Kate Jackson, a 61-year-old woman from rural Northumberland, has achieved remarkable popularity on YouTube through her channel The Last Homely House. Initially conceived as a means to share her passion for crafts and the countryside, the channel has developed into a flourishing online community with more than 123,000 subscribers. Her sister channel, The Last Homely Garden, and an online shop have also garnered considerable acclaim, amassing nearly 40,000 Instagram followers and a devoted fan-run Facebook group.
Yet, Jackson’s journey to this success was not always so gratifying. Following an unexpected divorce and her children reaching adulthood, she found herself living alone and experiencing financial hardship. After the loss of her best friend to motor neurone disease, she sought solace in a trip to New Zealand and returned with a renewed sense of self. It was in 2017, when her village finally obtained broadband, that she chose to share her simple lifestyle and artisan pastimes with the world through her YouTube channel.
In her engaging videos, Jackson takes a relaxed approach, opting not to script or wear makeup. She showcases an array of activities, from cooking to sewing, and even includes mishaps such as dropping a recipe during filming. Her audience appreciates the unpretentious, amiable nature of her content, often likening it to “sitting and having a cup of tea with a friend.”
While her viewers are largely older American women, her appeal transcends merely offering a glimpse into English country life. Jackson’s independence and contentment in living alone have resonated with individuals who have also encountered similar situations due to divorce or bereavement. Her message that it is permissible to embrace solitude and make autonomous decisions has resonated with many.
Identifying themselves as “The Lime Green Sofa,” her fans have connected with one another and even produced sofa badges to wear at craft festivals. In the UK, Jackson has encountered individuals professing their admiration, with some even becoming emotional and embracing her. However, not all aspects of her newfound fame have proven positive, with intrusive questions and unexpected visitors showing up at her doorstep.
Despite the challenges, The Last Homely House has become a family affair. Jackson’s children and their partners have joined in, contributing illustrations, running the online shop, editing videos and photos, and even making appearances on screen. Jackson expresses joy in witnessing their investment and support in her endeavours.
The success of the channel has enabled Jackson to attain financial independence, affording her the opportunity to collaborate with other well-known YouTubers and visit material factories. While she wishes she had commenced earlier, she believes that her experiences during difficult life stages have contributed to her current appeal. She is content in the knowledge that she is doing the right thing at the right time.
In conclusion, Kate Jackson’s narrative stands as an inspiring example of achieving success by sharing a modest, homely lifestyle with the world. Her candid and unpretentious content has struck a chord with a broad audience and has propelled her into a prominent figure in the online crafting and countryside community.
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