With many families struggling to make ends meet...people all over the country are banking on selling products at home parties in order to boost their bottom line. A trendy necklace here...some shiny gemstones there… "Shiny is my favorite," one woman says. "I love these long pearls that I have on," another woman adds. When mom Shannon Bambara was laid off earlier this year, she polished up her silver and her sales pitch. Shannon became a direct seller with Silpada Designs, a jewelry manufacturer. She peddles the company's products at house parties, and then takes a cut of the proceeds. "An average Silpada party retails about $950, which means I take home 30% of that, which would be around $285, and typically that's only in a two hour period," Bambara says. Shannon's not alone. More women are turning to home parties as a way to help fill the income void. It's more than just jewelry and makeup. Amy Robinson is with the Direct Selling Association. "Some of the things that are sold through Direct Selling that you might not initially think of include pet supplies, scrapbooking supplies, organic gardening," she explains. The average seller works part time and earns about $200 a month. But for those who choose to sell full time, there's the potential to earn up to six figures. "And as for the non-financial motivations, you have people who are interested just in the social aspect of it," Robinson points out. At Mary Kay Cosmetics, Rhonda Shasteen says her sales reps love being able to help put some gloss on these tough economic times. Shasteen rationalizes, "A woman may not be able to go out and spend $100 on a new dress or a new leather handbag, but she can certainly afford, and will spend, $13 or $14 on a lipstick that will help brighten her day." Nicole Robinson works full time, but is using her Mary Kay career to pad her family's savings. She loves how flexible it is. "I decide when I'm going to hold appointments, when I'm going to make my extra money, and how much I want to make," Robinson says. But before you sign on, investigate the company thoroughly. Call and ask questions. Robinson warns, "What does it cost to get started? Is there a buy back policy if you decide the business isn't for you?" Shannon says her business selling silver has turned solid gold profits. Even though she's now working her old job part time, she's not giving up her new career. "The extra money that I'm making will go to that but also for things like car payments and credit card payments," Shannon says. You could also get free merchandise, and compensation for recruiting other members.