Q: (note: this is more than 5 question… it’s supersized Friday) You are busier than I’ve ever seen you… workshop, yard work, paperwork, writing… What’s up?
Eric: Simple. When times are tough it is time to double down.
Q: Double down on what?
Eric: Double down, don’t sit around watching Netflix. Take care of the stuff you never had a chance to take care of when you were so busy. If you now have extra time, double down.
Q: So don’t do what I’m doing… FaceTiming with Kerryn laughing about dumb stuff for hours, watching tiktoks and bingeing on Netflix?
Eric: No. I’m doing all the projects I didn’t have time for when I was busy with conventions and workshops. When NCBA and Stateline cancelled I ended up having some time to work with. Don’t get me wrong, I was a little nervous, but I decided to look at it as “bonus time.”
Q: I feel like I’m trying to distract myself and escape. I can’t seem to focus at all. But you’re so focused… Doesn’t all this virus stuff happening concern you?
Eric: Of course, yes. But I sort of had a head start. Over the last few years I have been worrying about the plight of the material I work with, black ash. It’s my entire work. My craft. My life’s blood. I’ve been working on a plan and now this happens and everything shuts down. The whole industry of teaching all crafts has been turned upside down. I’m really not sure how this is going to pan out. How do you teach if you have to be six feet away from each other? But, you can’t stick your head in the sand.
I guess in my case “sand” is lounging in my chair with Izzy and Minnie in my lap with a glass of wine in my hand and chatting on my phone.
Q: So what have you got done during this “bonus time?”
Eric: You already know about all the website work I did and making videos for online tutorials. Plus making new baskets and my other big project that I can’t mention here yet. But soon. And I was also working on my little fun project that you helped me with.
Q: The Tee Shirt?
Eric: Yes, the tee shirt design I had you make print for me to wear. And it’s really a lot bigger than just a tee shirt. When basket workshops started getting cancelled, I did get a little bummed at first and found myself a bit angry. I was envisioning things evaporating almost overnight. Just like the Emerald Ash Borer problem. And now all my classes? But then I reminded myself that “My hunt for the last of the Black Ash” plan helped me to focus on the problem. But this new quarantine issue seemed to compound everything times 100. Then one night, this idea popped into my head and it was like I had a plan.
Q: Yes. You’re now wearing your new t-shirt. How’s that a plan?
Eric: To let everyone in on what it was, I asked you to make me a tee shirt that said “Get America Making Baskets Again!” I loved it! It was a slogan that would motivate me to make it happen.
Q: You think it will be viewed as decisive or political?
Eric: How is getting America making baskets again decisive? We are all Americans and we want to make baskets again. I don’t see it as political at all.
Q: Well I see it as bringing baskets back to being made in America. So many people do not understand that baskets from Walmart or Pier1 Imports are not made in this country. And cost pennies. How come people don’t know this? So that’s sort of how I now view your new t-shirt.
Eric: Well, that’s a story for another time. Honestly, the most important thing to me right now is getting America Making Baskets again. And with that, I’m hoping to announce soon that I will be teaching my first workshop since the pandemic in the last week of May. This workshop has been scheduled since last year and I have been teaching it in May for many years now for Tony Stubblefield in St. Louis. Tony and I have been talking about the precautions and how we can all stay safe and healthy. We have all self-isolated and if class is a “go” be prepared to get your temperature taken on your forehead before entry! There are a couple spots open on some days so if you can join us, and you have self-isolated as well, get in touch with Tony. We will be getting America Making Baskets Again… very soon!
Q: Oh… What aggravated you this week ?
Eric: Two Words: Murder Hornets!
Oh yeah… I heard about them. They have made it over to our country. They sound very scary.
So when are oulhose t she’s?
I’m assuming you spoke this and autocorrect got it all messed up? Or, you have been drinking the same coronavirus wine I’ve been drinking since 3 PM.
No wine. Auto correct. Lol. When are you going to sell those t shirts? I would buy them for my squad!