DIY Martenitsa PENS

Wouldn’t it be more interesting if, instead of giving away martenitsa bracelets, we could give our best friends martenitsa pens. The price is approximately the same.

We used ordinary clip-on pens. You need two pieces of white and red yarn (make sure it’s not too thick). Tie them into a knot at one end, but leave enough yarn to add beads.

Hold one piece of yarn closely to the pen. Start winding the other piece of yarn over.

When you’d like to change the color, take the lower piece of yarn (the one that you held to the pen) over the upper one and start winding with it. The other piece of yarn now takes its place next to the pen.

Finish by tying the two pieces of yarn together – in a knot or in a little bow.

Now it’s time to add the decorations we planned in the beginning.

What is ‘martenitsa’?

In Bulgarian folklore the month of March is often portrayed as a plump, cheerful old lady, “baba Marta”. The 1st day of her reign is celebrated with red and white ornaments in various designs – as bracelets, brooches, pom-poms… 
The origins of this ritual are lost in time, but the meaning is clear – they are luck charms you give away to wish good health (and good looks, too!) Friends, family, even pets and domestic animals get one.They are also a countdown to spring – you wear them every day until you see the first stork, or swallow, or blossoming tree. Then you take themartenitsa off and tie it to a branch.