Athena's MandalasForMarinke + The Black Dog Institute

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

This sweet crochet mandala was made using the pretty Picots and Petals crochet mandala pattern by Wink. Maker Athena also sent me this beautiful crochet flower:

Meet the Maker

This amazing contribution comes from Athena in Sydney, Australia of Lilliputi Crochet and Design. She writes:

“I’m a woman, a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a mental health peer support worker, an author and a friend.  I also live with depression and anxiety, and my life is more brilliant by this diagnosis. I am passionate about mental health, writing, crochet and showing people that it is okay to not be okay.

When the darkness first came into my life I felt alone, afraid, hopeless. I had won the battle with infertility but I had not resolved its repercussions. My friend took her life, relationships were fragile and the world around me felt broken and worthless. The Black Dog fucked with my mind. I was exhausted, struggling to find joy where all the beauty had left. I was just a  body coping with the mundane, waiting and hoping for the “this too will pass” day to arrive.

Then one day during a counseling session as we talked about imagination and creativity, I remembered my grandmother’s lace doilies, the intricate nature of each stitch. How I loved to trace the patterns with my fingers. I had always wanted to learn crochet. That day I walked into the craft shop, bought my first hook and yarn, and learned the skill through YouTube videos. I scoured the Internet for instruction and inspiration and stumbled upon A Creative Being’s blog. The mandala would be one of my first projects. Wink’s personal story resonated with me. I believe that I had found a kindred spirit, our love of crochet and helping others had tied us.

The darkness then lifted and crochet became my mindfulness strategy, a meditation to help me manage my anxiety and depression.

As my crochet improved and people became interested in my work, I created Lilliputi Crochet & Design. I crochet one of a kind items using sustainable wool hand dyed by indie fibre artisans. I also write my own designs. My signature Lilliputi doll is an award-winning amigurumi. I have published designs on Ravelry and in Happily Hooked magazine. Because crochet saved my life I donate my profits to The Black Dog Institute – a leading Australian organization in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders. Lilliputi is a registered fundraiser.

I felt that it was important to contribute to the MandalasForMarinke project. I hope that I can help contribute to dialogue and raise awareness about mood disorders. Here is my motto:

Crochet – calms the mind, soothes the soul, and makes the black dog dance in a pretty little dress

Rest in peace Wink. We’ll meet in heaven where angels sing and yarn flows like a river.

Words by Wink

In Wink’s Tuts+ tutorial for making a crochet draft excluder, she wrote:

“When temperatures start to drop, a draft excluder for your doors can make your house feel warmer and cosier. This project is great for using up those yarn scraps that never seem suited for any other project. Drafts won’t be bothering you anymore this winter!”

I love how she always wanted to be cozy. So do I!

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. Since Athena mentioned it here, I thought I’d bring attention to The Black Dog Institute. This Institute, founded in 2002, shares:

“The Black Dog Institute is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by mood disorders through our high quality translational research, our clinical expertise and our national education programs.

As an organisation, we place focus on the rapid translation of quality research into improved clinical practice, increased accessibility for consumers, and delivery of long-term public health solutions.”

They have a lot of information online about depression, although my personal favorite part of the site is reading the personal stories.

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. Deadline is to have all mandalas into the mail no later than 10/15/15.