Greetings from Portugal

I know I haven’t updated this blog as much as I should, and you’d think with all that’s going on in the world, I’d have more time to do it, but that’s not what happened at all.
I have always loved masks, and I’ve always loved traveling and so in that light, what happened will kinda make more sense.
I came to Portugal in February of 2020 to visit friends and check out the masks at the ancient Portuguese and Ibero-Celtic Caretos Festival held in the North part of the country at the same time as the US celebrates Mardi Gras and most of the rest of the world marks some sort of Catholic related holiday with Carnival.
And it was a blast. Totally worth the trip, and if things ever get back to normal, GO THERE! IT’s amazing! it’s been granted a UNESCO status as part of the unique and irreplaceable world heritage.

After the festival I wandered around a little, expecting a visit from my sister-in-law, and generally enjoying the good natured Portuguese people, their food, wine, and architecture.

And then Boom! the borders closed. My sister in law didn’t make it out of the U.S., and I was determined to finish out my vacation, so hurried over to a friend’s house to wait out what we thought might be a brief storm.
And the rest is history.
As of this writing, citizens of the US are not allowed into Europe, and so my partner is still there in Alaska, mailing masks. My apprentice, Leah, is still there in Alaska making masks.
And I’m here, rebuilding my life and my studio in a new country, struggling with a new language, and the ongoing health issues that have plagued me for a couple of years now.
But on we go!
I’m slowly gathering materials, finding shipping solutions, getting the basics like bank account, phone and other details sorted out.
It’s been heart breaking to watch what’s happening in Alaska, and in the US but it will not break my spirit.
And it probably won’t break your spirit, either, if you just do the little you can every day.
I mean, that’s what I’m doing, and it’s hard, but it’s working so far.

All this said - I am still making masks!
I have worked on four movies since April, three of them in Europe.
I am still selling masks. There is still inventory in my Alaska shop, and my apprentice is cranking them out as fast as she can. (Not fast at ALL!! She’s a perfectionist, and that’s OK with me!!)

I can still do custom orders, but as you probably know, there are shipping delays with USPS.
If you need a mask for your movie, photo shoot or collection, send me an email! crookedcrowmasks@gmail.com
I usually reply fairly fast. We’ll work something out!