The coronavirus and the resulting shutdown continues to be a challenge, but local resident Christie Newsom found a way to help keep people safe and enjoy a craft she loves at the same time by making face masks.
“I found it to be a challenge to show that some masks don’t feel so bad,” Newsom said. “I found that making the masks not only helps keep people safe but it provides me with a relaxing hobby.”
She makes some of the masks on a round loom and she crochets the rest. Each mask has a pocket to hold and change the filter as needed and all the masks are washable.
“They don’t really take a lot of time to make and it’s something I like to do,” Newsom said.
Newsom works as a front desk agent at a local hotel and she made the first masks for five of her co-workers and her granddaughter.
She has struggled with health problems including congestive heart failure, multiple sclerosis and enpendymona, which is spinal cord cancerous tumors.
“I feel no matter the struggle if you can still walk, talk and be independent why not make others happy by doing something to make them smile,” Newsom said. “Pain is just a thing to me. It’s a struggle everyday, but I look at it this way, I wake up and I can see and walk, slow, but I do it.”
She loves working at Best Western Plus where she says she can make people happy by giving them a good rate for their long journey. But her favorite pastime is still loom knitting and crocheting.
She plans to make more masks and doesn’t think she could charge anyone for the masks because she knows they are protecting people and keeping them safe.
Christie Newsom
“Every year I make things like hats, fingerless gloves, scarves, ear warmers and much more,” Newsom said. “Crafting is something that has always been a part of my life.”
Since some masks can be uncomfortable and can result in people not wearing them in public places. Newsom uses only the softest yarn she can find.
“These are masks that go over the face, and the face can be very sensitive,” Newsom said..
She believes people should wear masks for a while longer to help slow down the spread of COVID-19 and she will do everything she can to help people protect themselves and others with the soft and comfortable masks
“My favorite part of making the masks is making people happy and knowing they are safe,” Newsom said.