It's interesting talking about the wearing of face masks with Lauren Martin.
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Sure her side business of making masks is hitting off at the moment, but it's her reasoning as to why people wear them that makes sense.
"The mask is not to protect you but to protect others," the Mollymook based mask-maker said.
Her mask-making venture started to increase following the COVID-19 situation in Batemans Bay and and the continuing concerns in Victoria.
Lauren says wearing a mask is about reducing the spread of Coronavirus, and not just from coughing or sneezing.
"A mask deters you from touching your face," she said.
Medical experts, when the pandemic first took hold, urged people to stop touching their faces as a way to reduce the chance of catching and then spreading Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, a way to supplement her income when her shifts at a local school were cut when NSW was in lockdown earlier this year was how Lauren entered the mask-making business.
She works as a student learning support officer at Ulladulla High but comes from a 20-year graphic design background and had her own sewing business for eight years.
Her initial attempt in the mask-making area did not have an overwhelming uptake.
"I had some spare time and an abundance of fabric," she said.
"I wanted to see if anyone wanted them and I got some orders but then stopped."
Now with masks very much part of the COVID-19 health debate demand is increasing.
People around the area started to ask if she still made them?
She now has orders for 250 masks.
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Her non-contact delivery service is also one of the reasons why her masks are popular.
She explains that older people, for example, may not want to go out in public to a shop and risk exposure.
Lauren has a box outside her home so people can come and pick up their masks - contact-free.
Payment is online and also free of contact.
"I include instructions on how to wear and wash the masks," she added.
She said hers was a hassle-free pick up and payment system.
Her masks are both tripled stitched and layered.
The most absorbent layer of fabric is the one that is closest to the wearer's face.
Lauren, who wears a mask herself, added they felt nice and soft when put against your skin.
Also, they can be fun.
People can get all sorts of designs on their mask.
"You may as well be stylish and people like to express themselves with their masks," she said.
Others are more than happy with the plain style of mask.
Go to Ulladulla Notice Board with nice admin on Facebook to find out more and search for Lauren Martin masks.
