Well folks tomorrow morning at 8:30 am I join the work force in Butler County. I am sick of being broke, and winter is on the way. Signs are too irregular to depend on anymore. So I got a job as a cashier at the little hardware store 2 miles up the street. I'll work while Jus is in school, M-F 8:30-3:30. I figger for once folks can schedule their sign appointments around MY life. I had to re-dye my hair too. Nobody wants a pink-headed cashier. Wish me luck! (It's a bit embarrasing to go out and get a "real" job!) Love....jill PS Of course, signs are already beginning to pick up!
Posted by Steve Racz (Member # 4376) on :
Jill,
Best of luck! With your personality and talent you'll be running the place in a year...
Thanks, Steve
Posted by rene st-pierre (Member # 4116) on :
jill you know a lot of sign peinter work side way of sign its hard can live juste whit sign glad you have a new work you can made sign in evening its bad for your hair............ i never can live juste whit sign an never can live whit out sign i like peint good luck c-ya
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
Jill, I've been in your same situation, and it does feel good when you finally have some steady money coming in. Without so much pressure to make ends meet, hopefully you will get to concentrate on the type of work you like most. Good luck with the job!
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
That's okay, but you be sure to let every single person you cash out, what you do, Maybe you can wear Sign Craft's "Ask me about a Sign" t-shirt. Gotta always do the marketing!
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
I did the same a few years back myself Jill. Walked away for a over a year and was a line cook.
But... "Abscence makes the heart grow fonder".
When the slow season hit the restaurant and hours got thin, I got into signs again, pretty much just to keep busy and make a few extra bucks. To my surprise, word got around pretty fast that I was doing sign stuff again and the phone was ringing steadly in a few months.
Ya never know... Rapid
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
I have almost done that myself, Jill. It helps me that Jon does things on the side also, when he isn't helping me.
Maybe you will have the same thing happen that Ray had happen for him. But I hope you will do ok, doing your sign work at night after the day job!
Don't be too busy or tired for your "little guy" at home. He's growing & needs you too!
Nothing to be embarrassed about, either.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
I think you are being very responsible, personally. You have an obligation to your family first and foremost.
As far as the shop goes, you can Stevo minding the place when you aren't there. He's a capable kind of guy.
You're a winner in my book!
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Hey, the neat thing is you're willing to do what it takes to "git-r-done"....and that's not something you can say about a lot of people these days.
I say, congratulations and good luck on the new job...and agree with Rapid; you never know how your future might shape up....
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
You know what I'm going to tell ya to do; follow your heart...
Good luck in your new job...heheh, perfect place to practice biting one's tongue, as dealing w/diffuclt ppl. is a prerequiste quality...
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Best of Luck Jill,
Like the others have said, you never know how things will change tomorrow. Sometimes you ride along with life pretty easily, other times it seems to ride you!
And we know you'll always be crankin' out as much sign work as you can.
P.S. sure wish I could have made it out to your recent meet....I was just a bit drained after the NY trip.
take care...peace
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Good luck & all the best, Jill!
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
It's not the end of the world Jill, it's a whole 'nother opportunity for you!
Hey, maybe you'll have slow times at the hardware store when you can work on customer sketches.
Or when someone comes in for some plywood to make their own signs just drop 'em a hint.
Maybe get on the owner's real good side and work yourself some deals on hardware.
Or offer the owner a deal on his own signs if he lets you promote your biz while working for him.
Posted by Carole Bersin (Member # 5710) on :
A few years ago I found myself in the same boat. I thought if I could just find something that would get me a few hundred extra bucks a month and wouldn't interfere with my sign life or my mom life it would work.So I got a weekend paper route using that old theory of "I'll sleep when I'm dead"
It worked for a few months and then the sign work started coming in. I'd paint til 3am, go deliver papers til 6 or 7 sleep a few hours then get up and be mom.
Needless to say it didn't last. The Tomahawk Letterhead meet came up, I quit the paper and never looked back. Now when the coffers look low I drive around and find a new storefront going in or an old faded sign and talk myself into a job.
There's always work out there if you know where to look.
Good Luck, Jill. You'll do well no matter what you do.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
There's nothing "embarrasing" about any "kind" of Job in my opinion. I've often wondered if I would be better off having another kind of Full time job and do signs on the side. I think it's great... and I bet you will actually start to enjoy doing your kind of signs again.
GOOD LUCK JILL!
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
You're a winner in my book, (for what it's worth). It is a responsible thing to put your hearts desire aside to care for your family. You will be blest! And remember, in Letterville, you ARE forever the Queen of Coro.
Posted by Sal Cabrera (Member # 1236) on :
That is a good thougth , you never know what the winter will bring this year, good luck. your buddy !
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
I'm proud of you Jilly! and I think that hardware store is lucky to have you. Ya do what ya gotta do.
Suelynn
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Well seeing it is 8:29 my computer time, your most likely at work and feeling all kinds of weird things this morning.
A coupe years ago things were so slow I had to take a job working construction with a friend for the winter & spring months. I found it refreshing and when I returned to full time signs I had a new apreciation for what I do.
Enjoy this bump in the road Jill and I can't thank you enough for the wonderful meet you just put on. You are a Rich person in my book Jill, just look at the lives you have touched and the warm affection people have for you!
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
i'm sure they will absolutely LOVE having you work for them! i only wish you lived closer to me! any employer would be lucky to have you! i'm sure this will restore your passion as sometimes we have to get away from things to get a new perspective on things. have a wonderful day at your new workplace! Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
All the best Jill, I sure will miss all the sweet IM's you used to send. All the Letterheads are with you all the way.
Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
Hey Jill, Couldn't have picked a better place to work! I LOVE hardware stores. My old shop was next to one in Baltimore and I would spend way too much time over there just shootin' the breeze.
Hopefully the owner will allow you to talk shop. You know that every sort of tradesman will walk into that store, and it won't take much to sell a few pairs of magnetics or a couple of yard signs.
This may be better for your business than you think!
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Hey Jill,
Best of Luck!
As the others mentioned, I think it will be a good thing. Kinda gives you the time away from the stress of the biz a bit. It helps to take a step back to see the forest from the trees (hehe, or something like that).
Getting the customers to work on YOUR terms/times and conditions will make you stronger than ever!
Give 'em heck!
Posted by Camille Norvaisas (Member # 501) on :
Good luck lady! Some times ya gotta have many irons in the fire! We'll miss you during the day on the board!
Posted by Boyd Merriman (Member # 5514) on :
Jill, I feel your paint...er...pain!
I had to get a job again as a pc support tech and the pay ain't so good like it was a few years ago!
My sign business hardly got off the ground before it sputtered it's way down. Just keep on keeping on.
It isn't your work, it's the way people are viewing businesses and signs. Far different than it was 20 years ago. I am having to relearn the business and the economy. (The oil problem isn't exactly helping either).
Boyd
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Best of Luck Jill
That hardware store sure is lucky to have been able to hire an employee like you.
Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
Nothing wrong with that Jilly. I think you're making a very good decision. Maybe you can pick and choose your sign jobs now and even raise your prices. People can smell it when you're hungry and it only brings out the predator instinct. Best of luck to you sweetie!!
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Hi Jill, don't think of it as a bad thing, just choose to enjoy the work and the MONEY. Every phase of life is an opportunity to learn something. Just pick and choose the painting jobs you accept on the side, and have fun doing it. Nothing has changed for you here in Letterville.
Best of luck to you. Lotti
Posted by Charles Borges de Oliveir (Member # 3770) on :
Good luck Jill, Its frustrating trying to do what you love but not being able to do it. I wish I could be a fulltime font designer, but I have to work to pay the bills.
I hope everything goes well for you.
-Chuck
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Hi Jill! If you have children, then that's the best and most important job we'll ever have! And whatever it takes to put the meals on the table and keep the lights on, well that's as cool as it gets. You're a cool lady and put more time and energy to show the world about the trade, keeping it alive. I don't know how you did all of it!
Thank God for your family support too, as they deserve a round of applause too. I met your brother at the Krazy Meet and I saw that they are right there for you too.
You changed history with your meets, you know! Sorry I couldn't make it to the Mars and your Jamboree, and you have no idea how much I wanted to meet everyone, (Si and Kimberly too!) and everyone else as I've known them through the years on the bb. But, my family needed me here and I did need to miss your meet. I always wonder what I could have changed and done differently so that "things" don't occur to make me miss the meets, 3 of the Mazeppa meets, and some special east coast meets.
There's always tomorrow. Life is full of surprises and changes. You may just be giving yourself exposure by getting out in the mainstream. Are you bringing your lettered truck to work? I hope so! Free advertising! Maybe you may be designing the company's new aprons or doing their window displays!
You are a blessing to others, Jill, and a fine mother who puts her children first.
You're prayers about insurance and sick pay to take care of the kids (and yourself) are being answered. I remember the posts, you posted, I posted, Sheila posted and many others. I have had my own surprises and interruptions in my life to put my art on hold, but when I am not involved in my art, my life seems to be messed up. I should always have a paint brush in my hand, cause it's the right thing to do. This comes from my heart Jill, just for you.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
everytime i go into the local home depot here, couple of the people i know workin there keep askin me when iam gona get a job there. seems people thing i work there when iam in the place....and ax me to help them figure out what they need....hehehehehehe if it got bad here i would probably try it...but with my back i cant do more then a 1/2-1 hour on my feet, then got sit 10-20 mins and can go again.... i worked NAPA auto parts most of working years..and got more sign work from being there then you can belive. same thing will happen to you....6-8 months youll be swamped.
Posted by nicola mcintosh (Member # 5371) on :
good for you jilly!!
wish you all the best
nik
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
Those few folks in Butler who haven't met you yet, will! Way to go, Jill! Cloudy
Posted by Mark Neurohr (Member # 2470) on :
A HARDWARE STORE!!!!
You've always been my kinda Gal Jill!! Looks like I've got a new place to shop! You're going to have access to all kids of new sign making possibilities~.....
Can I get a discount? (You know for family members).
Good Luck Sweetie!! When the other stuff picks up (and it will), I'll give ya a hand if ya need it to keep you on time.
XOXOXO Ernest Posted by Jason Davie (Member # 2172) on :
Hope ya had a first great day... Good Luck on the days to come..
Jason D
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Well, my old dogs are barkin but at least the day passed quickly. I recognised quite a few of the clientele! Some were old customers I'd rather not see again. At least nobody bought any pre-made coro signs. One trucker did come in asking for reflective tape, and someone did tell me to call them about needing some new signs, and I even got a nice comment about last month's pizza wall. This is where I work, at the South location. I put in 7 hours and got a half-hour paid lunch. It felt kinda good to be just a drone instead of the queen bee.
When I got home, Stevo had mowed the yard, done dishes, and even folded some laundry. He handled a few of my customers too. Sign work seems to have really picked up. Landed a painted sign today, and the deposit was way more that what I'll earn as cashier this week. I plan to keep the side job as long as I can. Thanks for all the positive input. Love....Jill
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Glad your first day went well, but don't go gett'in too comfy there!
You watch, Jill...You are gonna be so fired up to paint, & the work is gonna pour in, I know it! You'll be back in your shop in no time.
Good thing Stevo is there to help you out:)
Posted by Mark Neurohr (Member # 2470) on :
Dishes, laundry....???
Stevo aka "Mr. Mom"
but did he run the vaa, vaaaa, vaaaaaac....?
(I JUST CAN'T SAY THAT WORD)!!
Help me somebody!!!!!! It's the opposite of Pressure, just can't say that word... vaa, vaaaaa
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Ernest..is that the thing that has two "U's" in it's name???
I remember using one recently..Oh...Wait..NO it wasn't one of THEM..it was a SHOP Vac..totally different animal!!
Why is it that work related vaaaaaaa..(crap I can't say it either) are different than home related vaaa??????????????
Jill..Good on you!! Ya made a wise and sensible decision.
[ August 29, 2005, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Good for you Jilly...and way to go Stevo! You guys'l do just fine.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Mark and dave... the word you are looking for is dirtsuckerupper. Yup... That's it.
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Hey Jill,
Happy to hear your first day went well. You'll always be our Queen Bee!
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
Jill, My hardware store has this sign on the window:
WE CAN FIX ANYTHING... PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR, THE BELL DOES NOT WORK.
Ba-dumm-bump.
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Jill and Stevo.....I am proud of you. Just think of all the new 'sign' hardware ideas you will get ....new 'sign hanging bolts' you can play with....new paint chips and colours, new textures...and get paid to learn.....The exposure you have in the hardware store will put you at the 'top of mind' for customers needing sign work.....good on you. Stevo...you are great support for Jill...at work and behind the scenes....I know you will both do great. All the best to you.
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
Tough times never last, but tough people do! You are one of the toughest, most respected Letterheads I have ever met. I've been where you are Jill. There are good things coming. Don't stop believing. We love ya!
[ August 30, 2005, 02:34 AM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
Posted by Rovelle W. Gratz (Member # 4404) on :
Go for it Jill. Some of my favorite people work in hardware stores.
Posted by Murray MacDonald (Member # 3558) on :
Good on ya', Jilly. Tough times mean tough measures, and you 'n Stevo will do just fine. Deb works to support my sign habit, and I paint signs to support her work habit! The $ all go down the same pit. Best to ya'. Love Mr. P
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Jill....don't forget to wear your "Ask me about a sign" Tshirt!
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