Well, did you tune in to Craft Wars??? I did. I really wanted to LOVE it, but I wasn't all that impressed. I thought the first challenge was a little tough - making a functional and trendy gym bag using among other things, cheer leading uniforms and various sports equipment. They had one hour to plan and execute it. At the judging, the critiques from the panel of judges were not helpful. They said things like "you should have sewn instead of glued that racket to the bottom" and "your bag is trendy but poorly constructed" or the best was when one of the judges said one of the bags 'wasn't practical'. Really? What do they expect from these people when they only have an hour and they have to use plastic balls, ballet slippers and footballs as part of their challenge? I didn't want to see a craft train wreck, I wanted to be inspired. Plus, I think Tori Spelling (whom I love!) was a less enthusiastic version of Tim Gunn (whom I also love!) from Project Runway. I wanted to see more of Tori and hear her input since she is a lifelong crafter. But instead she was reduced to the role of facilitator. Craft Wars, if you are listening.....I want to see better quality projects so we crafters can be inspired to shop even more at Michael's and buy the same products we see the contestants using. And please, more Tori! She's amazing!
Readers, if you watched the show, what did you think???
Am I being too harsh?
I agree -- I thought the show was horrible. They should have used the Project Runway format, giving contestants time to visualize and plan their projects. Crafting isn't just throwing things together -- it is using imagination and time to create something amazing. Tori is no crafter if this the way she thinks art is created! By the way, you construct a playhouse, you don't craft it!
ReplyDeletewell said! I live for crafts, good crafts...
ReplyDeletethe playhouse challenge was inspiring, there were so many good ideas there.
I'm a single girl, no kids so the whole back to school theme was a letdown for me. I know that there are a lot of crafting moms who probably loved it though.
I hope to see some high end craft ideas like some of the beautiful things found on Etsy.
I think part of the reason we have lost all the craft shows on Tv is because there was not enough variety.
There is a whole culture of people who appreciate beautiful handmade projects like the ones featured on Pinterest and blogs. I hope TLC is tuned into this and gives us some of that!
Debi Beard debisdesigndiary.blogspot.com
I think you gals are missing the point of this show. Try to think of it like "Cupcake Wars." They are doing their very best to make crafting interesting to the masses. It's very difficult to make a crafting show that will attract viewers. Remember when "Creative Juice", "Knitty Gritty" and "Uncommon Threads" used to be on TV??? Those were more instructional-type shows.
ReplyDelete"CRAFT WARS" is more like a reality based competition show. Instead of bashing it, I think you should give it a change, because if it's successful then we can finally see more crafting shows on TV. By the way, whether you consider yourself a crafter, artist, architect or whatever and I think you should praise this show and get all your friends to watch it so we can have more crafting shows on TV. Because I'm sure if this show fails, no network will want to take a chance on crafting shows. I thought the woman who won last nights challenge was very creative in her use of materials for the schoolhouse. I myself was inspired. I hope you give this show another chance and perhaps write a different review about next weeks show.
Thanks for your comment. I think you make a great point about wanting to see more crafting shows on TV. But I think tutorials on blogs and YouTube have replaced how-to shows like the ones you mentioned. I also think that crafting has gotten very sophisticated and I think viewers want to see how a craft expert might tackle a real design challenge, rather than a 'game show' type challenge. I will definitely tune in again. I want Craft Wars to succeed. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a huge disappointment! I thought the outcomes of the project challenges, while some elements were cute and interesting at best, were not inspiring at all!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, how many viewers want to try and make their own sports bag out of a cheer leader costume, or how many now want to build a play house now? BUILD. This is supposed to be about crafting, not building!
I think the format of the show is the problem. It would be far better IMO, to provide specific materials and let contestants do their own thing, with a few surprises thrown in by the show. I find the Sweet Genius program to be a very successful way of bringing out the talents of those contestants. Unless Craft Wars steps up their game, I'm totally not into it!
We recorded the show and watched half last night, it was so bad I deleted it at that point.
ReplyDeleteAn hour to make a bag? No wonder they were grim.
Tori Spelling looked to be reading from a teleprompter and seemed so false. Why did they bring in her kids? Kids that age as props, oh so wrong.
It could have been good, but my it was bad.
Great feedback, everyone!
ReplyDeleteDid not make it through whole show--horrible! Too ambitious projects in too little time so projects looked terrible.
ReplyDeleteTLC can do better. There is a lack of quality "craft" shows, the last thing we need is another goofy reality version of crafting. There are so many talented crafters/artists out there, who can inspire and share their talents, why not have a show based on that? Just add this one to the ever growing list of "Tacky" TLC shows,( and I am not referring to the "craft glue!"
ReplyDeleteIt's so disappointing that we don't love Craft Wars. We had such high hopes!
ReplyDeletePlease just cancel this show. I gave it a fair shot and checked in on two different episodes. Horrible premise, terrible writing (you don't think the "judges" and the "host" can think in whole sentences, do you?), pathetic competitors (where do they find these people?), ghastly themes, and grotesque supplies.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited for this show but was very disappointed. It is poorly edited as you can hear exactly when they do voice over for the judges which drive me crazy. I generally like Tori but she sounds so scripted and her dark lipstick doesn't do anything for her. I also don't understand why the judges always comment on how things look "messy" or give ideas on things the contestants should have done when it would be impossible under the given time constraints.
ReplyDelete