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Story by
Vanessa
Published on April 6, 2009 in Etc |
Photo by |
It's tax time and you could cut the tension with a knife. On top of that, many people are losing their jobs. The hope in all of the economic turmoil may be that some of the creative types are turning their layoffs into opportunities to start their own small businesses and pursue their dreams. ("I didn't get laid off — I quit!") But with this economy, it's nothing short of the challenge of a lifetime.
This week's round of voting goes out to you, friends: not only those of you who have lost your jobs and need to get your home offices/studios organized, but also you workin' stiffs who secretly daydream about getting laid off. Keep your chin up!
VOTE and let us know which of these 60 items would get you motivated!
And let us know how your office is doing in the comments below.
Want to get involved in our next round? Suggest your favorite eco-friendly items! You can post links to your suggestions in the comments below.
| Tags | business, careers, Etsy Community Projects, Geekery, Housewares, income, jobs, laid off, money, office, organization, planning, recession, shopping, taxes, tax time, voter tool, votes, voting, work, workplace |
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92 comments Login to add your own!
atomicana
Oh, and as far as the office goes... Yeah well it's no more. Closed it's doors last week. Was truly a sad day. However, it is the jump start I need to move forward with my own artings!
LaveMeSoapCo
Legacy925
Yes - Global Domination sounds good to me... My position was eliminated and Mar 26 was my last day at 'the office'... welcome to unemployment!! I actually feel that this is exactly where I am supposed to be - and am really excited to have an opportunity to deal with things that need to be done... like adding more merchandise to my etsy store! Yes... a few more etsy sales would be very motivational...
thanks for the article! Encouraging that we're not alone out here. :>)
pulpsushi
Cast my vote too! I've been working from home since being "bought out" last August with a brief temp assignment earlier this year. My lease is up at the end of June too so I'm hussling! So of course my vote was strictly CAFFEINE-related. :)
salmonbarn
jCranejewelry
I've turned to creative endeavors since being laid off too. Creativity nourishes the soul!
VintageEye
i work from home. as long as i can see the outside and feel
sunshine once in a while, i am fine. my vote goes to etsy!
i am going to vote to see what else might motivate me!
reiddamnit
jessjamesjake
I sent my tax stuff off last week and I'm just hoping to break even!!
My little unicorn mug is so happy here, thanks for including him (or her . . .)
On the voting side . . . I'm in love with that black Maserati Coupe chair.
4TheSparrowsNest
What a super theme to go and vote for!! Handmade items of any kind certainly motivate me. :o)
dragonhouseofyuen
sales are great ofcourse but it's been tough applying for jobs for a stable income - got to keep my spirits up :)
eco friendly item?
I love the reclaimed wood combined with art used by Pey and her partner
this one is called Nest Egg Watching - what could be better at this time of year?
diffractionfiber
thelonebeader
Legacy925
I like the Nest Egg Watching - very nice... but I'm a blue person, so I'll take this one:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
LatigoMoon
I discovered Etsy after my layoff and it has now replaced my blackberry. When I was working, I didn't have any time to myself to create and now I'm hoping I can make this my new full time job and obsession.
sandali
redyellowandblueink
Times is tough baby. My desk is a manageable mess. I'm constantly between the garage, my little work space, my computer, and last but not least the kitchen table for over-flow. Just trying to keep my shop active. I agree with VintageEye-Etsy keeps me motivated, doing all I can to my shop noticed.
For the eco-friendly picks I love this find by Artsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
I also build my shop with items as eco-friendly as I can-utilizing many reclaimed materials and eco-friendly ways and means of creating and selling what I make. If I am going to put stuff out there, then I want to give something back to our planet. Nature is my motivator. Sometimes its easy and sometimes it's tough-but I'm always working at it. This is my latest and most favorite eco friendly item in my shop-made from up-cycled scrap materials into something functional. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
I gotta get back to work!
fatcrowpress
I voted for a piece that makes me smile and that is a good motivator. I am also very motivated to create more artwork and get out there and sell. The economy is one factor but just creating and getting out there to promote handmade items and to keep working towards being self supporting as an artist is my biggest motivator. Regardless of the crazy economy artists still create because it is what we do!
HarrietsHaven
What a great topic! My husband and I agreed to let me quit my job back in October of '08 so I could make a go of etsy. I'm keeping my spirits up!!!
WoollyWonka
FeltInspired
lovelygifts
AnaStella
The "I quit my day job" Etsy stories keep me motivated!! Someday...
sseloske
Hooray for the newly self-employed!
I voted for the sad/rad print. I love it, it's so concise.
lunabluestudio
love the variety of inspiring items. thanks for keeping me motivated.
IceCreamCandy
zombuki
EpicBones
breadandroses2
Love the motivational mottos! This is a fantastic feature & good place to reiterate this Henry David Thoreau quote from the recent Storque blog, Etsy Book Club: Walden
"I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Walden
One of the most beautiful things I've ever read. It's true, too. Perseverance furthers.
EJPcreations
Thank you for sharing that quote breadandroses. That really cheered me up today :)
StudioCherie
Great idea! Nominating an eco friendly item from one of my favorite etsy sellers:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
Now I'm off to vote!
buttercupbloom
I really, really love these voting threads on Mondays!
Being a HUGE supporter of Upcycling & Repurposing as well as a card-carrying member of etsy's Trashion street team - here are a few of my eco-friendly faves:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
& one of mine: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
It's almost Earth Day! Thanks. xo
Anbo
I really love the nagging wife soap.
Wich reminds me, I need to get my books in order.....
debs1967
I am still out of work, so I guess you could say etsy is my job. Great selections
JenGillette
I love upcycled and eco-friendly goodies on Etsy! Here are some from my favorites list:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
And one of mine!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
Furiousdreams
Fun idea, but where is the inspiring art? ;)
Selling my work on Etsy and other online markets is now my full-time job. Guess why.
visionquest
my fav eco-shop is ButtercupBloom. i love her owls.. like Lorcan here.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
MoonLightSally
Too funny! I am SUPPOSED TO BE working on my taxes right now! I keep being drawn back to Etsy, then I see this!! Oh and by the way, I am also one of the unemployed as well!!
VintageinBohemia
Its great to be your own boss.. but who will answer the phone when I call in sick?
worksofwhimsy
jubillie
I love the clothes pins... I use them all over my studio to hang things!!
MollyStuff
besu
"make do and mend"
i was laid off a month ago and i am secretly enjoying all this time to sew and play!
i guess it's not really a secret anymore. oops...
BabbidgePatch
fun items to vote on !
my fav eco-friendly items? here's one ~
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
karenssoaps
I owe, I owe. Just sent in my tax check today. No refund for me this year!
My favorite eco-friendly item:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
ohmay
what's more fun than HootHoots made from upcycled fabrics by Buttercupbloom...
fieldofburchdesigns
I just had to vote for Alt-Ctrl-Del.
I really like this voting and message board idea. I still have a job, but my husband...boy howdy are we going to owe. We're working on our home office, slowly but surely.
SeptemberStars
WhiteDragonPaper
I had a hard time deciding how to vote! So many cool items! I have a government job so I'm (relatively) safe, but my mother and brother have both been laid of and it's rather stressful for the family. Mom's using it as an opportunity to go back to school and maybe hang up her own sign afterwards!
3squares
Great picks!
My favorite eco-friendly item is Poached Pear necklace, upcycled from a washer: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
Thanks!
SusanFaye
I can't decide what to vote for! I agree, being laid off hasn't been all bad--I've had more time for Etsy and sales are increasing!
for the next voting round, here is a print with an eco-friendly message: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
TheCottageCheese
AlliesAdornments
Something from each of my fave eco friendly artists:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
And I use old buttons in all of my work:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
Blakenetizen
The paperclip reminds me of the twitter whale!
Who doesn't love twitter!
here's mine http://twitter.com/blakenetizen
I follow back :D
Blakenetizen
Ps: I wish my dog could use the PC!
That's one talented pooch!
desertnana
it is so hard to chose just one!
I'm not sure about a regular office,but this is surely a welcome addition to bringing nature into your home office
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
underthewire
Chalk me up as another economic casualty, I was laid off last year. It's definitely given me the opportunity to spend more time on growing my jewelry business. Sometimes thing happen for a reason.
p.s. loved the little "sock monkey" pencil cup :]
spitfaced
aelleaelle
The Ctrl Alt Del pillows stole my heart. I'm just out of engineering school, unemployed.... and my Etsy shop gets more daily views than my online resume.
Moxiedoll
Some of my favorite eco items:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
irishtam
I was "downsized" out of my corporate job in January, but rather than feeling stressed about it, I actually had a sense of relief. I've been wanting to do my own stuff for a while, and this is the opportunity I've waited for!
Now I'm doing my crafty things and started up an in-home pet-care business (dog walking & pet sitting). I can make my own schedule and don't have a boss breathing down my neck!
good luck to all the other self-employed crafties out there!
geralyngray
The store I worked at for seven years closed in October.....I have been blogging http://greetingsfromgeralyn.blogspot.com ever since. I am trying to get traffic to my etsy shop without much luck-----any ideas??????? Anyway I am passionate about pink and green and would like the pink and green whale of a paperclip.....it fits in my budget about now too.
GlazedOver
I too am a recent economy casualty, but I'm loving Etsy and it's helping me reinvent myself. Funny, one of the parenting magazines recently did a cover story on how being laid off allows you to spend more time with your kids and how you should maximize that and see the silver lining. That's when you know things are serious, when even the parenting magazines join the chorus and try to spin it all positive!
justjenndesigns
That tie necklace is hilarious.
I recently got laid off and have been dependent on my online store. It's been rough all over and you can feel it in sales.
Luckily there are people who will trade items for advertising, so we are all trying to help each other out during this economic crunch.
violetbella
i am in the same boat as many others on here i see. i quit my day job about a month ago and I am now doing my etsy store full time, as well as getting my line of jewelry in stores and also doing art shows on the weekends. its tough out there. people are very interested in the product but just not forking over the cash right now, and understandably so. i just keep thinking that if i stick through it, it will all work itself out eventually. but it is hard right now to not just throw my hands up and go get another job! we shall see...it helps alot having a supporting husband!
i picked the mason jar with the mushrooms! sometimes just looking at something cute and creative will ease my mind. browsing on etsy and seeing all of the wonderful handmade goodies definately gets my juices going! and nature always inspires me. if i feel too stuck, just go for a walk for a while and it completely calms me down.
As far as eco friendliness goes, i love repurposing old things, such as keys or keylocks, or random scraps you find laying on the ground into a piece of jewelry or artwork.
BelezaPhotography
That vintage Avon rainbow mug is the best! My mom had it when I was a kid. A positive & happy thought to start the day.
I got laid off from my paralegal job a month ago because I had to take time off due to a serious illness. Not a good combination. But I've always wanted to be a photographer & never thought I could do it professionally. Then I discovered Etsy. It's been a wonderful solution while I can't work...and hopefully I can stick with doing this.I also decided to turn my love for vintage items into an Etsy shop. It's wonderful to be surrounded by other creative people who love what they do. No more lawyers!
Beleza Photography & Sabrina Holly Vintage
Kyliebugs
THEZEBRAFROG
I love the designer clothes pins....what will they think of next.
LovMely
I LOVE THE UNICORN MUG ;) SO Majestic!
The company i worked for years laid me off too and it has been so hard ot find another job that paid me the same that they did. I was at the point where i would just take anything and i was totally down in the dumps. In October i started selling my headbands and clips that i would make for myself and friends. They were a hit ;) Etsy totally turned my frown upside down, and put some positivity back into my life.
As far as nominating eco friendly products, i would nominate this peacock headband http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
All the peacock feathers come from a local southern california farm and they naturally shed once a year.
benfloeter
yahoooo! thanks for including our stache :) ug. SUDDENLY, it's TAX TIME!
annyandme
You had to mention the 'T' word! Anyway, thanks for featuring me! Yea! Great selections!!
SemperNova
Thanks for including my chalkboard!
There's some amazing items in here!
VeronicasGarden
Already did my taxes, because I was laid off in September and really needed the money. I really want to make my craftiness into a business, but I'm overwhelmed by what has to be done to get started!! So, I haven't done much of anything in that area yet.
theferriswheels
So many great choices - Etsy artists continue to amaze me :-). Thank you so much for including my keyboard and mouse wrist rests!
fikshunpink7
Make Do and Mend, hand pulled screen print onto 100 percent recycled card, hot pink (also in turquoise)) gets my vote, because that is what many will be doing while being "off from work". We will "make do" and "mend" our situations.
America we can do it!
leandrageorge
I had a hard time choosing just one to vote for.
This article is couldn't come at a better time. I was just laid off recently from a job I wanted to quit. I was relocated out of state for it. I was an interior textile designer for corporate and private jets. I began getting fed up with it because I was being forced to deliberately copy competitors designs to sell as our own. I told my bosses straight up no and got hell for it. I was told my job was on the line; possibly part of the reason I was the chosen designer to be laid off, more than likely. But it actually worked out great, severance, unemployment, and time to develop my Etsy into a job that doesn't feel like a job. I really enjoy this! This week I cleaned my husband and my shared office/workspace to make it more conducive. I heart you Etsy!
scorpionice362
That Vintage Avon Mug reminds me of home...my mom had that when I was a kid!
I am trying to make this my permanent job, so that I can be a stay-at-home mommy. I am attending college, but everything I learned in the past couple years does not mean anything, unless one is actually DOING it! So I am trying to remember everything that I have learned to be successful here, rereading old books, and in the end I will show everybody that says that I can't do something now: "Guess what! I am still here, and I am DOING what everybody said I can't!" To me that would be the ultimate way to tell negative influences to kiss it: whether it is the horrible economy or any thing else which is negative in my life. I have found my calling, and I am happy to meet such wonderful people.
BrazanDesign
The office - well, there have been some layoffs. But, so far I'm still here. For now. But, the firewall is keeping me from voting!
Mozo
I am a self-employed artist and have been "laid-off" because my sales are way down because almost every gallery that carried my work has closed their doors! I am still painting and waiting for better times. Meanwhile I am putting more effort into teaching watercolor in my studio.
plumprettysugar
Sending good energies this tax time and this economy picks up for everyone. Lets think positive!
prettytheory
In this economy you have to do everything you can to save! Recycling and re-using things only make sense! We always say don't set anything down in our company...It just might be used to make something new!! I love the way so many Etsyer's Minds work. Everything old is new again! Thanks for including our Book of Tax Knowledge...Book Purse in your voting. You picked a great Theme! :)
Vanessa
Thanks for all your suggestions for eco-friendly items. The next round is going to be great!
ciaobella12
Taxes done. Waiting on my check so I can buy some of these great finds! Can't wait to get organized with the address file!
SassySashadoxie
I voted. I have a wiener dog for my motivation, but the other items are cool, too. Oh, and I love the dog at the computer art at top of this page. If that was a black and tan dachshund, it would look like my dog Sasha doing her blogging. heehee.
kraftymax
tax time is very busy! refunds mean shoppers and those that don't get refunds usually splurge on something to make themselves feel better - go Etsy Artists!!!
travellingcircus
While I have been not been employed in the field that I trained in for the past few months, I have found it incredibly inspirational to be on Etsy. There are so many artists here that are juggling a full-time job, family, AND running an Etsy shop during some really tough times. One great thing about my current situation is that I've been able to take time to develop my photography, which is what I love most, on par with travelling. So to all the fab Etsians...keep at it...things will get better! Also thank goodness for a tax refund!
akane
foodwithattitude
Can someone direct me to a person who can design a business card for me? I have been laid off but am seeking to develop a business doing senior care on an independent basis.
Thx
allinthefamilyart
not sure how to vote... I love the dog typing on the pc :)
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