We’ve all heard the quote: “A jack of all trades, master of none.”f
It’s usually used as a warning, don’t spread yourself too thin, pick a niche, specialise, focus.
But the quote has been adapted over time, and it’s become:
“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
That second half changes everything. The phrase has evolved, moving from criticism to something more balanced and encouraging. It feels quite fitting that a quote about versatility didn’t stay fixed, but changed to reflect a broader perspective.
And that’s exactly where I find myself.
I do a lot of different crafts. Sewing, loom knitting, digital crafting, designing files to cut on my Silhouette Cameo, experimenting with new materials like Resin and Eco Resin, trying new and different techniques, and of course making videos so I can share my crafts with others.
If you listen to the typical advice about growing on YouTube, an Online Shop, and similar platforms, this is supposedly a bad thing.
“Pick a niche.”
“Stick to one topic.”
“Train the algorithm.”
And yes, I understand why that advice exists. But life doesn’t always fit neatly into a niche, and neither do I.
The reality is that my range of crafts isn’t random. It’s shaped by something very real: my disabilities.
What I create often depends on what I can physically manage that day or week. Some days I have the dexterity and energy for sewing. Other times, digital crafting is more manageable. Designing files for my cutting machine can be done when working with physical materials isn’t practical.
Adapting like this isn’t something new for me; it’s something I’ve had to do my whole life.
To achieve things in the first place, I’ve often needed to find a different route, a workaround, or a way to make a task more manageable. And as my body changes over time, I adapt again. It’s not always dramatic; sometimes it’s just small adjustments, shifting how I do something, or choosing a different creative outlet that fits better that day.
So instead of one craft, I’ve built a toolkit of creative options. And that’s not a weakness, it’s my way of staying creative no matter what. When one door quietly closes for a while, there’s another already open.
In a way, my niche isn’t a specific craft at all. My niche is adaptable creativity.
It’s about showing different ways to create.
It’s about adjusting techniques.
It’s about sharing tips and tricks that make crafting more accessible.
Many of those adjustments come from necessity, positioning materials differently, simplifying steps, finding ways to reduce strain, or breaking projects into manageable pieces. And as I make more videos for my YouTube channel, I hope that sharing how I do something will encourage others to give something a go, not just people who are disabled, but anyone who is looking to try something new, but has maybe found it to be a little intimidating.
Being a “jack of all trades” allows me to show that creativity doesn’t have to look one specific way. You don’t have to commit to one medium forever. You don’t have to be perfect and specialise in a craft before you even start.
Sometimes, being able to switch between crafts isn’t a lack of focus; it’s resilience. It’s listening to your body. It’s finding ways to keep creating even when circumstances change.
So yes, I may be a jack of all trades, but for me, that’s not a bad thing, because “oftentimes better than a master of one” isn’t about being better than someone else, it’s about having the freedom to adapt, explore, and keep creating in whatever way works today.
Penguin and the Bee 