A smile is all in the eyes, they say.
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Which is lucky, because soon we might all be wearing masks, and only able to express ourselves with the tops of our faces.
Unless, that is, we have picked up a fancy face mask from one of the locals making coronavirus coverings that are bright and unique.
Following the latest outbreaks, mask-wearing is on the increase, and if you want something that says 'fun' rather than 'medical', there are plenty of handy makers willing to oblige.
Goulburn's Joanne Emery, who started her label 'Love JoJo Handmade' for a bit of fun during maternity leave, has been inundated by orders for masks.
Now back at work part-time and juggling a one year-old, she's got a two week backlog.
"It's going crazy!" she said between sessions at the sewing machine.
"I'm getting a bit scared that its going to take off even more, and there's only one of me."
Joanne made a few at start of the COVID-19 shutdowns as a favour, then a number of Melburnians, who follow her label on Instagram, got on board.
The trend has now reached the Southern Tablelands and she's been putting her pedal to the floor ever since.
"It's easy enough to get surgical ones, but people want something more fashionable and environmentally sustainable," said Joanne, referring to the fact that the fabric masks can be washed and worn again, rather than thrown out like the surgical ones.
It takes her at least half an hour to whip up one mask, and she charges $12 for an adult one and $10 for a child.
"I have so many pretty fabrics from making baby stuff - at least I'm using it all up!" said Joanne.
At the other end of the region, in Robertson in the Southern Highlands, the Printmaking Sisters from The SHAC (Southern Highlands Artisans Collective), have just sold out of their first lot of masks and are about to order more.
Their masks are produced via RedBubble (a website that allows artists to sell their work on merchandise), and feature their stunning prints on stretchy fabric.
"I actually just sold my last one," said artist Robin Ezra.
"I probably won't have more until the first week in August."
Robin said they had a pile of them in the store for at least four weeks, with no one taking an interest in them at all.
"Then all of a sudden, a week ago, it took off," she said.
"Things are getting more serious now so people are looking to get on board."
Robin pointed out that the masks are not guaranteed to prevent infection, but just add a little protection.
They come in a variety of styles, from some big, kissing lips to ones emblazoned with Frida Kahlo's face, and cost $20.68 on the website.
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