Lina's crafts help support the old-growth forest

About 15 years ago, Lina Eggemar discovered Naturarvet the foundation’s work to protect valuable old-growth forest. Her love for nature and the forest had always been there, but as climate change became increasingly apparent and reports of deforestation grew more frequent, so did her desire to take concrete action.

“I was thinking about what I could contribute in a way that felt meaningful,” Lina says.

The answer was to make use of what she already enjoyed as a major hobby: crafts.

When Creation Takes on a Greater Purpose

Lina had long enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and making jewelry in her free time as a relaxing pastime. Now she began crocheting cell phone and eyeglass cases to benefit Naturarvet realized that crafting had become a way to transform her concern for the environment into something tangible and positive.

“Turning what I create into money that helps Naturarvet more old-growth forests feels both therapeutic and very meaningful,” says Lina.

At first, she tried to sell her products through her own website, but she soon found a local store that was willing to help. Today, her crocheted cell phone cases are sold at the farm store at Skillebyholm outside Järna, where a portion of the proceeds goes toward Naturarvet’s work to preserve old-growth forest.

For a time, she also collaborated with Kristallrummet in Stockholm. Using their materials, she created earrings and key chains that were sold in the store. A portion of the proceeds went to the store, while the majority was donated to Naturarvet.
To inspire more people to make a difference

Lina has also been involved in other ways to contribute to Naturarvet. She worked in the field of education and, a few years ago, organized a project she called “Our Beautiful World—Children’s Dreams and Good News.” The project involved having second-grade students write about their experiences with nature, their dreams, and their thoughts about the world in a positive spirit. The result was a digital magazine filled with wonderful stories and good news. It became a way to inspire rather than to fuel the anxiety that often results from consuming the news.

The magazine was shared by students and parents, thereby also drawing attention to Naturarvet, which was featured in an article in the magazine. The proceeds from the project went toward Naturarvet’s ongoing work.

Lina hopes that all of her examples will inspire more people.

“It doesn’t have to be about crafts,” she says. “It could just as easily be a class, an event, or some other activity where all or part of the proceeds go to Naturarvet.”

– Small initiatives can make a big difference. When we focus our energy on something positive, it feels easier to cope with everything that’s happening in our world and our environment.

A value for both people and nature

For Lina, it's about creating added value on several levels.

– The creator gains value, the recipient of the gift gains value, and nature gains value. It feels much more meaningful than simply creating for the sake of creating.

With crocheted cell phone cases, cross-stitch paintings bearing the message “May the forest be with you,” and other creative projects, Lina shows that commitment can take many forms. Every product sold helps protect our remaining old-growth forests.

“For me, it’s a way to channel my energy into something that does good. I’m grateful that Naturarvet and can preserve the forests that can still be saved. Ideally, I would have preferred that Naturarvet necessary. But until we have better systems in place to protect our forests, Naturarvet is Naturarvet best Naturarvet ,” she concludes.

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Don't miss out:

Lina has also written a book— “Following Your Dreams and Making the World a Better Place” —and is currently donating 15 copies, with all proceeds (minus shipping) going to Naturarvet the “Creating for the Old-Growth Forest” campaign. Would you like to buy Lina’s book, one of her cell phone or eyeglass cases, or a cross-stitch picture—and thereby contribute to something of value for yourself, the recipient of your gift, and Naturarvet? Contact her at: lina@livsviktigt.org.

Do you do any crafts, hobbies, or other creative activities? Are you part of a sewing circle, craft group, knitting café, or other creative gathering? If so, we’d be thrilled if you’d like to join us and contribute to Naturarvet our Christmas campaign, “Creating for the Old-Growth Forest.”