• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Craft Gossip

The largest independent craft review site since 2007

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Conversations with Craft Wars Judge & Michaels’ Crafting Expert Jo Pearson!

August 14, 2012 by Heidi Gustad

20120814-194552.jpg It’s no secret that I spent the last few days in Dallas representing Craft Gossip at a blogger event. Check out my daily roundups from yesterday and the day before for a taste of what I got up to, the crafts all of us bloggers got to make, and some of the new products Michaels will be carrying this year.

Not unimportantly, however, was getting to meet and craft with Jo Pearson, known most recently for being a judge on TLC’s Craft Wars, and longtime creative force behind Michaels Stores’ craft inspiration sheets, online videos, craft cruises and more. She has a total dream job!

After breakfast on Monday, Jo answered some questions we all submitted before the event. I passed on the questions you guys submitted in the comments on this post, but wasn’t able to get answers to all of them since there were 15 of us asking just one person tons of stuff.

All about Craft Wars

A lot of the bloggers wanted to know about Craft Wars (even though one of us, Beckie of Infarrantly Creative, will be competing on an upcoming episode!). The scoop on Craft Wars is that it’s completely produced and owned by TLC. When they hadd the idea for the show, they approached Jo individually to be a judge. Since she also works for Michaels, she talkedd to the Michaels team about the opportunity. Long story short, Jo ended up being hired to judge Craft Wars, and Michaels seccured a spot as the supply sponsor for the whole thing.

Jo talked about the craziness of the Craft Wars TV set, and she had a couplle things to share right away. TLC does not decide who wins each episode, it’s completely up to the three judges. Jo also said that if it were up to her, she’d have picked out different supplies for the contestants to work with.

Members of Michaels’ PR firm were there for our group chat with Jo and helped answer a few questions too. Most notably, they said that Michaels doesn’t currently know if TLC is planning a second season of the show.

The Michaels Crafting Team

Jo heads up Michaels’ team of about 6 crafters who design the projects you see in stores, ads, classes, etc. Every day in Jo’s life is a little different, and she loves what she does. She said that she and her team  are all passionate about what they do. “We craft from the inside out,” Jo says. “We’re makers.”

I meant it when I said she has a total dream job!

Read These Next

  • Quilting Cruises For 2024
  • Michaels Acquires Joann Intellectual Property; Joann…
«
»

Have you read?

Etsy Spotlight: 1955 Baby Doll Nightgown & Bloomers Pattern

Vintage is making a serious comeback – and I’m 100% here for it. There’s just something timelessly romantic and effortlessly charming about retro styles, and this 1955 Baby Doll Nightgown & Bloomers PDF Pattern is a dreamy example. With delicate details and a classic silhouette, this three-piece sleepwear set captures the elegance and playfulness of mid-century fashion.

But here’s what makes it even more exciting: imagine sewing this pattern using vintage sheet sets! Not only does it give a sweet, nostalgic vibe (hello, florals and pastel stripes), but it also turns your sewing project into a sustainable, upcycled creation. Repurposing old linens is one of my favorite tricks for reducing waste while still making something utterly beautiful and functional. The soft, worn-in feel of vintage sheets also makes them perfect for loungewear like this.

Whether you’re sewing this for yourself, gifting it to someone special, or even displaying it as part of a vintage-inspired craft fair, this pattern is as versatile as it is adorable.

Upcycled Fabric and Vintage Doily Dress

Sewing Pattern Vintage Style Underwear

Sewing Pattern – Pinafore Dress Pattern with Vintage Style – Flutter Sleeves

RSS More Articles

  • Etsy Spotlight: 1955 Baby Doll Nightgown & Bloomers Pattern
  • Baby Banner and Mini Album Project
  • How to Paint Melamine Furniture
  • Color Wheel Block Tutorial by Red Pepper Quilts
  • How to make a Summer Wreath with Hydrangeas
  • 18 FREE Labubu Coloring Pages and Digital Images
  • How to Make the Perfect Little Baker’s Apron for Kids: A Fun Sewing Project
  • Mr Fox Toy Crochet Pattern
  • 5 Genius Tips to Keep Your New Home Clutter-Free from Day One
  • All About Stitching on Perforated Paper

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy