POCKETS, sockets, slots and innies are all terms for puzzle pieces. Along with knobs, bumps, loops and outies, but for local Shepparton puzzle enthusiast Kelly, it is just another important piece that will help complete her very next puzzle.
The patience and determination to finish one puzzle can be a life accomplishment for some people, but Kelly’s puzzle achievements since becoming hooked in 2019, have skyrocketed into the hundreds. With 61 to date completed this year alone.
Addicted to the colours and the adventure that is seen in the finished masterpieces’ is what helps Kelly’s collection continue to grow, along with the obsession to collect puzzles from all over the world.
Kelly cheerfully admitted that ‘puzzling’ has become a part of her life and believes it could potentially hold a unique key to settling anxiety in both children and adults.
“You go to a place of peace, its calming and relaxing but challenging at the same time. It is sometimes a wonderful way to just zone away from stress and focus on something fun. I would recommend anyone have a go. The sense of achievement at the end, is also something to be proud of,” said Kelly.
“Puzzles can also provide a unique opportunity for some valued family time. Create a piece together and then frame it. Also, I have heard that it can be a great teambuilding project in a workplace. Place it in a tearoom and every time a staff member is on a lunch break, they can add to it, and then as a team, its completed,” she added.
Kelly’s biggest puzzle yet was a whopping 4,000 pieces of the iconic story of ‘Noah’s Ark’ and took her around three months to complete. She constantly has two puzzles on the go with one set up in here business space and the other inside the house.
Kelly’s puzzle tips are simple, find a puzzle that stands out to you, edges first then organise the pieces by colour. The worldwide puzzling community is enormous. For inspiration I highly recommend you checking out Kelly’s Instagram page @kellyispuzzled.
It is a beautiful and bright collection that Kelly specified, adds colour to her life, one piece at a time.
