I’m in Cape Coral, Florida for a much-needed “girl’s week” and my cousin Kerryn decided to organize the five questions to ask Eric. So here they are:
Q from Lisa: What is your favorite wood to work with?
Eric: Well, Lisa since I am known as a Black Ash Basket Maker, I definitely have to say, black ash. As for nonwoven parts of my baskets, it is 100% Cherry—the color and bending abilities make it my number one choice.
Q from Stacy: Do you ever get tired of making baskets?
Eric: No. It is my highlight of what I do. What most might not realize is that making baskets is what I have the least time for. I wish I had more time to just make baskets—maybe someday. Most of my time is devoted to creating the materials for others to make my basket designs, but making the materials does get old and can be tedious.
Q from Diane: Do you enjoy teaching classes?
Eric: Yes, always. When you spend weeks in the shop working on the materials and creating a new basket I am very ready to be with my basket people, they have a passion and they recharge my creative battery.
Q from Kerryn: Was it not amazing having Lynne being gone for 10 days?
Eric: My selfish self says no, it was not amazing and I would like her here. However, I am very happy she gets a chance to have a ladies’ getaway and I hear she’s having a great time.
Q: What aggravated you this week?
Eric: Getting Mr. Squiggs into bed at night.
(Yeah, now you know how hard it is! He’s a little rascal!)
