for anyone wondering if there might be a lucrative aspect to saber-making skills, I thought i'd mention this:
the local candle shop has "magic wands" for sale that you can make $$$ off of if you get in on it. they consist of approximately 10" of 3/4" or 1" copper (not brass) pipe with a $3 quartz crystal jammed in each end and secured with contact cement. then there is a leather "grip" wrapped around it that looks like it could be a kid's leather craft project kit. the lady is selling these (they look well made but I can't get over the cost-to-price ratio!) for $150 each with a little pouch sleeve to put them in. just thought i'd pass this along in case anyone wants to get a little extra pocket cash from a very very easy table-top project. they have nothing like these on ebay either.

"Size matters not. Look at me! Judge me by my size do you? And well you should not! For my ally is the force, and a powerful ally it is!"