59 and unemployed

kadman

ifah wrote: »

Hi Kadman,

I've been meaning to reply to this thread but never found time. I love the carvings and I love anyone who works within the small Hand Craft industry. It looks like it is something you love and are very good at - have you looked at continuing with the crafting and pushing your skills more on-line to allow people to interact with / order directly from you. Getting a website up and running (especially a portfolio one) should not take too much expense / effort and it would greatly broaden your potential client base.

Also maybe look at entering some pieces in this : http://www.rds.ie/crafts - it would be good to increase exposure etc.

Here's a sample of small crafters doing beautiful work (just picked these because I love the skill) : http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81473288

This thread is just brilliant - shows the entire process.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056368840


So anyway - my point is that your skills look amazing - would be a shame not to make a living out of them - so get a website with some of your portfolio on it and see how it goes.

Maybe you could also do some part time teaching / one-on-one lessons as well - maybe even get some youtube videos up which you can use to drive traffic to you ...... are you anywhere near a tourist centre that you could take a couple of tourists and give them some basic lessons etc ? (this would need insurance etc.) See if there is any local craft galleries you could partner with to offer a live experience to customers !

Final thought - I think you said you're in midlands - you should be within easy reach of bog oak then - the american market can't get enough of it - have a look on ebay to see what bog oak blanks etc sell for.

Hi Ifah,

Appreciate all the input, thanks.

I am looking at the one to one lessons ect, and I,m currently waiting on insurance quotes ect to see how reasonable or expensive it is.

I am well based in the midlands from a tourism point of view, so I,m currently checking to see what type of things might fit the craft scenario, and also the gallery scenario. So basically I suppose you could say I,m doing the groundwork at the moment:)

I,m also doing one or two carvings ect to have something to show of course, as well as keeping my hand in. And I must admit my website could do with a revamp, its something I keep meaning to do, but it always ended up on the back burner. But thats gonna change.

Not to mention trawling through the non existent list of jobs out there, as I am expected to do

kadman

Checked out the National Crafts Awards at the RDS. But its too late at this stage to make a piece for submission into any of the categories. Stage one application deadline is for second week in May. But definitely have something to aim for next year maybe.

Maphisto

Hi Kadman

Next year is the year of Irish Design http://www.dccoi.ie/year-of-irish-design-2015/ - Might be some publicity, exposure, "stuff" going.

Might be worth getting on http://www.dccoi.ie/ mailing list. I registered with them and got a "registered with" thingee. It might help with the courses.

All the best

paulfosters

Hi. was reading the thread and what struck me most was that the op is very literate,good at computers and the like. In my experience ( could get abuse now ) most craftsmen are not good at the latter though excellent craftsmen. op should highlight this on CV etc. together with experience and a proven track record should impress any employer,i am in the industry and am surprised at the lack of computer skills both with the younger and older craftsmen. have to say i think the craft industry/car boot area is a waste of time ( don't eat me )

kadman

paulfosters wrote: »

Hi. was reading the thread and what struck me most was that the op is very literate,good at computers and the like. In my experience ( could get abuse now ) most craftsmen are not good at the latter though excellent craftsmen. op should highlight this on CV etc. together with experience and a proven track record should impress any employer,i am in the industry and am surprised at the lack of computer skills both with the younger and older craftsmen. have to say i think the craft industry/car boot area is a waste of time ( don't eat me )

No problem here with constructive criticism on any level, and thanks for your comments.

I have to agree that in my experience on both levels, hands on crafting, and computer design , I agree with your observations on the level of experience in either craft. Its easy to get crafts people that excell in hands on, and computer techs that excell at it. But to be productive in both fields together is unusual.

But on a personal note, when I apply for a computer design role, I orientate my cv towards the design element, and emphasising the foundation element of hands on in the craft.

And vice versa for a hands on craft role, but still cant seem to hit the mark with the offer of an interview even, but I am hopeful.

As for the craft/booter options. I,m not in a position to rule anything in or out......keep my options open basically.

Thanks for the comments:)

kadman

Little update on the carving. Nearly there.. Hope you like it

Carpenter

Have you still got the saw chap

kadman

I have , and still going strong

Carpenter

Don't bang yourself up over this the cream always comes to the top I am in a similar situation and live in Sandyford with power tools coming out of my ears some of the younger guys hardly know how to hang a door (I did say some)keep on trying chap .

Rhys Essien

@kadman

Have you that online shop up and running yet?.I would buy that carving above.Let us know when you do.

kadman

@ Rhys Essien, not yet, I,m still organising a few pieces. I,ll keep you posted:)