This past week I had the opportunity to sit and have a virtual coffee date with a friend where we got to really dive into the wonderful topic of creativity. My friend, Jordan from @yardenhyggecrochet, was kind enough to share so much of her story and has been an encouragement to me through this. To me, creativity thrives when it is shared, and I personally feel that we grow as people when we listen to one another’s stories. Here is a little peak into my friend’s creative journey, and I hope it inspires you as it does me.
What are ways you enjoy being creative?
Jordan shared her two main creative outlets have been writing and crochet. She shared that her favorite or go-to “changes depending on the season of life.” Currently, crochet has been her most exercised, but she “always goes back to writing.” In her life, she noticed that she has tended to lean more toward writing when she needs a more therapeutic or emotional outlet, and more toward crochet when processing things because it allows her to keep her hands busy while her mind works. These methods have helped her through different seasons of her life.
How did you get started?
For crochet, Jordan wanted to learn when she was about 6 years old. She had seen her grandma and mom crochet, and wanted to learn. At that time, she tried it, but found it difficult to make her fingers do what was needed, and put it aside. Then, in high school, she wanted to make a scarf for her friend, and asked her mom to teach her again. After completing the scarf for her friend, she continued to practice and even used her skills at times to fund her missions trips and other needs.
When it comes to writing, Jordan has always loved to write. However, in high school, she shared about an English teacher who taught with the Freedom Writers curriculum. The most impactful piece of this was the notebook writing that was assigned in response to a quote. These reflections allowed her to grow and realize that she had a gift for writing, and as a result, she began to journal more and has used it as an emotional outlet throughout her life. All of this hard work is being put to good use. Today she uses these creative writing skills in her job!
How do or have you seen God use your creative gifts, either in yourself or for the benefit of others?
With crochet, Jordan has used it a lot through 2020 to allow her to process the personal healing that God is doing in her life. This creative outlet has allowed her to worship through seasons of pain or struggle as well as given her hands something to work on while processing all of the emotions that come with those times. Most often she sees crochet as a stress relief, and while she crochets, she prays for the individual who will receive her work and hopes to see it pass on help and healing to others.
With writing, my friend has used it personally as a therapeutic method of dealing with emotional turmoil. An example she gave was her Junior year of college. She was dealing with a season of depression, and writing was a way for God to work in her life. Throughout the year, she ended up writing 30,000 words during her struggle. For several years, she has written for a blog and has seen it help others by putting her own emotions or battles into words. Through her words, they have felt understood. No matter what, Jordan desires that God receive all the glory for her words, and she feels a struggle can happen to make sure he is the focus. But she remembers the words in Matthew 25:14-30 and relates the wealth entrusted to each servant to the skills and talents given to each person by God. “If we bury them or hide them, we aren’t using them for his glory.” As a result, she pushes through the struggle and remains focused on her Creator.
Have you had any challenges to overcome with your creative outlets?
Jordan has made a commitment to God to make sure her creative outlet, especially crochet, is not focused on being a side hustle, so she doesn’t stretch herself thin. With her Instagram and Etsy account (@yardenhyggecrochet), she found herself not liking certain projects, but feeling pressured to add them to her shop because people wanted them. These projects became too stressful, and she found herself going against what God wanted for her because she was trying to make things for making money instead of for the right reasons. After realizing this and taking a step back, God honored her act by giving her several blanket commissions, which allow her to work within her skills without extra stress.
Through this challenge, Jordo has decided to change the focus of her account to encompass her life. She desires to pass down comfort, coziness, and healing to others as well as create this atmosphere in all areas of her life. Her goal is to trust God’s timing for all of the things she hopes to accomplish and through all areas of her life.
What is your favorite memory involving your creative outlet?
Jordo’s favorite memory was when she was a Sophomore in college. Jordan and several of her hall mates and friends (me included! :)) would go to Craft Warehouse in Salem. This store sold yarn in bulk bags of 4 random colored skeins for $5. So for $20, we could each get 16 skeins of yarn! When we would all get back to the dorm, we would mix and match the yarn to make sure we all got what we needed, and then we would spend our Friday nights all crocheting with one another. This time was special to Jordan and I because we got to spend time with many of the girls in our hall, and we got to bond through teaching and working on something creative together.
Do you have any advice for beginner or other creators out there?
Jordan had some pretty wonderful advice:
“If you want to become a better writer, make time for writing, even one sentence a day.”
“You’ve gotta start somewhere.” (So don’t be afraid to try!)
“Don’t go crazy buying supplies until you are sure you like it.” (Whatever new thing you are trying, try it first!)
“It takes practice.” (Don’t expect perfection, especially the first time you try something!)
“Not everything has to be a side hustle. You can just do it. Don’t put yourself in a box!” (Creativity can be purely for enjoyment; not everything has to be for money.)
Wrap Up!
Jordan’s story is full of inspiration and encouragement. Hearing about her journey and how she has grown brings me such joy to see my friend using her gifts for God’s glory! I hope you have been inspired, and if you have any questions, comments, or encouragement for Jordan, please share!
What are your thoughts on hearing other maker’s stories? Let me know!
As always, keep creating!
-Chelsey
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