JEFFERSON – For Nicole MacKellar, crafting is much more than a hobby. It is a passion, a creative outlet and a way to challenge herself while sharing her talents with the community.
MacKellar, 30, is on the autism spectrum and participates in Ashtabula County Special Olympics. She recently brought 34 handcrafted items to the Ashtabula County Fair and earned first-, second- or third-place ribbons on 27 of them.
Her entries included paintings, watercolors, drawings, crochet projects and jewelry.
“I felt good,” Nicole said of seeing her work recognized at the fair.
Crafting has become one of Nicole’s greatest passions. She spends considerable time creating and learning new skills, and she plans to continue entering her work at the fair while experimenting with new and different media.
Crochet is one of those skills she has developed over the years. Nicole began crocheting with her aunt and has continued to expand her abilities.
She entered nine or 10 pieces in last year’s fair and increased that number substantially this year.
Her creative work extends beyond the fairgrounds. Nicole participates in the monthly Work of Heart art competition through the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Her work has been displayed at various locations throughout the county, and she was included in the Work of Heart calendar of winners in both 2025 and 2026.
Nicole has long had an interest in fashion and has always wanted to be a fashion designer, according to her mother, Julie MacKellar.
Outside of her artwork, Nicole stays busy with a variety of activities. She attends Ashcraft (Active Day) two days a week, where she participates in the greenhouse program.
She is also an active member of Ashtabula County Special Olympics, participating in several of the sports offered: basketball, softball, track and field and cheerleading.
For Julie, watching her daughter’s involvement grow has been especially meaningful.
“As her mom, I am incredibly proud of how much she has grown over the past few years,” Julie said. “There was a time when Nicole mostly stayed at home and wasn’t very involved in activities. Today, she is active, engaged, and thriving while doing the things she loves.”
And Nicole has no plans to slow down. With a successful fair behind her, she intends to keep creating, keep learning and keep trying new forms of artistic expression.
For someone who has always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, there may be no shortage of new things left for Nicole to make.
