Hey There!

If you seriously want to explore the whole photography as business idea -or – other passion [...]]]> I had a friend ask the question about taking his photography to a professional level and trying to make a living with it… I thought I’d share my answer since may others also may be thinking along those lines.

Hey There!

If you seriously want to explore the whole photography as business idea -or – other passion as business idea for that matter…. then I can point you at a website that I think has lots of good basic starting ideas.

http://changingcourse.com/

in particular they featured this info for photographers…

http://changingcourse.com/recommends/photos/

I would also check out the links targeted to travelers too… since frequently travel and photography go hand in hand.

The site is very much geared to drive you to go to their seminars… and we’ll help you find / fulfill your life’s dreams by creating the life you want to live. Which is a bit over the top at times. But much of the info and ideas are okay.

They offer things like tips on taking things part time while working at a job full time…etc.

Anyway – I remembered the photography thing – so I thought I’d point you over there… I’m sure there are lots of things like this out there…but hey a place to start your investigation!

I find at this time of year that I am drawn even more to all the bits and pieces of equipment, tools and supplies that I don’t already have. That I quite simply can’t afford or justify either.

So. What do you do?

I try to cope by going to lots of thrift [...]]]> The Holidays are upon us….

I find at this time of year that I am drawn even more to all the bits and pieces of equipment, tools and supplies that I don’t already have. That I quite simply can’t afford or justify either.

So. What do you do?

I try to cope by going to lots of thrift stores, and searching for bargain items to re-purpose. I look for the really good sales or buy only that one item that I can get with a 40% off coupon at the local craft stores. But for power tools, and materials – I have increasingly been haunting places like Craigslist.org or Freecycle.org – seriously.

My finds this year include:

an extra large laminater
a band saw (bench top 9″)
a floor standing artist’s easel
6 inch variable speed grinder
combo belt and disc sander
metal folding display shelf

And a variety of smaller things like wood mantle clocks, and computer accessories that I picked up for re-purposing.

There were more things that I could have bought – and their more things that I didn’t get.

The real beauty of sites like Craigslist and Freecycle is that you get to have your cake and eat it too. Something you want at a price that doesn’t have to make you cringe (often free if you start there), AND you save things from being thrown out…. so you aren’t buying new at the expense of sending older things to the landfill.

As a geek and an artist – I save waaay too many things. I know it, my husband knows it, our friends know it (and contribute to the chaos occasionally), and our house shows ALL the signs of becoming a black hole.

So look for those items that you want – be patient – be willing to drive a reasonable distance for the *right* items, and look at what you aren’t using and consider either trading or putting things up on site that helps your local area. It’s cheaper and you can list your terms: local pick up only – you haul, cash only.

If you are shopping for friends and family who are artists ….. a box of cool random bits and pieces can be even better than the latest tools and supplies. Someone’s cast off jewelry can be the parts they use to make something truly unique.

Don’t be afraid to bargain… do be polite and if you make an appointment to see the item – show up and be prepared to take the item right then. If you like it and you can afford it now is the time to buy it. Sometimes after you show up – you decide it’s not quite right – or that you aren’t willing to pay quite that much. Offer a compromise price…. or walk away.

While you look at these items – don’t forget….you can clean things up, you can paint or refinish things or you can pull items apart for parts to make something else… come on – we ALL do that – don’t we?

So – shop the internet and yes – the yellow pages (remember not all thrift stores are even listed online). Look for local consignment and thrift shops. Look for curb alerts (items being tossed out at the curb), freebies, and fair to good condition items at prices that will let you sleep at night.

Get going already…. there are things to find and more things to make!

Happy hunting and a Merry holiday season to all….

I’ll have to check them out in more depth….later when I’m more awake maybe.

I used it to help me decide about welders lenses to use with my kiln.I used the 2nd edition….from the library initially and now I am waiting for this newly revised 3rd edition to arrive.

http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Complete-Health-Safety-Guide/dp/1581152043/

Edit: While double checking my [...]]]> This book by Monona Rossol is a very good reference to have when looking at safety concerns.

I used it to help me decide about welders lenses to use with my kiln.I used the 2nd edition….from the library initially and now I am waiting for this newly revised 3rd edition to arrive.

http://www.amazon.com/Artists-Complete-Health-Safety-Guide/dp/1581152043/

Edit: While double checking my link for this book I found a good article by Zora Sweet Pinney that supports concern about the author’s negative slant and possible over emphasis on hazards.

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/waac/wn/wn13/wn13-2/wn13-212.html

I agree that if material is presented that sounds like an over emphasis on warnings you should not automatically refrain from doing what you had planned. However, it is the responsibility of the artist once they are made aware of the hazzard to investigate the proper precautions needed in order to go forward safely.

While I respect the opinion of the reviewer in the link above I still believe that having a good reference as a place to start is an invaluable tool.  And also allows the artist  to casually browse for information and help us realize that there are precautions we should all be using….

Many artists are already well aware of potential hazards – but we should all keep in mind that information on health concerns do change. Additionally  many of us migrate in our interests over time and as we move into new (for us) areas of artistic endevours we should be checking that we are usng appropriate safety measures for what we are currently doing. Knowledge about health and safety should not remain stagnant any more than creativity.