Unemployed? Hate Your Crummy Job? Start Producing!

reply to post by icanhaz


Boo ya! That's the spirit.

Okay, here's my story: I trade food and art. Mostly for other types of food. But I'm branching out.

My buddy (who has a rusty, unused Industrial Design degree) and I have been collecting driftwood, and are going to make window planters. But not just any window planters! No, these have multiple shelves; and can be easily raised to occupy the vertical space indoors, or lowered as a single unit to catch the rays as a horizontal outdoor unit.

They'll be functional, aesthetically pleasing, and offer a great way for people to grow greens and herbs year round in small spaces.

Material costs: fixtures and varnish. (In other words, butt-cheap)

We plan to take custom orders, and to accept cash or trade.

reply to post by Eidolon23



Add a side line of driftwood products, hanging mobiles with sea shells...huge ones. I made a small fortune making and selling those in N.Cali in my much younger years. I sold them in the $50 to $200 range to interior designers. Who then sold them to their clients for 10 times that amount. If you can work small clear rice light strands into the design...you've got a niche market in the high end food industry for decorating. You can take advantage of collecting those odd shaped pieces of driftwood that way.

Des

^ That. Salvage, and work with the materials provided by your environment.

I wanted to share Douglas Rushkoff's thoughts on how barter and local production can offer a way out of our current mess, and maybe even make us better human beings:

Bartering systems and local currencies are just one possible step in the slow subordination of market activity to social activity, and corporate behavior to human behavior. After all, we don’t spend time volunteering in our public school because we want to earn local credits; we do it to make the place better for our kids. The psychological hurdle to cross is the inability to accept that $10,000 worth of one’s time spent making a local school better will create more value than $30,000 of one’s money spent on a private school. The money guarantees a great education for our own kid; the time improves the school for everyone’s kids. Still plagued by internalized competition and self-interest, most of us are not quite ready to choose the better path or to convince our neighbors to join us in the effort. Luckily, a desperate lack of funds and employment opportunities can help nudge us toward the more socially beneficial choice.

But the more social we get, the more one voluntary act will encourage another one, and so on. We learn that it’s more fun and less time-consuming to provide real help to our local elementary school than to take on an extra corporate job to pay for a private school. We reverse the equation through which we calculate how much money we’ll need to insulate ourselves from the pitfalls of modern life, like diminishing real-estate values, stock-market collapses, and layoffs.

Instead, we could calculate how much we can get from and give to that world with no money at all. Reciprocity is not a market phenomenon; it’s a social one. And when the market is no longer functioning properly, reciprocity is a necessary life skill.

www.wfs.org...

Originally posted by icanhaz

reply to post by randomtangentsrme

 

...however, I cannot convince my neighbors to fair trade for made goods...Independent artisans cannot sustainably compete with corporations

I think many successful independent artisans can prove you wrong, including someone on this very thread, many who are everywhere online, and many whom I know in my own city.

Check out craigslist, trade shows, flea markets.

Find your niche and know how to work it; know your product(s) and where to market them.

Check out the post by reficul for tips.

The difference between success and failure depends on creativity, quality, innovation, hard work--but most of all, the willingness to keep trying until you get it right, rather than giving up after only a few times.

Many others have done it, you can, too!

I think you are missing my point. Let us take the simplest of the simple. 15 years ago I was making walking sticks using found Manzanita. Between finding lengths that would work and driving to where it grows I was spending 20 in gas and 2 hours searching and 2 hours driving. I would find about 6 per trip of cut or fallen good lengths. Let's say my time is worth 10 an hour (I routinely bill out at over 50 an hour). So I have spent $60 for six sticks. Now it takes 2 hours to cut to length and shape and sand each stick. So that's 12 hours or $120 plus my original $60 or $180 total. Now I added a steel cuff to the bottom of my walking sticks that was another $2 per plus an hour each to shape and thread the cuff on (and glue etc).
$12 plus 6 @$10= $72, plus $180 is $252
Now I would lacquer them, about 1/2 an hour each. We are now up to $282 in costs before selling. That's only 47 per stick right? No, because I used electricity for the tools,
OK so I can sell you a stick for $47 and make nothing on it or you can buy this beautiful one www.northerntool.com... ci_sku=162807&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=[keyword] for about $20

We bake the produce from our garden, and trade/sell (without any license or inspection) the food from scratch.

You would be shocked at what those who have jobs are willing to pay for actual FOOD.

Like homemade chicken pot pies, made from scratch with vegetable filling from the garden and crust from scratch. Or homemade biscuits that didn't come out of a cardboard tube after 6 months in a warehouse freezer. Or soup made by crushing our own tomatoes and boiling it down to broth over 4 hours. Or spaghetti sauce made in a turkey fryer, from our own tomatoes, our own garlic our own onions and oregano....

The wife never went looking for business. People tasted her scratch food and started bribing her to cook for them, too.

We are talking $32.00 for a homemade blueberry pie from handpicked berries. Seriosly, 4 dollars a slice! Of course, if you tasted her lattice-work upper crust, you might pay too. She cooks them three at a time, btw.

And if you only knew how much her markup really is, you'd even be more shocked. She made her own crackers(!), for some dip she made for a party. The ingredients cost like 2 bucks (because of the butter). A store-bought equivalent would be 3 boxes---or about $7.50!

Wife isn't home right now, but she told me that she can make like 10 or 12 loaves of bread from like 5 bucks of flower. Bread at the market is north of 2 bucks a loaf....

reply to post by tovenar


Dude, you are making me drool.

But this does raise a sticky point, especially when it comes to food: nobody wants to break the law, and nobody wants to get busted. Here's a great guide to staying on the right side of the fence, legally speaking:

www.shareable.net...

Some states are trying to pass "cottage food" laws that would ease up certain regulatory choke-holds:

www.theselc.org...

reply to post by tovenar


I'm getting hungry just reading your post. Sounds like fun baking and cooking, especially the eating.

Our Ag Dept in N. Ga, has a new program where you can get your *Serve Safe* certificate for $15.00 instead of the State fee of $250.00 for restaurants. . It allows farmer's market people to make and sell their food products legally. Check with your State Agriculture Dept to see if they have the program. It's a 3 hr class with exam at the end. Well Done and thorough. It's called Serve Safe. It follows the same guidelines for the food industry. Which is also called Serve Safe.

Des

I to am underemployed so I grow a huge garden and have a roadside stand. I give everything away and take donations instead to avoid any laws that may hinder me. I have actually probably made more by donations than charging anyways. Also people tend to leave handfulls of change containing pre 1965 quarters and dime. I have accumulated a feww hundred dollars worth of them this summer. Now I just need to extract the silver from them

Yeah, well...

...I started a small tidy chainmail manufacturing operation in my basement because when the SHTF and everything goes totally methane farms, dirt bikes and dune buggies, I am going to be right there with a hot commodity.

Cha-Ching!

X.

reply to post by usmc0311


Oh, how great! I worked with a lady that ran an unmanned flower stand on the road in front of her home. She grew them herself, arranged them in buckets on the stand, and left out a donation jar. She was able to supplement her income pretty comfortably.

The honor system works, folks, and it makes me feel so great about my fellow humans to know it.

And I guess that's what this is really about. I know it is unfeasible for everyone to go completely self-employed. But you can supplement your income in some surprisingly simple ways, and in doing so you can ensure a robust local economy and goodwill toward your neighbors.

Originally posted by Xoanon
Yeah, well...

...I started a small tidy chainmail manufacturing operation in my basement because when the SHTF and everything goes totally methane farms, dirt bikes and dune buggies, I am going to be right there with a hot commodity.

Cha-Ching!

X.

True story?

Please tell me we're not taking it all the way back to the Ren Fair. That's a little too Old School, mang.

Kidding aside, chain mail is actually pretty lucrative, although early-onset arthritis and carpal tunnel are occupational hazards.

I am totally kidding,

When I found myself out of work in 2009 I started to accelerate my baking efforts in the kitchen. More as a self soother than anything.

I revived some of my grandmother's baked goods recipes and really spent a lot of time in the kitchen generally. I had to give a lot of stuff away because I had so much and before long I was getting requests. I managed to make the rent for a couple of those months because of my baked stuff. I am busier now and spend less time in the kitchen, but I still get requests for my grandma's golden raisin cookies.

Also, I remain productive and fulfilled on many levels by learning as much as I can about open source operating systems and software. I would recommend that to anyone with a lot of time on their hands. The education is priceless and the only thing you need to get started is a cheap computer. And if one becomes proficient enough, it is an excellent skill to barter with.

Thanks for another great thread, Eidolon23,

X.



.

Great thread! I have been doing this for the last year. I do handyman work and I make beehives and custom screens for basement window wells and other custom stuff. I Also have a small online business selling a weight loss supplement that works well and brings in a little bit of money too.

Here is a tip for these wanting to expand their markets there is a website called Etsy (do a search.) It is geared toward all handmade stuff. I did some research on it and the top earner has done 1.3 million in sales in 5 years that is like $260,000 a year. www.craftcount.com...

Of course it takes time to build a reputation but that is some serious money potential right there. I am considering doing something on the site myself but have not decided what yet. But espeicall for you artisans check it out its kind of nice because it is devoid of all the Ebay style crap and hassles. By the way the Internet is still a tax free zone. Lots of people will tell you to pay your taxes on your internet sales but they have not researched the law they just let fear rule their decisions.

Speaking of fear I want to add something most people do not think much if at all about when wanting to take control of their life. And that is the mental aspect. Fear doubt and indecision are the biggest enemies of success they are the unholy trinity of sorts. People come up with all sorts of great ideas but 98% of them fail to take action dues mainly to those three things.You have to take control of your mind and and focus it on what you want.

A positive state of mind is a fertile mind for ideas to spring up in however one must take action. Fruits and veggies don't grow themselves they must be cultivated. You must take control of your mind and direct it to what ever ends you desire then the universe will give you what you want. if you do nothing then you are subject to every wind of thought most of it negative and this will sap your motivation and determination.

Its like a garden do nothing and let the wind blow any seed it will into it and you will get weeds and thistles. Plant and cultivate that which you desire and tend it on a regular basis and you will get what you desire. It is that simple.

How do you take control of your mind? Most people think they already have but they really haven't I recommend the book Think and Grow Rich it will teach you how to get control of your mind and drive yourself to success in any endeavor.

Think and Grow Rich teaches you how to get control of your mind to focus and take action to accomplish all your goals. Ever made a goal and then gone after it and then became unmotivated to continue it even though you knew it would work? You might have the greatest idea in the world but it won't happen just wishing for it. it also gives you the metaphysical side of things. too.

Have you ever set a goal and went after it and it seemed all of a sudden everything in the universe combined against you from accomplishing it? If you have ever had that happen and persevered through the bad stuff and then all of a sudden all the doors began opening up to get it accomplished Think and Grow Rich will give you the keys to making that happen every time from the physical to the metaphysical!

Here is a video by its author Napoleon Hill He spent twenty years studying interviewing and observing some of the most successful men and captains of industry and found they all had certain things in common that drove them to success in whatever field or endeavor they chose. There is several more videos of him too talking about this. You could probably get most of not all the book concepts on video too of him if you wanted.




Sorry did not mean to wax so philosophical however this is more important then most realize IMO. If you ever wonder why you can't seem to get out of the rut your in but have always wanted to and keep trying different the things and failing this book will be a goldmine to you! It has changed my life!

Great thread! I have been doing this for the last year. I do handyman work and I make beehives and custom screens for basement window wells and other custom stuff. I Also have a small online business selling a weight loss supplement that works well and brings in a little bit of money too.

Here is a tip for those wanting to expand their markets there is a website called Etsy . It is geared toward all handmade stuff. I did some research on it and the top earner has done 1.3 million in sales in 5 years that is like $260,000 a year. www.craftcount.com...

Of course it takes time to build a reputation but that is some serious money potential right there. I am considering doing something on the site myself but have not decided what yet. But espeically for you artisans check it out it's kind of nice because it is devoid of all the Ebay style crap and hassles. By the way the Internet is still a tax free zone. Lots of people will tell you to pay your taxes on your internet sales but they have not researched the law they just let fear rule their decisions.

Speaking of fear I want to add something most people do not think much if at all about when wanting to take control of their life. And that is the mental aspect. Fear doubt and indecision are the biggest enemies of success they are an unholy trinity of sorts. People come up with all sorts of great ideas but 98% of them fail to take action due mainly to those three things.You have to take control of your mind and focus it on what you desire.

A positive state of mind is a fertile mind for ideas to spring up in however one must take action. Fruits and veggies don't grow themselves they must be cultivated. You must take control of your mind and direct it to what ever ends you desire then the universe will give you what you want. if you do nothing then you are subject to every wind of thought most of it negative and this will sap your motivation and determination.

Its like a garden; do nothing and let the wind blow any seed it will into it and you will get weeds and thistles. Plant and cultivate that which you desire and tend it on a regular basis and you will get what you desire. It is that simple.

How do you take control of your mind? Most people think they already have but they really haven't I recommend the book "Think and Grow Rich" By Napoleon Hill it will teach you how to get control of your mind and drive yourself to success in any endeavor.

Think and Grow Rich teaches you how to get control of your mind to focus and take action to accomplish all your goals. Ever made a goal and then gone after it and then became unmotivated to continue it even though you knew it would work? You might have the greatest idea in the world but it won't happen just wishing for it. It also gives you the metaphysical side of things. too.

Have you ever set a goal and went after it and it seemed all of a sudden everything in the universe combined against you from accomplishing it? If you have ever had that happen and persevered through the bad stuff and then all of a sudden all the doors began opening up to get it accomplished Think and Grow Rich will give you the keys to making that happen every time from the physical to the metaphysical!

Here is a video by its author Napoleon Hill He spent twenty years studying interviewing and observing some of the most successful men and captains of industry and found they all had certain things in common that drove them to success in whatever field or endeavor they chose. There is several more videos of him too talking about this. You could probably get most if not all the books concepts on video from him if you wanted.




Sorry did not mean to wax so philosophical however this is more important then most realize IMO. If you ever wonder why you can't seem to get out of the rut you're in but have always wanted to and keep trying different things and failing this book will be a goldmine to you! It has changed my life!

reply to post by Eidolon23


You rock Eidolon!

You are 100% correct. It's time more of us help ourselves instead of waiting on others to help us or else whining that we can't get our dream job.

Work for YOURSELF!

reply to post by hawkiye


Whoa! Holy crap, hawkiye, thanks for full on bringing it! I'm glad you double posted, b/c that was worth double stars.

Hey, thanks to everybody who contributed their personal stories and info. I hope you all have a rocking night, and a stellar weekend.

reply to post by Eidolon23


It's been a pleasure to be in this thread. Thank You for starting it. I'm packing my car right now with my goods for Farmer's Market tomorrow. That means I get up at 4:00 to feed my goats, and other pets, then off to market to set up by 6:30. Last Sat. I did $584 in 4 hours. I have high hopes for this weekend too.

Love and Bright Blessings to you all......

Des

What is happening in the US right now happened in Canada when I graduated high school. It was part of the IMF economy restructing, and it proved out that Canada is a small Asian economy. However everyone not of the boomer generation was heavily under-employeed, and lawyers were washing dishes.

Worse, there is lots to do but because everything is based on the fun-credits-for-labour system it can't really get done. The fun-credit system has some serious flaws.

Somehow, we still ate. Lots of ichiban. Americans frankly eat WAY too much, and often way too high on the food chain. Move down the food chain of consumption, and your dollar will go further. We lived with roommates. Lots of them. The average number of people in a house or apartment amoung the people I knew was about 5 to 8 adults.

There is lots of Non-Work worth doing. It puts worthwhile stuff on your resume. It gives you something you like doing, and teaches you about yourself.

I'm not saying it was always fun, but some of the best days of my life were during that period of time.

Oh - and I have some great guy friends who made way too many baked goods. You've reminded me that he promised to send me some cookies because I miss them. And another who taught the art of making LOTS of good Ukrainian perogies....nom.

reply to post by HangTheTraitors


I'll tell you what, if anyone can make a home made device to take the power of speech away from every politician on the planet I'm in the market. Money's tight right now but I'll sell my kidneys to pay for it.