Meet Jessa

We recently connected with Jessa and have shared our conversation below.

Jessa, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

The pursuit of keeping my creativity alive is a conscious and deliberate effort. Since childhood, I have always enjoyed the art of turning a jumbled mess of stuff, from scraps of paper to balls of yarn, into a beautifully designed finished product. However, there have been times in my life where outside factors weighed me down so heavily, that to even think of creating something seemed impossible. I was forced to do the inner work of noticing my pain and how it was inhibiting me from doing what I love, and then removing myself from the environment that was causing it. Like a butterfly going through metamorphosis in order to fly, I too, had to completely transform my life in order to be free.

Because I chose safety and freedom, I am now able to chase what brings me joy on a daily basis. That doesn’t mean it comes naturally or easily for me. In order to keep my imagination open I need to draw inspiration from the world around me, whether through nature, an interesting book, or time alone in a peaceful environment. If I ever feel stuck creatively, I will intentionally set aside the time to reset and take inspiration from outside sources. Taking the time away from my to-do list and letting myself just wander (whether physically or mentally) into a world of color, texture, and details, is the key to unlocking my creativity and keeping it alive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a single mom of three sweet children living in the beautiful state of Washington. As an introvert, I grew up loving any creative pursuits that brought me peace and recharged my soul. I spent many years pursuing a variety of hobbies and business ventures, from sewing children’s clothing, to re-painting thrifted dolls and giving them new life. Creativity is part of my DNA, but it wasn’t until the last 5 years or so, that I really dug deep into finding what my passions are and pursuing them boldly and wholeheartedly.

Currently, I spend most of my time with my kids, homeschooling, adventuring, and experiencing life with them. In the spaces in between, you can find me making jigsaw puzzle-related content, creating digital illustrations for puzzle brands, and designing products for my new puzzle merch company: Puzzworthy. As a self-taught artist and puzzle enthusiast I could not be more excited about merging two of my creative pursuits into one. This year, I am set to release my first puzzle illustration with a smaller puzzle brand featuring one of my favorite books: Anne of Green Gables. My hope is to continue creating illustrations for puzzles and eventually expand my work to children’s books. I love creating art that is whimsical, wholesome, and sparks the joy and imagination within each of us.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Curiosity and Attention to Detail:
One of the most influential qualities that has impacted my creative journey, is the ability to maintain curiosity when it comes to my surroundings. Whether I am in a coffee shop or studying the lines and textures on a tree, I tend to look beyond what is on the surface. This practice of noticing details-patterns, contrasts, hues, etc – has continually fueled my imagination and allowed me to draw inspiration from unexpected places. My advice for sharpening your observational skills is to carry a sketchbook, camera or journal with you (thanks to modern technology for smartphones). Ask yourself questions about what you see: What is the history behind those wrinkles? Why is this color popping out to me? The more question you ask, the richer your creative ideas will be.

2. Mistakes Improve your Work:
Creativity thrives on exploring and giving yourself permission to make mistakes. My artistic growth continues to accelerate whenever I embrace experimenting and testing new techniques, even when they lead to imperfect results. It opens the door to discoveries I otherwise would not have known. This mindset has not only improved my technical skills, but also given me the confidence to take creative risks, leading to multiple breakthroughs that have shaped my artistic style today. If perfectionism is also something you struggle with, I suggest setting aside time to create without expectations. Treat that time as play, not performance, and give your self a creative challenge such as: playing with one color or two and seeing what combinations you can come up with. Or trying different strokes with one type of brush. Keep what works and learn from what doesn’t. Over time, your unique style will learn to shine.

3. Visual Composition Comprehension:
A skill that can always be refined and improved, is the understanding of visual composition – how elements like light, shadow work together, overall layout, etc. This knowledge acts as the foundation for all of my work. Whether I am sketching out a design, composing a photograph for a puzzle brand, or designing a large illustration, knowing how to assemble and sort visual elements meaningfully makes the work more impactful and pleasing to the eyes. Your understanding can grow in this area by studying the work of other artists and creators you admire. Break it down visually. What works? What draws your eye? What feels balanced? Practice recreating these compositions, not to copy, but to learn from them. Over time, you’ll be able to apply those principles naturally to your own work.

Overall, curiosity, leaning into mistakes, and a deeper comprehension of composition have shaped not just my work, but how I see the world. They continue to challenge my views and remind me that my creative journey is as much about discovery as it is about expression.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

I would say the number one obstacle I face today is time management. Creative work often demands large blocks of uninterrupted focus, but the realities of my daily life can make it hard to carve out that space. I often find myself putting off projects I am passionate about simply because I haven’t made time for them, or I get caught in the trap of “waiting for the perfect moment” to create.

Let’s face it, waiting for my schedule to suddenly clear up, is unrealistic. Creativity needs structure too, although it can also be spontaneous. To overcome this, I have started building creative time into my routine the same way I would when planning a meeting or commitment with someone else. That means I set aside specific times during the week for creative work, whether it be 30 minutes or a couple of hours. I know this is my time to practice and I look forward to it.

I’ve also learned to break larger projects into smaller, more manageable parts. That way, I can keep the momentum going even if I just have 15 minutes here and there. Progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful – sometimes taking a couple minutes to sketch something out or write down ideas is enough to keep me connected to my work.

Most importantly, I am learning to protect my creative energy. I’ll say yes to routines that refuel me, like getting outside, taking breaks, and taking time to rest, and no to the things that drain me or take away from my creativity.

Time will alway be limited, but I am learning to how to prioritize what fuels me and make it count.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/puzzworthy
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jubilantdesigns, www.instagram.com/jigsawjessa, www.instagram.com/puzzworthy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jubilantdesigns