Thursday, March 10, 2011

I Need Some Inspiration

As some of you may know I am having trouble finding a new job here in my new home. I have put out many applications. The only one I heard back on was for another pharmacy tech job. I know this will sound very selfish in such a poor economy but I truly, truly just do not want to work in another pharmacy. I found it turning me into a very cynical person. Dealing with insurance companies that don't want to pay for drugs that a patient needs, being yelled at by drug seekers, watching a parent smoking in his car while selling him an asthma medication for his child sitting next to him.  I really think I am just done with all of that. We moved here to decrease Willie's stress, I don't think I should have to increase mine.

My friend Dawn has given me a lot of good ideas for working from home. This would be a great option. My grand daughter is the light of my life and I don't do well when I can't see her on a regular basis. With two weddings coming up this year, and my brother and father being in fragile health, having a flexible schedule would be the best. Something that I could bring with me, if needed, and do work from Des Moines as need be. I also, being the fair minded person that I tend to be (which doesn't always serve me well), don't think it is right to ask a new employer to give me the time off I need for the weddings and for emergency situations that may arise if my father or brother need me to come home. It's a six hour drive, at best speed. A trip home takes time.

Now, what could I do? There's the rub. I'm thinking about trying to make something and sell it online, but what? I love making things. I just don't know how to make any one thing well enough to sell. So, that means learning something new and practicing until I get it right. I've thought about candles. The thing is, they would have to be unscented. I could learn to make decorative candles, but would people buy them with out scent? I can not be the only person in the world that coughs up a lung when she is around a burning scented candle. I love burning candles but since they almost always are saturated by a thick, overwhelming and yes, throat closing, lung collapsing fragrance, I can't. So, is there a market for beautiful but UNSCENTED candles out there? Maybe, this is something I should find out.

Of course the next problem is that I have no idea how to make candles. As a child in Girl Scouts I made hand dipped candles and sand candles, but a decorative candle, not so much. Must learn. Anyone know any good websites that can help me learn? I googled last night and seemed to only to find sites selling the materials, which of course will be helpful, too, eventually.

What else to do? What other ideas are out there? Dawn, suggested dog grooming. While I get a long with my crazy little dog, I'm a little afraid of other dog's teeth. Even the Dog Whisperer gets bit now and then, I can't imagine I would fair any better.

2 comments:

  1. working from home (or at least being my own boss and being completely able to chose exactly where and when i work) is my life goal. the swedish labour market and its politics sucks and are so far from encouraging entrepreneurs and new ways of worklife. i'm so sick of it.

    i may be wrong but i get a feeling that it's so much easier, as well as encouraged to start your own business and doing online selling in the us. i have no good ideas what kind of crafty thing you could do, but to have a good look around etsy.com is always inspirational:)

    and while i'm here, thank you for leaving kind comments in my blog! and in answer to your question "what is caster sugar?", it's plain white sugar also called granulated sugar.

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  2. Yes, the US does do well to encourage small business in many ways, but at the same time it is very difficult. Like anything you first need money. Finding the money can be difficult in such economic times. I think perhaps the two detriments to the small business person in the US is first taxes and then second the Wal Mart type stores that can run a small business out with out blinking. You really have to be a go getter type to make a small business work.

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