Hope and healing through dog companionship
When Michelle Linn-Gust and her husband, Joe, brought Chaco, a charmingly neurotic mutt, to live with them, they didn't realize what they were getting into. Michelle had grown up in a close-knit dog-loving family, but owning a dog in her own home was a new experience. Not long after she and Joe became dog parents, Joe suffered a traumatic brain injury when a drunk driver crashed into his truck. Before long, the Linn-Gusts had four dogs, the maximum number allowed by the City of Albuquerque, and they couldn't seem to stop acquiring dogs. Whether Michelle was out running a road race or Joe was doing relief work following Hurricane Katrina, they opened their arms to 'just one more.' With no room for more dogs at their house, they set to finding a dog for Michelle's mother in Chicago. What they didn't realize was that the yellow Labrador dog wouldn't ever meet Michelle's Dad, the one person against having a dog in the house. Suddenly, Ginger's importance in Michelle's mom's life would be more than anyone could explain. In Ginger's Gift, Michelle tells the story of their lives as dog owners and of the ways that dogs have helped her and Joe through the difficult passages that all humans must face.

The charm bracelet is made from sterling silver, purple, and aqua cane beads as well as purple and aqua accent beads. It is finished off with a silver toggle clasp. This piece is sure to make a dramatic statement.

These metal pins are based on the original design configured to use with ribbons when the concept of using purple and turquoise to represent suicide was created. These pins are one inch long and sold individually. For orders more than 25, please contact info@chelleheadworks.com.

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Learn from two experts in the suicide field (Michelle Linn-Gust, Ph.D. and JoAnn Satortius, L.I.S.W.) how you can help people grieving the loss of suicide or a suicide attempt. What do you say? What can you do? What are the resources available? This workshop is geared toward lay people (churches, community-service organizations, family members, and anyone else who might come in contact with people coping with suicide). The workshop takes place on August 25, 2009, at the Los Griegos Community Center (1231 Candelaria NW, Albuquerque), 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The cost for the workshop is $40 which includes gross receipts tax. The minimum number of participants is 30, the maximum is 50. Your receipt is your proof of registration. Questions should be directed to the email address on your receipt.

Surviving the Suicide Loss of a Sibling
In the first comprehensive book for the forgotten mourners, Do They Have Bad Days in Heaven? author Michelle Linn-Gust takes us through the loss of her sister Denise to a journey of hope and healing. Do They Have Bad Days in Heaven? weaves Michelle's story with research on sibling suicide loss and practical information for sibling suicide survivors and those who care about them.

In 2003, the American Association of Sucidology hosted its conference in Santa Fe, NM. Michelle had been talking with one of her fellow survivors, Sandy Martin (who died in 2005). Sandy was the creator of the Lifekeeper Faces of Suicide Quilts and had been president of the Suicide Prevention Action Network. Michelle and Sandy were discussing how every cause has a color but suicide. They ended up going with two colors because it seems like every cause took one color. We chose turquoise (which is heavily used in New Mexico by the Native Americans)because it's known as a healing color. Someone also told Michelle and Sandy that purple can be used for the same reason. The colors debuted at that conference in Santa Fe. Originally, they promoted the colors in support of suicide survivors and now the colors also are used for prevention as well as anything related to helping prevent suicide, support survivors, whatever it may be. Internationally, Console, a national suicide bereavement organization in Ireland has adopted the colors. All the major organizations in the United States (AAS, SPAN, and AFSP) use the purple and turquoise pins and colors. Support suicide prevention and postvention by purchasing these purple and turquoise pins. Proceeds from these pins benefit the American Association of Suicidology survivor services.

In 2003, the American Association of Sucidology hosted its conference in Santa Fe, NM. Michelle had been talking with one of her fellow survivors, Sandy Martin (who died in 2005). Sandy was the creator of the Lifekeeper Faces of Suicide Quilts and had been president of the Suicide Prevention Action Network. Michelle and Sandy were discussing how every cause has a color but suicide. They ended up going with two colors because it seems like every cause took one color. We chose turquoise (which is heavily used in New Mexico by the Native Americans)because it's known as a healing color. Someone also told Michelle and Sandy that purple can be used for the same reason. The colors debuted at that conference in Santa Fe. Originally, they promoted the colors in support of suicide survivors and now the colors also are used for prevention as well as anything related to helping prevent suicide, support survivors, whatever it may be. Internationally, Console, a national suicide bereavement organization in Ireland has adopted the colors. All the major organizations in the United States (AAS, SPAN, and AFSP) use the purple and turquoise pins and colors. Support suicide prevention and postvention by purchasing these purple and turquoise pins. Proceeds from these pins benefit the American Association of Suicidology survivor services.

In 2003, the American Association of Sucidology hosted its conference in Santa Fe, NM. Michelle had been talking with one of her fellow survivors, Sandy Martin (who died in 2005). Sandy was the creator of the Lifekeeper Faces of Suicide Quilts and had been president of the Suicide Prevention Action Network. Michelle and Sandy were discussing how every cause has a color but suicide. They ended up going with two colors because it seems like every cause took one color. We chose turquoise (which is heavily used in New Mexico by the Native Americans)because it's known as a healing color. Someone also told Michelle and Sandy that purple can be used for the same reason. The colors debuted at that conference in Santa Fe. Originally, they promoted the colors in support of suicide survivors and now the colors also are used for prevention as well as anything related to helping prevent suicide, support survivors, whatever it may be. Internationally, Console, a national suicide bereavement organization in Ireland has adopted the colors. All the major organizations in the United States (AAS, SPAN, and AFSP) use the purple and turquoise pins and colors. Support suicide prevention and postvention by purchasing these purple and turquoise pins. Proceeds from these pins benefit the American Association of Suicidology survivor services.

In 2003, the American Association of Sucidology hosted its conference in Santa Fe, NM. Michelle had been talking with one of her fellow survivors, Sandy Martin (who died in 2005). Sandy was the creator of the Lifekeeper Faces of Suicide Quilts and had been president of the Suicide Prevention Action Network. Michelle and Sandy were discussing how every cause has a color but suicide. They ended up going with two colors because it seems like every cause took one color. We chose turquoise (which is heavily used in New Mexico by the Native Americans)because it's known as a healing color. Someone also told Michelle and Sandy that purple can be used for the same reason. The colors debuted at that conference in Santa Fe. Originally, they promoted the colors in support of suicide survivors and now the colors also are used for prevention as well as anything related to helping prevent suicide, support survivors, whatever it may be. Internationally, Console, a national suicide bereavement organization in Ireland has adopted the colors. All the major organizations in the United States (AAS, SPAN, and AFSP) use the purple and turquoise pins and colors. Support suicide prevention and postvention by purchasing these purple and turquoise pins. Proceeds from these pins benefit the American Association of Suicidology survivor services.

These drink charms send a simple statement. Each one has an inspirational saying with aqua and purple accent beads. They read: love, live, laugh, dream, inspire, and believe. They also come with their own silver drawstring bag.

These unique triple wrap bracelets are made with memory wire. Their shape can be straightened out and they will bounce right back into a coil. The bracelets are hand crafted using Czech glass, turquoise, amethyst, silver, and pewter. The pewter letters spell “inspire” in the middle of the bracelet.

Each necklace is made primarily of turquoise nuggets with accents of purple fossil beads. A pewter charm is added that reads “inspire” or “hope.” A toggle clasp finishes the piece off. Your choice in sizes of 16" or 18".