A note before we continue the Dia de los Muertos CAL…

There is something I need to write down before we continue with the Dia de los Muertos CAL. It seems every time I try to host something, some people need to find the urge to start discussions or negative feed with whatever reason they can think off. And it bothers me very much ! So before we continue I feel the need to make some things clear. Don’t worry, no cancellation or message I quit, I have learned from the past and this times thing will be done differently.

So yesterday there was a pretty big discussion going on with some people who asked me to answer some question in public, as I own a public social account and show my work to the public. These questions were written in a pretty offensive way and they almost sounded like accusations. A bit later some things were already filled in without an answer from my side and so the discussion went on. out of my first reaction I typed a post towards this discussion with an answer in which I stated clearly that this is what I do and if you couldn’t agree with it you also could pass and move on without the urge to bother me any longer. As the discussion only got worse and worse I deleted my comment but it seems people like to screenshot all these days and I literally got overloaded with comments, private messages and even more accusations. End result was I closed down my Facebook page for a night to get this all down. Let me be very clear that I never will tolerate this any longer, I will explain and state some things :

• There is the issue I take benefit from the Mexican culture and heritage without being a Mexican citizen or have any blood related family. Let me say to this – what is wrong with seeing a beautiful thing somewhere in the world taking place, which gives you the inspiration to crochet a design out of it ? Is there any harm in paying tribute to a cultural event in which I only speak off in respect and honor as a very positive and beautiful thing. Why there is a issue with it, cause when you are a tourist and you would be there when the Dia de los Muertos is happening, you can celebrate with the locals and just pay your respect as well without any problems.
• Then there was a question if I have included some Mexican people into this design, otherwise it would be a shame and ignoring the whole culture with its people in it. First of all, my Spanish translator is from that area and the moment I showed this she said to me I did the right thing. On top of that many people who actually celebrate the Dia de los Muertos and are well-known with the rituals and day complimented me in the way I payed tribute with this design. So there is your answer. And even if this wasn’t the case, it is just an artistic way to express something from my point of view. I have never said or claimed to know every detail of this holiday which isn’t celebrated in my country.
• Another thing named was the accusation I stole iconic images from this tradition. If I had only used empty skulls there would have been no problem. I really don’t see the point in this accousation. How can I steal something when it is already there. There are millions of companies and artist who use sugar skull images and all related to this subject. And come on guys, how far can you copy a thing out of yarn. It is not like I printed an image of the internet or something. That would mean a tattoo artist who puts a decorated skull on someone’s body with his needle would also steal a design. And fun fact, I don’t even ask a price for it.
• Cause that was the most negative accusation also made. I was making good provid out of this cultural event. Well I said it last night and I say it once more. It is a FREE CAL. I don’t ask any fee for it. I am not sponsored and I payed my own yarn to make the example. I used weeks of time to design this, photograph this, take hundreds of photos so you all can crochet it along with me and write every detail down. When I name local stores the 28th which sells packs, I don’t get any commission from them as I said I don’t need it. And if you clever ones think I’ll benefit from all those visitors to my website to download parts – the pattern is put for free on Ravelry which delivers me nothing, and on my website there is a commercial view which delivers me most of the time around $2.00 a month. And those haters will probably still don’t believe this but let me be very clear in this fact.

I could go on as there are more things said last night and it hurts me again. The only thing I tried to do is crochet a design honoring and respecting a Mexican tradition. I do not own a name, culture or tradition and I can only try to attempt something that gives it the credit it deserves. Especially when you’re a outsider and only try to get it all done in a way it wouldn’t discredit the theme and people. I am not a million dollar company that tries to earn loads of money over a cultural event, in fact it only costs me loads of time in which I easily could have set to don’t host a free CAL and just put a price on this design.

Enough said about it, last thing I want to make clear how to go on after these questions and accusations. It is simple. We won’t repeat the past and so this CAL will take place, no matter how many boycotts, dislikes, comments or negative feed there will be. We are not gonna ruin a beautiful thing for many people by some people who clearly think these days you can drop whatever you like without thinking through what your words can do to someone or something. So, this is a warning, if it happens again I will block ,delete and remove everything negative I see or read. It is my CAL, my page, my social media. I do things in my way and I never obligated anyone to follow me or read my words. So if you can’t find yourself in what I do or write, just move on and spare me from that negativity. No one is going to demand me to answer questions in public as you are in no place to demand people. Let me once again be very clear, public comments, reactions or hateful things will be removed and blocked. If you continue this thing privately which again happened last night by many of you, I will make a report from this for a permanent block or removal. I’m sorry to have such a non-friendly and hard tone in my saying, but it seems the only way to keep up a peaceful environment on social media.

Last thing to say, I wish I didn’t have to write this down today. It again delivers an unpleasant feeling on my CAL and it feels like I can never host a thing without a group out there that needs to bully, hate and find reasons to shut you down. It seems part of the world these days but it spoils the fun also. I did see many of you defended me last night but it is sad enough there is a defence needed. So, from this point I do hope to bring out only happy thoughts and continue the Dia de lost Muertos with only joy and happiness. I deleted all negative feed of last night to have a clean slate. Thank you for reading this and see you on the 28th with the introduction details to this CAL and all information you need to know to join in.