Emilee’s Puzzle Story: 

Emilee (she/her) lives in Washington, where she works in marketing and currently serves as the Social Media Manager for Puzzle Warehouse, along with several other small companies. She is a lifelong puzzler, starting around the age of 3. She grew up without electricity, so jigsaw puzzles were her preferred form of entertainment. Puzzling has remained a beloved hobby for Emilee ever since. Though she started speed puzzling in 2024, she considers herself a casual puzzler at heart. 

Puzzling provides Emilee a sense of calm and relaxation. She says it is the perfect way for her to unwind and disconnect from the stress of everyday life. The process of slowly piecing everything together not only soothes her mind, but also offers a fun and satisfying escape, helping her to de-stress in a truly enjoyable way. 

She creates puzzling content on all the different social media platforms as The Casual Puzzler and has a quickly growing audience since she had an Instagram reel go viral (read more below). She also recently created some social media content for the USAJPA as a volunteer. Emilee is very active on YouTube and Instagram, and also runs a very active Facebook group called Casual Puzzlers where members connect and share their love for puzzles.

Watch for Emilee at the USA Jigsaw Nationals in April 2025, Portland Jigsaw Masters in July 2025, as well as other local events throughout the year. 

Q&A Time:

What is your best advice for someone who wants to improve their speed puzzling abilities?

“While I don’t yet consider myself a true speed puzzler, my best advice would be to make sure you’re using both hands. This is something I’m actively working on as sometimes my left hand just sits idle, and I have to remind myself to engage it. Try using one hand to puzzle while the other searches for your next piece. It may take some practice, but it really helps boost efficiency and speed!”

Do you have a favorite brand, type, or style of puzzle?

“I’m drawn to bright and vibrant illustrations, but I also have a soft spot for puzzles featuring beautiful gradient skies. I tend to gravitate toward puzzles with smaller piece counts. I also enjoy exploring new and lesser-known brands that many people might not have heard of. There’s something exciting about discovering unique puzzle designs.”

Do you have a cherished or unforgettable puzzle-related memory?

“I woke up one morning to find that one of my Instagram reels had gone viral. Within a couple of weeks, it reached 54 million views! It still blows my mind, especially since it was a reel I spent just a minute making and almost didn’t post. It’s funny how unpredictable things can be! Who would have thought a puzzle video would get more attention than even a Taylor Swift post?”

What do you enjoy most about the puzzle community?

“How easy it is to strike up conversations with fellow puzzlers. I attend puzzle events to meet new people, and while it can be a bit awkward at first, since many of us are introverts, the conversation flows naturally once you start talking about puzzles. It’s such a great way to bond and build new friendships, all centered around our shared love for puzzling.”

What is the puzzle community like in your area?

“It is incredibly active! I’m about 45 minutes from Seattle, and there are a lot of passionate puzzlers here. I’ve attended a few local events and they’re always packed with people. One of the coolest experiences was going to the 2024 World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship and meeting a bunch of puzzlers I had no idea lived so close to me in Washington.”

Connect:

You can find Emilee on all the social media platforms as The Casual Puzzler.