In addition to my handmade business, I’m a sculptor/installation artist. Before this all started, I was working feverishly to prepare for an exhibition in Philadelphia, scheduled to open on April 3. Obviously, that’s at the very least delayed, but I’ve continued to focus on my preparation. That and knitting (and drinking wine) are all I can seem to manage right now.

Being able to share our challenges and experiences with other people who have chosen to prioritize creativity in their lives is a source of comfort.

My husband works at CUNY, so he’s teaching online for the rest of the year. Our dog is thrilled with this arrangement. We also have a cat, who has taken up residence in a Fresh Direct bag on the couch. It is very much his happy place.

My morning walk with the dog to the coffee shop has taken on more importance as the only outside contact I have, and I’m hopeful that they don’t have to close given the tighter restrictions announced today. Thelma (my dog) has many friends in the neighborhood and is thankfully not a disease vector, so she still manages to get her pets. Because she is leash aggressive toward almost all other dogs, she has been social distancing for a good long while.

I’m grateful to be in NYC during this time, as I think the negatives of being packed in like sardines (I’m in the East Village) are far outweighed by the positives. It’s nearly impossible to live here without having a greater sense of community than exists in most other places, at least in my experience. It’s a very uncertain time for so many of us, but being able to share our challenges and experiences with other people who have chosen to prioritize creativity in their lives is a source of comfort.

Cynthia Reynolds is a NYHC Member that makes jewelry and home decor using antique and vintage wallpapers from the 1900s-1970s. Visit dog & butterfly here.