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.
