Put together a resume, with pictures, if possible, of your work. Pictures are worth 1,00 words. One of the best costumers I've known was self taught. I'm a stay at home mom who has done community theatre for the past 25 years or so. While interesting and fun, it has not paid well, stipends usually being in the "money for gas" range instead of the "making a good living" range. You may be able to find a job at a community college or university working in their costume or sewing departments. Again, I'm not sure about pay range, but probably around minimum wage. You could start your own seamstress business or maybe a costume sewing/rental business, but those might be seasonal. You could sew wedding/bridesmaids dresses. That can be very lucrative. I don't know if you're familiar with the TV show "Ace of Cakes", but for those fancy custom cakes shown on the show, they START at $1,000 and go up from there (according to their website.) Dresses take a lot more time/effort, so that may be one avenue for you to explore. I will add that you should remember to watch out for yourself during all this. Medical insurance is a good thing to have. My friend got full medical, dental and vision insurance for herself and her kids when she was working half time at Starbucks! So, something else to consider. All the best to you, Sharon C.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joan Broneske Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 11:48 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [h-cost] Question regarding career path I'm not sure where to start with this, but I figured you kind people on this list may be able to point me in the right direction. Without getting into too much detail about the circumstances surrounding my personal life at the moment, I find myself in a situation where at age 44 and after being a stay-at-home mother and homemaker for 14 years, I may need to "start my life over". My great love over the years has always been costuming, making things, building things, helping with events, putting on elaborate Halloween displays in my garage, helping with school plays and things of that nature. I have never been paid for any of it, and it has always just been a "hobby", never anything professional. I have no college education in anything (other than a few college courses over the years in various general things like English, Logic and Anthropology) and no real work experience other than a few stints as a clerical worker, medical typist and retail clerk. I am seriously thinking of pursuing some type of career where I can use these strengths that I have, because I know that I have them. What I could really use some direction and assistance on is: A) Am I too old to pursue this? B) What kinds of things could I do with these talents? C) Would I be able to pursue something which I could make a comfortable living at? (other than an $8 an hour receptionist) D) What types of schooling should I be looking into? E) Would it help me to create a sort of "portfolio" of the hobby things I have done over the years with pictures, etc.? I appreciate any insight, assistance, suggestions.. I currently live near Sacramento, California, but there is a chance I may end up near Utica, NY or near Winston-Salem, NC. Thank you all for your time. Joan B _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
