Announcement: I'm Retired

[Ed Westerly]

Just thought I ought to announce that I have officially retired and closed my business! I found that I wasn't getting as much work as I thought I needed to, and found that I could collect SS and still engrave my own guns and sell them at auction, so I closed down the business and will only be engraving guns I like the way I like and will sell a few to those who might want to have them.
I haven't been posting for some time now, but maybe I'm coming back to it now. We'll see, this typing is really tiring! My fingers already ache! He He He.

 

[SamW]

Welcome back...and to old age Bruce. Sounds more like you are self unemployed.

 

[Fred Bowen]

I did the same thing last year.

 

[Memorymaker]

Congrats ......... 2 years for me and I LOVE it

 

[rmgreen]

Learning to say "No" to work has been a difficult thing for me in my semi-retirement.
I wish you the very best and good luck with this phase of your life.

 

[monk]

me too. sort of. i no longer beat the bush as some say. i get work from former clients that liked my work. now if the phone doesn't ring, hell, i just watch judge judith or some other bonehead !

 

[Goldjockey]

Respectfully, still working at something we love isn't exactly "retired", it's just living life on our own terms.

Sold my commercial building in 2014, moved the stuff I can't live without into my home studio (former) garage, and life has been good. Still do as much work as I want to do, but without the pressure of making payroll, herding sales reps, and doing trade shows.

Really can't imagine what being actually "retired" is like, and never want to. Hope to never give up waking up with new ideas to try out, and every once in a while, being ready to set the world on fire if I can.

You don't sound retired at all, Ed. Sounds like you've just decided to do what you love, and to let the chips fall where they may.

Congratulations on your next chapter!

 

[Big-Un]

I retired from actual work almost eighteen years ago and am more busy doing what I want when I want and its the best job I've ever had! My only problem is starting with nothing to do and almost get it done, plus getting used to six Saturdays and one Sunday. And with this COVID-19 stuff and having to stay home, I've almost lost Sunday!

 

[monk]

Respectfully, still working at something we love isn't exactly "retired", it's just living life on our own terms.

Sold my commercial building in 2014, moved the stuff I can't live without into my home studio (former) garage, and life has been good. Still do as much work as I want to do, but without the pressure of making payroll, herding sales reps, and doing trade shows.

Really can't imagine what being actually "retired" is like, and never want to. Hope to never give up waking up with new ideas to try out, and every once in a while, being ready to set the world on fire if I can.

You don't sound retired at all, Ed. Sounds like you've just decided to do what you love, and to let the chips fall where they may.

Congratulations on your next chapter!

i personally do not really consider all that i have done as an engraver should be called, "work". for me it's a joyful passion, even when things went wrong.

 

[gcleaker]

I have had this same attitude for a few years now. I cut what I want, when I want, and the way that I want it. These are my rules and I am incredibly happy with my work. But I never seem to have a problem selling anything that I cut and for the price that in want for my work.

 

[Ed Westerly]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I was a little surprised by some of the comments about retirement, but I can agree with most and don't really have any problems with the few others. I just didn't think I was showing any sadness or sense of loss, because I don't feel either!