Last week’s Craft Wars episode was so much fun, and I had fun calling out the participants on their CraftFails (just kidding, participants! I only mentioned what the judges criticized… I think you are all smashing – mwah mwah!), so every week, I’m going to do a weekly poll on the Biggest CraftFail of each episode.

If you missed it this week, don’t forget to catch it next Tuesday at 10/9 central on TLC.

Here’s a little sneak preview of yesterday’s episode:

Episode Two’s theme was “Crafting’s A Beach,” and the participants were Mandi Gubler (the brilliant crafter over at Vintage Revivals, and a friend of mine), Kevin Chartier (a metal artist. Find out more at his site KevMon Modern), and Michaela Krex (Visit her Etsy shop).

So, the judges had a few complaints about the Pop Craft challenge entries this week. Which one do you think was the biggest CraftFail?

Michaela’s indoor cards on an outdoor bird house:
Would they hold up outside in the elements?

Kevin’s use of foam core to construct an outdoor bird house:
Would it hold up if it was hung outside?

or

Mandi’s everything-in-the-junk-drawer bird house:
The judges thought there was no unifying factor in the junk-covered panels of Mandi’s bird house.

What is your pick for the least-successful bird house? Let me know your pick for biggest CraftFail in the comments below!

SPOILER ALERT: I am going to interview the eliminated contestant below, so avert your eyes if you haven’t seen the episode yet. I’ll post a photo or two before I launch into the interview so you can click away before you see who it was.

Judges Erika Domesek and Jo Pearson size up an entry.

Team Michaela working hard.

And… our interview is with

Mandi Gubler of Vintage Revivals!

I met Mandi last summer when she was a guest on my webshow Get a Little Creative. Mandi is one of the most talented DIY home decor/craft bloggers I know. She is fun, has GREAT taste, and really knows how to put a room together. She is known for her cutting edge style using vintage objects she finds at thrift stores, and her Epic Room Makeovers.

Who was your partner in crime (aka your assistant for Craft Wars) and why did you choose her?

Jilly from Girls With Good Taste.  She is one of my favorite people in the world.  I knew that I would need someone who could do it all and was fun and she was the first person that popped into my mind.

Did you have a strategy before you started crafting?  

The strategy was to use as many of the Junk Drawer items as possible.  Apparently that was not a good strategy…

How short is an hour?  

IMPOSSIBLY SHORT.  For the first 1/2 hour I was in TV demo mode, where I was trying to get the right angles on the project and thoroughly explain everything.  Then when Tori announced that there was 1/2 hour left I was like “SON OF A!!!!  This is NOT good!!”  

Was the Michaels Craft Wall as awesome as it looked?

It is MORE awesome than you could ever imagine.  There is just SO much stuff.

What colors were you planning to paint the birdhouse?

I was going to paint the panels with some bright color blocking.  I will be recreating the birdhouse on my blog next week so everyone can see what I saw in my head.

Okay, show aside, can you tell us about one of your biggest CraftFails? Do you ever post about fails on your blog?  

I don’t usually have CraftFails.  If something doesn’t work out the way that I want it to I just re-adjust because I know that SOMEHOW it has to work. (My husband hates this about me frequently)   This Openwork Cube Light is a perfect example of readjustment.

Thanks, Mandi! It was so great to interview you. I am beyond sorry that you were the first to go because I know your round 2 project would have been epic!

If you missed Craft Wars this week, don’t forget to catch it next Tuesday at 10/9 central on TLC.