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Thank you for your kind advice.

I’ve been selling on eBay about 2 years. Sales are inconsistent and I am about ready to go to specialty shops to sell my creations, something I was doing 20-years ago.

I am an artist and create handpainted needlepoint canvasses with original designs. They ususally sell better in specialty needlepoint shops anyway.

I was getting by selling about $450 per month until the bottom fell out about three months ago. When you’re only pulling in $70 per month, EBT cards become ‘de riguer’. My nephew lives with me and he had a job until last week; he has been laid off for the third time this year. Unemployment in my area of the country is 25%.

The heavy stuff, like furniture, I’ve been able to move on either eBay or Craigslist. Dooney & Bourke handbags and, to a lesser extent, jewelry, has been selling on eBay. Right now I have a gently used D&B French-style wallet in bone AWL and British tan leather for sale — $0.99! No one has even been tempted. When I have a vintage item that is basically new without tags, I sell it at a premium and endure the catcalls and email messages telling me I know nothing.

I’m readying toys and Christmas ornaments to sell this month. Hoping to make enough to pay my insurance. The company which has provided our home insurance for decades has decided to cancel my home insurance. We still have auto insurance, though it is much higher than I remember paying 25 years ago. How very strange!

My father died last year, leaving a sizable debt which I have no way of paying. So at 61 years old with a formerly excellent credit rating which is now in the toilet, the company has cancelled the home insurance. But — the house is paid for and the property tax is not. We’re living here as we have no where else to go.

Life isn’t hard so much as a challenge. I know it will change, though I doubt it will return to its previous state where payments were not a struggle.

You are not personally obligated to pay a debt owed by your late father, even if you are executor. His estate such as it is bears the burden of the debt, and if it cannot be paid out of the estate then the debtor is out of luck. Do not assume a debt you do not owe and cannot afford.

Most of the advice was for lee, your post about ebaying was just the inspiration...but anyway, have you tried etsy and bonanza? Ebay now has only one advantage over the rest -- it gets the most traffic. Its disadvantages are legion. I will never understand why sellers put up with the nonsense, the Paypal requirements, the fees, the rules and regs, the holds on funds, the access to your accounts, the returns policy, the rules against neg fb on buyers, on and on. Madness.

I sent you a private reply, SD, with some info on Soc Sec that may be helpful.

Etsy, and bonanza.com. Way to go!

You are in no way obligated by your dead father’s debt(unless you co-signed something).

It sounds like you make something similar to tapestries, you have my respect and admiration. I have a BFA degree in Fine Arts and what used to be known as Retail Advertising. I was not able to find steady income as an artist and gradually left that skill unused for a long time. I still draw now for myself. One plan is to update my life drawing skills to start teaching at community schools in the area. One does not usually need teaching creditials, such as a CBEST to do these fee classes. I would need a few years just to relearn how to teach others and relax in a classroom setting. But what about you, someone actively using your talents? Have you tried the Galleries and the Seasonal Expos or Farmer’s Markets? I don’t know what today’s packaging design business put together, but your ideas would go well for fabric and custom upholstery design.