Welcome to Jera’s Jamboree.
Hi, I’m Shaz. I’m the crochet designer, photographer, writer, and the creator behind Jera’s Jamboree.
I’m a qualified mindfulness practitioner, Mental Health First Aider, and hold a diploma in crochet design. Through contemporary crochet patterns, book reviews, and self-care resources, I aim to help others slow down, create mindfully, and find moments of calm in everyday life.
I’ve been sharing book reviews and creative inspiration online since 2011.
My crochet patterns have been made by crocheters around the world and are available on Etsy, Ravelry, LoveCrafts, and here on the blog.
If you want to be the first to know when a new pattern publishes for free (here on the blog), you can subscribe to my crochet newsletter on Substack.
What You’ll Find on Jera’s Jamboree
- A growing crochet pattern hub featuring garments, blankets, accessories, and home décor.
- Free crochet tools featuring crochet stitch library, stitch gauge converter, tips for reading crochet patterns and more.
- Fiction book reviews across contemporary, historical, fantasy, cosy crime, and romance genres.
- A self-care library filled with gentle inspiration and mindful living resources
- Creative community projects, blog hops, and my local craft group at Winton Park Café.
A bit about me
Why does Jera’s Jamboree focus on crochet, entertainment and self-care? My passion for emotional well-being began after losing both my parents in my late teens. These are the things that ground me and I know that taking time out from the ‘busyness’ of life has an impact on the well-being of everyone. Sometimes we all need to slow down, step back, and just breathe.
The world suddenly felt very different, so I had to develop my own resilience, beliefs, and strategies to find balance and create a sense of calm. I built a strong foundation that gave me the tools to lead my life. I feel all the emotions from a life rich in meaningful relationships – I still slip up from time to time but because of the things I’ve learned, I have the tools to lift myself back up. I’m passionate about helping others find strategies that work for them. I’m always on a quest to simplify life!
After a successful career in a management role in education, I’m fortunate to now be able to focus on my creativity.
As well as designing my own crochet patterns, I lead a craft group based at Winton Park Café.
Contact me on shaz-goodwin [at] jerasjamboree.co.uk
You’ll also find me active on:
Facebook | X | Pinterest | BlueSky | Substack |
Featured In
Yarn Bay is run by Jodie Morgan and is dedicated to knitters and crocheters.
It’s the perfect online space to stay relevant, find inspiration and take time for creativity.
Threadstack Directory
A collection of Substack newsletters about knitting, crochet, embroidery, weaving, sewing and more
Who I Work With
I work with the following agencies:
I work regularly with the following publishers:
Guest Book Reviewer
Introducing Laura:
I have been a guest reviewer for a few years now. *Shaz first noticed my obsession when she caught me walking to work with my nose in a book. I always travel with a book and have loved reading ever since my dad read to me at bedtime. Being a mummy of a two year old I have recently made it a priority to find time to read, as I missed it during the new born stage! Since he was nine weeks I have read Harry Potter every night at bedtime and am currently reading Deathly Hallows. Apart from reading I love walking, running and spending time outside. History has always been a great passion, especially the Tudor era, and I fondly remember the visits to castle and stately homes with my family. I have also acquired a love of baking from my mum and grandmother and adore watching anything with Mary Berry.
*I didn’t just accost Laura on the street – we worked together and I was driving past 🙂
I’ve always resonated with the rune Jera. It is the rune of harvest, reward and the cycle of seasons. Representing the 12 months of the year (in which there is always movement, change and natural development) it seemed the ideal name to represent what I was aiming for in this space. When you feel safe, it gives a solid foundation for moving forward which inevitably involves change. In case you were wondering, Jera is pronounced “Yehr-ah.”