Jobs Windstone Collectors Have? Career Advice?

[Dragoneer_88]

What kinds of jobs do Windstone collectors have? I’m not sure if I can even ask this question. I don’t want to offend anyone or anything. I DON’T need any specifics or personal details/info. DON’T answer the question if your not comfortable about revealing your occupation. The reason I’m asking is I’m new to the forum. I was looking around and found a thread where some members had posted their collections. There were entire rooms filled with every color of every sculpt and even quite a few OOAK pieces. I was wondering what kind of job would it take to be able to afford a fantastic collection. I realize some collections may have taken years and years, but in some cases some collectors had amassed a large collection in a short amount of time. I suppose there is always the credit card option, but even then it’s still being paid for it somehow…I hope.

I’m currently a college student studying graphic design. I love art, but I’ve been having doubts recently about the graphic design career as it doesn’t pay well (yet there are exceptions.) I was thinking I might just have to make art a hobby instead of a career. I’ve tried a few other degree classes such as accounting and business, but I found I just couldn’t concentrate no matter how hard I tried. I ended up doodling on my paper and daydreaming. Art is the only thing I can keep concentrated on 100% of the time. I’m not into the whole graphic design thing, but it is the only art option I have where I live. I’m more into game art, concept art, animation, scifi/fantasy illustration, things along those lines. I just can’t afford to go to a school that offers what I’m really into. $100K is a lot of money for an animation degree! At least to me it is.

Any advice from the wiser?

[Jennifer]

I am a full time freelance artist. I can’t afford Windstones either; I have purchased less than 10 of them in as many years. I don’t have a big collection, but most of them came through trades with kind forum members that liked my art. 🙂

I earn little and work long, long hours. I live simply; nearly every last penny I make goes toward food, moderate bills, my animals, and a tiny amount to keep myself supplied with art materials. I rarely am able to get ‘things’ just for the sake of having them. Sometimes I can’t afford to get ‘things’ even when I need them (like a new mattress, or a computer chair, hah!). But, I love what I do so I am okay with it.

Some artists can make more… some can make a lot more! It depends on your dedication, your location, what you want to do, and who you know. Each of those factors can have a pretty big impact on artistic career and success. I have friends that work in studios doing art for games and the like, and they make at least 2-3 times as much money as I do annually! I have one friend that made 6 times as much as I do.

It matters how you define success. Am I happy? Yes. So to me, that is success. Can I afford goodies? No. If I measured success by that, I’m not successful. Is my home upscale? Do I own furniture that I didn’t get secondhand? Can I afford to eat out, or to travel, or see movies? Do I have a studio? No. Again if these were measures of success I held myself to, I would consider myself unsuccessful.
There is no wrong answer and every person deals with this differently.

Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.com

[Lupuslunae]

I have a decent-sized collection, but I think it has to due more with the fact that I have few bills and expenses instead of my paycheck size. I work in the CA state library now, but not as a librarian even though I have the degree. Still trying to get up there… But I love my new job and hope when I do manage to find a librarian position it will be in the same department I am in now. I am a recent college graduate, so I certainly know something about the will to collect these guys conflicting with the paycheck. I try to make the important stuff come first, like student loans, but with a regular paycheck I am offering myself the option of one new small to medium wWndstone a month or the option to save up for special stuff. After the GB dragons, I am now trying to save up for a few months for a big dragon that has my eye. Can be tricky though, with Melody always busting out new and exciting things to drool over. My rule I am trying to impose on myself is not to splurge on production pieces, they will stick around and come back. Harder to stay reasonable when something special is in the store or on ebay!
Some of my pieces were real finds though, like a baby unicorn for $5 at a thrift store, the male unicorn and pegasus from the goodwill auction site for somewhere around $40 combined including shipping. Sometimes you see deals with collectors buying lots to get at a specific piece or two and they sell the others discounted. Damaged pieces you can try to fix yourself can be great finds if you aren’t obsessed with perfect pieces. I did manage to get a jade oriental dragon cheap because of some chips, but then there was some trouble with nail polish…and he looks fine now but I’m still traumatized that an ebay seller nail-polished my dragon! Urgh
The best advice I can offer about money and collections is to not collect for the sake of collecting, these guys are expensive and if you collect just because you want more than so and so or whatever, you will be short on funds when a piece that really speaks to you shows up. Be picky, bide your time, and build a collection that leaves you with no regrets. Then when people walk into your library or studio or whatever and see your collection, they gasp and say “so amazing!” instead of “so many!”

[Kiya]

I’ve collected since I was 11 (I’m 33 now), but it’s only been in the last 2-3 years I could really afford to buy Windstones regularly. My early collection was mostly gifts from friends and family for holidays and the like.

I’m a mid-level manager at my company and pull a reasonable salary now, thus the bump in my collecting, but since I have other responsibilities (two kids, a house, dogs, etc), my collection is certainly not as impressive as many. I try to make sure I pick up pieces that I love (mostly small ones!) and not just buy everything. 🙂

I think it’s important to try to stay within your means when collecting. I’m not sure everyone does! I’ve heard people mention they couldn’t pay bills or buy food in order to buy a piece and I don’t get that at all. My responsibilities are first, and Windstones are a nice “second” if I have a little extra to spend.

You can make a decent living at graphic design. It’s not always as “fun” as other work in art, but I work with a lot of graphic designers and mostly they view it as doing a job they can tolerate so they can afford to live and buy art supplies for the work they really love. 🙂

I don’t have an artistic bone in my body and I genuinely enjoy working in business most of the time – so my perspective on art versus income isn’t the best. LOL

[Dragoneer_88]

Thanks for the replies and advice everyone. This will really help me put things into perspective and figure things out. You all have offered great advice I will take into consideration. I should mention there’s NO WAY I would want a huge collection. It would make me nervous to have so many pieces. Having 9 pieces, I feel like I have a lot already. Really, I only want 2 more (a BVP secret keeper and a red fire fledgling.) I want a secret keeper more than anything. That was another reason for asking the questions. I’m trying to figure out what I can do to save up enough $. I’m afraid I’ll miss out on the color I really want. It’s not like I NEED one, but WANTING is a powerful thing (as we all know I’m sure). Still, I wouldn’t starve myself or not pay bills to buy one.

I might consider buying small OOAK pieces if I like them enough, but I’m really picky when it comes to those. I bought a grab bag mini keeper. It hasn’t arrived yet. I’m nervous and at the same time excited about what it will look like.

@Jennifer…Do you have an online gallery with your work? Like on deviantart.com or anything?

[etruscan]

I’m with Kiya – art is something other people do – but I enjoy looking at this topic, and it is a place you can show some of your work if you want to:

http://windstoneeditions.com/forums/miscellany/general-art-discussion

There are many talented people on the Forum!

[Elena]

Oh and Jennifer has her own website with her work
http://featherdust.critter.net/

[Elena]

Hey Dragoneer,

Career wise, from experience the big thing that you have to determine first is what you want and what you can live with and be aware that this will change over the course of the years and that you need to be ready and willing to change as your needs and wants change.

Nowadays, people are changing careers more often, I think the average is around 3 different careers over the course of your lifetime or something like that. So even if this one doesn’t work out, no learning or experience is EVER wasted!

I have a fairly large collection, but I’ve also been collecting for 20+ years.
I’ve found that you don’t need to have a super high paying job to afford these pretties, its more about what you are willing to compromise on to have them. As a teenager when I first started collecting, I saved my babysitting money and worked pretty much every weekend, even when I really didn’t want to, because I had an end goal in mind. Once I became an adult I had other things to deal with (bills, rent, school fees, etc) and have had to consciously decide how much I have available for extras or do things like not buy coffee or lunch and either take or make my own etc and put that $5 in a jar that is reserved for buying pretties. I will admit to having splurged on a piece that I really, really wanted and really couldn’t afford and been ok with eating ramen noodles for a month to make up for it, but that was a conscious choice that I was willing to live with. I’ve also had to sell some of my pretties, even though I really didn’t want to, in order to make ends meet.

Currently, I’m on career number 3, first was child care, second theatre (stage manager, costumer, props builder) and now I’m doing law (not a lawyer or law enforcement) and I’m hoping that this is the last change I need to make 😛

The first two didn’t leave much for pretties, which is where the jar thing came in handy and several years ago, LIFE happened which forced me from the job/career I really loved into something different. I do enjoy what I do now, but deeply miss theatre. I’m ok with that (most days), its a choice I had to make in order to survive. I figure once I’m a bit more settled I will see about doing stuff with a community theatre group or something. Right now, I work what is considered a really good job pay wise, but the city that I live in is expensive and I have loans and am trying to save for a down payment on a place of my own. I actually work 2 jobs (1 full, 1 part time) in order to make ends meet, put something in savings (which everyone should be doing) and have a little bit left for fun stuff. It sucks when you don’t get a day off for weeks, but again it is a choice I’m making so I can get where I want to be.

I’ve still got friends in the art/theatre world and some can do nothing but what they love and survive, others pick up odd jobs or have a second job. A lot of people I know who are in the arts have said that you should always have a fall back plan. I also know people who work a part time job just so they can cover their bills and do other stuff that makes them happy the rest of the time and people who work high paying jobs and aren’t happy because they aren’t where they think they should be. *shrug*

Again, its what’s right for YOU. No one else can determine that. Ignore the people who tell you that you should be doing X for any reason that doesn’t apply to you and your situation. You have to be happy and content with what and where you are in life or willing to make the changes and choices to get there!

Hope I’ve made sense and Sorry for the ramble 😛

[Erika]

I studied art, and still do it avidly part time, but I do have a full time job. I looked for a dayjob that had a schedule that would leave me time for art and other things I wanted to do. So, now I work in aerostructures composites making airplane parts and other things, and illustrate on the weekends. I could probably eek by on freelance work, but the dayjob lets me do other things that I wanted to do in my life, like own a horse and a house…eventually maybe the wto of them in the same place, heh. I collect moderately, usually small pieces and grab bags if I can. I occasionally use a credit card to go for a piece I really like, but am careful to not let it get out of hand. I’ve had to sell things before, but it all comes down to priorities. If you figure out what you really want in life, and in what order, then do what it takes to accomplish it, you’ll probably end up in a pretty good spot. If your number one goal is to be a full-time artist, go for it! But I’ll second what Nambroth said: happiness is a worthy goal if you’re aware it’s not usually a very high-roller type of job 😉

[Laurie]

I work for the fire department as an emergency medical technician. I love my job but the hours can be long, 48 hours a week. Before my husband died I used to have extra money for fun things like windstones but now that he’s passed I have less money coming in and more bills like paying for a sitter. I’ve been collecting windstones for 15 years so it’s taken me awhile to get what I have now. Sometimes I’ve gotten lucky with ebay and craigslist finding windstones for cheap.

[Falcolf]

I too went to university for art (animation actually) but I realized after graduating that animation was not what I wanted to do, and, in fact, it never had been. From the time I was three years old (twenty-four now) I have wanted to be a fantasy writer. I don’t regret the time I spent in university; because of that training, which I consider invaluable, I am a much better artist now and because of that training, I have the option of going into freelance work someday if I want to. For now, I don’t. For years I struggled with this, during university and after I graduated but last year I finally made a plan to survive however I could while I worked on my manuscripts until I can get one published. I have been story telling my entire life, so from my perspective it is clearly what I am meant to do. I don’t have many Windstones, I think I have about ten, but I’m quite content with my collection the way it is. I am restricted by what I can spend because I am currently living for free with my parents (cannot yet afford to move out) and most of my money currently goes to my student loan bills and savings (trying to save up a damage deposit!) so I found that the best way to save up for stuff is to scrape a little bit from every paycheck – $5 here, $10 there, $20 here and save it over time.

Also, I really feel the need to note – you do NOT need to spend $100K for art training. I spent maybe $17K with living expenses (Capilano University, British Columbia, Canada.) Please do not feel that you must go to Art Institutes (gosh they are expensive!) because there are cheaper programs at your local state or provincial universities that are just as good. However – please, please do your homework! Talk to people who have been in these programs, read reviews, go to open houses. Do NOT listen to commercials – they are propaganda and just because a university has enough funds for a commercial does not automatically mean that it is good or worth it. Research instead and decide what is best for you that way. 🙂 You absolutely do not need to spend $100K for art training! 😀 I attended one of the best animation programs available in Canada and I find it deeply reassuring that I am only $14K in debt today.

For I now work retail, currently at a pet supply store where I am one of only three employees counting the manager and the groomer. It’s not the best side career and it’s definitely not suited to my temperament (I’m an introvert!) but it isn’t nearly as stressful as the constant work of applying to new animation jobs because animation is often contract work. I don’t want to need to hunt for a new job every six months which is why I am okay for now just chugging along doing retail. Someday, I will be able to stay home without having to deal as much with the public and just write which is what I work towards today. I dream of the day when I can achieve my purpose in life of being a storyteller.

Personally, my favourite thing about Windstones is painting them! PYOs are perfect for me because with shipping to Canada, most of them are only $50 which is easily affordable for me. 🙂 If you’ve got artistic talent they are a wonderful option! 😀

Check out my finished artwork at http://falcolf.deviantart.com/ and my sketch/studio blog at http://rosannapbrost.tumblr.com/

Excellent!

[Kim]

I think that’s a good question. I find it interesting reading other people’s stories and hearing how they live and how they do what they do. My case is a little different because from a young age I was fascinated with business and investing. I was always coming up with ideas for businesses and buying and selling things. I once turned my backyard into a mini golf course and my house of pets into a pet sitting zoo to try and make money as a kid. I made crafts and bought products I would sell at fairs and flea markets, etc.

I also loved art but my dad had me convinced I wouldn’t make money being an artist so I instead would buy and sell things that were popular that I could find cheap from manufacturers and wholesalers and sell them and double my money. If I ever wanted to buy something I couldn’t afford, I would buy cheaper things to sell until I had enough to buy what I wanted. I still do that today although mostly buying and selling online now. If a Windstone comes along and I don’t have the money for it, I always seem to have something to sell to get the money for it. I also worked many jobs over the years including retail, customer service, sales, marketing and reception and if I ever needed larger amounts of money, I would go work for a company short term doing commission sales until I haf enough money to tie me over for a while.

Anyway, that is how I have been able to buy my collection of about 80 pieces in the last year and half. I have slowed down buying now though as I haven’t been very well for a while so haven’t been making as much. Instead I have been focusing on studying and sharing what I love with people which includes health, nutrition and spirituality to enrich lives and have been also working on my art and writing and some health based business ideas. I think the trick is to do what you love or are passionate about, regardless of how much money you make. I have very little income at the moment but I manage to get by by saving everything I make and not spending much. I mostly cook at home, I don’t shop for clothes and other things I already have enough of or go to the mall or movies or things like that that my friends spend a lot of money on. I pretty much pay for my rent, utilities and food and anything left over is saved for things I really want, like Windstones. The following video is the best to watch for inspiration or doing what you love, regardless of how much money you make. I like how he points out that if you become a master at what you love, there will be people who will pay you a good fee for your services. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R-5sxuSRko

Looking for rainbow or pink & teal grab bags!

[Skigod377]

I’m in the Army. Pretty decent pay after 20 years, but mostly I went in debt with my shopping habits. Been steadily reducing that debt, but the collection has been reduced as well. Now I get a piece here and there and don’t use credit to get it!

[Dragoneer_88]

Thanks everyone! I’m learning a lot. It’s very interesting to here these stories and the advice. I think it’ll help me down the road. Very true about working a job just for the money. My sister-in-law works for an energy company. She get paid a nice salary, but she hates her job so much. Same story with my sister. She’s an RN.

@ Kim. I think it’s cool how you’ve tried different things. I hope one of these days you’ll get into something that’ll you’ll really love and will earn you a nice paycheck. :bigsmile:

@ Falcolf. You’ve given me a lot to think about, but that’s good thing. It’s funny, I was very, very close to going to the Art Institute and even closer to going to the Academy of Art in San Francisco back in 2007. I’m glad I was talked out of it in hindsight (I’m and introvert too). I also found out I was not as skilled as an artist as I thought, but I can only get better. As far as schooling goes…there’s not a lot of options in my area. I have to drive two hours to get to my university. I live in a small city that’s in the middle of nowhere and unfortunately I don’t have the resources to move. I guess there’s always online classes from other universities as mine does not offer online art classes even though most are on the computer! I haven’t done a lot research on those yet.

It’s interesting to hear from someone who has done an animation degree and your experience at school. I know what I can look forward to now. Very cool you want to write for a living. I wish you the best of luck and hope you get published as a New York Times Best Seller. My best friend has a similar goal. I’ve always wanted to try writing a scifi book or at least a super hero comic book (don’t laugh :bigsmile: ) Remember, even Stephen King did a lot of sucky jobs before he got his big break. His bio is interesting even if you don’t like his books. Everybody knows J. K. Rowlings story. 🙂

[Sikek]

I don’t think I’ll be able to afford Windstones once I get a mortgage, but for now I’m enjoying the opportunity while still saving a good deal for a deposit. I guess that makes it a matter of circumstance.

I work as a commercial artist (gaming).

[Author]

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