What are some of the things that make money for you other than regular Sign Projects??????
And how long have you been in the Sign Business????
Shep'
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
I make $330 every two weeks as a cashier in a hardware store. This is my 21st year in the sign biz. Love.....Jill
Posted by Graham Parsons (Member # 1129) on :
I write software. A lot for the horse racing world and also for electronic scoreboards.
Been in the sign biz for nearly thirty years
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
You mean to tell me that there's life out of sign making!?!?!? WOW I've been doing it for 14 years now. And on my own for, officially, 5 days now. While I get the ball rolling, I may consider a part time job at a place that can give me a discount on things I want to buy for the business. The hardware store doesn't sound like a bad idea.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by james chrimes (Member # 5864) on :
I spend time with my family, check out these web sites and try to learn new software. I have owned my own business for five years now and worked for another shop for a year two years prior to that.
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
The only other thing I do to make money is play Golf!! Haven't made much money at it as my competition I'm betting with is Steve Hughey, Larry Orr and Bob Timmerman..........all sign guys! I've been at the sign business for 24 years, full time,(I started tinkering in it in 1972)and during that time, that's all I've done.
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
Very little signage- mostly FLASH web design, logo design and t-shirt printing. I teach a graphic design class and coach basketball at a local school and play the drums (for $$$) I painted my first real signs in 1984 (I was still in High School) been working in the field of "graphics" ever since, so I guess 22 years.
Posted by Teresa Bostic (Member # 6214) on :
I earn a little doing portraits and illustrations. I work, teach and write for my county's Master Gardener chapter, which earns money for them.
Mostly, I just read and dig outside of work.
And I've been in the biz for going on seventeen years. Who'd'a thought.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
About 14 years in the sign business, and it has been good to me.
Making money, FINALLY, with investments.
Spend as much time as possible being warm during Canadian winter!!!
[ February 10, 2006, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
this is one thats good....when WHEN iam not making signs....seems iam always busy(for a 6 hour day)need my sleep.....i fix other people computers, work on any thing with a gas motor, from chain saws to cars/trucks. got a job in the wings doin the supervision of a metal building(apr-may)......and still workin on the shop....in my spare time......
Posted by Louie Pascuzzi (Member # 1373) on :
I buy and sell old cars and parts. In the last year I've bought and sold a 72 Olds 455 cutlass, a 68 Ghia convertible, a rotary powered 1965 MGB, a 83 Mustang Gt and right now I'm trying to put a deal together to buy a 1956 Mercedes 190 SL. That's what I do for fun.
I've been in the sign business for 30 profitable years. I have a lot of customers in the racing business and the contacts I've made there make it easy to find cars and parts.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
My husband & I sandblast names & graphics on rocks on the side. The biggest one we have done was for the animal park nearby.
I wish I could make money doing pen & ink work, I LOVE doing that! Teresa, doing illustrations sounds like so much fun!
I want to learn how to incorporate my other abilities into my sign work. I tried my hand at woodburning & loved that, too, & I have an old Signcraft (Mrch/April '93), that shows how Mike Jackson wood burns on signs. He said he used "thin glazes of acrylic paint" on the white pine he used. Anybody have any idea how to do this?
Teresa, the last portrait I did, I think was of my husband. I airbrushed his face on a pillow case about 15 years ago when I was practicing!
[ February 10, 2006, 07:14 PM: Message edited by: Bobbie Rochow ]
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
I feed Whitey she produces lovely panels... I letter the panels. and then give em away for free I make no money on the individual panel.. but hope to make it up in volume... then I feed Whitey more... because she loves to eat Whitey is a cow Harris is on a first name basis with Whitey sometimes..it aint about the money....... Whitey has met a lot of letterheads.... she likes em
Posted by Mark M. Kottwitz (Member # 1764) on :
I build trucks that lay flat on the ground. (Mike Pipes knows me from some other boards as Tandem Madness.)
I do all sorts of customizing, and I like making people say "What the he...!"
This my project that I have been working on a little as I get time. A 92 x-cab S-10 that is bone stock, except for the stock hinge suicide doors. The full story here!
I have been doing signs now for almost 15 years. Man, now I feel old!
[ February 10, 2006, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: Mark M. Kottwitz ]
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Shep, I don't earn any income from anything other than signs. I have'nt worked a second job in a little over 11 years.
I've been in sign biz since early '87, and self-employeed at signs since the end of '88.
I'd like to be able to say, other than signs, things like stocks and commodities make money for me, but that's not quite the case . . .
yet...
How 'bout you Shep?? What's your reply to your orginal question??
Posted by Ed Gregorowicz (Member # 1842) on :
We do snowmobile and motorcycle mods and some hard parts and accessories.
I got started in the sign thing in '82.....The day after I quit my last job.
[ February 11, 2006, 12:22 AM: Message edited by: Ed Gregorowicz ]
Posted by Carl Wood (Member # 1223) on :
E-BAY. . . .
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
A mob hitman, don't that just kill ya? Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Sheila, In response to your post.....I have made a good living in the past 50 years of making Signs...However I get "bored" easily....below is one of the many things that I produce and sell... "Built one for a Large International Corporation that has a Theme Park in Europe" It was for one of their Restaurants......
I also teach a class in "Woodgraining"...The way the old cars of the 30's were finished inside.(Dash, Mouldings etc.)
Produce Hot Rod Shows,........Paint Portraits,...Limited Edition Prints,......Murals interior and exterior...and I am nearing completion of my own Three Wheeler that I have built from the ground up......it is powered by a 1100 Honda Gold Wing engine....seats two...side by side...has on board Computer as well as Air Conditioning.......
[ February 11, 2006, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: Arvil Shep' Shepherd ]
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Cool Shep! Lot's of varying interests, yet also related!
Does'nt sound like you'll ever have to worry about gettin' bored!!
How long in sign biz, sir?
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
I love the challenge of every corner of this industry...
Illustration,Airbrushing,Graphics and Signage. Computer programming,Designs and Portraits.
But my true love involves the outdoors....
Fly fishing for Salmon and Trout.
Gold Prospecting and believe myself when I say I fined it. (plus rock hounding.. I have a piece that is believe to be a full dinosour egg. You can see the yolk and shell with a crack in it.. It is around 3"x6" in oval shape.
Metal Dectecting for old artifacts, Some great history lost here in Halifax area Nova Scotia.
[ February 11, 2006, 11:07 AM: Message edited by: Stephen Deveau ]
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Sheila, Below is a photo of a Wall Sign I painted at Elkin NC ....the date on the sign is Dec 20 1956...This was about a year after I started doing Signs.....Over 50 years ago......
seems like yesterday........
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Create Clip Art (done on that one) Build fonts (some new ones in SignDna) Consult to shops Do website business as www,pinstripertees.com Currently moving into photo work for Auto Rod and Custom market.(Doing the Sacramento Autorama this week) some shots go into magazines along with a story. Currently Re-writng "How to Pinstripe" to be marketed around June. The first edition was published in 72'. I will do some sign work if the money is right.
CrazyJack, "see ya in the funny papers!"
Posted by Rosemary (Member # 1926) on :
I play in the Latigo Band.
At a Farm-Aid Concert.
I record Bass tracks in the studio for $50.00 a track.
That's what I do.
me Posted by Robert Salyers (Member # 5) on :
I have made custom furniture on and off my whole life for the rich and famous. (presently doing Mariano Riveras home) Airbrushing & murals as a business since April '94. Youth director at 2 different churches.
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
43 years lettering signs. I've been , for the last 4 years, working 4-5 months a year in Film industry, paint dept, signs and related painting on sets and locations. Similar but oh so different in many ways.
John
Posted by Adrienne Morgan (Member # 1046) on :
I've sold the occasional painting at a local gallery..I haven't painted anything in the fine art area in a long time. Now that I'm home permanant I can get back into it.
It's not as much money as sign work, but I enjoy it when someone buys a painting.
Michael, I would love a panel!!! What do you want to trade for it? And I've met Whitey in person too! A:)
Posted by Dave Utter (Member # 634) on :
OK, here ya go. I don't know who took the picture. some guy who we refer to as "foamers". But, yes that's me in the drivers seat. Just don't pull out in front of me.
[ February 12, 2006, 02:16 AM: Message edited by: Dave Utter ]
Posted by Susan Daniel (Member # 6092) on :
I don't do signs...I just hang with those who do. I would love to get into it though. Until then, I stand in awe..
(Registered nurse by profession )
Posted by Ed Gregorowicz (Member # 1842) on :
Hmmmmmmm....Will it work NOW?????
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
I have produced signs for 15 years now. I call it my 'full time' job. But I also own 12 rental properties, which takes alot of time. I recently opened a photograpy/portrait studio where we shoot weddings, high school seniors, etc. Once it is rolling well, I plan to have employees take care of most of it. I don't make much money as a racer, but I do cover most of my expenses through corporate / industry sponsors. Along with investing in stocks and mutual funds for my retirement, I plan to be comfortable in about 20 years.
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ed Gregorowicz:
Hmmmmmmm....Will it work NOW?????
Me thinks you need some snow for it to work Posted by Dale Kerr (Member # 4661) on :
I seem to get a lot of prototype work I have a full wood shop and a CNC router so word of mouth gets around pretty quick. I will get a call once or twice a week for some really intersting projects, to fill in empty slots in the shop.
Posted by Teresa Bostic (Member # 6214) on :
Hey, Bobbie! If your husband is ever out of town, I know which pillowcase you use. That would be a neat thing to have. You should drop a card off at a local advertising agency- I get a lot of work from one in particular here. Historical societies, writers and printers are another good avenue to persue if you love doing illustrations. One of the small towns around here does at least one project a year as a fund raiser.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
I would love to get into it though. Until then, I stand in awe.. 