Masks in Demand

As the Orange community prepare themselves accordingly to NSW COVID regulations. Jo McCallum, a talented crafter, mentioned it was only an afterthought to make mask face coverings and since, has found her little business, ‘Homemade Crafts by Jo’ to be in great demand.

‘Homemade Crafts by Jo’ was originally a Facebook page created eight years ago to show her followers the handmade items she had created for her children to wear, that was until a friend mentioned she should use it as a platform to sell her creations. After last week offering the option of making face masks, Jo’s page has been inundated with requests.

“The masks have just taken off,” said Jo. “It didn’t seem so relevant in our last lockdown but I think with Victoria in such a serious state many people are panicking. So, it really was an afterthought when I said to myself, why don’t I make masks? I’ve only been doing them for a week and I’ve got orders for up to 45 already.”

Jo has had orders come in from across NSW, most in Orange, though the odd order from Newcastle, Wagga, Wellington and Dubbo.

“I thought I’d just be making them for a few friends that had forgotten them,” Jo said, “These masks that I have are for two adults and their child, the child is three years old and wanted Spiderman- I also made a tiny little one for his toy gorilla. I’m happy to do little ones for the children’s toys and such, it might make them feel more comfortable in wearing them.

The masks are always 100% cotton and the adult masks also have nose pieces, which just moulds to your face. These masks can be thrown in the washing machine and dryer and you can use them again.”

Jo also spends her time making hats for babies at the hospital - talk about a local legend.

“I learnt to crochet and to sew as a child. I dropped it when I had my children but now I have picked it up again. So, I’ve been doing it for around 10 years. It all came back to me pretty quickly, it was like riding a bike.

My Mum originally taught me to sew and not long later I started taking night classes. It was my Nana who taught me crochet when I was very little, I hated it then,” Jo laughed, “Now I am just obsessed.

I normally crochet hats/beanies and soft toys, I also sew dresses, shorts and cloth napkins. But I really began because I just wanted my kids to wear different fabrics and clothing that you can’t buy in the shops. Either way I am really enjoying the satisfying feeling of sewing and crocheting again.”

“I also really want to thank the community for their support- It has blown me away, I think the masks do come up really nicely, I am proud of them and I’m stoked people can wear their own individual designs around town.”
For more information please Jo through her Facebook page- ‘Handmade Crafts by Jo.’