After noticing her husband's ears being rubbed raw from the elastic bands of face masks during the pandemic, Bronwyn Field went online for a solution.
There she found people were making "ear savers" from a variety of materials, including 3D printed plastic and cable ties
But what really captured her imagination were the crocheted ear savers.
"They're a thin piece of crocheting that I make with two buttons on the ends," Ms Field said.
Ms Field has crocheted since she was a child, finds it relaxing and a way to tune out from day to day worries.
As an experienced crocheter, she can turn out one ear saver every five to 10 minutes.
Woollen offcuts easy, cheap buttons challenging
"I saw these on Facebook, and I thought, 'Well, that's a great idea'." Ms Field said.
"I can do that and maybe help out a little, do my part."
Since the pandemic started she has made hundreds, giving many away at close to cost price, shipping them around Australia and even overseas.
Woollen scraps are cheap and easy to source for the ear saver straps, but Ms Field said finding a cheap reliable source of buttons was challenging.
"Op shops are quite good for spare buttons," Ms Field said.
Keeping up with demand has been a challenge, as she has been determined to keep her price low.
"Through the first part of the pandemic, I sold enough to pay my electricity bill," she said.
Kindness is the best rule to live by
Ms Field is motivated by kindness, selling them online for the cost of materials.
"If someone enjoys something that you've put the time and love into making, and they're happy with that, then that's all you can ask for."
Ms Field has found plenty of evidence on social media that people are motivated by a desire to help out where they can.
"I think a lot more people do than you realise," she said.
"Especially in the times we're living in, the kindness pandemic is, yeah, it's alive and well."
