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    Local crafter appearing on competition show, TLC’s Craft Wars

    Esther Hall, rock ‘n’ roll glam, ready to get her craft on.

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    Have you caught the new competition show Craft Wars on TLC? Tune in on Tuesday to see Columbus’ Esther Hall, known as Torn Angel in the craft world, compete for the $10,000 prize.

    Craft Wars is bringing top crafters to compete in an ultimate crafting competition. In each episode, three contestants have to face off in the Pop Craft Challenge where they must make a popular craft item in an hour, using just about any craft item there is from the Michaels Craft Closet. The judges eliminate one contestant, then the final two contestants have to wow the judges with their best creation of a Master Craft. The winner takes home a $10,000 prize.

    Hall found out about the show through a craft website. TLC was looking for people to apply for a craft show. She thought, “Sure, why not, I can do this” and put together the application and video submission with the help of her assistant, Claire Jennings. Their video included using lots of power tools and the craft they made was a cat treat box where a cat has to move a treat through a maze to get it.

    As you can guess, they were asked to compete.

    Contestants were allowed to bring their own tools and supplies to the filming in downtown Los Angeles, California. They were also permitted a teammate. Many contestants so far have brought their husbands with them; Hall chose to have Jennings accompany her. She jokes that if she took her husband, they might not have come home married!

    Thinking that a sewing machine and tools would be too much to lug around downtown LA, they did not take too much with them. “I trusted they would have everything I needed there,” says Hall. Although she does regret not bringing her own tailor’s measuring tape.

    What’s the most stressful part of participating in a competitive TV show? “Definitely the time limit,” says Hall. “Usually you craft and have all the time in the world to work on it. People shouting behind you… 30 minutes, 15 minutes… it’s stressful.”

    Hall married almost a year ago and did many DIY projects for the wedding, including making her own beautiful dress. When she found out her Craft Wars episode would be wedding themed she was excited. “It was an opportunity to try out lots of things I didn’t get to do in my own wedding.”

    Hall’s favorite craft items would have to be her sewing machine. She also likes fabric tack glue. “It’s like hot glue but you don’t burn yourself.”

    The last crafting item she bought? “Another pair of knitting needles!”

    Her dream craft item? “There’s so many good things out there right now,” she says. “I’d like to learn ombre dyeing. I haven’t done much dyeing and I’d love to try it on a skirt.”

    The show’s hosted by Tori Spelling, who is also an avid crafter. She oversees the show and serves as a guide for the audience and mentor for the competitors. Judges include Erica Domesek (author of the DIY book, PS I Made This), Stephen Brown (author and founder of the multi-million dollar gift wear company Glitterville Studios) and Jo Pearson (author and creative expert for Michaels).

    Watch Craft Wars on TLC, Tuesdays at 10pm (9pm Central).

    A viewing party for the July 17th episode is taking place at The Gateway Film Center. Doors open at 9:30pm and the show is free and open to the public. The episode begins at 10pm. Donations to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank are being accepted at the door. After the show, there will be a Q&A with Esther Hall and Claire Jennings.

    Photos courtesy TLC.

    Watch the promo video:

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    Anne Evans
    Anne Evanshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-evans/
    Anne Evans is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for The Metropreneur and Columbus Underground. She regularly contributes feature stories on both sites, as well as Mega Weekend each week. She has started and grown businesses, created experiences, forged community partnerships, and worked to create opportunities for others. She loves meeting new neighbors and those making an impact in our community. Want to connect?
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