Concord Artist Creates Free Masks To Protect From The Coronavirus

CONCORD, NH — A few weeks ago, Regina Hawley of Allison Street began sewing cloth face coverings and placing them outside of her home, offering them to anyone for free. A juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen, specializing in textile and fiber works, she has been creating clothing, placemats, and other items for more than three decades.

Hawley created a display, posted the masks, and then told people on NextDoor. Since that time, she's been churning out the masks and people around the city have been swinging by to pick them up.

Here are 5 Questions for Regina Hawley:

Why are you creating these masks and giving them away?

I first started creating these masks when the pandemic began and my family and friends could not find any masks to protect themselves. Once I had made enough for them, I thought maybe other people might be struggling to find them as well.

What is the hardest thing about being a textile-fiber artist?

The hardest thing about being a textile artist is marketing myself. I’d much rather be creating new items.

What is the easiest thing?

The easiest thing about being a textile artist is spending time looking at all the beautiful fabrics and choosing which ones I want to work with.

I noticed in your interactions with people, including me, that you’re not accepting donations. Is there any reason for that?

I decided to not take donations because other than my time, I have all the supplies I need to make the masks. Doesn’t feel right to make money off of people’s distress. With that said, so many neighbors have repaid with their own acts of kindness and generosity. People have left monetary donations, jams, cookies, maple syrup, honey, potted pansies, beautiful cards and notes, gift cards, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, paper towels soap, beautiful chalk art on my sidewalk. It’s really overwhelming.

You opened a store last year in Contoocook, Salt & Spool. What is its future?

I closed my store Salt & Spool in September 2019. Though I loved the experience and all the people I met, I found it hard to produce product and run a retail store by myself. So, I decided to close the store and work from my home.

Giving thanks

I want to give a big shout out to my husband Kerry who cuts all the fabric and elastic for the masks. That is a HUGE help!!

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