That's Clever!

I'll be on tv this month (Feb. 16th at 1:00 on HGTV) demonstrating how to make the clock on the right. This program was taped in April 2006, so it seems like old news to me. I think the best part is that I've gained a lot of perspective since then, so the story now seems less traumatic than last year.

Applying to be on That's Clever seemed like a great idea at the time. I figured it would be some work; however, I'd taught classes before, and I knew how to make clear instructions. Also, the segments are pretty short (5-6 minutes), so how difficult could this be? With that logic in mind, I applied to do two segments, a main one and the short one they show at the end of the program.

My first contact was with a pre-program taping gal who wanted me to basically change the whole design of the project I sent in. I had made a clock with an orange-burgundy-ochre color scheme using daisies. Mostly it was an assemblage project, putting the different pieces together. She thought that was too simple, so she wanted me to dry my own flowers, perhaps something from my garden. (We have deer. Enough said.) She also wanted me to change the text (punched out into diamond shapes) from a dictionary page to my own poetry. (When did I become a poet!?)

Because it was February in Oregon, I had to figure out what kind of flowers I could 1. find to make a "hero" clock (the clock that is done and ready to go so there is  something to show at the end in case the in-progress clock is very messed up) and  2. would also be available whenever they showed up to do the taping. I decided on hydrangea flowers, which completely changed the color scheme of the project. I had to get a device to dry the flowers (a Microfleur) and figure out how to dry hydrangea. Taping a segment had started to turn into a full-time occupation.

My next contact was with a gal who would actually be coming to the house to tape. In our first phone call, she directed me to create "step out" samples for each step of the clock making. I'm sure she'd had plenty of experience with crafters who really didn't estimate well, so even when I told her the paint would dry in 5-10 minutes, she insisted I have a sample with dried paint. That means I had 5 clocks in various stages of completion. Now the project was getting labor-intensive and a little costly.

Two days before the taping, the step-out gal and the producer visited our house to scout the location. I'm sure this was also to confirm I was a real person and wasn't going to beg off at the last minute. The step-out gal had me show her all of my in-progress clocks and explain the steps. The producer wandered around our house while I was trying to communicate the steps. He wanted to know why the gumball machine wouldn't work for him.

The next day the producer and step-out gal arrived with a camera guy and a sound guy. They took over our kitchen with lighting and rearranged most of the furniture in our kitchen and dining room. It was a super-intense day (from 3-9pm) filled with a little drama and a whole lot of smiling. I didn't realize that each clip needs a few seconds before and after a shot for the editors to "grab" when splicing tape. I ran on adrenaline for at least three hours and collapsed when they left.

My last contact was with the web gal who posts directions for the show. She had seen the tape and was asking me about directions that didn't make sense with the clip. Since it had been almost a year, I told her to make whatever changes she thought were necessary. My fingers are crossed! I decided to quit being a chicken and tell people the show will be on Feb 16th at 1:00 on HGTV. I hope I don't regret it!

Comments

[Julie K in Taiwan]

Make sure you tape a copy for yourself!

I had to giggle at the gumball comment. An interesting experience for you for sure!

[Alma Stoller]

Hi Brenda,

I also did this in May of 06 and will finally get to see the result of it this coming March. I just hope the edit it nicely. I did two projects for the show.
I had to take all my stuff to a room at my local college because my building management wouldn't consent to the crew filming in the building. I did a sewing project....so I had to make about 6 set-out samples.
I pretty much collapsed after they left. Then I had to pack everything and go home.

For me, I liked the experience, but it was a lot of work for a 5-6 minute feature on tv. If I could do it all over again, I would've had family and friends around to help me remember catchy things to say...and to remind me when I needed a bit more make up.
I look forward to seeing your segment when it repeats.

Alma

[wendy]

Hey Brenda! I caught your segment and thought it turned out great! I always love the little "bonus" project at the end of the show - yours was no exception. But I have to ask a (silly) question - where did you find the coffee cup holder with those great holes for stenciling?

[Brenda]

Hi, Wendy - Thanks for your message : )

The coffee cup was Illy brand. I have a couple of other weird stencils I use, too. One is from the hardware store and is usually used for keeping leaves out of gutters. The other is called sequin waste.

Have fun!
Brenda

[kat]

good for you!
I've only seen that show a few times, but it's great.
congrats for being on!