NBC Making It series

Making It Interview...with Blake McFarland

Blake McFarland, 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 Blake McFarland

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.

Blake McFarland is a retired MLB player turned full-time sculptor and artist. After suffering a career-ending injury, Blake channeled all of his pain and free time into his art, which he felt was his true calling.

Check out this interview with Blake McFarland, maker from NBC’s Making It.


Making It Interview...

Interview with Making It contestant

with Blake McFarland

What inspires you to keep making things?

"I am inspired to challenge myself to make new things. I never want to recreate the same thing or use the same material over and over. By challenging myself to do something new I not only learn how to use that new material, but I may also be able to relate that knowledge to something else I make in the future. It is all about learning and growing to become the best maker and artist I can be. I also get bored very easily so I like to keep it fresh with new things!"

What one piece of advice would you give to other makers?

"I would like to challenge other makers to get outside their comfort zone and experiment with new things. It is rewarding to accomplish something new and learn from your mistakes. Also just have fun and enjoy what you make! Making things with your hands is fun and fulfilling."

What is your biggest takeaway from Making It?

"My biggest takeaway from Making It is the relationships and friendships I have made. All the contestants, hosts, and judges were amazing and we are our own little community of makers now. We currently have a group chat going and talk every day. My other takeaway is, WOW, making a TV show involves a LOT of people, moving parts and coordination. Behind the scenes, there is so much to learn about the filming process. I also know that Nick Offerman's beard is surprisingly soft like velvet."

Blake McFarland sculpter and maker on NBC's Making It

"It is all about learning and growing to become the best maker and artist I can be." — Blake McFarland

Follow Blake McFarland’s work: Blake McFarland websiteFacebookInstagram profileYouTube Channel.

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 Becca Barnet

Becca Barnet, artist 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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Category: MakingIt | Tags: Design

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