What can we do? Ideas please

[Jbird]

My bloke is a self employed Stone Mason with over 25 yrs experience specialising in granite and marble fittings. With the economic down turn we are struggling to make ends meet and are discussing what he could do do bring in extra income. We can't think of anything specific as his job history is so specialised. Does anyone have any ideas??

[factor-fiction]

Perhaps he should keep chippin' away...
What other skills and interests has he got?

[joggerjayne]

Calendar Model ?

[redman41]

Unless it is extremely difficult to do, could he start making Garden Ornaments out of the left overs and sell them to make some extra cash. Maybe the Garden Centres would be interested in selling them for him.

[Mr Veritas]

Are you anywhere near any of the larger Cathedrals.
Most of these have stone mason workshop attached,where the mason carry our repairs and restorations to the stonework.
I don't say they will have vacancies,or that your cathedral will have a worskshop.Even if they don't they ARE stone masons, and may be able to suggest something positive for you bloke.
This:~
http://www.masonslivery.co.uk/
is the website of The Worshipful Company of Masons,the city livery company that looks after masons.
They may have some suggestions?
I wish you and your bloke all the best!
Alec.

[tamborine]

granite & marble jewellery - to sell on ebay.

[brenda]

What about an approach to undertakers , funeral directors for work on head stones ,or making funeral ornaments for the grave, inscriptions and so on.A few business cards , list of prices,brief resume of experience and so on.You never know people are dying all the time and you may be able to become self employed.again. The very best of luck, and I mean that , my grandfather was a monumental stone mason, who worked for himself after being injured in WW1.

[WILLWONKER]

Ye i've got an idea for him, some of these television tables are getting to look all the same, glass ,glass and glass, how about a black granite one to go with the black telly

[boxtops]

Pet memorials? - there is often a demand for these, people bury their late pets in their gardens and like a little stone to mark the place. You could sell these on eBay. House signs?

[dmax]

i was reading recently that there was demand for stone masons with rope access level one certificate, look up rope access technician courses in england /scotland, it enables stone masons to reach certain areas without the aid of scaffold etc, good money, worth a try.good luck