Anybody here earn an income

[Coyote_Bandit]

doing glass work? Anybody here who used to earn a living doing glass work? Anybody here who has contemplated trying to earn a living doing glass work?

Stained glass? Etched or sand blasted glass? Fused glass? Beadwork? Blown glass? Mosaics?

I have been doing some business consulting with a stained glass studio that has been operating quite successfully for several decades. I also do some glasswork myself. To date it has been strictly a hobby. I find myself needing to (1) begin a new career and (2) relocate to help care for aging family members.

Housing has been strong in the area. There are other stained glass artists who are semi-retired and mostly work craft shows and fairs. There are no walk-in production studios in the metropolitan area - and few suppliers of glass materials and supplies. I have a strong business background and feel like there is a business opportunity for someone having the appropriate technical skills.

I am investigating options. I would appreciate input from anyone who has contemplated or attempted such an endeavor.

[eridani]

1. Check out business classes at community colleges

I think most of us have day jobs and spend more than we make on our crafts.

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. Ummmmm

I do not require additional training in business theory. I am doing business consulting for an established and successful production glass studio. Did I mention that? I will not get any start-up advice there since I would be viewed as a potential competitor - even though I would relocate to another state and would be willing to execute a non-compete agreement.

I do need - and was hoping for - some practical advice and input from someone who has tried, successfully or otherwise, to earn all or part of their income through their craft (preferably glass related). That could be through a production studio, a retail establishment, online sales, craft fairs, etc. I believe there are folks here who have done that. Start-ups face very different challenges than established businesses.

I am a forty something highly educated professional who finds herself needing to begin a new career. Ten years of college, three graduate degrees, two professional licenses. The thousand or so rejection letters I have collected over the past few years would seem to confirm that there is no place in the traditional workforce for me to do so. I am looking for non-traditional career alternatives. What is it they say? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

I like the idea of working independently. I am no longer willing to prostitute myself and my interests for the purpose of advancing somebody else's ownership and financial interests. Why should I when I have the resources (and I am referring to more than just financial resources) to do otherwise? Even if I were to find another position in the corporate world I might easily find myself in the same position facing the same challenge in the future. In present day corporate Amerika I am both old and disposable. If I undertake this endeavor I believe it is better to do so now rather than later. The best possible investment I can make right now is in myself and my future.

I like the idea of producing a tangible product. I am no longer willing to limit myself to offering only highly specialized and very technical financial and investment services. I have no desire to open a legal practice knowing that I would be miserable. Been there. Done that. My personality is not suited to work in a confrontational environment - especially if I am required to work with emotional clients and issues (e.g., divorce and child custody). Glass work affords the opportunity to offer a wide variety of products - small pieces suitable for various indoor and outdoor uses as well as large architectural pieces.

Most importantly, I like the idea of being able to turn something I enjoy doing into a source of income. Others have done so. Whether it be glass work or something else, I too will figure out just how to do that.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate your response.

[eridani]

3. I think Tansy Gold in this group has actually turned a profit

Check out her posts. Like I say, most of us in the group aren't anywhere near turning a profit.

[earth mom]

4. I've been looking into this myself for awhile now-except for other fine crafts.

I'm in my 40s too, though I've been out of the work force pretty much since I had my son over 10 years ago. I've dabbled with Ebay and Amazon, but my goal is to be able to make an income in a creative way while I stay at home with my son. My dh has a good job, but he may soon lose most of his overtime, so whatever I do will soon be needed income.

That said, while I hate to say it...I've found that people just don't want to share their trade secrets all that willingly. Since I'm more of a generous soul, it's been a bit of shock to accept-funny how I can be extremely cynical and critical about politicians, but not artists, lol-but now I get that it's pretty much going to be a trial by fire when I eventually decide to go for it-whatever "it" happens to be. That said, I did find a website of crafters who sell their stuff which has a great forum with some helpful tips, though again, not all the answers I've been seeking.

Check it out: www.etsy.com HTH! :hi: