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| On the set of Good Things Utah: (left-right) Brianne Johnson, Payson's Melinda Baker, Nicea DeGering, and Gretchen Jensen.
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A Payson woman's propensity for
producing crafts has placed her in the realm of celebrity among Utah
TV viewers. On any given weekday, once or twice a month, Melinda
Baker travels to Salt Lake City, where she joins the co-hosts of ABC
Channel 4's Good Things Utah. The local scrap-book and
crafting pro has become a regular feature, sharing tips and tricks
for homemade gifts on the popular Utah weekday talk show.
Baker makes the creations—gifts for
all seasons, such as a more recent movie candy shirt-and-tie set for
Father's Day--with co-hosts hosts Nicea DeGering, Brianne Johnson,
and former Miss USA, Gretchen Jensen. Occasionally the show will
include special guest hosts, figures known by Utah viewers. She's
created crafts on air with pianist Paul Cardall and local musician,
Ryan Shupe, she said.
Her regular gig began last October.
Melinda had been teaching scrap-booking classes at Copy Central in
Payson. The store's owners, Taresa Hiatt and her daughter, Airaka
Hiatt, had established a regular spot on the show eight years ago,
said Baker, enlisting an employee to make regular appearances on the
show, demonstrating techniques on novel craft and scrapbook projects.
When the employee moved on from the job, it was offered to Baker.
“I almost said 'no,'” she laughed,
recalling her reaction to the invitation to be filmed on live TV.
“It was really scary. What am I going to wear? What am I going to
say, to do” she recalled her thoughts. “I didn't sleep for a few
days before the first show.
When she met the show's cast of
co-hosts, however, her fears were quickly assuaged by their
down-to-earth presence. “I found they were just normal people,”
said Baker.
Since then, she has enjoyed being a
part of the TV-making process. A large portion of the time is spent
“hanging out” in the audience, chatting, and taking photos, she
said. Rubbing elbows with local celebrities, “I get a glimpse into
their lifestyle,” she said.
Shooting Good Things Utah is
quick and it is live. Baker is given between three-five minutes to
demonstrate a new crafting idea, depending on the show's lineup that
day. But two minutes can mean a lot when it comes to completing a
project. Hand signals behind the scenes signal her to wrap up her
work. Fortunately, said Baker, the co-hosts always seem to have her
back. They are quick to recognize the cues and smooth over any
problems during the process, she said.
She prepares at home prior to arrival.
The projects Baker makes on set are masterminded by Copy Central
co-owner, Airaka. After she presents her concept to Baker, the TV
guest spends the next few days in practice, fashioning the latest
idea into its finished form in preparation for the next show.
Baker slips into concept creation with
ease. She herself is an avid scrapbooker and crafter, who today
spends about five hours a week engaged in the activity. Some of the
products she makes—such as scrapbook pages and greeting cards--are
sold at another Payson business: Trading Talents.
Her daughters, Alyssa, age eleven, and
Sarah, nine, have followed their mom's creative path, constructing
projects and maintaining scrapbooks of their own. The girls are also
followers of their mom on television. “They think it's great,”
Baker said in regard to her appearance on Good Things Utah.
Baker plans to bring them with her during an upcoming filming; it
will be their first time on the set, she said. As for her
five-year-old son, Ryland, he would prefer playing with his friends
or cousin, Miles Uresk, than watching Mom on TV.
She had hoped that her first episodes
would be kept secret from all, she noted. “I didn't tell people
for a while,” she said. “But my friends told everyone by the
second show.”
Folks will have the chance to see her
on Good Things Utah again soon. She is scheduled to appear on
the talk show on June 26 and July 16. The show runs from 10-11 AM.
