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Handcrafted America
2016 - 2017 9.0 (2 votes) 3 Seasons
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Handcrafted America

Overview

Host Jill Wagner travels the country to seek out talented artisans who continue to make products the traditional way...with their own two hands. In every half-hour episode, Jill meets three gifted craftsmen and gets a behind-the-scenes look at how their products are created. Along the way, viewers learn about the history and cultural heritage that inspire and influence the design of their handcrafted items.

Top Cast

Jill Wagner
Jill Wagner

Host

Seasons

Season 1 (2016)

No overview available.

14 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Clocks, Chairs and Blacksmithing
2016-03-01

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. First, she travels to Traverse City,Michigan, to meet Nathan Bower, an award winning clock maker who makes skeleton clocks with exposed inner workings. Next, she is off to Woody's Chair Shop in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, where she helps owner and seventh generation woodworker Scott Woody build traditional chairs without glue or nails. Finally, she heads northwest to Cle Elum, Washington, to help female blacksmith Maria Cristalli bend, twist, and shape iron bars into beautiful and functional items.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 2: Quilt Maker, Rifles and Stone Carver
2016-03-08

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. Her first stop is Bastrop, Texas, where young quilter Maura Ambrose is fanatically dedicated to the traditions of hand sewing quilts and dying fabrics. In the hills of Morganton, North Carolina, Jill meets gunsmith Bobby Denton who creates elegant replicas of flintlock long rifles. Finally, Jill travels to Elgin, Illinois, to hang out in the workshop of acclaimed artist Walter Arnold, one of the few stone carvers in the United States who apprenticed in the marble carving studios of Italy.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 3: Glasses, Bicycles and Books
2016-03-15

Host Jill Wagner meets a glass blower who makes colorful drinking glasses; a bicycle maker has a seven-year waiting list; a book publisher prints books on his 100-year-old printing press.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: Leather Wallets, Guitars and Shoes
2016-03-22

Host Jill Wagner meets a fifth-generation leatherworker, a celebrated guitar maker and an architect who gave up designing buildings to make shoes

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 5: Bladesmithing, Woodworking and Leather Bags
2016-03-29

Host Jill Wagner meets husband-and-wife bladesmiths who forge their own knives, a master woodworker and a talented leatherworker who makes handbags worthy of the red carpet.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 6: Wood Pens, Leather Boots and Doors
2016-04-05

Host Jill Wagner travels to Illinois to meet a couple who fashions pens from reclaimed wood; in California, she hangs out with a custom cowboy boot maker; Wagner visits a New Mexico business, where vintage doors get a new lease on life.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 7: Sgrafitto Ceramics, Wood Tables and Steampunk Lamps
2016-04-12

Host Jill Wagner visits a New Jersey ceramicist who scratches designs into pottery; in Wisconsin, she meets a woodworker who makes wood flow like fabric; Wagner watches a Minnesota lamp maker make new lamps from old machine parts.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 8: Woven Rugs, Sunglasses and Billiard Tables
2016-04-19

Host Jill Wagner visits a Minnesota weaver who makes rugs with geometric designs; in San Francisco, she learns how to make handcrafted sunglasses; in New Jersey, Wagner meets a man who left a career in engineering to make billiard tables.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 9: Stained Glass, Baseballs, Footballs, and Jewelry Boxes
2016-04-26

Host Jill Wagner meets a Minnesota artist who makes stained-glass panels; in New Jersey, she visits an entrepreneur who makes vintage baseballs and footballs; Wagner helps a Wisconsin woodworker make intricate jewelry boxes.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 10: Millinery, Longbows and Surfboards
2016-05-03

Host Jill Wagner visits the Milwaukee studio of husband-and-wife hat makers; in California, Wagner meets two artisans who use exotic woods to make precision longbows and surfboards.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 11: Denim Jeans, Wood Marquetry and Metal Bedframes
2016-05-10

Jill visits a North Carolina clothing designer who makes custom blue jeans; in Boston, Jill learns how to create elaborate designs using thin sheets of wood veneer; in Oregon, she meets a man who makes custom steel bed frames.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 12: Silver Flatware, Aviaries and Fly Fishing Rods
2016-05-17

Jill Wagner visits a Massachusetts silversmith who makes heirloom flatware; in North Carolina, Jill meets a craftsman who builds amazing aviaries; in Oregon, Jill learns how to make traditional bamboo fly rods.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 13: Outdoor Furniture, Flutes and Handmade Paper
2016-05-24

Jill Wagner visits a North Carolina woodworker who turns whiskey barrels into rustic outdoor furniture; in Boston, artisans turn precious metals into world-class flutes; in Oregon, Jill transforms old rags into fine handmade papers.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 14: Dad's Favorites
2016-05-31

Host Jill Wagner seeks out artisans who make handcrafted products designed to appeal to men, including bamboo fishing rods, writing pens, baseballs, footballs, hunting knives, outdoor furniture, and more.

Runtime: N/A min
Season 2 (2016)

No overview available.

13 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Glass Chandeliers, Garden Tools, Western Saddles
2016-10-21

Host Jill Wagner visits an Arizona glass blower who creates colorful chandeliers; in Oregon, Jill meets a craftsman who makes iron garden tools; in California, Jill visits a leather maker who carves exquisite saddles.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 2: Metal Spurs, Hiking Boots, Backpacks
2016-10-28

Host Jill Wagner visits a Texas metal worker who makes cowboy spurs; in California, Jill meets a custom hiking boot maker; in Oregon, Jill meets a family from Mexico making durable backpacks from all-American materials.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 3: Kayaks, Door Knockers, Rocking Horses
2016-11-04

In New York, Jill Wagner meets an award-winning kayak builder; in Arizona, Jill learns how a craftsman makes Old World-style brass door knockers; in Texas, the grandson of a saddle maker carves incredible wood rocking horses.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 4: Violins, Yarn and Golf Putters
2016-11-11

In New York, Jill Wagner meets a violin maker whose instruments are played around the globe; in California, Jill visits a sheep farm where wool is spun into yards of yarn; in Arizona, she improves her golf swing with a custom brass putter.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 5: Cuckoo Clocks, Baseball Bats, Work Gloves
2016-11-18

Jill Wagner travels to Wisconsin to meet an award-winning cuckoo clock maker; in Maine, Jill helps hand turn custom baseball bats from native hardwood trees; in Oregon, she visits one of the last leather work glove makers in the country.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 6: Pianos, Cowboy Hats, Tin Coffee Pots
2016-11-25

Jill Wagner meets a cowboy hat maker living in an Old West town in Arizona; in Maine, Jill visits a piano maker with a passion for the sound of old wood pianos; in Wisconsin, she meets a tinsmith who makes authentic 1800s coffeepots.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 7: Rocking Chairs, Banjos, Fishing Hoop Nets
2017-01-06

In Arkansas, host Jill Wagner meets a woodworker who whittles stately rocking chairs; in Tennessee, she meets a man who produces classic 1930s banjos; in Indiana, Wagner visits a fourth generation fishing hoop net maker.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 8: Brooms, Copper Kitchenware, Hawaiian Drums
2017-01-13

In Arkansas, Jill Wagner visits a man who turns broomcorn into handmade brooms; in Tennessee, Jill meets a craftsman who makes copper and antler kitchenware; in Hawaii, she meets an artisan who crafts traditional Pahu drums from coconut trees.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 9: Willow Furniture, Skis, Cutting Boards
2017-01-20

Host Jill Wagner gathers willow and learns how to turn it into custom furniture; in Colorado, Jill helps make custom, handcrafted skis; in Arkansas, Jill meets a father and son who craft end-grain cutting boards using an innovative technique.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 10: Leather Chinks, Koa Chess Sets, Weathervanes
2017-01-27

Jill Wagner visits a father-and-son team in Tennessee who make leather riding chinks; in Hawaii, Jill meets one of the only woodworkers in the world turning Koa chess sets; in New Hampshire, she visits a coppersmith who crafts custom weather vanes.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 11: Belt Buckles, Music Boxes, Pocket Knives
2017-02-03

In Colorado, host Jill Wagner meets a team of Western belt buckle makers; in Vermont, Jill visits a maker using modern technology to revive the distinct sound of 19th-century music boxes; in Indiana, she meets a knife-making legend.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 12: Cast Iron Skillets, Baskets, Axes
2017-02-10

In Wisconsin, Jill Wagner meets a metalworker making iron skillets shaped like U.S. states; in Massachusetts, Jill meets a basket weaver who creates her own designs; in Tennessee, an axe maker uses methods from the 1600s to craft his tools.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 13: Torches, Stained Glass, Wind Chimes
2017-02-17

In Hawaii, host Jill Wagner catches the Aloha spirit with an outdoor torch maker; in Colorado, Jill meets one of the last traditional stained glass makers; in Texas, a father and son make wind chimes that can be customized to play any tune.

Runtime: N/A min
Season 3 (2017)

Host Jill Wagner is back for season three, on a whirlwind tour searching out America’s finest artisans, dedicated to creating products, stunning pieces of functional art, the traditional way—by hand.

15 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Spearguns, Wood & Tile Cabinets, Pewter Goblets
2017-08-11

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. In Riviera Beach, Florida, John Ippolito shows Jill how he makes the spear guns that are changing the sport of spearfishing with their amazing accuracy. Then in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jamie Yocono makes beautifully crafted wood and tile cabinets and proves woodworking is not just a job for men. Finally, in Templeton, California, Randy Stromsoe, a classically trained, award-winning metal smith demonstrates how he makes the one of a kind pewter goblets that have been used by U.S. Presidents.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 2: Salvaged Stools, Baby Wraps, Porch Swings
2017-08-18

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. In New Orleans, Ross Lunz shows Jill how he takes street signs damaged by Hurricane Katrina, and turns it into unique furniture that captures the spirit and resilience of the city. In North Port, Alabama, Jill meets Jessica Tuggle, a woman who weaves baby wraps with hand dyed yarn, allowing mothers to wear their babies on their bodies. Finally, Jill travels to Las Vegas and learns how Tom McGrady puts his heart and soul into beautiful wooden porch swings.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 3: Street Tiles, Hammocks, Glass Doors
2017-08-25

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. In New Orleans, Mark Derby and his wife Ann Marie show Jill how they reproduce the historic tiles that adorn the streets of the Big Easy. In Woodstock, Georgia, Jill learns how Tony Kramer redefines “roughing it” with his innovative hammock tents that actually make camping comfortable. Finally, in Las Vegas, Jill meets Tony Milici, a glass artisan who chips away at layers of glass to make doors that add a touch of Vegas sparkle to any entry.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 4: Glass Piggy Banks, Espresso Machines, Rubboards
2017-09-01

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. In Hollywood, Florida, Brenna Baker is turning molten glass into money hungry piggy banks. In Buellton, California, Italian born and raised Salvatore Cisaria is making sure people are getting their morning dose of caffeine with his handcrafted espresso makers that are more like an Italian sculpture than beverage machine. Then, in Sunset, Louisiana, Jill meets Tee Don Landry a man following in his father’s footsteps and making rubboards, one of the only American born musical instruments.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 5: Fire Screens, Toy Cars, Pine Needle Baskets
2017-09-08

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. In Charleston, South Carolina, metalsmith Sean Ahern shows Jill how he hammers out his intricately designed and elegant steel fire screens that look like natural bamboo. Then, in Omaha, Nebraska, woodworker and toymaker Steve Baldwin lets out his inner child when he makes his beautiful wooden puzzle toy cars. Finally, Jill goes to West Point, Mississippi where she meets basket weaver Bessie Johnson who uses only what she can find in her yard to craft intricate pine needle baskets.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 6: Saddle Shoes, Fluted Ceramic Stoneware, Spanish Lanterns
2017-09-15

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. She starts in Omaha, Nebraska, with 4th generation shoemaker, Jeff Ketzler. His family has a rich tradition of crafting quality footwear, with clients like Ronald Regan and our first astronauts. Then, in Charleston, South Carolina, Jill is with a young potter named Christian Royal, who uses greenery found in his garden to make unique stoneware. Finally, in Santa Barbara, California, Tanya Holroyd and Dave Polarek show Jill how they recreate Spanish-style lanterns that are hundreds of years old from photographs.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 7: Etched Crafted Lighting, Driftwood Pens, Straw Hats
2017-09-22

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. First, Jill is shocked by how Detroit woodworker, Paul Bonenberger uses electric current to “paint” his one-of-kind Lichtenberg etched light fixtures. In the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, commercial airline pilot Tom Gaunnt scours the local beaches for driftwood that he infuses with sea glass colored resin to make his distinctive beach inspired ink pens. Down in Charleston, South Carolina, awardwinning milliner Natalie Simmons is off to the races making her Kentucky Derby style sinamy hats with handmade floral accents.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: River Fishing Nets, Standup Paddle Boards, Aluminum Tables
2017-09-29

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. Denny Carson of Spokane, Washington, is a woodworker and catch-and-release fisherman who marries his two passions to make stone-studded fishing nets. Heath Van Den Bogaert is a stand up paddleboard maker in Deerfield Beach, Florida who shows Jill that his custom made boards are not just for hitting the water during the daylight hours. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, furniture maker Peter Handler creates whimsical tables using local hardwoods and brightly colored aluminum in a process not usually used to make furniture.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: Canoes, Adirondack Chairs, Wood Music Stands
2017-10-06

Host Jill Wagner visits a maker in Georgia crafting wood canoes. In Michigan, Jill finds a self-taught woodworker who is making state shaped Adirondack chairs. In Idaho, Jill discovers someone hitting the right note making intricate wood music stands.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Glass & Metal Faucets, Steamer Trunks, Shuffleboard Tables
2017-10-13

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. In Baltimore, Maryland, Aric Wanveer and Tim McFadden bring together fire, metal and glass to create some of the most unique and colorful water faucets ever to fill a sink. Portland, Michigan, is home to woodworker Dennis Weber who is building classic cedar-lined steamer trunks that are used today more for storage than traveling the world. In Peachtree City, Georgia, Chris and Lizz McKay head a second-generation family business that brings families across America together with their handcrafted shuffleboard tables.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: Metal Handbags, Razors, Neon Signs
2017-10-20

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. Wendy Stevens was told that her idea for making purses from stainless steel was impossible. Yet today, outside of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, she is creating a line of coveted metal purses. In Baltimore, Maryland, Dan Janssen is turning exotic woods and semi-precious gemstones into heirloom quality razors. Last stop, Las Vegas, where Jill learns from Paul Macias how he and his family have been lighting up the city by turning colored glass tubes into classic neon signs for decades.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: Recycled Wood Guitars, Silver Teapots, Infinity Bookshelf
2017-10-27

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. Detroit, Michigan rocks again, thanks to Mark Wallace. His company reclaims wood from dilapidated, historic buildings in the city and turns them into amazing electric guitars. Down in Charleston, South Carolina, Kaminer Haislip crafts sleek, modern teapots using silver and exotic woods. Her work is exhibited in museums the world over. And in Monroe, Georgia, Eric McKenna left a desk job to follow his dream of woodworking and now bends and joins wood to create his infinity shaped bookcase.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: Wristwatches, Cowboy Whips, Luminarias
2017-11-03

Host Jill Wagner travels the country on a quest to find talented craftsmen who still make incredible items by hand. Philadelphia is home to watch maker Roland Murphy who doesn’t just assemble watches from acquired parts, but is actually making more than 90% of the pieces himself. In Otis Orchard, Idaho, Jill gets crackin’ with Joe Strain who makes bullwhips used around the world and even in popular movies like Indiana Jones. Last stop is Edgewater, Maryland, where former boat maker Allen Cady uses his woodworking skills to transform a find of rare heart of pine lumber into translucent luminaries.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: Best of the West
2017-11-10

Host Jill Wagner travels the country to seek out talented artisans who are making handcrafted products that celebrate the western way of life. We focus on everything from the top of the hat, to the tip of the boot, to the spurs, saddles and more.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 15: The Great Outdoors
2017-11-17

Runtime: N/A min

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