Keeping or Quitting your Day Job

For some of us a 'day job' is necessary to keep a studio space outside of our homes, maintain supplies, food in our stomaches, etc., etc. Some people that have work (day/night jobs) aside from their creative pursuits often hope or dream of a time when these creative pursuits will be able to take centre stage.

Etsy Metal members share their stories of the work they love, sacrifices made (or not made) in being artists, metalsmiths, makers, etc. This series is about achieving a fundamental sense of fulfillment and purpose, of finding your place in a community of your peers. It's about sharing the truth of what it is to be an artist in the 21st century, in all of its forms. We all walk different paths in the expression of our work, yet we came together through Etsy.

Some of our Etsy Metal members are famous in more ways then one! Norsola Johnson is an amazing Human being to be sure! She's highly talented in seemingly any subject she puts her energy towards. An amazing and generous person, I feel lucky to know her and call her my friend!
•••••

I'm a Jill of so many trades it sometimes makes my brain hurt... I'm interested in pretty much everything, which is both a blessing and a curse. I often admire and wish I was one of those people who figured out what their calling was early in life and have since honed their skills on their path to mastery, with great focus and single-mindedness. I am not one of those people. My life has not been a straight line by any stretch.. more of a jumble of intersecting spirals. Which makes a 'day job', in the 'punch-in, do the grind, get paid, pay rent' sense, almost unthinkable...

My first love was ballet. I started at around age 6, and continued until my mid twenties. Meanwhile, I also attended a fine arts high school, which introduced me to music, which became my second love. Dance took me to all sorts of fabulous places, including France for a while, where I first started to feel this sense of vague dread that remaining cocooned in the hermetic world of ballet would lead to me missing out on life. A few years after my return to Montreal, I stepped away from dance and took a job booking shows at a local punk rock club. It was there that I saw Tom Cora play 'cello with the Ex and every cell in my body reawakened. So I saved up and bought a 'cello, and played and played and played. The club got shut down by the police, and I wound up working for a music promoter, which paid well, and accepted my perhaps unorthodox ways. But this soon became a drudge, and I quit to go on a self-booked, completely disorganized, altruistic and unforgettable tour with my band. I'd found my home. And the next decade of my life was dedicated fully to Godspeed. We toured the world, made a bunch of records, and music that was, to me, the only thing that mattered. A pleasant surprise was that we actually were able to make a living from our music, and a decent one at that. In many ways we were living the dream of so many.. to live, to travel, to survive in a capitalist society doing what we loved, while maintaining our ethics and beliefs.








It was between tours that I first learned metalsmithing. I took a course at a local art school, and from the first solder flow, I was hooked. Metal instantly became my third love. It was a completely new and foreign way for me to express myself, and therefore highly alluring.
The band eventually went on hiatus and I continued to travel, spending the last dregs of my royalties on experiences. An important trip I took was to Nepal. I love climbing (my six or seventh love, probably..) and mountains (perhaps my fifth love, chronologically) and so set out to this land of majesty to wander in the Himalaya. What I found there blew my little privileged north-american mind to bits. I had never seen so many smiles in my life. All these people I encountered, toiling harder than any union here would ever permit, living in what we of the rich part of the world would consider squalor, in this third world country of unimaginable natural beauty... they were happy. I was greeted at least fifteen times daily by joined hands and a 'namaste' cheerfully uttered through crooked teeth. I met a wonderful metalsmith there called Saran, who showed me how they did things there, soldering by blowing through a brass pipe on the flame of a kerosene lamp... I came close to passing out, and was rather unsuccessful in my attempts at making a simple ring band without acetylene and oxygen. It was great. And it shifted my perspective entirely.





I returned to my huge apartment in Montreal, broke and invigorated, and took at long look at my surroundings. "How did I manage to accumulate so much STUFF?"

I thought to myself... And so I began the process of selling some of this stuff... meanwhile, having spent every last dime I had on my travels, I had no choice but to take a real day job. It was at a outdoor gear co-op, so at least somewhat in line with my interests and beliefs, and my workmates were fantastic, but it was still a low pay, crap hours, mind numbing, dead end job. I eventually managed to save up a bit of money, left my apartment, sold off the last of my superfluous stuff and took off to Italy. I had no real plan other than to stay as long as finances and visas permitted, climb, drink fine wine, play music, and study at the extraordinary Alchimia jewellery school in Florence. All of it was amazing... I won't go into the details here as that would be another few chapters in this already long diatribe, but suffice to say that being elsewhere does wonderful things to my psyche and artistic output.


Eventually time and money did run out and I returned to Montreal... and the above mentioned crap day job. I stuck with it for a little while, but eventually started to lose it, and realized that I was being lulled into an apathetic "at least the bills are paid" depressing lifestyle. It's easy to sacrifice a life less ordinary for the security of a steady paycheck, but the cost to one's mental health is just too high. At least that's the case for me. And so I quit the hateful thing and have since been waking up every day with the sole purpose of doing what I love. I'm pleased to report that I have not re-accumulated a pile of unnecessary junk, and live a rather frugal, streamlined life in my little pad filled with just what I need to make stuff. Day to day I'm a little bit cautious, a little bit worried, a little bit nervous, and blissfully happy. In many ways I've started over, yet again, and though the uncertainty can be stressful, I wouldn't have it any other way, and am already planning my next re-rooting adventure.. probably to my beloved New Orleans this time...



And so, to finally answer the main question of this interview...
'Day job' being here defined as that thing you do with most of your days but hate to do but have to do because you gotta pay rent and which leaves you drained and unhappy and wondering 'isn't life too short for this?'
F*#k day jobs.
The journey is the destination. Life is my job. And art matters in ways that no amount of money ever will. As long as I can keep bashing on metal and cello strings, I'm all good. And the small daily sacrifices are worth it.




Make sure to visit Norsola's Etsy shop!

Keeping or quitting your day job

I am curious, regarding the idea of Keeping or Quitting your day job how, EM members refer to their work and define themselves. Some people refer to themselves as, artists. While others may call themselves a craftsperson, Maker, jeweler, dabbler, etc. Some may even prefer no definition.
For some of us a 'day job' is necessary to keep a studio space outside of our homes, maintain supplies, food in our stomaches, etc., etc. Some people that have work (day/night jobs) aside from their creative pursuits often hope or dream of a time when these creative pursuits will be able to take centre stage.

Etsy Metal members share their stories of the work they love, sacrifices made (or not made) in being artists, metalsmiths, makers, etc. This series is about achieving a fundamental sense of fulfillment and purpose, of finding your place in a community of your peers. It's about sharing the truth of what it is to be an artist in the 21st century, in all of its forms. We all walk different paths in the expression of our work, yet we came together through Etsy.
• • • •Lisa Dienst-Thomas also known as, Lisa's Pieces or LPJewelry on Etsy.

I am a Wife, Mother and Metalsmith full-time. I am a Community Programs Coordinator at an Assisted Living Residence part-time. Sometimes my life is so busy I feel dizzy. I love my part-time job but wish I didn't need it. I must work so that I can BUY health insurance at a group rate. My husband is self-employed and the cost of decent family health insurance outside of a job is prohibitive.

I wish I could be in my studio 80 hours a week. I feel calmer and more grounded when I am creating. I have been creating "things" since childhood. In my twenties I took a jewelry class and even though that first night there were too many people and not enough tools I was hooked. I found my calling. Jewelry making is my passion.


As much as I love making jewelry I love teaching jewelry making to others. My students inspire me both with their work but also by forcing me to examine basic skills and come up with new work of my own.

I hope to be able to retire from my part-time job someday but will hopefully make jewelry the rest of my life. I know there are careers where I could make much more money but my heart sings when I create jewelry and I wouldn't trade that for anything.



Make sure to visit Lisa's Etsy shop!

Keeping or quitting your day job

I am curious, regarding the idea of Keeping or Quitting your day job how, EM members refer to their work and define themselves. Some people refer to themselves as, artists. While others may call themselves a craftsperson, Maker, jeweler, dabbler, etc. Some may even prefer no definition.
For some of us a 'day job' is necessary to keep a studio space outside of our homes, maintain supplies, food in our stomaches, etc., etc. Some people that have work (day/night jobs) aside from their creative pursuits often hope or dream of a time when these creative pursuits will be able to take centre stage.

Etsy Metal members share their stories of the work they love, sacrifices made (or not made) in being artists, metalsmiths, makers, etc. This series is about achieving a fundamental sense of fulfillment and purpose, of finding your place in a community of your peers. It's about sharing the truth of what it is to be an artist in the 21st century, in all of its forms. We all walk different paths in the expression of our work, yet we came together through Etsy.

• • • •

Creator and founder of the Facebook and Etsy group, Metalsmith's Unite. With a personal blog description that reads: Artist/Metalsmith/Maker, Tucson desert dweller, wildflower gardener, occasional Florentine (by marriage). Passionate to a fault, language of a truck driver at times (in English and Italian)... typical Leo; lots of roar + purr... I leave the gazelles to graze on their own.

Maureen BZ also known as Cosmo's Moon, is a strong creative force!

EM: How do you define yourself? For instance, do you refer to yourself as an Artist, Maker, Silversmith, Metalsmith, Goldsmith, Truck Driver or Jeweler?
CM: I call myself a metalsmithing artist

EM: Would you [do you] describe your work as Art, Craft, Jewelry, or are there different categories dependent upon outlet/venue, mood?

CM: yes yes yes :-) Oh, I do a range of work- from highly crafted original jewelry (with stones and the bells and whistles) Which is what I sell through my primary shop Cosmo’s Moon (http://cosmosmoon.etsy.com ). To handmade pewter box constructions that I make to stretch my wings a little: working with a piece for a longer time to let them really develop..and then I have an eccentric/experimental side which is when I really let my artist run wild and true.
I believe keeping myself open to do a range of work helps keep my design ideas fresh and all of my studio time fascinating and fun.

EM: Do you have a day job, part time job or is being a(n) {fill in the blank} your full time job?
CM: Yes, I have a few day jobs.
I currently subcontract as a goldsmith for a small boulder opal company. Basically, I do piecework. I create the settings and do all the gold work for them. I get paid per solder join, which is great for me because I am pretty fast. It’s also great for keeping my fine jewelry skills sharp. I work at home- in my studio- and am responsible for collecting gold scrap and quality checking all of my work.
I also am on staff as one of the metalsmithing instructors for the City of Tucson- so I teach during the busy season- once a week. I am also available for teaching 1-3 day workshops in many different subjects, from pewter and nonferrous metal skills to design and creativity. I love teaching- I’m such a typical Leo- very comfortable on stage :-)
Look, I’m really lucky- my husband has a really good job at the University (he’s a physicist, works in telescopes- it’s why we live in Tucson) so I must admit that the stability of his income has played a big part as my career has developed. I am so grateful that I’ve had his support!



EM: What sacrifices have you made (do you feel you’ve made or still make) in order to pursue creating/making your work?

CM: Well, I don’t get manicures! LOL.
Seriously, number one for me is my responsibilities as a Mother to an amazing kid. If I do that well I feel that all is well with the world.
I try not to sacrifice anything important but, that’s what I decide is important in my life. We are a one car family- we live simply- have a vegetable garden that fulfills it’s duties as a gym, a shrink and a grocery store...and I am a black tee shirt and skirt kind of gal- If I need something “wow” I put on a piece of jewelry. I’m really a fan of a simple lifestyle.



However, I must say that about 12 years ago I had a dramatic event that forced me to make a decision to focus my talents and channel my creative energies- Most of my young adulthood I was torn between two passions- Horses and Art. I had an awakening due to a medical scare that really made me look at my life choices and decide what I was going to pursue with 100% passion and dedication- and the Art side of me won out. I simply couldn’t stretch time enough to do continue with both and to maintain the level I expect of my riding or metalwork.
I have a dream to own a few horses in about 10 years or so, but I don’t want to do much more than bop around on trails and do an occasional fun show or two. There’s nothing like the outside of a horse to do good for the inside of a person :-)


EM: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself or someone considering a similar path knowing what you know now?

CM: I would advise anyone going into this business to get excellent training - and if possible try to get an apprenticeship with a local jeweler. Your skills will develop fast with daily practice and you can learn about the business while working- and formulate your ideas about how you want to proceed with your career.


EM: Is there anything else you would like to share?

CM: Sure- I will say that even with my relatively secure position that, this business is never easy. It takes dedication on all levels - at the client meetings, making sure you create what the client dreams of...at the bench, creating the piece with the focus and skills needed to have outstanding craftsmanship...and in the office, writing descriptions, booking shows, writing blog posts, being a photographer, keeping up with inventory and updating websites.

You have to be a little bit crazy to want to take all of this on and a lot crazy not to love every bit of the challenges and thrills of being a professional metalsmithing artist!

LOL, That's for certain! Thanks Maureen!

Make sure to visit Cosmo's Moon on Etsy!

Keeping or Quitting your Day Job:

I am curious, regarding the idea of Keeping or Quitting your day job, how EM members refer to their work, and define themselves. Some people refer to themselves as, artists. While others may call themselves a craftsperson, jeweller, dabbler, etc. Some may even prefer no definition.
For some of us a 'day job' is necessary to keep a studio space outside of our homes, maintain supplies, food in our stomaches, etc., etc.
Some people that have work (day/night jobs) aside from their creative pursuits often hope or dream of a time when these creative pursuits will be able to take centre stage.

Etsy Metal members share their stories of the work they love, sacrifices made (or not made) in being artists, metalsmiths, makers, etc.
This series is about achieving a fundamental sense of fulfillment and purpose, of finding your place in a community of your peers. It's about sharing the truth of what it is to be an artist in the 21st century, in all of its forms. We all walk different paths in the expression of our work, yet we came together through Etsy.

Current interview with, Catherine Chandler

EM: How do you define yourself? For instance, do you refer to yourself as an Artist, Maker, Silversmith, Metalsmith, Goldsmith, Truck Driver or Jeweller?

CC: I am a metalsmith. It is in the core of my being, it is who I am, who I have become. I could have become a hundred different things, but I chose that path that spoke directly to my heart. And of course, when I tell people that I am a metalsmith, I get an inquisitive look, and have to explain that I make jewelry and small metal sculpture :D I usually wear my own jewelry, which helps others to understand just what kind of jewelry I make.

EM: Would you [do you] describe your work as Art, Craft, Jewelry, or are there different categories dependant upon outlet/venue, mood?

Usually when I am describing my work, I am speaking of the jewelry side of things. I don't create a lot of sculpture at the moment, and what I do is generally wearable (which gets *really* interesting looks from the public!)

EM: Do you have a day job, part time job or is being a(n) {fill in the blank} your full time job?

CC: I do have a day job, and thankfully so, as I am the main breadwinner in our little household and my jewelry simply doesn't sell well over Etsy. I work as a nanny, and have for nearly 6 years. I kind of fell into the job, honestly. I had moved to Portland, OR from Hood River, OR to finish my degree (which I had started in Australia) and had sworn off being a barista ever again. I had some experience in the caregiving field, and a friend set me up with a family she knew who needed a nanny. The job was flexible and paid much better than caregiving, and was fun and ever-changing (who doesn't love to get paid to go to the zoo?!). I didn't intend to stay on as a nanny for as long as I have, but when my intended plans didn't pan out (my attempt to go to grad school is another long story), I saw no need to leave a stable job and income. The flexibility of being a nanny has given me time through the years to continue working on my jewelry and metalwork, without being dependent on the sporadic income it brings. When my fiance lost his job last October, with no prospects of a new job and no unemployment insurance, I was even more grateful to have a great job that pays well and can get us through these hard times. Without my 'day job', we'd have been out on the streets for sure, and one of the things that this whole experience has made me realize is that I want a career. Not as an artist, but as a teacher. I want the security of a stable income, and I want to teach metalsmithing, so I am going through the hoops in order to pursue that.

EM: What sacrifices have you made (do you feel you’ve made or still make) in order to pursue creating/making your work?

CC: I would say that the most common sacrifice that most artists/makers make is their social life. Especially if they have a day job! My social life has definitely taken a toll, and at times I really miss the ability to just go out for drinks after work, but then again, I would not trade the satisfaction that my art gives me. It is like my missing piece. Some people find that missing piece in religion, or partying, or shopping....I find it in metal. My friends and family have learned to accept and understand my bouts of disappearing when I'm working on projects, and are always welcoming when I come back up for air.

EM: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself or someone considering a similar path knowing what you know now?

CC: I studied for my original BFA in Australia. Then, I came home to America thinking I would just jump into an MFA here. Boy, was I ever wrong. The discrepancies between the two countries' qualifications is huge, and I am now set to complete 3 more years of an American BFA just so I can get into an MFA and pursue my dreams of becoming an instructor. I would advise anyone considering going to school overseas to seriously think about their future plans and check into whether things will line up once they are finished. Having to eat 3 years of tuition is a hard thing, to say the least.

Other than that, I always tell people to follow their heart. If their passion is in creating, then go for it. I figure that if we're going to spend the majority of our lives working, we might as well do something we enjoy.

EM: Is there anything else you would like to share?

CC: I strongly encourage people to hang on to their day job as long as possible. It is a great source of reliable income to get you through the rough patches, because there WILL be rough patches. I have seen multiple people in the last few years who have gotten raises, or started a different job, and decide to buy a house, or move, or make some other large purchase, only to lose that job, or that raise, and be financially stuck and struggling. If you are going to quit your day job, have LOTS of money in savings, or a very secure back up plan, because you never know what will happen.

Thanks Catherine!

Make sure to visit Catherine's Etsy shop and personal website!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinechandler

Keeping or Quitting your Day Job

I am curious, regarding the idea of Keeping or Quitting your day job, how EM members refer to their work, and define themselves. Some people refer to themselves as, artists. While others may call themselves a craftsperson, jeweler, dabbler, etc. Some may even prefer no definition.
For some of us a 'day job' is necessary to keep a studio space outside of our homes, maintain supplies, food in our stomaches, etc., etc. Some people that have work (day/night jobs) aside from their creative pursuits often hope or dream of a time when these creative pursuits will be able to take centre stage.

Etsy Metal members share their stories of the work they love, sacrifices made (or not made) in being artists, metalsmiths, makers, etc. This series is about achieving a fundamental sense of fulfillment and purpose, of finding your place in a community of your peers. It's about sharing the truth of what it is to be an artist in the 21st century, in all of its forms. We all walk different paths in the expression of our work, yet we came together through Etsy.

Shannon Conrad is an amazing woman. Anyone that's met Shannon knows how hard she works, and puts her heart dead centre into everything she does. She is an incredible mediator, mentor, friend, and Etsy Metal's Team Leader!!

How do you define yourself? For instance, do you refer to yourself as an Artist, Maker, Silversmith, Metalsmith, Goldsmith, Truck Driver or Jeweler? I am a metalsmith and enamelist.

Would you [do you] describe your work as Art, Craft, Jewelry, or are there different categories dependent upon outlet/venue, mood? I make jewelry. Sometimes it is art, sometimes it is craft, sometimes I don’t know what it is!

Do you have a day job, part time job or is being a metalsmith your full time job? I am an accountant. I am a photographer. I am a marketing executive. I am a secretary and a project manager. I am a customer service representative and a retail sales clerk. I am a maker of things. I am a mother of two. I am a cook and a maid and a chauffeur. I am a referee and a teacher and a nurse. All of these things and more are my “day job”.

What sacrifices have you made (do you feel you’ve made or still make) in order to pursue creating/making your work? I came to all of this in a roundabout way. I didn’t quit my “day job“, it quit me. In 2006, I lost my job due to downsizing. I was a middle-manager at a book distributor and really loved my job. The loss was pretty devastating. To allow me to stay at home with my two children (then 7 years and 18 months old), I started providing childcare for three other families. I was taking an introductory metals class when I lost my job and really loved it. I discovered Etsy in May of that year and decided to try to sell my work. It was tough for a while. There were times when I had as many as 5 kids - ranging in age from 1-11 years old - in my (very small) house. Nap-time and late evenings were the only time I could work. I knew that babysitting other people’s children was not my calling, but metal was. The childcare provided a steady income while I worked on my business. I did whatever it took to build my business to the point that I could quit childcare. In 2008, I was able to do that and focus on my business full time. To be able to do this full-time, I am constantly working on creating things that are quick, easy and sellable. Wholesale is important to my business, so that means always working on my production line. Production work is often boring and repetitive. I have pieces that I have made hundreds of times that I have come to loathe. However, customers like them and they sell well. It is a constant struggle to find a balance between feeding my soul and feeding my family. Another important thing to note is that throughout all of this, my husband worked a full-time job. Without his income, none of this would have been possible. In October of 2010, he was laid off indefinitely. Almost 5 years after losing my job, we are back at square one. I am once again looking for ways to expand my business to support my family.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself or someone considering a similar path knowing what you know now? I would recommend having a strong vision for your business. Know what you want it to “look” like as it matures. If you plan to try wholesale, know that up front. That is a mistake I made. When I was first approached about wholesale, I had no clue what to do. I lost opportunities because I did not have pricing in place that allowed me to wholesale my work. I would also recommend understanding what it takes to run an art-based business. So much of what I spend time on has nothing to do with creating. Know that it takes a lot of hard work and determination to make a business like this work. I don’t have 9-5 hours. I work when I can and when things are busy, that can mean 10-12 hour days. But it also means I can work in my pajamas if I want to.

Is there anything else you would like to share? I have been lucky to have the most wonderfully supportive friends and family. Without their guidance and support, I would never have made this work. A strong support system is so important in our business. I am really passionate about the Etsy Teams program. I belong to several teams, but the two that have had the greatest impact on my life and my business are PDX Etsy and Etsy Metal. PDX Etsy is my local team. I have met so many wonderful and generous people through this team and have made many friends. Etsy Metal is where I go to talk to my “co-workers”. Working alone all day can make you a little stir crazy. It is so nice to know I have a place to go and hook up with people who understand everything I do. Lastly, I think it is important to find a way to give back. Offer advice. Volunteer. Mentor someone who is just starting out. It’s kind of a karma thing. It will come back to you. Starting a business - especially a handmade business - is hard. It is soul-sucking at times. But I think about what I am showing my children through my actions - that you can be successful if you work hard and follow your dreams. That is what makes every bit of it worthwhile. Make sure to check out Shannon's Etsy shop, Rubygirl.Photo of Shannon taken by Norsola Johnson during the RAD show in Seattle.

Keeping or Quitting your Day Job: 2Roses

This feature is about achieving a fundamental sense of fulfillment and purpose, of finding your place in a community of your peers. It's about sharing the truth of what it is to be an artist in the 21st century, in all of its forms. We all walk different paths in the expression of our art, yet we came together through Etsy.

As an artist, I’ve never understood the whole premise of “quit your day job”. The implication is that whatever you are doing, if it’s not art, it must be something you don’t like. The other underlying concept is that your success as an artist, and life’s destiny, will never be fulfilled as long as you do anything other than “your art”. Intellectually we can accept the idea that human beings are multidimensional creatures with multifaceted personalities. But emotionally we want to define the individual by what they do for money. Thus, by the popular yardstick, a truck driver could never be a good musician, and a doctor could never be a good jeweler. Of course there are plenty of artists in all disciplines that are living testimony to the fact that this idea is not true.

I define myself as an artist. I create. I solve problems. I make my living from my creative instincts and efforts in whatever direction I choose to apply them. This is who I am regardless of how others wish to define me. Just to be clear, I engage in multiple occupations and I enjoy them all – immensely. They pay well, are very fulfilling of spirit, and afford me great creative freedom. For me it is all interconnected – one life – one work. Thank you, I live a rich life.

I see things you can’t. I imagine and make it reality. I am a map to places you don’t know exist. I am an agent of change. This is my art. It is not the materials or media I happen to use at any given moment. Nor is it the particular discipline or field in which I choose to express myself. Why would I give all this up to live someone else’s definition of my life, my art?

There are many people who don’t particularly like their “day job”, and see the artistic life as an escape. Some who make the leap of faith that they can make a living through their art are confronted at some point with the realization that “art” has become a job like any other. Creative freedom gives way to the necessity of making a living. Artistic vision becomes blurred by the need to produce a never-ending stream of things that people will buy. This is a rude awakening for those who are chasing a dream of the artistic life that never existed. I am completely at ease with the idea that art is a business and embrace it. At any given time on any given day I slide freely from “business” to “art” and back to business. It is all interconnected – one life – one work. So, I’ll keep my day job, whatever you choose to call it.

Thanks for sharing your story, Corliss (of 2Roses). Make sure to check out their Etsy shop, 2Roses.