05/05/2025
๐ Meet the Creative Monday with Amanda MacKay ๐งถ๐
Creator of the Career Chickens
If you've ever met a crocheted chicken named Nuggest (yes, with a โgโ), who moonlights as a security guard and has a taste for toast crusts โ youโve officially entered the whimsical world of Amanda MacKay.
Amanda is the creator behind the Career Chickens โ a unique flock of hand-crocheted chickens, each with its own name, personality, job, and even pronouns. From astronaut hens to guidance counselor roosters, Amandaโs chickens arenโt just charming โ theyโre tools for education, laughter, and meaningful conversation.
Her journey into fibre arts began as a hobby, but quickly grew into something more impactful. By bringing crochet into classrooms and communities, Amanda blends creativity with connection. She teaches students how to crochet their own chickens, sparking both imagination and conversation โ especially about identity, careers, and the importance of pronouns. Every chicken is lovingly designed with a backstory, and students often help choose their names and roles. (Yes, Nuggest really does have โeats their childrenโ listed as a red flag.)
Amanda crochets everywhere โ even while walking on her treadmill! Her medium of choice is any yarn she can find, often repurposed or donated, making each chicken truly one-of-a-kind. Each creation represents the idea that every person (or poultry) has a unique path and deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated โ pronouns and all.
The Career Chickens arenโt just plush โ theyโre a project with personality and purpose. They're a reminder that learning can be joyful, that art can be a conversation starter, and that even a chicken can have career goals.
๐งตโจ Want to follow Amandaโs flock, book a workshop, or adopt a chicken with a calling?
https://www.facebook.com/careerchickens
๐ธ Donโt forget to check out the chickensโ bios โ each one comes with their own name, job, pronouns, red and green flags, and favorite snack!