Tammy's Crochet Contribution to Mandalas for Marinke + Thoreau on Depression

Here is the next of the beautiful, inspiring, special contributions coming in to the #MandalasForMarinke remembrance project. I am grateful for each and every amazing contribution. You are invited to join; learn more here.

Beautiful Crochet Mandala and More

This lovely package included a terrific version of Wink’s 12-round standard crochet mandala along with a mini mandala dreamcatcher and a special crochet heart. I love the fringe on the little one. I love the whole thing!

Meet the Maker

This crochet mandala comes to us from Tammy S. Asad, an American who has been living in Kuwait for the past twenty years. She shared:

“My cousin taught me to crochet when I was about 20 but my work and ability to read patterns only took off when I started my blog (T’s Daily Treasures) six years ago. Wink had a knack for color and natural creativity that was so inspiring. I found her blog when looking for a mandala pattern and was immediately drawn to her colorful projects.

I was so shocked to learn of Wink’s death. She was a beautiful, creative young lady who gave so much to the crochet community and yet there was nothing anyone could do to save her. That’s what is so sad. I kept looking through her blog and Instagram for signs, a way things could have been so different, a way to save her, but realized it was futile to do that as there is nothing that can be done now for her. Hopefully others can be helped and will reach out rather than closing themselves off from the world.

My cousin’s wife committed suicide in the 80’s, leaving behind two small boys. She had been to so many doctors complaining of pain but they could never find anything wrong with her. Sadly, whatever her pain was, she could take it no more. So very devastating for all.

To Wink’s family – peace and blessings. They should be so proud knowing she left a colorful legacy that brings joy to so many.”

Find Tammy on Instagram @tsdailyinspiration

Words by Wink

When asked how her work differs from that of other crocheters, Wink wrote:

“Excellent question, and I’m not sure how to answer it 🙂 I just make what I like to make. I get inspired by lots of things, and I just go with the flow! My style is just that, my style. And it changes a lot; it’s like the seasons! One day I can be really into earth tones, and the other day that can change and I’ll love pastel colours, or neons even! The one constant throughout my work is that I always want to make something beautiful, whether it’s crochet, or a drawing, or a weaving, or anything.”

About Depression

Tammy shared a quote with me from Henry David Thoreau:

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

The Washington Post shared a book review of Michael Sims’ The Adventures of Henry Thoreau that mentions a bout of depression:

“You will read here how Thoreau’s beloved older brother, John, was the first to propose to Ellen Sewall, only to be vetoed by her parents, and how Thoreau’s proposal was vetoed in turn. You will read of the brothers’ expedition in their leaky, homemade boat down the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, which provided the narrative thread for Thoreau’s first book. And you will read of John’s agonizing death from lockjaw after cutting his finger while shaving, and of Thoreau’s subsequent profound depression, during which he exhibited all the symptoms of John’s fatal disease.”

Over on Psychology Today, Kimerer LaMothe, PhD writes about the healing power of nature and reminds us that:

“Thoreau was concerned that the obsessive-consumptive habits of society were dulling people’s senses and enslaving them to a quantity and quality of labor that failed to nourish their best selves. In Thoreau’s memorable words: “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation… concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind.”

While this latter part doesn’t speak specifically to depression, it hints at the kind of widespread anomie that impacts our society.

All contributions to Mandalas for Marinke are welcome and will help raise awareness about depression while honoring her work in the same way that this great contribution has done today. Details to join here.