A Silk Mask Out of a Sow's Ear

Article by Jurate Luckaite

There is an idiom from the 1500s many people have heard and believe: “You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” Making something attractive out of something repulsive may not be as difficult as it used to be. In times of chaos, when what was familiar is now unknown, people reevaluate their lives through the new choices they must make. This means that every day, every moment, and every second people are in the process of creation. And that is a good way to live.

Depending on your awareness, attention, and belief systems, you choose to operate in a certain reality where you attract experiences that match your vibrations. In any situation, you choose how to react to the information that enters your mind, and how to act. The energy you create and generate in your choices and intentions attracts more of that same kind of energy, so be aware of your positive, negative, or neutral state of mind.

To trust that you’ll be guided to go in a direction most right for you, fear must be left out of your field of intention. Did you know that fear is what allows people to go with the flow and not thinking for themselves? Right now, there are many things that pull and keep people in state of fear because that is how power is given to others to control. When you think for yourself, you are not a match for the vibration that requires you to give up your power. Feed your self-awareness. Starve your fear.

So, what does this have to do with silk purses, masks, and pig’s ears? In 2019, my environmentally conscious brand of hand-painted masterpieces and books, Violeta Lucce, was on the rise. In 2020, all forward motion stopped for me—and humanity. I was in shock and did not know how to move forward. Did I let fear take over? Did I decide to drift, and go with the flow?

No. I rediscovered the strength of my advocacy in being an advocate for green and conscious fashion as well as clean, plastic-free oceans.

After seeing too many disposable masks and gloves thrown into streets, parking lots, and left in grocery carts, I decided to find a solution to reduce this kind of pollution.

So, I changed the ugly look of disposable masks into something beautiful by creating hand-painted designs onto natural, pure silk face masks. And, I named them “face accessories” to be used as shields until the time arrives when they can be used as scarves. To elevate the product even more, I created a silk bag as a storage container. As soon as I posted the very first Violeta Lucce face mask, it sold in few minutes. Women loved the idea that they could look beautiful wearing a silk mask face accessory rather than a standard, disposable, “sow’s ear” mask.

One of the best lessons I ever learned was that when I looked for opportunities, they came into my view! I just had to recognize them and take an aligned action. Being aware and being able to adapt saved me from drifting.

My advice is that when you find yourself feeling fearful, or, drifting along life’s river without a plan or a paddle, put on a hand-painted face accessory, smile to yourself, and breathe easy—knowing that you can trust your inner guidance system.

Jurate Luckaite is the founder and CEO of Violeta Lucce, www.violetalucce.com