This question is for the professionals (not a category I will ever fit.)

I believe that asking y'all how many hours a week you work would be impolite; therefore, I would like to know if you keep regular hours like an office worker, or work only when you are inspired, or however you do it.

I will understand if nobody wants to talk about it. I will volunteer that when I worked as a computer programmer I enjoyed it so much that I found it difficult to stop to take care of family obligations. At around 14 or 15 hours straight, I would get so hungry I couldn't continue without food.

I have learned to engrave in my maturity and find myself limited both by my eyesight and physical endurance.

I hope somebody will share.

Thank you,

Lester


Lester Holmes
11/20/2006 4:19:37 PM

Hello Lester.

Like you did, I often used to work 12-15 hours a day engraving or scrimshanding. Not so much anymore, though.

This was mostly working on decent quality commercial work, not high art engraving.

I believe high end work would create too much strain for these long hours.

I don't know about other people but when I'm designing or cutting higher end work I find it valuable to have some time for reflection between work periods.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, John.

John Barraclough
11/21/2006 12:17:41 PM

hi Lester .. i started out engraving about 30 yrs ago as a hobby then i engraved when the mood strikes me in 1995 i went from hobby to a full time business engraving , now i engrave 8 hrs a day and 7 days a week and i enjoy every minute of it .. ron p.

Ron Nott
11/21/2006 9:02:31 PM

Hello Lester,
I can only perceive that this would differ from engraver to engraver; but as for myself, I try to get to my shop at about 8 am no matter what--I try to keep a standard set of hours. As with most engravers I assume we're working on multiple projects simultaneously. Somedays I just don't feel like working on a customers project so perhaps the first part of the day I'll sharpen gravers and work on fixtures, repair; and then try to work on the project. Other days I spend the entire day working on the projects. If I don't feel like engraving then I'll break the day up. The bottom line is try to be moving forward.
Hope this is beneficial.
M A Smith

Mark Smith
11/22/2006 1:44:26 PM

Thank you to those who responded.

I am so happy with our guild. You (we) are a really great group of people!

I check the forum every day for new contributions. Sometimes I find really great information.

Please contribute whenever you are in the mood.

Regards,

Lester


Lester Holmes
11/28/2006 7:10:34 PM