Tom and I have been in Oklahoma for 2 1/2 years now...We both have descent jobs ands have enjoyed the steady income...For the first time in all our 20 years together,the bills are paid.
He has been carving on weekend and established a pretty good market- And now has a desire to go back to full-time carving again (We did this as a sole-livelihood for 10 years in New York and moved here for 'real jobs').
I support him in whatever makes him happy, and kindof long to go back to the old lifestyle. We have talked about the pros and cons of all that we'd be giving up/benefitting. It just seems like it would be a huge leap of faith, but we want it back.
Welcoming all your thoughts and advice.
Thanks...

You have jobs and bennefits and kids

Loaded question "

You are few with jobs and bennefits in todays economy

and your bills are paid you get to carve and have extra income

I say your BLESSED

Do you wanna marry me??? Hahaha. Having someone who loves you and has faith in you is the single most important thing in life. You'll do what's right! Doc

we miss seeing you guys around, my feelings are you live then you die , so you better do the things that make you happy in between

I know you're where it's warm but I'd suggest ya wait till this winter's over and the economy maybe improves.

I might say "try to combine the best of both worlds"
1st) Think hard about the past..... was is really that good if the bills never got paid? Or was it the life-style?
2nd) Is your new location more promising that the old one? ...or is it the life-style?
3rd) Is it one good job or two that we are talking about throwing away? Can we toss one good job at a time while we build up a monetary saftey net? ....or is it the life-style?

Common sense tells us what we need to do to get where we want to go. But sometimes it's more about the journey that it is about the destination. Some times it's both. Only you will know what is right for you.

< Please do not post anonymously >

There are several good compromises here. If there are no children involved, it's even easier.

Make sure you have a financial buffer so you don't lose everything (including your credit rating) if things don't work out. That means you should have insurance coverage (an unexpected accident can wipe everything out), and/or good savings or property you can divest in an emergency. Until you are sure you can be relatively solvent with this venture, one of you should keep your job.

I,too, believe you only have one life to live and you should enjoy it, but that doesn't mean 20 years of poverty in your future if one of you suffers a severe injury or requires unexpected hospitilization.

I wanted to retire from work this year so I could carve, but decided everything should be paid off first. So I'll put off what I've dreamed about for another few years to make sure my husband's future and mine are not compromised so that I can have fun.

I wish you happiness and the best of luck. Live the dream.

I agree with ccampbell.

It would be prudent If you can save a emergency fund to survive on for 6 months or so before you give up a steady income. I think the timing to start any business in this slow economy is tough.
In tough times art is one of the first things people stop buying.
I was in a carving event in south east Oklahoma about a month ago and it was very slow for all the carvers.

Good luck

Wendy,
We do miss you and Tom and think of you now and then. These folks are giving alot of good advise. About the only thing I could add is pray about it. James 1:5
Gordon & Gini

We are going to wait and see how things go for now...It's hard to think of going back to the days of feast or famine with the business...But, we do miss the lifestle, and all the amazing people and events.
However it goes, we do hope to see you again someday.
Thanks again.

go about it slow i think about quitting my job but then carving would become my job and i want to carve for fun . but to succeed you need several avenues of income this friend of mine has a karate school,cafe,real estate office. well when real estate went sour his cafe and school got better or held its own so his lifestyle and income was not decimated.if the economy is a V shaped recovery that will be nice if its U shaped well that means slower good times on the horizon. and as others say sculptures are not a requirement of livelihood but people are still buying things to make thereselves feel better.

My response here is tempered by growing up as the son of a professional "starving" artist. At times, we were nearly homeless. To this day, I'm not quite sure how my mother survives.

Anyway, think about financial stability as a tool to enhance your creativity.

When you don't HAVE to sell carvings to make ends meet, you can be much more creative in your art. True, you won't have nearly the time you would as a full time carver- that's definitely a compromise. If you can pay your bills outside of carving, then use your carving time to make art you really want to make.

Take chances with your carvings, stretch your comfort level. NOT having to crank out 20 cubs in a stump to pay the rent, can free you to make those masterpieces you see in your mind.

Good luck.

I don't know you two, but here's my two cents worth.
My husband began carving 23 years ago, Full time. Back then it was still new.( even in the northwest) We had two small kids. I would not give up those tough times.They have helped us grow. Sometimes struggle is good, security isn't always the answer if your not happy.
You must believe in what your spouse is doing and help out whenever or wherever you can.As a team you make it work.
Behind every good man is a great women!!