thank you for the kind words:) I’m really happy to hear I’m not going to be the only one who moves around hobbies so much. I honestly can’t afford half the stuff I get into but, I’mm going to dive deep into DMS. I can barely get the 60 together to become a member, but I’m going it make it happen. Finding like-minded people has been tremendously difficult for me. I’m hoping to find a job through DMS at one point so I can support my hobbies properly lol. I’ve been so excited to get started and meet people, I only found out about makers spaces in general a month or so ago. Again thanks so much for the kind words!
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What kind of work do you do? What is your perfect job? Finding a great job is all about networking these days. You have to network with other people to find that job.
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I wish I had a clear cut answer for you but I really don’t know what my dream job would be. At least currently I don’t have a network, I don’t have friends I run ideas off of. I have my fiancée, but she really doesn’t know much about the stuff I’m into so running ideas about where I should go next seems futile. I could see myself making small things like knives, jewelry, pens, etc. Depending on what it is, I’m good with minuscule details. I think once I join the DMS network, I’ll be able to get a better idea of what I’d like to do with my future. A good portion of my life, I really didn’t even think I’d live as long as I have, so looking at my future never really went too far. That has since changed but I’m a bit behind. I’m equally as passionate with everything I get into, so nothing really sticks out, but I could also see myself making a career out of everything I’ve done. I don’t know how to explain it well so I hope it comes across well enough.
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Welcome! Don’t worry about not fitting in, as mentioned its about your brain more than the rest. willingness to learn is appreciated by all here. As someone who has Crafting ADD I can sympathize with how your brain works. DMS should satisfy all those itches, but please remember to pace yourself as all the toys look very appealing up front. As Dan mentioned focus on one thing at a time for a month or so then move along to the next shiny thing. Not sure if its been mentioned but do plan your first few weeks (or maybe longer because of the pandemic) for just getting signed off on equipment. Much of the equipment requires a 101 operations and safety class. Good luck, and I hope you have a good time getting immersed!
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The DMS is one of the most welcoming places to alternative and varied lifestyles and world views I have ever been a part of. We have members from all walks of life from millionaires to people just trying to get by. LGBTQ people, the highly religious, ardent atheists and people on both the far left and far right of the political spectrum.
Making unifies us, the DMS is not perfect (far from it) but the level of respect and willingness to treat You for who You are, most members have for one another is truly second to none.
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Congratulations! I hope there are many more years ahead for you.
Yes.
Yes.
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Welcome Bones. Congratulations on your sobriety and thank you for sharing your story. I believe you’ll find DMS a welcoming environment.
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We used to have a lady who guided a lot of the tours. She would tell people to take All The Classes (the calendar was fuller back then as we weren’t figuring out social distancing). Personally, even as a retired person with potentially a lot of spare time, I thought that was a bad plan. Nobody will stop you from taking All The Classes, but you’ll forget what you learned by the time it comes to do more with it. Think of what project you want to make, take the class for that area, play with it until you’re finished with the idea, and move on.
For instance, I teach pottery, sewing, microwave glass fusing, and welding. I need to pick up some skills on our industrial leather sewing machine as we need a teacher for that. And, I may finally be forced to learn one of the CNC programs so that I can teach the Dynatorch, although the teacher shortage on that one may be solved…
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Thanks for the reply! Good to know there will be safety classes for a lot of the equipment. safety is very important!
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‘Dating pool’? Everyone I’ve met (all very nice people) are married or very coupled up, and usually come to DMS with their partner or spouse. You must have been hanging at very different committee areas than me lol :))
** Or they are like nephew young :))
And I wasn’t good at being a cougar when I was a kitten lol
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I just want to say welcome!
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Lol, it could happen, your soul mate might be in a different department.
Thank you!
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Thank you so much!
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Mine was in the same dept…just took awhile to run into each other 
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Welcome to DMS Bones. I think you will find when you approach most anyone at the space and ask what they are working on, you will have made an instant friend. Everybody likes to talk about what they are interested in and generally eager to share their knowledge of it.
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The biggest hurdle for you is probably gonna be when it takes too long to get trained / cleared on a specific machine.
If you see me with 3 giant holes in my ear say hey!
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Welcome to the community! Congrats on your sobriety!
You mentioned pens as one of your interests. I plan to teach that once we figure out the social distancing. There’s a woodshop training meeting tomorrow (Sunday) online.
There is a ban on alcohol at the space for safety reasons (lots of heavy machinery), so you can feel confident attending any of our get-togethers at the space (again, once we figure out the social distancing).
What I’ve been doing is watching YouTube videos to get close up views of wood turning, pottery and fiber arts (crochet for me). It’s not a substitute for having someone next to you, and you still need an instructor sign-off, but it’s great supplemental instruction.
I’ve been reading a lot of books about courage and vulnerability by Brene Brown (a research psychologist), and I have to give you credit for asking if your appearance would be an issue. Kudos, because now we know to look for you as a new member to say hello. P.S. She has a TED talk on YouTube that you might really like as you enter this next phase of your life.
Check the wiki for the answers to many of your DMS questions at wiki.dallasmakerspace.org
I know you’ll fit in and make friends here. (My real name is Holly).
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Thanks for taking the time to respond:) I spent most of today at DMS and it was a really enjoyable experience. I’m not the best with remembering names but I spent some time with a very nice guy in the jewelry area and he was extremely helpful. I got over absorbed in a project I’m working on and didn’t end up going to the woodshop meeting but I’ll definitely make the next one!
Brene Brown is a fantastic source of knowledge in regards to vulnerability. I still struggle with it a lot but I’ve learned everything I know from her and Russel Brand. Definitely a good reminder to check up with where she is at now as I haven’t listened to her in a while. Thanks for the warm welcome I really look forward to meeting you and everyone else:)
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