Bad news

[tashabear]

GET THEE TO SCA EVENTS

Merchants don't pay table rent just site fees....the one this weekend is $8.00 (plus a $3.00 non-member surcharge) pack food in and what have you paid for gas to get there and a nomanal site fee.

Not that I want to rain on this particular parade, but that's not always true. I paid for my spot at Birka ($15/table), and many events charge merchant fees these days. Granted, it's MUCH less than craft fairs, but still, $15 is $15. Plus you're expected to wear garb.

I just like full disclosure. SCA events are fun, and you can make some money, but merchants do often have to pay for their table and they are expected to wear garb.

Good luck to you, Des. I hope you find something soon.

[Suze]

Ok I give to this one - most events in our area do NOT charge for merchants

our Shire does not for one - we make them set up outside

there is no lack of space and they are already paying for entry fees. and tent camping fees if they are staying

and we want merchants - so we don't charge

and a simple tunic is good enough around here (even if you wear it over jeans or a purchased pair of sweat pants)

I guess we are a little "looser" in that regard

[Des804]

Yeah Im going to look into that and look into getting a ride.

[Bree]

Selling your tools is selling your means of production. Once you do it, you have ZERO. The money you receive will be gone in the blink of an eye and you are busted. Start LEARNING to make those tools productive. Start with one thing and learn to do it extremely well. Then learn a second etc. etc.

I know a guy who simply cut out some suede from a pattern he made, punched some holes and made little medicine pouches. He added a little pin to the pouch and he was selling them at rallies for $15 apiece. He might hawk them for $10 like a Ginsu Knife salesman. He had a dollar in them if that.

Don't take the artistry shown by folks here as a barrier to entry. People normally buy function and not art. Heck, most people have no idea what quality leatherwork is. They are often clueless... which of course drives the artisan nuts.

Make something people need, do it well... functionally... and start selling. It will get easier and easier every day. Good luck!

[randyandclaudia]

Hey Des,

I highly recommend that you listen and dance to "Three little birds" by Bob Marley over and over today. Stand as tall as you can brother and remember that the rollercoaster ride is a whole lot more fun than the merry-go-round! Change is a wonderful thing . . . scary, but very exciting! DO NOT SELL YOUR TOOLS!

Every little thing is gonna be alright! Take one day at a time. Be in the moment my friend . . . DO NOT add up all of the yesterdays and worry about tomorrow. That's when humans break down. All of us can deal with just today! Even you future awesome leather worker dude!

[BubbleDragon]

I lost my job in December - 2 weeks before Christmas. I was a programmer.

I have actually been finding myself inspired by the economic downturn and motivated to pull myself up by the bootstraps. I'm a creative type, and see opportunities everywhere, now that I look. Knitting isn't really efficient enough to pay the bills, but I could teach knitting at local shops. I could create patterns and sell them on the internet.

I'm also putting my programming skills to work, and branching out into possibly an "iPhone" type app that I could go independent with. Almost everywhere needs a website now, almost everywhere needs some IT work now and then - hey, I can do that.

I hear you on the depression front. It's not like someone can tell you to snap out of it and you're magically better. I admit to not being happy at my former job, but I'd convinced myself it was a good place for me, so it was all a shock. And the market is just so saturated with out of work programmers (and everything else) that I haven't heard back from a single application. But things aren't too bad, and at least I'm not driving 45 miles each way, eh? Plus, I've been dealing with some health issues that it's nice to relax and focus on getting taken care of now.

In any case, I'm new to the forum and haven't gotten the opportunity to talk to you much, but in my humble opinion, you should by any means necessary keep your tools. Handiwork is a fantastic release, and I imagine any psychologist will tell you the same. And you *will* improve, just like anything else, it takes time. Dive in and don't look back. You've got a ton going for you right now.

Get out there and do something novel, and people will come!

[Billy P]

Des, I worked Nuclear Construction shutdowns for years. I have been laid off without a promise of a job so many times I can't begin to remember them all, but there is always something out there. First thing for you to do is get selling your leather tools out of your head. You can take a 4'' cement block, a belt strip, an Alphabet stamp set, and a little dauber or two of dye and sit on the corner and sell a belt, I've done it before. In 2002 I bought my house, a big mobile home in Feb., moved in the first Sat. in March. I was working in a water heater plant at one of the best, most enjoyable jobs I've ever had. I loved it, worked evening shift, only person there in my Dept., QC, and only 4 days a week. Off every Fri, Sat., and Sun. Then in Oct My Dr., found something wrong and made me quit working. I applied for SS disability and it took over 2 years to get started. The first 6 mos., I had short term disability from work, but for the next 19 nothing coming in officially. We were never late on a house payment, we kept the lights, water, and phone working and we didn't miss any meals, and I never even considered selling my leather tools and stuff. I didn't sell alot, but the main thing the leather working did was improved because I had more time to practice and it made me feel useful and productive rather than giving me a chance to dwell on my depression. You can make wrist bands with just a few 3-D stamps and dye and put a snap on and sell cheap to young people. Make keyfob/rings with an initial, or a 3-D stamp to sell. You only need a small piece of leather, a keyring, and a small rivet and there you have it. Make stuff in your shop/house, or whereever you work at and set up a table in the yard on Sat. anything might work. Des just hang in there and don't give up because things will get better. Some places have job training for displaced workers. It might be an opportunity to get some different traning than what you were doing that may help you get a better job. Just explore all your options. I am sorry to ramble on so, but like I said I as I'm sure a bunch of other here on the forum have been there and done that, and we know what you have to learn that things really do get better. You never know what's in store for the future, so wait and see and good luck to you. Remember that you will be much in our prayers here in S.C. Best wishes on all of your searches for what is best for you. Billy P

[Des804]

That woudl work if I had dyes and stuff i only have 1 dye and that's cactus green. I have an alphabet stamps. The only leather I have is a 5/6 side. My unemployment will be taken completely by debts that's why I know I cant just get a part time job cause 5-6 dollars wont cover my debt payments.

[Denise]

Des, your situation reminds me of the old quote "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." You can either sell your tools and eat your daily "fish", or see them as a boat and tackle and go fishing. You have options. While it is unfortunate that you have lost your job, it is very fortunate that you have tools and a side of leather. It is very fortunate that you have the time now to practice and do leatherwork. It is very fortunate that with your physical limitations you can still do leatherwork while you get in better shape. And it is extremely fortunate that you have the best group of people in the world here who can give you solid advice on how to improve your work when you post it. Most people who are happy and successful in life are not that way because good stuff has happened to them, but because they did good stuff with what happened to them.

Billy P and BubbleDragon, you are an encouragement and inspiration in your positive outlook and action even in difficult circumstances. Thanks for sharing with us.

[TrooperChuck]

I'm reminded of a story about Abraham Lincoln. During the Civil War, when our country was tearing itself apart and there was very little good news to be had, one of President Lincoln's children died. A reporter interviewed him and asked, "Do you think you'll ever be happy again?"

Lincoln looked at the reporter and replied, "I think most people are about as happy as they want to be."

He meant that it's in our power to decide to be happy or sad, positive or negative, optimistic or pessimistic. I know that sounds very simplistic, but it works for me.