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 Mandalas
Crafter Jennifer shared:
“I loved seeing Wink’s inspiring colorful mandalas in Simply Crochet magazine and I purchased her Boho Crochet
I really do think Wink started the crochet mandala revolution and inspired so many people to make them. We are all very blessed for her creativity.
I was shocked by Marinke when I heard that she was no longer with us, though is still with us in our hearts and every time we pick up the crochet hook.”
Jennifer sent two standard crochet Wink mandalas plus one smaller mandala.
Meet the Maker
Jennifer Macdonald, who you’ll find on Instagram as @jen_wildflower where she says, “I love to spread kindness with yarn” also shared:
“I first learnt how to crochet in 2009 after seeing some cute yarn bombs in the Blue Mountains.
This craft truly saved my life. I didn’t work this out until (2012) after I crocheted a baby’s blanket for one of my yoga teachers who was having her first baby. At the time I had lost my nanna, was in a violent relationship and was also self-harming. I wanted a hobby, but I just didn’t know what it was. One day when I was in this cute little handmade store, I saw these crocheted bracelets, and I knew I had to pick up the crochet hook again. I was lucky that I went to this store out of pure determination; my ex-boyfriend wouldn’t let me visit the store but I returned and I am glad I did.
After making the baby blanket I wanted to research why I felt good, and what’s when I discovered the Crochet Saved My Life
I’m deeply saddened that Marinke’s life was taken, as I had no idea that she was struggling. Looking from the outside, she had the perfect life. I know everyone’s mandalas together are a celebration of her life and a coming together to not hide away from depression or suicide.”
Words by Wink
Wink did a set of events related to her SheepjesCAL and shared in January of this year:
“During the make & takes, we made a little flower pin that people could take home with them and either wear themselves, or pin on their blankets. It was so much fun to see that each flower that was made, was completely different, even though everyone used the same pattern!”
I hope to take inspiration from this as I make the plans for the Mandalas for Marinke events to take place early next year.
About Depression
One purpose of this project is to raise awareness about depression so each post will end with some facts, thoughts or quotes about depression, suicide and/or mental health. Did you know that today starts National Suicide Prevention Week? It is the 41st year. And mid-week, on September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day.
“The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health, is hosting World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, 2015. This year’s theme is “Preventing Suicide: Reaching Out and Saving Lives,” and will focus on raising awareness that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death on a global level. Governments need to develop policy frameworks for national suicide prevention strategies. At the local level, policy statements and research outcomes need to be translated into prevention programs and activities in communities.”
This is the Suicide Prevention Ribbon. Its first appearance was at the AAS Annual Conference in Santa Fe in 2003, and has been used in various conferences and suicide events since. People sometimes also use the yellow awareness ribbon for suicide prevention.
Jamie at TWLOHA writes: “The lie is that depression and suicide are things that we can’t talk about. It’s a lie that causes people to feel alone and live alone when it comes to their pain. The truth is that, as people, we all relate to pain. We all struggle from time to time, we all experience sadness, and we all encounter huge questions in this life. All of that is part of this human experience that you and i keep waking up to. … This week, people all across America are pushing back at the lie.”
What can you do this week to raise awareness about suicide and its link with depression? Share your story if it relates to this topic or let others know today why you care about this issue! Additionally, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention asks you to use the #EndSuicide hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all week long and on Friday to take a #SelfiesAgainstStigma photo; learn more here. The AFSP’s goal is:
One goal of awareness this week is not only to end stigma for those suffering with suicidal thoughts but also to end stigma for family members of those who have died by suicide. The IASP writes:
“As a result of the stigma surrounding suicide, those who are bereaved by suicide are often perceived differently from those who lose a family member through another cause of death. People who are bereaved may find that they are avoided by people who don’t know how to broach the subject or offer their condolences. Or they may just feel that others do not understand the intensity of their emotional response to the death of their loved one.”
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.