Aloe Puzzles
What's your name?
Ally Aknin
Where are you based?
Aurora, Colorado
Tell us about what your ordinary day looks like.
An ordinary day is anything but ordinary in my household. I have a toddler and two pugs (Biscuit and Casper), who keep things exciting and often chaotic, but never boring! My husband, Eli, and I are navigating parenthood as best as we can!
How did you get into the world of puzzling?
I started doing puzzles in April 2022. I was watching one of my favorite YouTubers Sarah Hawkinson (Possessed by Horror) talk about how she was getting into them and loving Karen Puzzles content and I thought it looked fun! I started watching Karen and felt an urge to order a puzzle that same night. I remember FaceTiming my best friend, Lia, while working on my first puzzle. It was The Mystic Maze by Magic Puzzle Company. From then on, I started growing my puzzle collection and now have around 165 puzzles.
What makes you keep puzzling & how often do you puzzle?
Puzzling is my go to relaxing hobby. I have a hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania) and puzzling stops me from doing this since my hands are busy placing pieces. It’s so stress free and pulls me away from whatever I’m worrying and anxious about in that moment.
There was a time when I was doing 4 puzzles a week, either 500 or 1,000 piece count. It varies a lot now since having my son. Sometimes I can do several puzzles in a month and other times I can’t finish one puzzle in a month. Being a mom is my #1 priority so I have to put my hobbies on the back burner at times but the good thing about puzzles is there’s no expiration date! I can always come back to it.
What is your favorite type of puzzle?
I can never decide between loving 500 or 1,000 piece count puzzles more. Random cut is always fun but I’m never too picky. My favorite art is from the “Dream World” series by Emily Winfield Martin in the New York Puzzle Company puzzles. My son has some of her books as well so it just gives me a warm, happy feeling even if the solid colors can be challenging. I always want to frame these! I also have been enjoying advent calendar puzzles. The Soonness x Frenemy advent calendar is so much fun and I’m able to complete each one in less than 10 minutes which is perfect for mom life. I also love and have to mention eeBoo, Galison and Ravensburger as some of my favorites. It’s hard to pick just one brand.
During puzzling sessions, do you listen to anything or puzzle in silence?
During the day, I’ll listen to podcasts. My top 5 right now: Rotten Mango, Let’s Not Meet, This Is Actually Happening, Heart Starts Pounding, and to lighten things up, Good Hang with Amy Poehler. At night, I’ll usually put on a horror movie in the background if I’m alone and everyone’s sleeping! My top 4 Letterboxd: Creep, Creepshow, Dracula and Halloween.
If you were to describe what puzzling means to you, what would it be?
Comforting. Relaxing. Satisfying!!
Tell us about your other interests & joys.
I run a small candle business! It’s the best creative outlet and I’m so excited to keep learning and growing. I started following a vegan lifestyle in 2015 and haven’t looked back. I have so much compassion for animals and haven’t seen them as food in over a decade now. My husband and I enjoy going to shows when we can and love bands similar to Bayside, The Hotelier, Hot Mulligan, Joyce Manor, Alkaline Trio, Mom Jeans., to name a few!
Do you have anything you want to share?
I would love to promote my candle business, Moss and Mischief.
I’ve been working on my business for a little over a year now and have put much thought and care into each product! I hand pour each candle with a vegan friendly soy wax blend and clean fragrances that are free of toxins, parabens and phthalates. I love all things cottagecore, whimsy, witchy, gothic, etc. and have been having fun finding ways to incorporate it all into what I create.
Instagram: @shopmossandmischief or please reach out to my business email if you are interested in supporting or have any questions! mossandmischief@gmail.com
