Carol Duvall 03/12/2003

HGTV: Welcome to HGTV's hosted chat room. Today, Carol Duvall is here to answer your questions. Hello, Carol!

Carol Duvall: Well hi there! Is it a month already?

Question: Hi Carol - Would love to see some shows about painting on window screens. I have a woodcutter that makes 12"X12" screens for me and I paint all kinds of grapevine wreaths with flowers and crackle the frames.
Carol: It sounds beautiful! Too bad we don't have instant photo email here! As for our show, we have had some screen painting. I think it was Priscilla Hauser who did it, but you'd have to check the web site index to find it. Sorry I don't know the show number. It was quite some time ago... But your question makes me think maybe we should do some more. I'll pass the idea along.

Q: How does crafting affect your carpal tunnel now?
Carol: Oh goodness! I had both hands operated on over 20 years ago, before I even knew what carpal tunnel was, and I've never had one moment's problem since the operation.

Q: Carol, I've been a fan since the Home show. I have been looking for updates - are you recovered from what put you in the hospital b4 Christmas?
Carol: Yes ma'am, thank you for asking. I am fully recovered from what put me in the hospital. It's one of those things... I have to, for awhile anyway, take medication, but that's easy enough to do.

Q: I would like to know if HGTV plans on showing any of the old Carol Duvall shows from the first three seasons?
Carol: That's something you'd have to ask the powers that be at HGTV. Frankly, I doubt it, but I really don't know. They did rerun them so many times, I think that some viewers who had received HGTV from the beginning, were ready to burn the tapes if they could get ahold of them.

Q: Will there be any specials or programs with ideas for Easter crafts? I've always enjoyed them in the past. Thanks!! Love ya'!
Carol: Again, I have to sound like I'm passing the buck, but I have nothing to do with the scheduling of the shows, so I can't tell you if there are any of the shows with Easter segments scheduled. I would guess that there would be some segments, but no specials that I know of or that I've had a part in, anyway.

Q: Carol, first of all I love your show—can't wait for the new 1400 series to start. In one of the previous chats, you mentioned that you would be interested in doing some hour-long specials devoted to one craft like polymer clay or rubber-stamping. I, for one, would love to see some specials on those two crafts in particular! Has anything more been discussed about this? How can we let HGTV know that we would love some more specials with you? Thanks!
Carol: First of all, thank you! I'm delighted that you enjoy the show. As for the specials, I've been told that you should send your requests preferably by the thousands :o) to HGTV Comments and then we can just hope. I will also bring it up again when the opportunity presents itself.

Q: Hi Carol, do you have any knitting tips? I'd like to learn an easy way to make a sweater, thanks. =)
Carol: I'm not quite sure what you mean by knitting tips for making a sweater, but I would certainly suggest going to your local yarn store. That is where I have always found the best help that's available to the average knitter. Craft stores generally do not have or offer that kind of help. As for knitting a sweater, it's frustrating to me not to be able to do much along those lines on television, but as one of my friends says, knitting is not really a spectator sport! We will be taping some easy knit projects in our next series, but the closest we'll come to a sweater will be a baby's jacket made from five knitted rectangles. No increasing or decreasing involved. Maybe you could try that in a few sizes larger.

Q: How can u keep so many craft details in your head???
Carol: *LOL* It's becoming more and more difficult, I must admit. Not too many years ago you could ask me almost any question about anything I'd ever done and I could answer. These days, I have to look it up. There's still a lot there, but I'm not sure why.

Q: For this chat are you in Michigan or California?
Carol: I'm in Michigan, but I'm getting ready to go to California in just a couple of weeks.

Q: I just want to say hello Carol, and what advise would you give to someone that wants to start some sort of craft business?
Carol: There are so many questions I would have to ask you, and a lot of answers I might not have. I would suggest you go to the HGTV website and look in the index for the series of shows we did in the 1000s series. Search for craft AND business. There should be five shows listed, which should give information on the weeklong series. We interviewed a number of women who are very successful about how they got started; we spoke with some viewers who wanted to get started; we talked to a lawyer and others who touched on the different areas in starting your own business. I would also recommend one of the books or more by Barbara Brabec. Check with your local library or bookstore. One of the books is called "Homemade Money" but there are others as well.

Q: I am really looking forward to seeing the HIA special. Which of the products did you personally find most intriguing this year?
Carol: I honestly don't think I can answer that because I had to spend so much time just working that I didn't really have as much time as I wanted to get the details on some of the products. So, I'll be watching the special right along with you to see what's new! It's this coming Saturday that it's going to air.

Q: Welcome back hope you are all well, and we hope to see more new shows!
Carol: I'm soooo glad you asked or at least mentioned your desire! I'm right along with you on that, and this time I am happy to announce that new shows, not just twice a week the way they have been airing, but every day, will start on the 31st of this month. Five new shows a week! That's of course in the afternoon, 2 PM EST; I guess that's 11 AM for you west coasters.

Q: Love your show, even my 6 yr. old daughter loves your show. Please tell me what type of grout mixture to be used in mosaic.
Carol: I'm pleased to know that both you and your daughter enjoy the show, in fact, I get a real kick out of it that so many youngsters seem to be fans of crafting. As for the grout mixture, you can get it at hardware stores and craft stores with information and instructions for the kind of project you will be making. It's pretty basic and pretty simple.

Q: I know you think you do so much scrapbooking, but I want to keep up with the NEW products out there...
Carol: Well, keep watching and check out that new HIA special this coming Saturday. As long as new scrapbooking products and projects come along, we'll have them for you on the show. As you may have heard, coming up next, similar to scrapbooking in its feel but very different in the end result, is altered books.

Q: Is there any way to find out where you will be making public appearances? Any in Indiana?
Carol: I have nothing on the schedule for Indiana. In fact, I've not been making many public appearances in recent months.

Q: What adhesive would you recommend to adhere over Formica?
Carol: When in doubt, I would try E-6000.

Q: Carol...I was watching last week and in episode CDS-1356 Roark Gourney made those whimsical resin wall sculptures...any way he used 'thermal film' and a conventional oven to make molds. Please tell me how I can get info on this product so I can make soap molds.
Carol: That segment was a field piece where our camera and cameramen went to visit the artist. We have no further information than what he gave to us for the segment. You might check the HGTV web site for that show for more information on the artist, his location, his web site, etc.

Q: I would like to see your show on some evenings, is there any chance in that happening?
Carol: I have my doubts... however, again, that is a management decision. I think that surveys have shown people prefer to learn and do during the daytime hours and would rather just be inspired and watch somebody else do the work at nighttime. But... it's always worth asking!

Q: Carol, how long does it take to tape a season's worth of shows?
Carol: It takes a month, but that's the taping. That's the easy part. Three to four months preparation time is required before we go into the studio.

Q: Carol, just love your show, I was wondering how far ahead do you start planning your Xmas specials?
Carol: We never stop planning, to tell you the truth, because I know I get ideas throughout the year, many of them from the viewers. And I guess now it may not be too early to tell you to start thinking of any of your Christmas contributions for this year. There will be a change and we will be taping 10 Christmas shows in September. That means we are already beginning to gather ideas for them and will get into serious preproduction by the first of July. So start thinking! Start crafting! And watch the web site for announcements.

Q: My son is having a "Star Wars" birthday party next week. Do you have any ideas for kids' crafts that would emphasize "stars" and "space" rather than "wars"? He's turning five.
Carol: *LOL* Oh my, that's a toughie to come up with right off the top of my head...something easy enough to explain on a computer and easy enough for a five year old... Gosh, I guess I'd be looking for maybe some of the books, or if you have anything to do with Star Wars, to get ideas about some of those characters. For crafts, they might make stars, bunches of them... I'm thinking now what they would do with those stars besides throw them at each other, of course. You know what? I'm going to cop out on this one and turn it over to some of those talented people out there in computer land. Instead of this chat, you might get more help on one of the craft bulletin boards. I am always amazed at how many answers folks have for the many varied questions. I bet they'll be there to help you.

Q: I want to know what is your fave craft to do to pass the time, and have you ever sold any of your work?
Carol: To pass the time? *LOL* Oh, would that there would be some! Truth is, one of the reasons I want to schedule knitting segments is so that I can knit and not feel guilty about it. I really do enjoy knitting, and it's such a good television-watching craft. Other than that, of course, as I have mentioned many times, I lot working with paper. Any project, with paper, I usually enjoy. But it has to be something I can use on the show!

Q: There are so many scrapbooking segments (that I love!); do you personally scrapbook?
Carol: That's an embarrassing question to me! I'm much better at telling other people what to do and how to do it than getting to it myself. But of course, I have plans—BIG plans—and if I ever really get around to doing what I've promised myself with all my photographs, I will live to be about 130!

Q: Any new instructions on the newest craft, Altered Books?
Carol: Oh, we will be taping several altered book segments next month when I go back into the studio. That seems to be taking off like gangbusters! Even here, at the library in Traverse City, there's a month-long exhibit on altered books already. I think this is going to be the next BIG craft craze.

Q: Carol, I just wanted to say I love the show. I used to do crafts all the time with my grandmother but that's not possible for us anymore. But now I am 20 and watch your show religiously, you remind me so much of her.
Carol: That's very sweet, and a lovely compliment. Thank you.

Q: Hi Carol, you set reminds me of a kitchen I saw in a magazine several years ago. I took the idea of shaker pegs under the top cabinets to incorporate in my kitchen. Am I dreaming, or is your set the same I saw in the magazine?
Carol: Unless somebody took a picture of our set, no, I don't believe so.. though we did have rather impressive overhaul a few years back. The original kitchen, much of which is still there, came directly from a builder's show back in the early '90s

Q: I saw a recent show that featured some of your son's work. It was beautiful! I was wondering if he is still doing the same types of ceramic pieces?
Carol: Right now, Michael and Rita are on a hiatus and the only ceramic work they are involved with right now is their annual holiday ornament. They do still sell those, designing a new one each year, and I'm guessing they will continue that because there are so many people who collect them. I will pass your nice compliment on to them.

Q: Carol, you started an epidemic with me. I also have had carpal tunnel surgery and you were my inspiration to start crafting once again. Is there any way that you can put a suggestion in for quick and easy crafts? You do them so well!
Carol: I'm guessing that you mean to do a few more of those on the show. Truth is, those are the kind I do best, but you crafters have gone so far beyond me that I feel sometimes embarrassed if mine are too quick and easy, but I'll keep your question in mind as an inspiration.

Q: Carol, fist of all I have to say love you and your show. What I would like to know is when you will be doing some segments on cross-stitching?
Carol: Well, funny you should ask—it's next week that a segment is coming up on cross stitching. I thought it was kind of fun and I hope that the project will be a new idea for you.

Q: Didn't you have an hour-long prime time special on HIA last year?
Carol: Yes we did. I don't remember whether it was primetime or not, but your memory is correct about an HIA special. And the special on this year's HIA, which was held at the end of January 2003, will air this Saturday the 15th at 2 PM ET. I just learned that there will be a repeat airing on the 26th of April.

Q: Where do I send submissions for the shoebox?
Carol: You send it to the address that's given each day on the show. It's the same address for everything. Just write The Carol Duvall Show, HGTV, PO Box 50970, Knoxville TN 37950. And if you also write the word "Shoebox" at the corner of the envelope, it's a help! Thank you.

Q: I've been watching the show from the beginning! I started watching you when you did the segments on WEWS Ch. 5 in Cleveland, Ohio! I loved the little wire angels you did, I think this past Christmas. They were the ones with the larger bead for the head.
Carol: My goodness, that's been awhile! But I have to tell you.. that wasn't the beginning! The angels were very popular. I had one lady write who had made them by the several hundreds!

Q: Do you ever run out of craft ideas? And where do they all come from?
Carol: Sometimes I wonder myself. No, we haven't run out of ideas... we're more likely to run out of time. However, I have been through periods when I was doing a show every day all by myself.. there were times when I thought I'll never have another idea again ever! I guess sort of like writer's block—I had crafter's block. But there's always some thought that comes through just in the nick of time.

Q: Are you any closer to writing that book everyone would love?
Carol: Oh my! *LOL* I should have told them to block that question *LOL* I guess that gives you the answer........ no, I haven't really started anything yet. But, hey, there's still nine months left in this year, so who knows?

Q: How big is your craft room at home- have you thought about giving advice on how to have one with lots of storage?
Carol: We have done quite a few segments on craft storage and ideas, realizing that many people work out of their bedrooms, as my good friend and producer did. We did quite a lengthy segment showing all of her storage ideas, etc. We did a film with one of our viewers showing her craft room and how her supplies are stored... but no, we've never done mine. Of course, it's a recent acquisition in my life—I've only had it three years—but we did show the room I had in another building that I rented. I guess maybe if it's some of those ideas that you're looking for, you can find those again on the HGTV web site. But I'm avoiding answering your question, aren't I, on how big is my craft room.. I feel so incredibly fortunate now—I really have a craft room, not the kitchen counter. It's maybe 20 by 25—I'm guessing—but it's bigger than I'd ever hoped for. I did make one judgement and decision that didn't help the room serve its purpose. I have windows on three sides—which is only logical... I look out at the woods on one side, at out at the lake on two... however, when I moved into it, I realized if you don't have walls, you don't have room for shelves, so I had this gorgeous room and no place to put anything! I think I almost bought out Staples' supply of stacked plastic drawers. That's where my stuff is stashed.

HGTV: Well, everyone, our chat hour has ended. Thanks for joining us today. And thank you, Carol, for answering our questions.

Carol Duvall: Well, I enjoyed it. Sometimes I wonder if I really do answer the questions! But I really do appreciate those of you who write in, the time that it takes you and your interest in the show means a lot. I'll see you next month... oops! No, I won't—I'll be in the studio.