.

Search for other items on Etsy similar to yours; look at design, quality, variety, price, etc. and see if there is anything exactly like yours.

You wake up, check your email, and bingo! you have sold something and there is money on its way to you! While you slept! I love that!

Teresa

Here is a link that might be useful: my Etsy shop - not advertising!!!