Face Masks for Fundraising

helping birds and conservation organizations around the world

Limited Edition No-FUR Face Masks

No-Fur Mask Pre-orders are now closed.

Thank you to everyone for ordering a NOFUR mask in this mini fundraiser for RR Refuge! Prints will go in next week and then I’ll begin sewing. Thank you for helping the animals! You are AWESOME!

There are a few masks still in stock: Keiko Banana, Raven and Blue Jay. Take a look below if you would like to order one and I will mail it to you asap.

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Want to show the world that FUR SUCKS? I have opened up pre-orders for the three styles of anti-fur masks in order to support Len Goldberg’s dedication to animal activism.

$15 from each NOFUR mask will go to support RR Refuge, Len’s organization of choice. Located in Ontario, RR Refuge rescues, rehabilitates and offers refuge to animals that have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

Have a special message to share with the world? Order a Custom Mask and I can make it for you.

Masks will be in pre-order until Saturday, March 13. I will then send the prints to the printer. Estimated shipping will be the end of March.

Shipping is by regular Canada Post (from Toronto), and could take up to 3 – 4 weeks, depending on where items are being shipped. Patience is a virtue! If you’d like them faster, then send me an email and we can do that.

Want to keep up with the flock?

Please join my email list to get shop notifications, including face mask pre-order information.

Face masks are WHO compliant

As per WHO’s recommendations, each two-layer mask is made with an outer layer of polyester and an inner layer of 100% cotton.

There is a pocket between the two layers so that you can add a third filter layer (the filter is not included with the mask). Filters can be purchased or made at home. Read more about this in the section below (including how to prepare your own filter).

Amount Raised for RR Refuge:

$75

Got mine and I adore it!! Can’t wait to get my cardinal. It’s for my sister in law who loves cardinals.
– TE

Loving my new masks, delivered quickly all the way to Scotland! Thanks so much Cheryl!
-TI

Just received my beautiful bird mask today! I love it! Thank you Bird in the Hand Studio
-D

I picked up our face masks today and we love them. I am very happy I chose the crow and chickadee. We just had to adjust the straps and they fit well. Love the fabric and the colors. And I can breath much better.

We are both very excited to have something unique. Your photos are gorgeous. I would like to order another one as a gift. Thanks so much. You do terrific work.
-DG

Cheryl got the [custom] mask and I love it thanks so much
-L

ADORE these masks!!! It’s the first mask I DON’T want to take off !!
-DL

Who is that masked woman? Excellent job Cheryl Rutherford!
-BP

Just had to tell you how much we love our bird masks. They are absolutely stunning, fit beautifully and so unique. I do hope you make more – I would like to order another two at least for myself and Christmas is coming. They would make perfect gifts for friends and relatives. Take care, stay safe and thank you again for the most wonderful bird masks I have ever seen!
-JR

My daughter wore her [custom] mask you made her today and I had someone text me later asking for your info. I had to tell her it was a fund raiser and was finished. She loved that you can send in a picture and have a mask made. Shows how good you are!
– AG

My masks were here when we got back today. Love them, you do such an amazing job! Thanks so much.
– CR

Received our oh so lovely / perfect mask! Thank you and sending much love xo
-NW

Quite possibly my new favourite mask!!
-WH

Thank you for the beautiful raven mask!
-F

Just a short note to thank you so much for my lovely mask! I’ve had so many compliments on it. Helps to have a bit of fashion in these crazy times and help a worthwhile cause!!
-BC

I was in MEC today and this girl said how much she loved my mask so I gave her your deets. I’m so happy, they just fit so well I feel like I’m protecting everyone AND helping with the vets bill. You do an AWESOME job on constructing these.
-VM

The masks fit very well and are so comfortable that I’ve become one of “those people” who drive around alone in my vehicle with it on! It’s so comfortable I forget I’m even wearing it. Thank you so much, Cheryl
-MB

I got my masks in the mail yesterday! They are perfect! Well made and with n-95 type material filters make them even more awesome. I won’t go in public w/o an n-95. Now I can be safe and in great style!
-VS

Cheryl – received my masks – they are beautiful! Thank you for helping out Keiko
-LK

Mine came today, awesome!!!! Couple of people laughed in the grocery store…thanks!!!
-RB

A small portion from the sale of each mask will go towards the printing of the outer fabric ($5). I am donating the rest of the materials and all time to make these masks.

The bulk of the funds from the sale of each mask will be donated to the organization that is the current beneficiary (minus shipping).

These non-medical face masks are professionally sewn using a 2-layer method. The outer layer consists of a colourful print on a comfortable 100% polyester fabric. The inner layer is a soft 100% cotton layer for easier breathability.

The masks are washable and re-usable.
Every mask has a removable nose wire for better fit. It is removable in case you prefer not to use one or wish to replace it.
The 1/8″ elastic ear loops are left untied to allow for a perfect fit. You will be able to tie the loops yourself, ensuring that they are not too loose or too tight.
An additional filter (not included) can be inserted between the two layers of fabric for further protection.
Photograph of model wearing mask is representational. Actual mask image placement may vary slighty.

Since the start of the COVID 19 Pandemic, I have sewn and donated hundreds of masks for a variety of organizations. Any funds I received for the masks have been donated. Now, it is time for me to make masks for conservation.

A selection of the masks I have made and donated.

Information Regarding Face Masks

From WHO (World Health Organization)

Fabric masks should be made of three layers of fabric:

Inner layer of absorbent material, such as cotton.
Middle layer of non-woven non-absorbent material, such as polypropylene or a disposable filter. [Filter layer]
Outer layer of non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester blend.

From the Government of Canada

Filters add an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 by trapping smaller infectious particles.

When making homemade face coverings, consider using a piece of filter fabric as one of the layers, such as non-woven polypropylene. You can also use a pattern that includes a pocket for a disposable filter.

Disposable filters are widely available for purchase.

However, you can also prepare your own filter using a non-woven polypropylene fabric, which can be found as:

a craft fabric
the non-woven fabric that’s used to make some reusable shopping bags
a folded paper towel

Filters should not interfere with your breathing. Plastic films or pieces of non-breathable plastic are not a suitable filter material.

Filters made of non-woven filter fabrics can be washed multiple times.

WHO’s recommended fabric mask materials

How do I choose what fabric mask to buy?

Check for filtration, breathability and fit when choosing a fabric mask. It should be held in place comfortably with little adjustment using elastic bands or ties.

There are different mask shapes such as flat-fold or duckbill – find the one that fits closely over your nose, cheeks and chin.

When the edges of the mask are not close to the face and shift, such as when speaking, air penetrates through the edges of the mask rather than being filtered through the fabric.

Masks with vents or exhalation valves are not advised because they allow unfiltered breath to escape the mask.

Face Masks for Fundraising: NO-FUR PRE-ORDERS NOW CLOSED

Shipping estimated at END of March

Face masks are WHO compliant

As per WHO’s recommendations, each two-layer mask is made with an outer layer of polyester and an inner layer of 100% cotton.

Keiko Cockatoo Medical Bills Fundraiser - December 2020

Limited Edition Bird-print Face Masks

Announcement: December 17

Masks have been shipped!

Announcement: November 29

Fundraiser for Keiko Cockatoo’s Medical Care

PRE-ORDERS ARE NOW CLOSED

Shipping estimated to be at the end of December.

Thank you for helping Keiko everyone!!
You are all rockstars xo

I was asked by the Parrot Resource Centre to do a fundraiser for Keiko, a very special cockatoo currently in long-term care at Night Owl Hospital with Dr. MacDonald.

$15 from each mask will be donated directly to Night Owl Hospital for Keiko’s care.

If you ordered a mask in the Limbe run, please note that these masks will have the prints on a different fabric (the print company is no longer getting the original fabric). The new fabric is still 100% polyester, and is a bit softer / less “crisp” than what your current masks are. The fabric is more matte. It still takes the print beautifully, though! I find them quite nice to wear. The mask liner will be 100% cotton.

Shipping is by regular Canada Post (from Toronto), and could take up to 3 – 4 weeks, depending on where they are being shipped. Patience is a virtue! If you’d like them faster, then send me an email and we can do that.

Amount Raised for Keiko’s Medical Care:

$1120

Limbe Wildlife Centre Billboard Fundraiser - August 2020

Why Face Masks for Conservation?

Limbe Wildlife Centre in Africa needs our help!

Cameroon’s wildlife is under great threat due to poaching, hunting and the illegal wildlife trade.

To instigate a change of behaviour, develop a sense of ownership and engage the community to protect wildlife, it is critical that local Cameroon communities are aware of the value of biodiversity, ecosystems and its wildlife.

That is the reason why Toh Bright, anglophone local artist, chose the Limbe Wildlife Centre to begin his journey and remind us all about the importance to keep healthy ecosystems.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, LWC must continue its sensitization and education efforts. Even though life as normal may have stopped, poaching and the illegal trade in Cameroon certainly have not.

Artist Toh Bright has illustrated 4 major programmes to run at the Limbe Wildlife Centre: the endangered African grey parrot rehabilitation and release; community-based conservation; conservation education and the rehabilitation of endangered primate species of the South-West Region of Cameroon.

The 4 billboards will be displayed in the community to emphasize the actions taken by the Limbe Wildlife Centre to protect Cameroon’s unique wildlife.

To fully realize this project and help Limbe Wildlife Centre change the minds of hunters, poachers and traffickers, LWC needs our support.

Due to the pandemic, LWC has lost much of its funding due to no longer being able to take in volunteers. Visitors and many individuals are no longer able to help it. Because of this, LWC has lost the revenue planned for this project.

The cleaning and maintenance of the current stands in preparation for the new art to be installed costs a total of $1000 USD.

Further, each billboard costs $500, for a total of $2000 USD. The billboards are double-sided, so they can be viewed from either direction.

Total cost for the project: $3000 USD

I can’t imagine a world where parrots no longer fly freely in the wild.

This is why I am making special, very limited edition masks to raise funds for this project.

100% of the sale of each mask will be donated to LWC. I am donating all materials and time. The only funds I will receive will be the shipping costs.

Thank you so much and stay safe!

#ProtectWildlife

Billboard 1: the endangered African grey parrot rehabilitation and release

Billboard 2: conservation, education and the rehabilitation of endangered primate’s species of the South-West Region of Cameroon

Billboard 3: community-based conservation

Billboard 4: investing in the local economy

Limited Edition Bird-print Face Masks

Regarding Pre-orders:

Good News! The first run of masks was so successful (THANK YOU!) that I will be doing a second print-run!

Please order any Pre-order mask by August 11 and I will add it to my print order. Pre-ordered masks will be shipping the first week in September (this allows me to get the prints back from the printer and sew up the masks).

Don’t forget: all funds (minus shipping) will be donated to the LWC Conservation Billboard Project!

Shipping is by regular Canada Post (from Toronto), and could take up to 3 – 4 weeks, depending on where they are being shipped. Patience is a virtue! If you’d like them faster, then send me an email and we can do that.

Amount Raised for the Billboards from the Masks:

$2091

1 billboard: $695 CDN ($500 USD)

Total Goal: $3470 CDN ($2500 USD)

Face Masks for Conservation Limbe Fundraiser has now ended.

Update August 12

OK, so I am officially gobsmacked by all you amazing people donating for bird masks! WE’VE DONE IT! Between the Parrot Resource Centre Gofundme and the masks, we’ve been able to fund the Limbe Wildlife Centre Cameroon Billboard Project!!!!!

Receipts are posted below.

My next step will be organizing all the graphics for printing. They will go to the printer next week (August 17 – 21).

PRE-ORDERS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE SHIPPING FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1-7th.

Update August 23

So, I have 62 masks to make over the next couple weeks from all the second run pre-orders (online and off)!

The first run of masks went out Sunday, August 9th, and the first Canadian orders have started to show up. US first-run orders could take a couple more weeks. When your mask shows up, please feel free to tag me on facebook. I’d love to see you in your new mask!

I have purchased the elastic, nose wire and lining fabric. I have cut all the elastic, cut and bent the nose wires and washed the fabric. This weekend I am cutting, serging and sewing all the liners together.

The custom bird prints went to the printer on Friday and I anticipate receiving them by the middle of next week. I will then wash all the custom-printed fabric and start cutting out all the individual orders.

Update August 30

Things are moving along! The prints came back on thursday and they look gorgeous! I promptly put them in the washer and washed them all in preparation for sewing.

Then, I cut and sewed all outer masks, matched them up to the liners and serged the two pieces together. After all that, I put an ice pack on my back and took a break! 🙂

Things are definitely on track to having them all finished and mailed by the end of the week (Sept 6.)

Update September 6

Half of the masks were shipped out on friday and the final half will go out today!

So pleased with the final results: may you all wear them in good health! Thank you again for supporting this fundraiser. You’ve done good, people. <3

Billboard cleaning has begun!

Here are photos from Limbe Wildlife Centre, showing the cleaning of the old educational billboards in preparation for putting up the new #Art4Nature billboards you helped fund by purchasing a bird mask or donating to the PRC gofundme