Jen Lopez, one of the founders of Clever Octopus — a reclaimed arts and craft supplies store in South Salt Lake — said she started making masks when requests came in for homemade face coverings and for materials, from health care workers and shoppers.

Once businesses started closing down in March, Lopez partnered with Make Salt Lake, a nonprofit workspace that promotes local innovation, and Clever Octopus donated close to $1,000 in materials to make face masks.

Lopez’s masks cost $14 each and they’re made of three layers of reclaimed cotton. The material hasn’t been used, she said; it’s simply fabric left over from other projects.

She also makes custom fabric masks, which start at $20. Face mask kits and templates also are available at Clever Octopus so Utahns can make their own masks. She said 30% of mask sales benefit Clever Octopus, which teaches discounted art programs to children and adults.

It’s important to wear face masks, Lopez said, because “the more of us that are wearing masks, the more likely that we’ll get [coronavirus] stamped out sooner. Salt Lake County is now starting to see a downturn, and that’s specifically since the mask mandate.”

You can see Lopez’s face masks and order on Instagram at bluestegosaurus, and they also are available inside Clever Octopus or by emailing her at jennifer.m.lopez@gmail.com.