Crafting Through Chaos: Embracing Messy Memories with Jackie Gill

Helping Families Be Happy

On today's episode of the "Helping Families Be Happy" podcast, host Adina Oberman talks to Jackie Gill, a mom and freelance content creator specialising in DIY arts and crafts, particularly in the holiday space. Jackie is passionate about creating various life moments, both big and small, and she shares her creative ideas on her Instagram page and blog.

Episode Highlights:

• 01:41: Jackie talks about her crafting journey, mentioning her creative side and how she began sharing it on Instagram during the Covid lockdown. She emphasises the desire to bring positivity and creativity to those stuck at home.
• 03:37: Jackie candidly discusses the inevitable crafting fails, mentioning that for every successful project shared on Instagram, there are around 10 fails behind the scenes. She acknowledges being a perfectionist but highlights the importance of embracing the messiness, especially when crafting with kids.
• 05:12: Adina and Jackie share a laugh as they recall a memorable crafting fail involving a garland dyed with fabric dye that ended up looking like a crime scene.
• 06:08: Jackie underscores the significance of sharing both successful projects and failures on social media. She emphasises that her intention is not to project perfection but to authentically connect with others and create a sense of community around the messiness and fun of crafting.
• 07:29: Reflecting on the twists and turns of crafting, Adina appreciates the unexpected outcomes, finding beauty in the creative process. She emphasises the joy derived from the unpredictability of crafting, transforming unexpected outcomes into something beautiful and memorable.
• 08:37: Adina reflects on the lasting memories formed with children during messy and creative moments, emphasising the gift of quality time and memorable experiences. She underscores the value children receive—quality time and messy, memorable moments with their special grown-ups—rather than solely focusing on the end result.
• 10:33: Stressing experimentation, Jackie recommends saving beginner-friendly projects and gradually refining skills, fostering a sense of confidence. She advises taking the plunge, especially with kids, exploring beginner-friendly projects, and gradually finding preferences through experimentation.
• 11:19: Jackie recommends picking projects based on individual strengths and interests, avoiding overwhelm. She advises organising materials by type to maintain clarity in crafting projects.
• 13:34: Adina asks for tips on organising craft materials, and Jackie recommends grouping materials by type, making it easier to find what you need.
• 15:37: They discuss the idea of trying new crafts by sharing materials with friends, making it a low-risk and collaborative venture. Jackie shares her strategy of decluttering by repurposing or giving away unused materials, fostering a sense of community with a craft-sharing circle.
• 17:10 Adina recaps the advice, including starting without overthinking, focusing on the process, organising materials, planning purchases with project ideas, and sharing unused materials.

Key Points:

1. Overcome the fear of not being good enough or making a mess. Start with small, beginner-friendly projects, and don't be afraid to try different crafts to discover your preferences.
2. When crafting with kids, prioritise the experience and memories over achieving perfect results. Embrace the mess and chaos that may come with involving children in crafting activities.
3. Use social media platforms like Instagram for crafting inspiration. Look for beginner-friendly projects and ideas that require minimal materials.

Tweetable Quotes:

• "Crafting is a journey of growth; from the chaos of Covid lockdowns to becoming a parent and content creator, my skill set has blossomed." - Jackie Gill
• "Crafting is not about perfection, but about creating memories with your kids. Embrace the mess and enjoy the process! - Jackie Gill
• “Don't fear a craft store overwhelm. Start small, focus on projects you love, and share unused materials joyfully.” - Jackie Gill

Resources Mentioned

• Helping Families Be Happy Podcast Apple
• https://www.instagram.com/jackiegblog/
• Podcast Editing