Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Infertility's Common Thread

About a year ago, when I first explored The Stirrup Queens blog, I came across "Infertility's Common Thread" (linked down there on my side bar, too). I thought this was a great idea! More than a great idea - a wonderful!, awesome!, amazing idea!! If you haven't read about it, please click over. Basically it's a sign for people in the ALI community to recognize each other. See that pregnant belly over there? Check her wrist, you might actually get to shelve the bitterness for a minute and feel a small bond and happiness for the woman behind the belly. (I know that sounds bad but I also know that people who read this blog know how I feel.)

For about a year now I've been wanting to go to the craft store and pick up embroidery thread #814 and tie a string around my wrist. Every time I would go to a store that carried it, I would realize I forgot to write down the number and would always leave empty handed.

Recently, I got the idea of making a thin friendship bracelet (remember making those? I made them when I was younger and my sister still makes and gives them to me) out of the thread and wearing that instead. My day dreaming creative side went a little wild (for me anyway haha) and I thought that maybe I could add a clasp so it could be removable if needed.

Well, I was motivated to actually note down #814 AND get to the craft store this past weekend! :)

This is what I came up with for my first try.
I'm wearing it right now.
I'd love it if everyone in this community would wear this thread on their right wrist. Maybe a little "Infertility's Common Thread" revival?

And, because I know that as common as this thread is, it's not always the top of every one's mind to go out and get it, I'd like to help.

If you'd like to wear one, I'd like to make one for you*. Please leave me a comment and/or email me at ayariaATgmailDOTcom.

*Keep in mind that I'd need to mail it to you. While I've never mailed anything out of the US before, I'm more than willing to try. Also, I'm not selling them or asking for money from anyone.

37 comments:

  1. Are you kidding? I would LOVE to wear a bracelet like that!!! How amazing that you would make this... it's beautiful. I'll send you an email with my address.. Thank you so much for doing this!

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  2. What a beautiful bracelet! So pretty. And thank you for raising awareness - I didn't know about the 814 bracelet idea.

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  3. I would love to wear one! It's beautiful!

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  4. I want one! It's beautiful! I have a military APO address, I could email it to you... Love the initiative!!!

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  5. That's absolutely beautiful!!!

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  6. That bracelet is just gorgeous, I'd be proud to wear it [as a survivor of 11 years ttc and 8 miscarriages]. Fabulous idea!!

    dearmissruby@gmail.com

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  7. I am so impressed. I don't have a crafting bone in my body it's just something I've never gotten into.

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  8. What a SUPER SUPER revival! I too have that link on my sidebar and I could never make my own as I am SO NOT crafty. I will email you my address in the US as you know I will be there soon. Jill you are amazing and this is awesome!

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  9. This is wonderful. What an amazing idea. Thank you so much for your kind comments on my blog.

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  10. Wow. Your creation is beautiful, Jill!

    I may be ordering a couple of gifts...will let you know.

    Thanks for visiting me today. Always great to see you!

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  11. So glad you're bringing this back! I've wanted to do something like this but am not very crafty. I'd love one. I'll email you my addy. And also I'm reading just can't comment from the pc or it spazzes out for some reason. Xo

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  12. Add me to the "Can I have one please" list.

    y0d4sm1str3ssATy4h00DOTc0m
    (all numbers are really vowels)

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  13. Wow! Love the bracelet! I used to love making friendship bracelets, and I love that you used your craftiness to bring in the "Common Thread" concept. Awesome.

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  14. Beautiful! That is such a great idea! :)

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  15. Happy ICLW! I love this idea. I've actually been considering starting up a Loss Cookies operation, as an avid baker and someone who has been through a m/c. Hooray for giving and recognizing! Have a lovely Sunday.

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  16. What a beautiful bracelet and an amazing idea. I would totally wear this.

    Happy ICLW!

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  17. What a beautiful bracelet. I've been meaning to makes one of these too... What a great idea.

    I'd sign up for one! jesstutt@gmail.com
    -Jess (#74) Happy ICLW

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  18. I remember those bracelets from waaaayyy back in the 80s! What a fantastic idea! I bet if I sat down and tried I could even remember how to make them. I'll have to look for some 814.

    Happy ICLW!

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  19. Here from ICLW. What a long hard journey you've had. I'm sorry you are even qualified to wear this bracelet, but I love it! If you aren't totally overwhelmed already, please add me to the list. cradlesandgraves dot yahoo dot com

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  20. Happy ICLW! I would love to wear one. I could make one, but, well, I'm having a hard time keeping up on my own projects, so if you are really willing, I would be thrilled to have one, as well. My email is kakunaa at gmail dot com. You are so amazing for doing this! You are beautiful!

    ICLW #77

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  21. This is amazing! I love that you're willing to help spread it around too. If you need anyhelp with anything, I'd love to volunteer!

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  22. That is so cool. Although I don't really think I fit into the community...I know a ton of people who do.
    I think the point about recognizing the "thread" on other people is a great analogy.
    *hugs* and I'm always hoping!

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  23. Wow, that is really beautiful!

    Happy ICLW!
    #171

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  24. I would be honored and so proud to wear a bracelet like that!
    twokayaks@gmail.com

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  25. I would love one... it's beautiful!

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  26. This is an incredible idea and i would love to wear one.

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  27. It's lovely - I can't believe that is your first attempt, it looks so good!

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  28. I have a feeling you are going to be flooded with responses to this one....like you, I've been wanting to do something like this for over a year now. Please, please, please add me to your list of wanna-haves! I will email you my address.

    You totally rock, by the way!

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  29. That is the most awesome beautiful bracelet ever! I would love one. Please add me to your list too, I will e-mail my address.

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  30. What a pretty bracelet!

    I would love one and am willing to at least reimburse you for the shipping, if you won't let me pay for the time and materials.

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  31. That is amazing!! I would love to have one! I'll email you my address.

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  32. It's gorgeous! I would be proud to wear one- if you ever get this far down the list of requests! It seems like this idea is something the infertility community has been waiting for!

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  33. Great bracelet. You are so crafty. I wish I could make something like that. Sounds like you have found a lot of people that would love one as well ;)

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  34. Sorry I'm a bit late to the game here, but I really, really want one. I will email you with my address.

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  35. Thats a beautiful bracelet!!! And such a nice post too. You're very generous. From the look of everyone elses comments you're going to be busy making these bracelets! I live in New Zealand so couldn't ask you to post me one but I am definitely going to go and click on the infertility's common thread link on your blog right now!! x

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  36. Okay, I am a little late to the party, but that bracelet is BEAuTiFUL!!! If you ever make it this far down the list, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to wear one.

    I am visiting from Mels "Color of Happiness" project (also a little late to that party. Yes, even IRL I tend to run late!) For me bright sunny yellow was the first color that I thought of. I have this vision of Someday being a mom and being in a field of grass on a beautiful sunny day, with my little ones playing and laughing, and having my soul overflowing with yellow sunshine. Yep - That sounds like happiness to me. :)

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