Job choices

[pea3698]

Ok so I was laid off 4 weeks ago and the market is stale for a graphic designer with some web skills. So I am considering a career change.
I love what I do and also love working with my hands . . . carpentry, painting, working on bikes etc.
So any suggestions. I am really coming up blank here. I would like to not have to start from scratch so I am looking for something that would put to good use the 10 years design and the above other skills.

I really wish there was more of an adventure sport industry here, I have been trying to break into it but it is a close knit group and I have only made a small ding.

Anyone esle change up careers?

[WannaBe_80z]

Start a screen printing company for the local market while also delivering the goods for all the bikers and such and start networking that way?

[flashpipe1]

What sort of adventure sports? Back when I was single & childless I did a fair amount of supplementing/working as a freefall videographer, raft guide, climbing guide, etc. but it was primarily weekend work and, while it was doing things I loved, it forced me to do them at the introductory level as opposed to purely "playing." And, I still wouldn't have been able to live without doing lots of freelance website/e-learning gigs.

I had a friend who was a skydiver and did screenprinting, original designs, etc. that he took to all the events and sold to supplement his travel, but it was pretty minimal $, even though his stuff was very well received and he always sold what he brought. He did better when he started doing sublimation and people could bring their cameras over, pop their stick in his printer and walk away with a coffee mug, t-shirt, etc. with their image on it. But, after 10 years of that, he went bankrupt and now he's an airline flight attendant...which works well because he gets to fly free to all the skydiving events.

I've been looking for some nice kiteboarding t-shirts, but haven't found anything good out there, but it's a pretty new market.

You've got some great stuff, and some excellent skills. The market may be "stale" but there's always work out there for someone with your skills. Might just have to spend some time taking what you can get until you get what you want.

Take a look at esty.com for the crafty/creative stuff and see what's selling.

Hope that helps!

[pea3698]

Thanks guys and thank you for the compliment flashpipe! I do pick up a freelance gig here and there my latest was doing materials for www.triplecrowndh.com including the site.

I just hate being put in this position every few years and honestly I hear over and over that I have a great portfolio and a great personality but am just not what "they" are looking for at the moment. Seriously I love the praise but with an ultimate let down jeeze