posted
I realize I haven't participated here all that much lately. I'm still indeed working the sign thing, however the junk thing has slowly been taking over, which I couldn't be more pleased with!
Thought maybe an update was in order for those interested in moving beyond where they currently are....
It's a slow moving process when you're in the midst of (attempting to) change careers. There's only so much of you to give.
While I don't have all the answers yet, I'm attempting to use my time wisely. When I'm out doing sign work, I document it with photoshoots so I can submit the info to publications. That's been making the vinyl work abit more enjoyable. I have never shared my steps and self taught lessons from the past 20 years so it'll be new info whenever I get to submitting it.
Along the junk side, I've slowly been able to land some compensated design gigs that are paying me to finish my own house. Two recent ones helped me redo my bedroom which in return will land in a magazine.
I've been in several mags at this point, most recently Canadian Living with a tiny blurb about winning a Canada wide upcycle challenge. Too bad they didn't link my blog to the article but... oh well.
I also write regularly for a new mag, FOLK, which is about small town country type living. It's going national with the next issue so it'll be interesting to see what transpires.
I've landed a 2nd book deal in which I haven't signed the contract. Yet. I don't think it's the 'right offer' so I'm working on the ebook route first. It seems that in order to land the right offer, it's helpful to have something out there first. So my ultimate goal is to write a series of ebooks on diff topics so one day that perfect publisher will knock and say, "Yeah, let's just take all your ebooks and plunk them into a book book." And the work will be 85% done before they call. It's nice to dream, right?!
It's getting 'different'. The blog has grown to the point of me being recognized when I'm outside of my own home when among 'the right group'. Funny... I'm just the girl with dirt on her knees when I stripe a firetruck but an HGTV junkster when at a vintage show?? So weird. My son is keeping me grounded just fine. (Mom, you really AREN'T cool like they think ya know...)
My last movie star moment was someone wishing me to be the 'junk celebrity' at a vintage show in Nashville. Wow... not sure where that's all gonna go yet but it sure was nice to be asked!
By this fall I'll have a pro website and blog done up on WordPress with the help of a very detail oriented and talented designer and guru team. Will also be linked up to a store of sorts to sell the ebooks. (guess I'd better write them then huh?)
Every day I'm bombarded with too many things to do. I could spend a month solid in ANY given direction in life, which makes keeping up with it all tricky. Ultimately I'm just attempting to take care of the bills and my son, and hack away at the dream thing a little at a time when I can. It's all we can do.
I do believe there will be life after signs and I'll let you know the moment I'm there. But for now, the ride is rather interesting. Every plan I've had has morphed into something different, so at this point, I'm throwing caution to the wind and seeing what lands in my inbox each day.
My message here is, if you aren't yet doing what you love, maybe it's time to at least start slowly? What have you got to lose?
posted
Why worry? Be happy, live your dream. I've said many times that if you can find someone to pay you to do something you really like doing, that you will have won 99% of lifes battles. True, it may not always be peaches and cream, but it sure is way ahead of whatever is in second place. Peace, Don
-------------------- Donald Miner ABCO Wholesale Neon 1168 Red Hill Creek Dobson, NC Posts: 842 | From: North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ditto what Bob Kaschak said. Hmmm, maybe instead of a like button, folks could link to her site?
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oh yeah...FWIW when that top picture starts to load, it looks like a roadside sign next to a winter tree. I thought you were employing your own small scale outdoor advertising.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
Extremely glad to see you're moving in the direction you want to go. I've been struggling to do the same this past couple of years, trying to ease out of the sign business and more into the profitable side of the font business. (Yes, it exists, if you know where to look.....).
I'll never have a celebrity moment where someone recognizes me, but it is nice to find my fonts gracing TV shows like Auction Kings, Golf Channel and Comic Book Men, etc.
Wait ... did I get paid for those? siggghhhh ... musta been a freebie.
hahahahaha
anyway, keep moving forward and soon enough you'll be where you were going ....
-------------------- Michael Gene Adkins The Fontry 1576 S Hwy 59 Watts OK 74964 Posts: 845 | From: Watts, OK USA | Registered: Jun 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
some of the best things are things you "fall into" instead of chasing or trying!
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
How wonderful! You've worked hard for this- and isn't it fun! You GO, Girl! and do keep us posted!
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Good For You!! That's what life is all about. Experiencing it and following your heart. I think that's the natural way to be. Plus if you just follow it you seem happier, & it's usually right. Peaceful soul. Or, it's a stepping stone (lessons). You're exactly where you're supposed to be at this time. (Mother Theresa) Kind of like, the unverse has a plan...don't want to get to deep, but it's a nice way to live. IOW, just follow your heart/instinct, the rest will follow. Going in slowly is ideal!!
You can and will always make signs. These 2 things you're doing kind of tie into together. Maybe you could make some retro signs. The sky is the limit really... you can join artisians together! How positive. Will have it's challenges but so does everything.
posted
I already said what I thought could happen in this post last October. I also wasn't alone in encouraging you and suggesting greater things might await.
posted
Donna, nice to see you moving forward and doing so well in your new direction. We can all learn from your journey. Your photography is beautiful, can't wait to see where it takes you next. Please keep us posted on your future endevours.
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1323 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Good for you Donna, you are so good at what you do and it's nice to see another soul being delivered from that thing we used to love...
I haven't been very visible here in the last year and will probably be even less and less. I had a job at Parks Canada for the last 16 month and even this is coming to an end next March 30th as my contract ends. In fact I'm not even sure I'll be back making signs.
I sure had fun at times hanging out with fellow signpainters but with the 'decline' of the industry where it's all about a cheaper printed decal now, my heart is not there anymore. I will be designing and building stuff but they will most probably not be sign related and this will be a welcome change.
So best of luck to you, follow your dreams and never look back !