I need a little help. . . . . .

129 Comments January 15, 2009 zindorfstamps

This is a sad little post, but I thought what the heck, you readers are my cyber friends so here it goes. . . . . .

I am currently searching for a full time job for myself. Anyone have any leads on job positions in the Dayton, Ohio to Richmond, Indiana area? I can do anything from stock shelfs to bookkeeping, receptionist, secretary etc. I am a very dedicated and hard worker. Please let me know if I can provide you with one of my resumes. Any leads at all are appreciated.

Huge Hugs to all of you!

Until my next post. . . . . .

Michelle

129 thoughts on “I need a little help. . . . . .”

Debbie Stelton

Oh Michelle I am in Phoenix Arizona so job wise I can not help but I will surely keep you in my prayers. I am sure you will find some thing very soon you are a hard worker and very dedicated I can tell this from you blog. Take care of yourself and God bless you.

Debbie/Phx AZ

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January 16, 2009 at 9:36 pm Reply
Judi Harvey

Michelle,

I’m sorry to hear that you are unemployed. Who knows, this might be God giving you a push to start teaching more classes! He never shuts one door without opening another.

Hugs!
Judi / Seymour, TN

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January 16, 2009 at 9:53 pm Reply
Judy Davis

WOW…I love Joanne’s DVD idea. I would so buy them ALL. I would like to see a fund that all of us could donation to so as to help with the start up cost for the DVD series. Paypal with work well for you. You are such an artist and so creative. You have so much to teach all of us, so much to share with the world. I find your tutorials packed with so much information and in general easy to follow. Joanne’s advice is full of many details for you with DVDs. Should a fund start up for you, count me IN. Judy Davis

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January 16, 2009 at 10:40 pm Reply
Joanne

I knew it!!! See Michelle – people are totally into the DVD idea!!!Look how many virtual “orders” you have in just a handful of resonses – even if you charged a mere $10 bucks for it – you would have made $90 in 4 hours …….you should seriously consider producing it…COME ON BLOG READERS AND SUPPORTERS!!! Tell Michelle how much we want her to produce a DVD series…………..Michelle – Don’t undestimate the power of your God-given gift. P.S. I think you should produce it in your pajamas!! And to whet your appetit, here’s a suggested title for volume 1 – Freedom in Creating: the Zindorf Way! Imagine it….ok – now make it a reality girlfriend ; ) HUGS!

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January 16, 2009 at 10:59 pm Reply
carol

Michelle, You have planted such good will & creative energy to all of us who love receiving your wonderful & inspiring cards several times each week, I am confident some of that energy will ricochet back to you 100 fold.

That DVD idea is a wonderful idea. Simply go back through all of those tutorials & place them on 3 DVDs. Just all of us on your blog-line would purchase whatever you were producing. You could still have fun sending us photos of your latest creations, just as you do now. AND you could add those step by step directions to the ÎVD directions. Love that idea!!!

Also, how about sending several of your creations using SU! items to the SU! creative dept. Maybe they would consider hiring you — long distance — for their creative team. Anyway, they should. Call SU! during work hours — mon-fri @ 1-800-stampup — & ask to talk to the creative director OR, heck, even to Shelly Gardner. I will bet they would be delighted to see you take their simple products for beginner stampers to the next level & beyond!!!

Please let us know what ideas you follow through on & how the major ones develop, will you.

I, too, believe the good Lord does not force major changes for us, without providing us with a silver lining — or better options than we had previously.

I am also in CO & a SU! demo — one of those who is not a hot shot salesperson, but rather her own best customer!!! — who would love to have you be on the SU! creative staff & be part of the regular, monthly contributors to SU!s monthly trade magazine & also be part of the creative team of presenters at all of the SU! conventions/regionals/ districts/ etc, etc, etc. Do call them & tell them what you have to offer, incl the large number of us who receive & love those many creative items you send us regularly.

Good luck. Please keep us informed of the progress of these creative endeavors, will you?

My very best to you, my most positive energy is directed to you, & my prayers join the prayers of all of your blog family.

Sincerely,
Carol — also in COlorado

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January 16, 2009 at 11:34 pm Reply
Sammie

I checked in a wrote some comments earlier, I’ve been thinking about you and your gifts. You are not only artistic but such a giver, you share your talent on those awesome tutorials without asking for a dime. Now it’s time for us to pay you for your instruction….. I so agree with what Joanne suggested, a DVD or actually several. I would buy them ASAP and so would many new and advanced stampers. To start selling quickly, I think you could make them w/o spending much money, just the cost of the actual DVD. You could just copy the tutorials you’ve already done and divide them by technique like Joanne said. I would love to have a DVD with that information on it. I would attend your classes but I live in TX and can’t afford the cost of an airline ticket and hotel. Buying a DVD with your tutorials would be a blessing, I would buy them in a second.
I’ve gone on long enough with this thought, I hope by now you know that you are a blessing to us all and we appreciate you. I will continue to pray for you and the job that fits you and your situation best. : )

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January 17, 2009 at 12:24 am Reply
melissa

I don’t live in that area. But….I was laid off from a job that I was at for almost 19 years late October. I worked parttime and then full time. I started while I was in college working up to store manager. So seeing as I have been looking for 3 months almost and thought it wold be a no brainer finding a job, I’ve got skills , who sticks around that long anymore? …I was wrong I am finally getting calls after holidays. Luckily with my tenure I had 12 days pay and 5 weeks vacation to tie me over. My biggest advise….DON”T wait for things to come to you. Hit the pavement go to Jobing.com, monster.com, and careerbuilder.com Call your local friends, people you may go to church with, places you normally shop talk to everyone you may know locally. Most places don’t advertise in papers nowadays.And if you don’t hear from people do follow calls or emails. I am hoping in next month I have a job so I don’t have to hit mom or dad up, or even touch my 401k, or what’s left of it.

I hope God finds you that job you were destined to have as I pray he has that job just waiting for me that I was destined to have.

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January 17, 2009 at 1:14 am Reply
Debbie Pamment

Hi Michelle,
You have been a favourite of mine since I started stamping. I LOVE your work and had wished I lived in th US so I could attend a workshop, I’m in Australia. The DVD idea is a real winner! I would LOVE to see your tutorials in action – what you give us on your blog is sensational – but I admit to feeling a little scared of your awesome talent. Maybe you could use the time while you search for a job to make the DVDs – there is nothing more soul destroying than doing nothing while you try to start up! They say it’s easier to find a job of you’re busy!! Just a thought…..and it would benefit me and countless others… Take care – you’re in my thoughts!

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January 17, 2009 at 4:04 am Reply
Stephanie P

You are smart to keep it real. Although the DVD idea is a nice sideline idea, and I truly would encourage it along with everyone else, it may be a secondary step as it requires an investment in $$ and I am assuming right now you’re looking to bring cash in rather than put more out right now. God bless and I hope and pray you find the right job for your immediate needs ASAP and that you are able to follow up with your artistic endeavors, including a demonstration DVD!

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January 17, 2009 at 4:54 am Reply
Janet

Oh Michelle i think the DVD that Joanne sugested would be wonderful! It would give all of us a way to pay you back for all you have given us. This could branch out to magazines and more people. You have so much talent you just need to take the first step. I do not no if a SU demo would be able to do this? But i for one would buy everyone you made and i no there alot of the ladies on here that would do the same. I will keep you in my prayers that something will come your way.

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January 17, 2009 at 8:01 am Reply
Renilde

Hi Michelle
I live in Belgium and I’m a fan too of the fantastic cards you make!
In Belgium it’s also hard to find a job those times. I have read the suggestion from Joanne with the DVD or a serie of 3 DVD’s, that’s better 😉 I think you must go for that, I would buy them for sure, so think it over that you can shipping over see… I have many friends in the stampingworld so…
big hug, Renilde

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January 17, 2009 at 8:39 am Reply
Jlynn

Michelle, I believe Joanne and Sammi are onto something with the DVD idea. As good as you are at what you do and with the number of people who follow your blog world wide, I am certain that you could achieve much success in such an endeavor. One other thought is that maybe you could check out American Greetings and/or Hallmark Cards to see if they have anything available for designing cards at home for submission for publication, as well as the numerous stamping magazines out there, they may be interested in paying you for tutorials. I live in NY State, which is in dire straights so no help with any leads on jobs, but I wish you the best of luck in your search.

Jeanine

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January 17, 2009 at 9:23 am Reply
Celia

Sorry that the economy has affected you as well. I like the DVD idea as a way to keep busy, make money, and expand your skill set. I assume you have listed your blog on your resume. It’s an impressive accomplishment. I don’t think you should align with a multi level marketing company right now. I think it might restrict what you can do on your own. And I am very leery of MLMs as a business model.

Another option would be to put kits together of the materials you use to create cards and sell the kits. Perhaps you should put that together in the form of a proposal and present it to Ranger Industries or Sunday International. Can you get to CHA and network in the craft industry? I don’t know the connection between Ranger and Tim Holtz and I am thinking of a Tim Holtz type job. Ranger also provides workshops to store owners, etc. They are taught by product developers like Holtz and Weinberg, but you could move a lot of their inks and they should develop a matching paper line. They’re in New Jersey I think.

You have the organizational skill, teaching skills, artistic skills, web skills already in place. Obviously there are other companies: Marvy Uchida, Superior, maybe Clear Snap. The people at RubberStampmadness may be helpful. They would probably be excited about featuring one or more of your blog tutorials as an article. StampersSampler might also be interested. She started her publication from scratch around 1991.
You obviously have skill, talent and initiative as well as a body of work that should open doors for you. Do your networking within the craft industry and use your blog as a door opener. I think you should go to CHA and bring a portfolio of your work and a marketing proposal and a sample article. Approach big companies that could invest in this concept and sell nationally. Archivers is a retail chain that may want workshops. Sunday International could use a SplitCoast style stamp site. You could pull that together. You get hundreds, maybe thousands of hits on your web. You are already positioned to do somebody a lot of good. You have connections with Marcos. How do they suggest you break in the industy? Who do they consider strong players? Suze Weinberg has carved out a career. Once she did calligraphy and bar mitzvah invitations. She’s done videos. She has product now. I bet she would spend time on the phone with you. Magenta out of Canada is a company that had some rapid growth, but is no longer very dominant. They are exceptionally strong artists, but you would fit in and yet you are really different from their approach.
Create a business card for yourself that lists email address and blog site. Use that when you are at CHA and enclose it in inquiry letters. Cindy Petal organizes the stamp convention in Cleveland, OH, and Connie (Stamp Your Art OUt, but I forget her last name Houser, maybe) does the convention in Columbus. They might offer you some insights and contacts. They may offer you workshops to teach as well. Auntie Mamie’s is running conventions too. Marcos could connect you with all of these people.

I think you are going to have a chance to be busy and productive right now and maybe set your career on a completely different course. At the same time you can pursue more traditional jobs. Everything is wide open right now. Dream big, take it step by step and expect lots of setbacks, but eventually all will work out. It always does. Good luck, Celia

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January 17, 2009 at 10:40 am Reply
Charlene

Hi Michelle
I sent you an email yesterday but I clicked reply when I wrote you back so I don’t know if you got it. Now I realize that I have to come to the web page to respond. I had suggested Criegs list. So many of my friends have found jobs that way. I am not Catholic but one day I called a friend and told her that I lost my glasses in the parking lot and couldn’t find them. She told me to pray to one of the Saints and repeat over and over my request. Sure enough I found them! With so many friends on your blog praying for you believe and leave it Gods hands and believe that he will find the right job for you.

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January 17, 2009 at 11:34 am Reply
Celia

Michelle, you might also be in a position to buy/create a stamp line. You would have more sales success than most of those little companies have. It could be a second job for you since you are already doing the blog. In the internet age, you don’t need to live in New Jersey to do workshops for Ranger, but you would be an independent contractor, not an employee. With finance skills, you could look at tax preparer, CPA avenues. I took training from H&R Block. No immediate money; you build up clientele. The training was $50. If you pass a test, they then offer you a computerized training on their system and the opportunity to do tax work in April. You have missed it this time, but you could look into it. I took the class simply for the knowledge. It’s the start of a path. I am a certified financial planner and have been for more than a dozen years. That career path is easy entry, a ton of work and licensing at the beginning, incredibly long hours and not much money, but eventually worthwhile. 80% of people drop out. This kind of financial market puts a real dent in income which is based on fees and commissions, no salary. Essentially, you build your own business.

Training depts in large companies might be impressed with the blog tutorials. My experience is the older you get, the more entrepreneurial you need to become if your goal is high pay. More education is almost always a good investment. But there are probably too many lawyers and MBAs. Hospital admin, nursing home admin. are probably growing fields. Should you use this time to start a degree, finish a degree, get a certification?

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January 17, 2009 at 11:57 am Reply
kathy

Gosh – it’s so hard when someone who gives so much also ends up in need. I hope that the universe cradles you and gives back quickly.

Someone else mentioned your fondness for gardening – I know friends who have created beautiful gardens – only to have passersby start requesting their design services. You could make up a sign to put in your yard and print up some business cards for Garden Design Services – or even garden maintenance services.

Your blog is fabulous – how about hiring out website/blog design services.

And, of course, there is teaching on a larger scale than you are currently doing. Perhaps you can get yourself into some of the larger art retreat workshops – or partner up with some other teachers and set up your own.

I realize none of these are immediate solutions like a job with a paycheck. But they are things that you could perhaps set in motion so that you could phase yourself into work that is meaningful for you – and in the shortrun do the waitressing, clerical, McDonald’s or ‘whatever’ thing to get that paycheck going while you’re creating the longterm, meaningful work.

If more ideas pop into my head I’ll be sure to come back and share them. One thing I have always heard when you are looking to fulfill yourself with meaningful work is to cater to the wealthy! They spend more, appreciate quality and personal attention, and are less impacted by economic fluctuations.

My best wishes to you,
Kathy

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January 17, 2009 at 1:20 pm Reply
kathy

Oooh – I just connected two ideas into one!

I’m sure you could create amazing personalized invitations, announcements, etc. Take a look at some online invitation services and what the current styles are. The ones that cater to the stars make amazing creations and are paid handsomely for it. Perhaps you could find an ‘in’ through the local country club or Chamber of Commerce or maybe you could make up a sample portfolio for local catering venues who handle weddings and bar mitzvahs and the like.

Again, many good wishes for you,
Kathy

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January 17, 2009 at 1:32 pm Reply
Kathleen

Hi Michelle,

I was so sorry and sad to read your post. You are such a giving and talented person and I hope you find an excellent job to match your skills.

I am with the gang that would buy a DVD in heartbeat from you (even though I’ve had the honor of attending two of your classes in Sunny California).

I have a friend who works at WPAFB and will ask him on Monday if he knows of any openings in the area.

LOTS of hugs and appreciation for all that you do for us.

-Kathleen

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January 17, 2009 at 1:50 pm Reply
Shawn K.

Hi Michelle,

I don’t have any leads…just prayers for you to make it through this difficult time with the grace that you seem to bring to everything else.

Take care,

Shawn K.

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January 17, 2009 at 2:34 pm Reply
Pat Marsh

Hi Michelle,

I am so sorry to hear of your plight because you’re such a ‘giving’ person and an excellent teacher. I have a suggestion… check out the schools in your town and check to see if they need substitute teachers. I am from the Dallas(Texas) area and work for the school district in one of the suburban towns and substitute teachers are always needed to fill in for regular teachers during absences, teacher development, etc. Hopefully this will fill the gap until you can find something more permanent or apply for your teaching certificate and become a permanent teacher – I think that is your vocation!

Good luck and I will always say a prayer for you. Thanks for all your tutorials!!

PatM.

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January 17, 2009 at 3:17 pm Reply
tera

Being an RN, I thankfully don’t have too much to worry about for jobs but one thing we always need more of in the hospitals is support personel – many days we work in our ICU without a secretary and it gets hard to take care of patients for the phone ringing!!!! The business end of the hospitals is a good place to look for admin type jobs but often if you are interested in working on the patient care units – answering phones, restocking and ordering supplies, (or even putting orders in the computer and some simple patient care tasks) often hospitals will train you as you go. We seem to never have enough hands!!!
Good luck and God Bless!!!
Tera

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January 17, 2009 at 5:29 pm Reply
JILL S

Hi Michelle, I read your blog yesterday and was thinking about your need for full-time work. It occurred to me how here in the UK as a whole we are far behind you our US friends in the crafting world. We do have loads of enthusiastic and talented crafters here but things generally behind the US. I do not personally have any contacts but I am sure the UK magazines would break your arm (!) to have some of your work and /or tutorials showcased in their magazines. Personally, after having found Splitcoast Stampers, (including those who share their work there – like yourself), our UK magazines just don’t make the grade for me! Maybe it could be worth a go?

Wishing you all the best

Jill x

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January 17, 2009 at 6:25 pm Reply
Chickadee

Oh Michelle, I do hope you would consider the dvd idea! I would pay for one in a heartbeat.

And maybe we could order them on a “preorder” basis, to help offset your production costs???? I would happily do that,and I am sure others would too, because your commitment to your blog and your spirit of giving without asking for anything in return. It is such a testimony to your strength of character and I would never worry that you wouldn’t be able to provide us with a final product.

Many prayers going out to you now…hoping some smart stamping company will snap you up in a heartbeat as they should!

(((hugs)))
Chickadee

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January 17, 2009 at 10:25 pm Reply
Terri

My dear cyber friend,
I hope and pray you will find something soon…I really like the DVD idea!!! Sign me up, girl!!!! If $$$$ for production are a concern, perhaps the Small Business Administration has a program to fit your needs. Please keep us posted….you are loved and appreciated more than you know.

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January 18, 2009 at 10:02 am Reply
Janet Sisk

I don’t live near you, but I work as a Para Educator for a school district. If you think you would like to work in a school environment, there are several different kinds of jobs in that area. You could work with special ed. as a para professional or lunch room or bus aid or janitorial. Different positions require different education or experience, but it may be worth looking into. Hope you have luck finding something.

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January 18, 2009 at 2:52 pm Reply
Darsana

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about the pain of a job search. I will check with my company branchs out there and see if they are looking for any in house help. If so, I will send them directly to you, or vice, versa. I wish you all the best in your search and I know that only the best will come for you. In the meantime, you should check with you local scrapbook, stamp stores to see about classes, your tutorials are fantastic and I think you could make a fine living doing what you do for all of us here. Maybe you are doing this already, I don’t know, but if you have to work, you might as well do something that you enjoy, right? Much love and super hugs your way.

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January 19, 2009 at 5:23 pm Reply
Tammy

Sorry to hear you are in need of a job. I hate that the economy is in the dumpster right now myself. Here are a couple of ideas that may help you. Have you tried contacting AccountTemps or OfficeTeam? They pay all of the fees, so there is no cost to you. They are a Robert Half International Corporation. I have a friend who works for them and I have used them in the past myself. They will interview you and give you a typing test, etc. The benefits of checking with an organization like this, is that it often leads to a permanent job. Plus a temp position would still give you time to do your artwork.

I have a neighbor who works for Kohl’s Department store as a stock person. It is very hard work and is a night job. She finds lots of great deals on close out merchandise and sells what she purchases at our annual neighborhood garage sale.

Good luck with your job search and I would love to see your resume. I sometimes volunteer to critique resumes and interview local high school students to give them some ideas on what it will be like when they look for work in the real world. If you are up for some constructive comments on your resume, I’d be glad to give you some tips.

Anything to help a fellow artist!!!

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January 23, 2009 at 8:11 am Reply
jennifer

I see that there is a full-time teller position with US Bank availible in Richmond. I am not familiar with where you live. There are several opportunities. Great benefits, hours, and they are financially strong! Best wishes

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January 27, 2009 at 7:41 pm Reply
kylie clemmence

Hi Michelle,
I am with the crowd that would happily buy your dvd(s)!! And I think the pre-order idea to help off-set production costs is great! I wish you great luck with your endeavours, we here in Australia are facing hard times with job lay-offs and people losing homes and businesses, it is just a really sad state of affairs. You are a very talented and giving lady, and I thank you very much. I have made a few of your cards for my friends birthdays and they have loved them, I would love to see you make a successful business out of your talent. Please keep us updated…..

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February 2, 2009 at 7:11 pm Reply