Local mask maker unveiled
Advertisement
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/09/2020 (997 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
There are signs on street corners around my neighborhood for homemade masks by JoJo and CoCo. I love to support local businesses, so I thought I would share with you that I found JoJo and CoCo and ordered masks for my family.
What began as a hobby sewer making homemade masks for her family and friends has grown into a small business making items that are in high demand.
“I started out thinking, ‘How can I help keep our community safer from Covid 19?’” JoJo said. “Especially seniors, children and those with underlying conditions.”
She initially donated some of her masks to seniors and to Knowles Centre.
JoJo started with a pattern she found online, however it wasn’t the best shape, size nor most comfortable. Experimenting on family and friends, she endured by trial and error until she came up with the most practical design. She uses premium quality fabrics, and says that “if you have to wear a mask, it better look good.”
Once she perfected her mask, she put up several homemade signs on neighborhood boulevards, and is now busy filling orders.
JoJo believes in “quality over quantity for my masks,” and due to the high demand potential buyers may face a wait of up to a week. JoJo “thanks everyone for their patience and understanding” as she makes each mask by herself.
She has, however, enlisted her boyfriend, mother, sister and nephews to help with cutting elastics and being models for sizing purposes. She said “family is very important to me, and I am grateful for my family’s support and help.”
Visit her Facebook page, where you can choose your favourite fabric, size, and place your order. Masks are pre-shrunk 100 per cent cotton in two layers, with adjustable ear loops and are available in adult, teen and child sizes. Search for JoJo and CoCo on Facebook.
And who is CoCo? Jojo’s trusty sidekick is her (non-shedding, hypoallergenic) dog.
“He loves to listen to the sewing machine, the sound often puts him to sleep, then he waits patiently for people to pick up their masks,” she said.
Manitoba Health recommends that you wash your hands before putting on your mask, and avoid touching your mask or face while wearing it. Ensure that your mask fits well and covers your nose, mouth and chin. If you are wearing a non-medical (one-time use) mask, wear the blue side out (which my hospital-working daughter recently pointed out). Visit the Health Canada website for more information on how to wear a mask properly www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/video/covid-19-wear-non-medical-mask-face-covering-properly.html
Wendy Hrynkiw is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email her at wendyhrynkiw@shaw.ca
Wendy Hrynkiw
East Kildonan community correspondent
Wendy Hrynkiw is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email her at wendyhrynkiw@shaw.ca