What I know to be true is that you can always find good in the bad; positive in the negative; light in the darkness; and a purpose to and in everything. This is how I choose to bend my perspective on life, so in this season of the COVID-19 pandemic, I can say there have been a few positive things that I reflect on.
You would not be reading these blogs if it had not been for the COVID-19 shut down. During this time, I have had more time to think about what I want, what I need, where my life is heading… all that stuff and I knew that I wanted to write (one day), I knew that I wanted to showcase my sewing, and I knew that I wanted to build my business. So when I got stuck in the house like everyone else, the idea of blogging came to me. I know that blogging is nothing new and quite frankly, blogging may be a dying art since we are in the age of pics and clicks! It’s a good thing that I’m doing this blog for me and not being concerned with the number of followers I have. I’m just living my life and choose to share with whomever would like to come by. One positive outcome from this pandemic for me: Lady O Sews blog!
A second positive outcome for me: My business was born! You see, I was “pregnant” with A Time To Sew, LLC for a while and though I had taken the steps to make my business official, it wasn’t until I started making and selling masks that my business made its debut. And let me be transparent here- I wasn’t even thinking about making masks for profit until a family friend called and asked me to make him and his family some masks. I was glad to make masks for them and dared not charge them, then I started getting more requests from people for masks. I was willing to make the masks for people no charge, however, at the same time, I was dedicating a ton of time to making masks. Also, those that were requesting masks were not asking for 1, 2, or 3 masks… no, they were requesting 5 to 20 masks! I was a one woman shop up in here! But because sewing is something that I love to do, and helping is in my nature and a large part of my ministry, it was so difficult to charge for my masks. I asked myself how could I be a “blessing” while at the same time taking people’s money?
The solution to my “dilemma” came and my business mission was realized! I would use a portion of my profits to give back to a cause or someone in need. This realization allowed me to feel comfortable with charging for masks. I would not be “taking people’s money”, I would use my time and my gift to serve while making money; a win, win! During the early months of COVID-19 I was able to put my small business on the map and donate masks and money to those in need.
I live in Texas and I have people all over wearing masks that I made with my hands and heart and that makes me smile. Mask designs are evolving and many, many people have entered into the mask-making space. I am so happy for them because it did bring me joy to be of the mask-making community. I eventually got to a point of burn-out with making masks because I really enjoy making garments so once I exhausted my materials I stopped making masks. At that point, it was difficult to find fabric, elastic, and thread and what was my passion was beginning to be a stressor so I knew it was time to step back. Before I left the mask-making space, I sewed 334 masks to be distributed to 4 healthcare facilities, San Antonio food bank distributors, and park rangers in Philadelphia! And from the profits that I made, the best part is I was able to give away over $500!!!! My mission was met! There were enough mask-makers out there for anyone not to go without a mask so I was freed to move back into my garment making space...a place that I love!
But now that I wear a mask everywhere I go and I work from home 4 days a week, my face is glowing! I have not worn foundation, blush, or bronzer since March and my face LOVES me for it! I have been taking care of my skin better than I ever have in my life. I even told my husband on several occasions how I look forward to and enjoy washing my face every morning and night. We had facials done and I bought the spa’s facial cleaner, toner, and moisturizing cream and it has done wonders to my skin. This is the third positive outcome of this pandemic: fantastic looking and feeling skin.
So there you have it; some positives to this negative situation we are in right now. And if you can’t specifically find any positives in your life due to this pandemic, here’s one for you...you are reading these words so you are alive and breathing and as long as you are alive, you can hope!
What are some positive outcomes for you during this pandemic?
What are some new things or revisited things that you have begun?
Are you wearing make-up while wearing a mask?
Random: Is it just me or does anyone get annoyed when the people in your house do not match the towels and washcloths? I buy them as a set so why can’t they use them as a set? I cannot stand having a towel w/o it’s matching washcloth.
Until next time!
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