rats, I got laid off today...

[Scout]

I had a temporary, part-time job dressing teddy bears and burning imprints on coffee mugs, and custom sayings on license plate frames, mouse pads, stuff like that. It was for a collegiate and military marketing company in a small town in Michigan. We did a lot of Army and Navy bases, and many different colleges and universities nationwide. The dressed up teddy bears are so damn cute in their little uniforms, and cheerleader outfits, and t-shirts, and hoodies, and surgeon scrubs....

It didn't pay a lot, but it was fun work and I liked the people and the location. How many people can put "bear dresser" on their resume?

My boss's boss, who told me I was laid off, has been informed of my other skills and desire to continue working for them, if there is an opening in the office or when there is more work as a bear dresser. They also said it might be only for a month or two, so I should definitely call them later.

I got fired almost 2 years ago from a great paying job that I hated, and have been kind of drifting (my husband is still working full time, thank goddess for the good man that he is) and trying to decide what to I would really just LOVE to do, and then make a second career out of that. Not much luck there so far. I basically fell into the bear job through a friend who knows a the manager of the warehouse division where I worked (she moonlights as a bartender at my friend's local watering hole).


Have any of you DUers been in similar situations? How did you actually choose something and make a whole new career in mid life? How did you live/get by on part-time (or no) work? What kind of jobs did you do, and did you like or hate them, while you were building your new career? How did you figure out your new career? Did you get it right the first time, or have to try several times?

(I just drank a rum and coke on an empty stomach so I got a nice little buzz going ... sorry if my post is disjointed, this is probably why!)

[yorgatron]

1. sorry to hear that.

i am surprised to find out there are ANY jobs left in Michigan.

[notadmblnd]

2. I lost my job after 28 years last August

My husband passed away in October 2003 and I have a minor child so we get by on his pension and Social security survivor benefits. This covers the bills but leaves us very little disposable income, so what I've been doing is making jewlery using Swarovsky Crystal.

I started out making ankle bracelets from regular fire polished glass and magnets or pearls, I gave some to my mom and other relatives to take them around with them. My mom has sold a few pieces at her club and my neice has taken some to the tanning salon she works at. But the Swarovski is really popular right now and it is so sparkley that I think it just mesmerizes ladies and they just have to have it. This week was my best week. I sold 15 bracelets at 30 bucks a pop just at my sons dentist office and I wasn't trying to sell them (thats the best part.

It seems to be really taking off for me, I have orders for a couple of more and the dentist office has been giving their patients my name and number so hopefully I'll get more orders and I'm talking to someone who is opening a store and might be willing to buy my stuff and sell it there.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I can get enough peices made to take to craft shows and stuff. It's an expensive hobby, a bracelet costs about 20.00 to make, but it's fun and easy to do. I don't get bored, designing peices is fun and it doesn't take long. I was told a long time ago to create my own job so that is exactly what I'm doing. I live in Mich too, so I could help you if this is something you think you'ld like to do.

[Texasgal]

3. Ooooooh!!

I want one!!! Do you ship?

[notadmblnd]

4. I haven't but I suppose I could

they really are gorgeous and I just learned how to make earrings to match.

[Lauri16]

5. Me too!

They sound awesome!

[Texasgal]

7. Sooo... how would we do this?

Do you have a pay pal account or a place we could send a check?

[notadmblnd]

8. no, I don't have paypal but we could do snail mail

for the money, I take checks. then I would use UPS to ship to you. what color(s) and size? Measure one of your bracelets fro clasp to clasp. We can pm each other for addresses.

[notadmblnd]

12. here's a couple of pics

The bracelet is made from 8and 4mm cubes, this one is 45.00 and the earing are made from 6mm cubes and measure 1/2 inch those are 15.00 a pair.

The pics don't really do them justice.

[Scout]

11. I do scrapbooking and card making now.

The jewelry does sound fun, but I'm already into the rubber stamping and accessories for greeting cards, gift wrap, etc.

I have a friend who has a small craft store, and travels to craft shows. She has a variety of things for sale and does very well at shows.

There is a local flea market/craft show outdoors each week near me. I'm building up inventory of cards to sell right now to get a little cash while I figure out what else to do.

[Lauri16]

6. Can't blame you for the rum & coke

Sorry to hear that you got laid off, but hopefully the boss can find something else in the office for you.

*fingers crossed* :)

[48pan]

9. Been there... Done that!

I chose my career by accident. Apply for anything that looks good and see what happens.

If you have the personal initiative, open your own business. It usually takes about 80 hours a week for the first couple of years to get one going, but the rewards are good after that.

My town is in desparate need of a good hotdog stand or a computer repair store.

[JimmyJazz]

10. I'm sorry to hear that.

I hope you find something else quickly. :hug:

[Pacifist Patriot]

13. I'm very sorry to hear that.