Making It Interview...with Aspen Vo
Aspen Vo, contestant on NBC's Making It. Interview series highlighting makers who share their advice and why they make.
By Scott Mathson, Makerviews
Makerviews exists to share the stories of and advice from a variety of talented makers, designers, and artists.
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Maker interview with Aspen Vo
Having recognized the passion, drive, and pure enjoyment of making things that each Making It contestant illustrates, Makerviews is excited to have the chance to highlight, feature, and share insights from each contestant. This Making It series gives a deeper look into these makers lives through their answers to a few, quick questions. Learn more about this series.
Aspen Vo is an artist, designer, and calligrapher. A former pre-optometry student, Aspen switched paths to pursue a career in design and has since worked with Anthropologie, and more. Her dream is to open a brick-and-mortar studio, providing calligraphy and letterpress services, and hosting a variety of workshops and events.
Check out this interview with Aspen Vo, maker from NBC’s Making It.
Making It Interview...
with Aspen Vo
What inspires you to keep making things?
"I love learning new techniques and tools— there’s so much out there to explore! Trying out new methods or materials often inspires me to blend them in unconventional ways. I also find that traveling is an excellent source of inspiration for discovering new patterns, shapes, and colors."
What one piece of advice would you give to other makers?
"Don’t be afraid to try new things! I think a lot of people are scared to be makers because they don’t see themselves as creative or they don’t believe they can do it, but I think most people would be surprised what can happen if they just close their eyes and take that leap of faith."
What is your biggest takeaway from Making It?
"The maker community is so incredibly supportive! Everyone is constantly inspiring one another and cheering each other on, and I’m so grateful to be a part of the family I found on 'Making It'. I’ve made lifelong friendships from the show, and that’s something I will cherish forever."
"People would be surprised what can happen if they just close their eyes and take that leap of faith." — Aspen Vo
Follow Aspen Vo’s work: Maiden Calligraphy website • Twitter • Instagram profile.
View and learn more about the Making It interview series. Thank you all for reading this interview - get out there and make things!
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Next up on Making It series:
Making It Interview...with Ashley Basnight
Ashley Basnight, DIYer and contestant on NBC's Making It. Interview series highlighting makers who share their advice and why they make.
More about NBC's Making It:
Presented, produced, and hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman with judges Dayna Isom Johnson, Simon Doonan, and featuring other guests. Season 1 was set in a serene cabin near Malibu, Season 2 premiered during 2019's Holiday Season, and Season 3 started airing on NBC on June 24, 2021.
"In this six-episode competition, eight of the most talented makers from across the country will take on a variety of handmade projects with the hopes of impressing Poehler, Offerman, and judges. Poehler and Offerman both share a love and passion of craftsmanship, albeit from different perspectives. Poehler is a self-proclaimed crafting novice who has long harbored a secret appreciation for those who can imagine and execute incredible things by hand. Offerman is a New York Times best-selling author in the woodworking space and is well known for his love for making a variety of objects himself.
Every show will revolve around a central theme that draws inspiration from hugely popular, nationwide trends in crafting and DIY, which the whole family can enjoy.
Each episode of the competition will consist of two projects that allow the makers to demonstrate their specialized talent, while sharing skilled insights and touching personal stories. First, the "faster-craft" round will be a timed challenge that will test their ability to not only work quickly but imaginatively as well. Next, the makers will move to the "master craft collection," a one-of-a-kind themed challenge in which the competitors will need to use their expertise and get inventive in order to assemble a winning craft that fits the theme of that week.
Blending the atmosphere of a serene outdoor setting and innovative cinematography designed to showcase the beautiful craftsmanship at work, this friendly competition will focus on the character and camaraderie of the crafting community and through it all, Amy and Nick will provide heartfelt encouragement, guidance and plenty of laughs."— sourced from NBC's Making It
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