Watch Made from America
- 2015
- 1 Season
Made from America is an intriguing television series that aired on Great American Country in 2015. The show features craftsmen from various parts of the United States, showcasing their unique talents, craftsmanship, and ability to create handmade goods from raw materials to finished products.
The series, which consists of six episodes, takes viewers on a journey through America to discover the art of craft traditions that are still alive and well today. Each episode features a different craftsman, demonstrating how they use their specific skills to create some of the most amazing handmade products. These craftsmen include metalworkers, woodworkers, glassblowers, leatherworkers, and many others.
Hosted by the talented furniture maker Tommy Mitchell, Made from America is a celebration of the people and the stories behind the products crafted in America. Mitchell is no stranger to the art of crafting, having honed his skills for nearly 40 years, and serving as a judge on HGTV's furniture-making competition series, Ellen's Design Challenge.
In each episode of Made from America, viewers meet an artisan and learn the secrets of their trade. The show also features some stunning cinematography, with beautiful shots of the landscapes that surround each craftsman's workshop serving as a backdrop to the demonstrations. From mountainous regions to the rugged, barren landscapes of the southwest, the series provides an authentically American landscape for the series.
In the first episode of the series, viewers are introduced to Brian Powell of Renown Steel in Denver, Colorado. Powell is a master metalworker who creates unique metalwork pieces ranging from architectural features to sculptures. His process involves the use of high heat that transforms metal into stunning shapes and designs. The episode provides insight into Powell's daily routine, including the methods he uses to shape metal into artwork.
In the second episode, viewers visit Mathews Furniture Company in South Carolina, where viewers get to know the 4th generation chair makers who use their inherited skills to create timeless furniture pieces. The Mathews make custom chairs to order and specialize in antique restoration, keeping alive a skill passed down from their ancestors.
The third episode takes viewers to the Hill Country of Texas, where glassblower Todd Hansen creates beautiful custom pieces out of recycled and repurposed glass. Hansen's unique style is a mastery of his craft, utilizing tradition with deep inspiration from modern art.
In the fourth episode, viewers meet Wayne Sigler in Georgia, a true artist when it comes to woodcarving with over 30 years in the business. He creates everything from large-scale carved murals to life-size sculptures, and the episode provides a first-hand account of what goes into the process of woodcarving.
In episode five, viewers visit the workshop of leather goods maker Billy Moore in Zebulon, Georgia. Handcrafting everything from belts to wallets and bags, Billy's designs are both functional and stylish. With an old-world approach to his work, the episode provides a fascinating insight into the art of leatherworking and how it can inspire new designs.
In the series finale, viewers go to the mountains of North Carolina, where craftsman Isaac Harper creates handmade wooden spoons, bowls, and other utensils entirely by hand. Harper's affinity with natural materials is evident in his designs, and his commitment to sustainable forestry provides viewers with an inspiring look at how Harvesting practices can work in harmony with nature.
Made from America is a must-watch series for anyone interested in the art of crafting, from creating furniture to copper mugs to clothing and bags, by looking at individual stories of business owners all across the Country. The skills and devotion of each artisan featured are awe-inspiring and demonstrate the power of creativity. The series is a testament to the importance of the handmade product movement and how it's thriving in America today.