-Teen making hand painted face masks during COVID-19 pandemic

Due to the coronavirus persons are now required to wear a face masks at all times when going out into public, while many of the older folks may settle for a plain mask, young people may want to add a little personality to their protective gear.
Sixteen-year-old, Grace Ram, has been using her creative talents to add a little flavour to face masks for persons who want to add their own personal touch to their protective gear.

The young woman who recently completed the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations noted that having being home for the time, she decided to put her creative abilities to good use by making and customizing facemasks through painting.
“After my exams, I was at home and I would be bored majority of the time. I had thought of starting to design masks so that way, I can find something to do other than watch television all day. Also, I enjoy doing art so I look at designing masks as a fun leisure activity,” Ram told the Buzz.
The noted that she pitched the idea to a few of her family members one of whom is a seamstress and urged her to pursue the small business venture.
“So I went on Google, downloaded a few designs that I know I can do and posted it and persons started to order right away. I was so excited. So the next day I went to town to get my materials and that was how it all started,” she said.

The young woman noted that she borrowed some money from her parents who are very supportive of her initiative to jumpstart her business.
Ram noted that the mask are made from 100 percent cotton material and are comfortable to wear and breathable, additionally, she noted that because she uses fabric paints for her designs, the print or graphic designs she draws tends to last and stay longer on the fabric.

The young woman noted that she has received a number of rave reviews from her small customer base which is a big motivation to keep creating unique designs, “The response has been great so far people like that its comfortable and breathable and the design is neatly done.”
Ram, who is hoping to enroll at the University of Guyana (UG), is eager to one day take her now small business to higher heights and one day own her own country-wide franchise.

However, the young lady noted that she is open to having a career in the arts which will make room for her to express her creative nature and share it with the rest of the world.

“But before that I would take any job that would teach me to become the person that I want to be, for example accountant, even creative jobs like event planner or interior designer, secretary, etc…I have many talents and I want to put them to use all together,” she said.
Persons who are interested in having a customized face mask can contact Grace Ram on Instagram @ _masks.xoxo or @_gwacey.xoxo.