She's Crafty Online

With the myriad of arts and crafts shows that are on TV now-a-days, this show really does not stand out. In fact, I think this show is actually worse than most.

First off is the host. In true TV craft show fashion, hosting is a dime-a-dozen cutesy blonde woman who laughs at her own corny, unfunny jokes. I defy you not to find her cloying, overly chipper voice annoying by the end of this half-hour show.

By far the worst part, though, are the overly simplistic, unimpressive crafts. If you're looking to be inspired by professional looking crafts that haven't been done before, don't even bother with this show. On the last episode I watched, wall shelves were made by cutting an old coffee table in half. The directions? Cut the table in half and hang it on the wall... and, er, that's it. Also made: a plaque with a saying glued on. Know how to make it? According to the show, you print out the text then glue it on with white glue. I know; mind-numbingly brilliant, huh? I never in my wildest dreams wouldve thought to do that. ::eye roll::

Wow. I agree with the one-star reviewer on this one.

Actually, part of the premise of this show is good. The hostess on this one admits that she doesn't have artistic talent - and that's refreshing. Many of us can't draw a straight line and there are little tricks on this show to help those who are lacking in the artistic department.

However, the show mistakenly relies on the charm of the hostess to stretch a limited amount of information to a half-hour, providing lots of lingering closeups of her face and scripting her and her guest with off-topic dialogue that is so flirty that it is cringe-inducing.

I have seen a couple of good ideas on this show and have learned of a couple of tools and supplies that could help create craft objects, but the lethargic pace and the lame attempts at being "rock 'n' roll" have made it unbearable to watch.

There must be dozens of craftspeople and producers who could combine their talents to create a really good crafts show - a show far better than this one.

She's definitely not Martha Stewart, but she is every bit as creative. No job seemed too scary to try and I tip my hat to her. Plus, her quirky demeanor made everything she tried seem simple enough for newbs like me to attempt, too. It's too bad her show didn't last longer, I would have liked to see what else she has up her sleeve.

Wendy Russell stole this show's concept from a friend of mine under the false pretences she was pitching it as co-producers, but then suddenly claimed she got 'too busy' on other projects and couldn't do the show, regardless of the studios loving the idea. Seemed strange that someone willing to spend the time pitching the show across the continent to good reviews would suddenly drop out of said project. Low and behold, a few months later, the exact same concept became this TV show hosted by no one other than, Wendy Russell: A self-centred, unartistic, garbage human being. Avoid at all costs, unless you believe artistic thievery should be promoted.

Love this show. I'm glad it is on Ion Life (as of 2/2010).

The crafts are festive. The guests are myriad and full of great ideas for making your crafts look great.

And the host is absolutely a delight. She's a natural at what she's doing. Friendly, playful (her repartee with her sister is so much fun), and not afraid to let bloopers get on the air. In one she confuses a bird feeder with a bird house. Her guest razzed her about it, and she laughed at her confusion. Not that she's a dippy lady, but she isn't afraid to be seen as making an error.

Her crafts are by and large inexpensive (which is great for folks on a budget). And the outcome is uniformly professional looking. Do I make these crafts? Not usually. But that's not the point of these shows.

I make sure to catch the show every time I can.

I guess I don't understand why so many seem to have an absolute hate for Wendy and the show. She seems nice enough, and even though she does have a tendency to over-act and tell bad jokes, that's why I wasn't bored the whole time. Another Ion Life show, Fresh with Anna Olson, has a host that simply gives orders and instructions, thinks her way of doing things is the one and only way to do them, and has absolutely no fun in the process, making the show boring and almost hostile feeling, sometimes you want a host who is having a good time while they tell you how to do things!

This is the opposite, you actually get the feeling that she is having fun making these crafts. Yes, some are hit and miss. I'm not going to make a watch with faux-fur on the back, or a glitter-covered "shrine". But I have actually taken ideas from the show and made them my own, which is the point. The episode featuring a lampshade made of picture slides was so cool that I just had to try it myself, only problem was I had no slides, but it also works with Polaroids or the new Fujifilm Instax pictures, they may not be transparent, but it's the same effect.

All in all, the show has a friendly host who can be a bit over the top, but is helpful and has great ideas. If you're into making custom furniture or household decor, you'd probably enjoy this show and get some ideas from it as I have.

Host Wendy Russell charms by focusing on fun, and by not taking herself too seriously. Whether or not you like her style will be a matter of taste. I get a total kick out of her persona, as well as the upbeat rock tracks laid behind each act, and the artful inter-cutting of the craft segments, visual segues, and the useful hints & tips that "bookend" the commercial breaks.

The mission, it seems, is to inspire, encourage and demystify... and can that be anything but good? Most episodes feature 3 crafts -- some simple, others more challenging -- and usually follow a theme (such as decor from discards, wedding gifts, or mastering a new craft skill). And bonus quick mini-crafts are often interspersed throughout an episode. Some items are admittedly kitschy/funky -- not intended to last more than a season, or to be passed to future generations -- while others are more enduring. Just as the host herself (and the vibe of the the show) are both a matter of taste, so are the crafts themselves.

Russell's love of mid-century modern decor will delight fans of that period, but many pieces would work well with a variety of design aesthetics. Russell often invites her fashion-designer sister -- or a friend (or two) -- to assist with a larger project. She also frequently showcases a "guest crafter" with a unique skill, and on those occasions, she becomes the student. Both of these approaches underscore a recurring theme of fostering community through crafting. Viewers who've never crafted are gently mentored, and the audience-at-large is encouraged to reuse and re-purpose. This series may not appeal to everyone, but it definitely works for me. If the series was available on DVD, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat.

This is an odd little show. The host, while personable, is WAY too self-consciously cute. Most of the crafts are okay (some are awful—really? Martini glasses with fake fur?). And I'm just fascinated by the fact that she had a fictional character as a guest. (Brini Maxwell in "Style Galore." Google the name.)

But the photography raises it to a whole new level. Many of the shots are like art photos—extreme closeups that illustrate the craft while framing the action in a striking way…it actually becomes kind of mesmerizing. I have to admit, it's the cinematography that keeps me watching.

While you're Googling, check out ASMR. This show might just be up there with Bob Ross reruns.