Making It Interview...with Gary Herd
Gary Herd, contestant on NBC's Making It. Interview series highlighting makers who share their advice and why they make.
By Scott Mathson, Makerviews
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Maker interview with Gary Herd
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.
Gary Herd is a self-employed mural painter and woodworker who has been painting murals for over 13 years. More recently, Gary started a woodworking YouTube channel called The Bearded Woodworker doing DIY tutorials. Gary is a father, husband, artist, and entrepreneur.
Check out this interview with Gary Herd, maker from NBC’s Making It.
Making It Interview...
with Gary Herd
What inspires you to keep making things?
"I have always loved to make things with my hands. Every time a new style comes out and we want to be 'hip,' I tell my wife, 'I could make that.' So in all actuality, I make to save us money. Seriously, I get a high when I get compliments on things that I create and I love to hear all the reactions from loved ones to strangers. I make to keep 'alive.'"
What one piece of advice would you give to other makers?
"Never give up, and follow your dreams! I know it's so cliché, but it is entirely true. If you fail....try again...and again...and again! This whole world was built on failures."
What is your biggest takeaway from Making It?
"My biggest take away from Making It were the people I have met and the life bonds I have created with all the talented makers on the show. Everyone on and off screen was such a pleasure to meet and an honor to work with."
"If you fail....try again...and again...and again!" — Gary Herd
Follow Gary Herd’s work: The Bearded Woodworker website • Instagram profile • YouTube Channel.
View and learn more about the Making It interview series. Thank you all for reading this interview - get out there and make things!
Next up on Making It series:
Making It Interview...with Kaviya Ravi
Kaviya Ravi, 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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