These are strange times indeed. It's kind of unbelievable to me that just one week ago, I was in my office at my part-time job, and my boss seemed to fully expect we'd be back at work on Monday. How things have changed since then! I am on hiatus from my job as of Monday until -- well, who knows. This is especially scary to me as I have had to rely on extra work to get me through the lean times with my jewelry business, and now I have no idea if the markets and events I have relied on for years for my sales will still go on as planned. Everything feels so different.

I am glad to have the connections I have thanks to NY Handmade Collective, as I know many of us will keep in touch, help each other feel less isolated, less alone in these crazy times.

So far, I have been going through each day in the same way, and in some respects, the way I would have on a typical day off. Waking up around 9:30-10am, making coffee and breakfast and catching up on emails, reading the NY Times online. There has been a lot more reading of the Times... My two dogs and cat have helped keep me sane and feel like I still have somewhat of a routine in place, as I have still had to feed them, walk the dogs, etc. They have been a big comfort to me this week.

So much of my normal life has changed already, I hope for what won't be too long. Aside from my job, I now no longer have my weekly enameling class to look forward to at the 92Y, nor do I have my Wednesday night choir practice. Two weeks ago, we were booked to sing at Carnegie Hall on March 11th. That of course did not occur. Both my enameling group and my choir have transitioned to meeting virtually, online. It's not the same, but I think it will help many of us keep some bit of hope. It's nice to see everyone's faces, even if from afar.

I have had plans in my head all week to draft a long to-do list, for my business, for my personal things, apartment projects... Like the shelf in the back hall that needs to be reinforced, or working on Photoshop skills and improving my Etsy listings and photos. So far, though, I haven't even been able to get myself to tackle writing the to-do list. Outside of walking my dogs, I have gone to the grocery store almost daily -- not what we're supposed to be doing, but since the panic buying began here last Thursday, I keep popping in hoping some of the staples I did not find yet would finally be in stock. Yesterday, I finally scored chicken and ground turkey, which had been off the shelves for a week. I am lucky in that I live across the street from the store, and I can check to see whether a line has formed before deciding to go. I am definitely cooking a lot more, and I even made a day-by-day dinner schedule on my wall calendar! That is not my norm.

I am just taking this all day by day. One thing I did commit to, that thus far I have been able to stick with, is reaching out and talking to friends or family via Google Hangouts or a regular phone call with at least one person a day. It's helping me feel connected. My husband is still going to work (in the veterinary field, which is considered an essential service). His sister, an RN, tested positive for the virus 2 days ago. These are scary times. I am glad to have the connections I have thanks to NY Handmade Collective, as I know many of us will keep in touch, help each other feel less isolated, less alone in these crazy times. Check in with your friends in the handmade community. We're all going to need some support.

Mellissa Kelly is a NYHC Member that makes enamel and sterling silver jewelry. Visit Be in the Moment here.