My husband , who never says anything, told me today that with all the beautiful STUFF I had made I should start selling it. I have always given it away. I could use the money to buy my medicine but I don't think I should. My medicine is over $2000 for three months but with my husbands ins. I get it all for $200 every three months. I have refused to buy it this time to help with finances and my feet and legs are so swollen they look like elephant legs. How could you ever put a price on a picture you cross stitched of Jesus in the Garden of Gethseneme, or the Last Supper or all the pillow covers I have made and put back in plastic bags in the coat closet? I even have stuff in the cedar chest.

First of all you need to take your medicine, no matter what. And second, wouldn't you want someone to enjoy the beautiful work you do instead of it sitting in a closet? You can always take pictures of them to remind you. Some people that can't do the beautiful work you do, would pay lots of money to have them.

It is hard to put a price on your work, i find that people just don't understand how much work goes into hand made items..
on the othr hand..if the items are just sitting in a closet..no one is enjoying the beauty of it..including you!
good luck with your venture! it would be wonderful if you could sell enough to pay for your meds!
you need to talk to your doc about getting samples of your meds, or the company that makes them, to try to get a deal.

montel williams has a medicine program to help, forgot what the name of it is.
you should not be without your meds if you can help it..!

Go on ebay and looks at what things are going for. That will give you an idea of what stuff could be priced for. You should be taking your meds no matter what.

There are people out there who would love to buy such items, so it would be a win win providing you love to do it!
Try it and see, if not you can always go back to what you were doing.

I guess I wouldn't have any qualms on selling my quilting, if I had as much made as you have.
Being a nurse, I think your medications are more important than helping with the finances- you usually end up paying medical bills plus new medications, plus the wear and tear on your body from yo-yoing on and off medication. The swelling in your legs may indicate your heart is working too hard on it's own to pump your blood and fluid is backing up. I can't stress enough get back on your medication......

Contact your doctor or pharmacy, there are several programs out there that you might even be able to get your medicines free! I can appreciate the wanting to help with finances because of the time of year, BUT, that is not going to do you any good if you are sick or in the hospital because you haven't taken your meds! If you are on social security or disability contact them to see if they have a program for you to help with medical costs and prescriptions.

Another nurse chiming in here, you absolutely NEED those meds if you are having that much swelling. And yes, talk to your doctor about the costs- my daughter's asthma medicine went from 175 a month (WITH insurance!) to about $40 a month after her doctor made some changes.

As a pharmacist, you MUST take your medications. If you want to PM me I will help you find assistance for the copays.

Take care of YOURSELF first. Darlene suggested ebay, but there's also etsy. Is there a store where you live that has booths for crafty people? You rent a space and they usually require you or someone to be there a day a week or something, maybe once a month, it would be something to check out anyway. If it's packed in your closet or a drawer somewhere, it's not being enjoyed by anyone. Try to sell your items and take your meds, please.

I agree!

Thank you for reminding me i have to take mine.

You NEED to take your medicine. You'll be no help to any finances if you end up in hospital.
Your crafts are sitting in a closet. So you're not enjoying them, so sell them.
You'd be surprised what people will buy and cherish.
They'll put your art on display and love it for what it is.

You say you can put a price on your work but you certainly can't put a price on your life! Get those meds!!

Check out a local craft consignment shop & get your work out for people to see - it's time for them to 'come out of the closet'.

Post some pictures on the board - if you can't put a price, maybe there are some of us that would be willing to make an offer & your meds fund would begin to grow.

Well, you might as well sell some it and buy your medicine. 'Cause if you don't, you could very well die, and then it will either get thrown in the trash or sold for pennies in a garage sale. They aren't doing you or any one else any good wrapped in plastic in the closet, and they may be very cherished and enjoyed by someone else who isn't crafty.

And for those of you who think I'm being an alarmist, as a Nurse Practitioner and a Critical Care Nurse, if her legs are that swollen, there are serious issues going on.

This is a great suggestion!

I understand you love your art, and it's hard to put a price on, but there are people around you, who love you more, to them you are priceless.

Listen to some of the suggestion people are giving you here and get your medication.

Imagine the joy you are giving to those who are buying your art, the joy you are giving to those who love you and still have you around.

Plus, what would your response be if your mother or one of your children did what you did?

I am with everyone else -above all take your meds!!!

Why not spread the love and care you put into your pieces...there are many folks who arent talented in the field of quilting and would love to start a family tradion of quilts - please pass on your great work - everyone wins!! Someone told me to sell stuff on etsy havent tried myself yet so I cant tell you how it all works. Sell ~get those meds!

If you are like me and so many others, you have enjoyment in making the things. Selling them allows me to make more. I don't need a profit, my profit was in the therapy. Look on ebay and its easy to set up to sell. Good luck and GET BACK ON THE MEDS>>>NOW.

I haven't read the other posts. But I can tell you this. God put you on earth -- he expects you to take care of yourself. He GAVE you your talents .......so help yourself and your husband and sell your products. God probably appreciates the work you've done and understands what you're using the money for. If you were using the money for drugs or alcohol that would be a different story.

If you don't take your medicine how will you be able to make more beautiful 'stuff'. Legs that swollen means that you have to much water floating in your body which results in your heart having to work harder which can result in pneumonia, heart attach or stroke.... Which is more expensive?

I understand that it is hard to let go of things you put so much time and love into BUT with that said...stay healthy first. Possessions can be replaced, people can't. If he loves you enough to want you to be healthy then see that as a possitive things. My thoughts go out to you and hope you feel better soon.

1) It is my mission in life to save all the hand stitched strawberries. I buy them everywhere I find them. Have I found any here?

2) Meds are important. Please take yours.

3) I have to write mine down in order to remember; so I do.

I can get a good deal on my meds with our insurance. I get $2000 for $200. We just fall between the cracks and the 10-20% the ins. doesn't pay hurts.

Thanks I will.

That is exactly what is going on. The walls of my heart are thickening and it is hard for it to work properly.

I am just 55 and Social security has denied me 4 times.

Sending you you prayers and hugs. Listen to what the people are telling you. Please.

I agree with everyone else, you need to take your medicine. You shouldn't take chances with your health.
Try Etsy for selling, you can search to see what is selling there and get an idea of pricing. It's not an auction site like Ebay and the people there are wonderful. You can at least make enough money to pay for your supplies.

Please do anything that you have to, to keep taking your meds.
Take pictures of your work and then put it up for sale. You can always make another. I know a piece of yourself is in each piece, but better someone else enjoying it than you getting sick and not being able to make more.

People who can't sew to save themselves would love to have hand made items to use or give as gifts. My mom crocheted beautiful doilies and I treasure each one - because my mom made them and especially because I can't crochet with crochet cotton. So don't hesitate to sell your things. And take your meds - don't play games with your health.

TN Donna, What are you saving your goodies for? If you post your pictures, here, we will buy from you. I'd like to see what you've made. Eiltcoq.

I would be happy to "buy" from you as my sewing is not up to par. You need to always take your meds. I know they are expensive but if the Dr has ordered them, you need them.

Take your medications. There are a lot of programs out there that can help you. Frankly, your health is worth a whole lot more than anything you could make. And if you sacrifice your health, who is going to enjoy all the pretty things you've made. Besides, its hard for enjoy any of them if they are locked away. Some little grandmother would probably love curling up under one of your quilts. Life is too short. Don't make it shorter.

Keep trying. They are just hoping you will give up and go away (figuratively speaking!), but when they do award it to you they should have to pay from when you first applied. God bless.

I too am a nurse and believe me,dead you will not enjoy any of your beautiful stuff.TAKE YOUR MEDS and get your legs elevated to heart level and if you have them put on compression hose before getting out of bed and TAKE YOUR MEDS!

a tip that may also help. Take your medication for fluid and lay down for a nap or take them at bedtime. I am not sure what happens but the Dr told us to do that with one of our patients and it was amazing how much better the pills worked.

I talked to my cardiologist. My med was more than I could afford. He had me fill out a form. If you are below a certain yearly income, which I was, the company will give you the meds for free. I've been doing this for over a year and it has worked out very well.

Perhaps you could post pictures of some of your work here. I know that I love crosstitch and can appreciate every hour you put into it. I just don't have the time to crosstitch and would be interested in possibly purchaseing some work. That being said, please take your meds! Your God given talents were made to be shared and I'm sure you have many more years to share them in if you take your meds.