I make and sell tea and coffee at my local farmers markets and online. My work space is my dedicated 1,000 sq ft basement in New Haven Connecticut. I love working down there. It's my refuge, my creative outlet and where I get my money from. It's crowded with my tea and coffee equipment, materials, supplies and inventory. My etsy shop also features a dazzling array of vintage tea party china that keeps me company down there.

My current challenge is that I can't GET DOWN there! My Kindergartener is home from school and needing attention, direction, activity and friends all day long. My husband is mostly working from home now and that takes the childrearing pressure off tremendously but when he's in charge of her I primarily run around and do housework related tasks. I am finding that I can dedicate only 1 to 2 hours a day to my business where I used to spend 6. I'm on an order fulfilling mode only and I do feel extremely grateful for the few orders that have come in. I do a fair business in large custom tea party favors and I suspect the order that came in last weekend for a bridal shower will be my last one for a while.

Being self employed creates tremendous lifestyle flexibility but it also creates the vulnerability of no sick or vacation pay, no group health insurance.

The farmers market where I have been vending weekly for the last 3 years has closed. I miss my customers and I miss the cash. I'm nervous about being able to pay my farmers market business related expenses. I have a lease on my coffee roaster and a car payment.

Being self employed creates tremendous lifestyle flexibility but it also creates the vulnerability of no sick or vacation pay, no group health insurance. I have been using my business income primarily to pay my health insurance premiums which at the age of 58 are no joke of a sum.

Plus its crazy hard to concentrate on work when I do have the time because I'm emotionally a basket case. My 67 year old husband and I are the elderly parents of a five year old and I'm afraid one or both of us will get sick.

As a group of makers we all face similar challenges. I'm looking forward to getting to know how others in similar situations are faring. We need to share resources and information. We also need to make new contacts and friends and keep each other company during this pandemic.

Caroline Keogh is a NYHC Member that makes packaged loose leaf tea and coffee. Visit New Haven Tea LLC here.