As I wrote earlier this week, due to conventions being cancelled, Eric designated some last-minute dates to have a workshop here, with a maximum of 4 students—so everyone can be properly spaced.
This was the first group of four students and they asked the questions! They also insisted that I ask the questions in front of them so they can hear his answers. It ended up being almost an hour I think of Eric sharing some of his history and how he got into making baskets. I have enough to cover two or maybe three weeks of questions!
So here’s the first five. Oh, and by the way, I’m dubbing them the Toilet Paper Ladies (TPL), why? I’ll post the first question they asked me, I think on the first day!
Q from “TPL” to Lynne: How do you place your toilet paper roll—hangs in the front or in the back?
Lynne: Hangs in the front of course!
(They all laughed and pointed out that everyone, except for Miss Cindy, hangs it that way, including Eric. They then messed with Eric’s toilet paper holder and placement of toilet paper! AND, I heard from Eric, they talked about toilet paper all week! So they have been dubbed TPL!)
Q from “TPL”: If you could be anything, other than a Master Basket Maker, what would that be?
Eric: After high school, I wanted to go to college to study graphic design, however my parents did not support that.
Q from “TPL”: How old when you wove your first basket? What was it and do you still have it?
Eric: Don’t know exact age but I was a teenager and hanging out at my father’s basket shop. I don’t remember what it was and I do not still have it.
Q from “TPL”: Have you taught Lynne how to make a basket?
Eric: Someone has already asked me that question!
Lynne here: Okay, I need to jump in because, yes, they asked the question a couple months ago but you dodged it! LOL. So I’m going to answer this.
Years ago, I took one of Eric’s classes up in New Hampshire along with his mother. It was the first Eric Taylor basket class for the both of us and it was the Pencil Basket.
Eric: Okay, well, I need to add that they both were non paying students! So they are not going to get my attention.
Lynne: Yes. Well, we both were almost reaching to the half-way point up the weavers and Eric happens to casually walk by and says, “You two need to be weaving close to the mold! You are not tight to the mold at all.” So we both starting weaving tight, but then slowly began straying away from the mold. So end result? Our Pencil Baskets looked like a small Dress Form. And after I finished it Eric said, “You are not bringing that back in the house. You need to give it away.” So I did.
Eric: I couldn’t have anyone seeing that basket and thinking I made it!
Q: What aggravated you (or made you happy) this week?
Eric: I had no aggravations. Happy that I could teach, hold a class safely and have great students! Char, Barb, Marilyn and Cindy—you are all welcome to come back any time! Thank you for making the trek here from Michigan.
Barb decided we were into many philosophical discussions!
I heard you had many discussions. Eric wanted to get Cindy back for messing with his toilet paper roll! lol
We prefer to be called “over the top” ladies!!!!!
Had a great week.
I’ll rename you next week!