A friend of mine does this (she makes her own jewellery a host parties to sell it) and it is, for all involved a roaring success. Her site: http://www.flutterbyj...igns.co.uk/index.html
She hosts parties fuelled by many bottles of wine and rakes in the cash in the early hours.
As long as you can make it into a party rather than a sale pitch you'll be fine!
Oh, and if you want to build a website quickly and easily you could always use something like wordpress and do a easy install/cheap hosting package with 123-reg or 2020media - they're both quite good.
Yes, it is almost an advert really! I am just hoping to give Peri a confidence boost! It can be done!