What is the most expensive craft?

One of my favorite crafts is making jewelry with chain mail techniques. Unfortunately because of the current cost of silver and gold I can't make the kinds of jewelry I'd like to. I have to settle for using aluminum, copper and brass. It's beautiful and I love the look of the metals but it just ain't the same. If I had a choice I would much prefer to working with Sterling Silver and 14K Gold wire. As far as additional costs (other than the expensive wire) the tools required gets expensive. I have about $800 just in hand tools like pliers, wire cutters, hammers, saws, etc., then there's the tumbler, ring cutting tools, the lathe for polishing, the Dremel tool with attachments, propane torch and soldering tools, metal jigs, pickling pot, chemicals, I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot. Total right now is at least several thousand dollars in equipment and I don't have anywhere near all that I would like to have. This does not include the beads, precious and semi precious stones, stringing wire, clasps. It does get very expensive. I'm hoping to save up enough to start making more expensive jewelry and selling it for a profit but for right now I have to work with what I have. I doubt this is the MOST expensive craft out there but for the crafts that I know and love it is.

Fine goldsmithing or lapidary with gemstones has got to be high up there with teh most expensive crafts. But most crafts do have a thrifty side and an expensive side, just depends on your projects and aspirations I suppose.

I think scrapbooking gets extremely expensive. Trust me, I know I have spent over $1000 on scrapbooking supplies! But I think it's worth it. But it also takes a lot of time; I can spend up to an hour on just one page.

I would hate to add up all that I have spent on scrapbooking, and there are certain items/tools that are expensive. And as we will be moving into a house we are remodeling, and part of the downstairs addition will be a work area for my scrapbooking! However, I don't think this is the most expensive craft. I would have to say that woodworking would be at the top, cost of lumber, tools, lathes, saws, etc. My ex-father-in-law had a wood working shop in one half of his garage, and it got expensive, mostly he just did it because he enjoyed it and made gifts for family.

Many crafts can be very expensive, as you can see in the repsonses you've already received. The best way to start is slowly and build up your supplies and tools as you can afford to. There are many different types of crafts and I've found I like to do several. Some crafts, like knitting, aren't all that expensive. If you are factoring the amount of time it takes as an expense (putting a dollar value on your time) then knitting, crocheting and quilting can get pretty expensive too. Welcome to myLot!