how do you guys balance shop time with family and work

andrewh2011

andrewh2011

Joined
Jan 6, 2014
Messages
161
im just curious how you guys balance shop time with other responsibilities. I have the feeling im going to be told im just young and ill figure it out and thats probably the case but i am still interested on how you guys do it.

i just got a new job about 5 months ago set schedule 40 hours a week and since then have gotten little to no time in the shop and knifemakeing has been relegated to the bottom half of my priority list. my fiance and i move out of our parents houses almost a year ago into my grandmas old house and have taken over all of the associated responsibilities. Its been alot of work to make this house more liveable and i still have alot to go. so i tend to work harder on my house over the weekend than i do at work. im also getting married in less than 2 months which adds alot to my list of things to do.

There is more but i feel like ive vented to you guys too much already. But those of you who are older and wiser than i have probably been in the same shoes at one point or another in there lives
 
I understand your concern. I have been a artisan for 35 years. We have 10 children and many grandchildren. Starting out it is hard sorting out and balancing time issues. I honestly still deal with it. My advice would be if your knife making is not a major source of income spend as much time as possible with
your mate as you establish your marriage. With time you will find a balance.
 
wow 10 kids surprising you can get out into the shop at all lol but really thanks for the reply i think your right i was thinking about it at work today and decided knifemaking can stay at the bottom of my priority list for a while. Besides with all of you guys here i can live vicariously through you. After the marriage and home fixing up/renovations i can get back out to the shop and enjoy it more than i would now. I think when i do get back to it im just going to designate a weekend morning probably Saturday to spend a few hours in the shop every weekend.
 
Akivory got it in one. The 'balancing act' is a tricky one until you find and maintain a routine. However it does sound like you have your priorities set but unfortunately the upper end of that priority list doesn't always contain room for hobbies.

I predict that once you have finished setting up the house for your new bride and yourself and you've gotten used to your new work schedule that you'll find the time to get in some hobbying.

I believe you'll also find that your lady will appreciate the fact that this (knife making, modding, collecting) is what makes you happy and I'm sure she'll support you positively. Just make sure you show interest in her endeavors as well. As you will soon find out, happy wife = happy life!

All the best with your future Andrew..

Springy..

ETA: Upon reading back through my post I have realised it sounded like I was reading your horoscope! Sorry mate, didn't mean to sound condescending or anything.
 
Last edited:
I don't spend much time in the shop, as I don't have a 'business' making blades or sheaths.

I do, however, "tinker," and I just say "I'll be in the basement /or/ garage" and they know where to get me if needed.

EDIT: as an example.....right now I'm making something knife-related and the project has turned out to be a bit more intensive than I anticipated [but not a 'burden'] but it involves sanding wood and that has to be out back.
 
Unless knifemaking is your work, always try to make family and work the most important things. You will find that if you do that, the time for knifemaking will come, and you won't have to feel guilty about it.
 
I have no wife/kids... the closest thing to spending time with family is my noon and evening AA meetings.
 
BeeKayNutCase said:
ETA: Upon reading back through my post I have realised it sounded like I was reading your horoscope! Sorry mate, didn't mean to sound condescending or anything.
Click to expand...

dont worry about it everything you said has its place and makes sense i think ive organised my priority list the best i can (with help from you guys of course) i guess i just needed some positive reinforcement
and as far as happy wife happy life goes ive been learning that too for the past year lol
 
druid189 said:
I don't spend much time in the shop, as I don't have a 'business' making blades or sheaths.

I do, however, "tinker," and I just say "I'll be in the basement /or/ garage" and they know where to get me if needed.

EDIT: as an example.....right now I'm making something knife-related and the project has turned out to be a bit more intensive than I anticipated [but not a 'burden'] but it involves sanding wood and that has to be out back.
Click to expand...

yeah i dont ever really intend on it being a business or anything but i think eventually ill have too many knives to just give away

glennbad said:
Unless knifemaking is your work, always try to make family and work the most important things. You will find that if you do that, the time for knifemaking will come, and you won't have to feel guilty about it.
Click to expand...

yeah last time i went out into the shop i did feel a little guilty and thats part of the reason i started this thread but with help form you guys help ive decided i wont go out to the shop until i dont have to feel guilty about it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top