Thread: Anyone do this for a living?

Hello 3Landerblue

It would be nice to do what you say, But the problem with that is your turning your hobby into work and then you have no hobby left to relax yourself. And depending on how many orders you get, people will what their orders asap. Thats where you start cutting corners in your workmanship and it no longer feels like a hobby.

somebodies a glass half empty kind a guy

the other way of looking at it is that a man who enjoys his job never works a day in his life.

I work for myself as a carpenter doing mostly small jobs and occasionally subby work for builders, as I'm also a single dad I try to get as jobs that I can do at home like cabinets, book cases and simple furniture etc. Although I don't make as much money I enjoy this type of work more than being onsite as it keeps me closer to the kids. I also prefer the finer work too.
I hope to try the markets when I next get a slow period (althoug that dosn't look like happening for a while)
I think You should give it a go; Knock up a few bits of occasional furniture or toys or whatever you enjoy doing and take them to the markets, all you've got to loose is the price of the stall. But don't quit your job first and don't forget if you start making enough money johnny will want a cut.

"I have learned this at least by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
- Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862, Writer and Poet)

To be able to do what we love and get paid for it, is a dream come true! Perhaps one must consider at this point why is it that we like what we like and hate what we hate?

If asked the proper questions most people coincide that what they most want from life, is recognition from the people they esteem or love. If our job does not meet that need we hate it, but if our hobby stops being a source of satisfaction we will hate it too.

Being your own boss is by itself no magic recipe for freedom and your business can own you rather quickly. After all, work for the boss or for yourself you are still trading hours for dollars. No much difference there.

Still, the occasion is good, the experience is a challenge, and from someone who has done it more than once, it is worth it.

I owned a landscaping company at age 19 (two employees) a brick factory at age 25 (4 employees) a book distribution organisation at age 28, a vinyl-glue factory at age 31 (8 tonnes of glue a week) a small reproduction furniture factory for two years and many other small and ambitions attempts in-between and until today, mixed with various type of employment.

Yet if I had to summarise all my experiences in a few sentences, I would say: find out what you want first, and once you have a clear picture, analyse the vehicle you are using to get there and tell yourself if it is the right one.

I hope I don't come through as a patronising know it all.
In fact I confess that at age 54, I am still learning and still itching for new adventures.

If you like to read and don't mind listening to a stranger's advise, take the time to find the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyasaki. It is a real eye opener regarding our attitudes and thoughts about work and finances.

I wish you all the best.
Marc

Yes I once had a hobby of making the occasional chinese toy, then I sold some to friends, then I did a Chrismas market, then ... Fifteen years later I'm happily self employed, its not a hobby anymore and we get heartily sick of the avalanche of paper work but hey we take holidays when we like and still enjoy they ever unfolding beauty of wood. Give it a go.

Thanks for all the great replies.
I'm going to build up some stock of suitable items and going to give it a go. I won't be giving up my job just yet though.
Hobby or not I can't carry on working for this company much longer.

cheers 3Landerblue