NBC brings inspirational crafting competition Making It to its summer line-up beginning July 31 at 10/9c.
Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman of Parks and Recreation fame (and much more) co-host the six-week series Making It. Their blend of comedy, affability, and appreciation of crafting adds just the right amount of star power without overshadowing the contestants. The talented contestants, called makers, are competing for patches and a cash prize.
The nuts and bolts
The show begins with 8 talented crafters from a wide variety of backgrounds. Industry experts judge each phase of the competition. Simon Doonan of Barneys New York and Dayna Isom Johnson of Etsy bring their expertise as judges. Two projects are assigned each week, one on a smaller scale, the second on a larger scale.
Only one maker is awarded the patch for each design project, a badge of honor to add to their crafting apron! In the end, one contestant will go home with $100,000.
Different “strokes” for different folks
The competition has broad appeal. Those who may not already be very crafty can learn the lingo and find techniques they may want to try. Those already immersed in crafting can find inspiration from the different designers’ unique styles.
Viewers follow the makers along on their projects from beginning to end, but the path is not always linear. We get a chance to see the designers change their minds, dismiss original ideas, or expand on them. It’s exciting to see the actual process and not just a demonstration.
We see how the makers’ personal histories and memories inform their designs. Anyone who has ever been frustrated with a crafting project can relate to the crafter’s block that is inevitably encountered by even our expert competitors.
As judges, Dayna and Simon encourage the contestants to challenge themselves andh open themselves up to new techniques, new color palettes, and more. This in turn provides food for thought to the television audience, too.
Then what?
One of the best things about the series is how it is apt to “make” you want to go work on projects of your own. The inspiration is off the charts! We often find ourselves wanting to talk about a show after it airs, but Making It leaves you wanting to physically do something.
Furthermore, the camaraderie among the hosts, judges, and contestants is likely to inspire you to go crafting with friends and family. Whether you work on a single project together or separate projects side by side, we see that crafting collectively can be so much fun.
In the spirit of taking the show one step further, we will be hosting a weekly podcast called Making It Our Own. Our hosts will revisit each week’s projects, talk about our favorites, what we learned, and what we might like to craft ourselves. We welcome your input each week and hope you will join us to “make it” a collaborative affair!
Mark your calendars for July 31 and get ready to meet the amazing contestants on Making It. Be ready for laughs and lots of warm fuzzies from your hosts Amy and Nick. These two are the “glue” that holds the show together just right!
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