My name is Lynne. I am a freelance creative director and a painter. My husband is Eric and he is a craftsman of basketry. He creates beautiful work and teaches his craft around the country. I travel with him to most of the workshops. We have a mobile office set up for me in our truck. A perfect ‘mobile office.’ And we often are able to take our dogs Chance & Jaxson, when we can, on our little adventures.
In May of 2013 we sold our house in New Hampshire and bought property down in Middle Tennessee. We have a little over 5 acres with a 1950’s ranch/farmhouse along with another commercial structure that used to be a church. We are currently living in the “church” building which looks less like a church and more of an industrial building covered in metal. Which means it’s really a “barndominium” (trendy word for creating a home using a commercial structure). The old farmhouse is now Eric’s workshop. So far we love it down here!
Before I met Eric, I worked in the advertising industry. I did all kinds of stuff from logos to package design to TV commercials. It was a great experience. In 2001, I was living in Dallas at the time and decided to head north to Chicago and hang out with my sister and my new nephew. While there, I found a unique building up in Maine online. In 2002, while visiting my parents in New Hampshire, I purchased that building and operated a vintage and antiques store and built a loft in the back.
I sold that building after four years but stayed in Maine for three more years before moving to New Hampshire where I soon met Eric. I was living in a tiny bungalow in the city, working for myself. A year later we got married and he moved in with me. Including his workshop. And I was meeting people all over the country who would talk to me about Eric — mainly seeking information about the “real” Eric! lol.
If you know him, then you are aware that he is very private. He does not divulge too much information about himself. He is extremely modest as well. But his students and clients who collect his work wanted to know more about him! So I decided to write this blog about our life together, living and working as artists.
Eric first learned the art of basketry when he was a teenager. He then apprenticed under two master basketmakers for many years before going on his own. When I met him, he worked and lived in Danbury, New hampshire, in an old schoolhouse. It was quite a funky place to visit over the weekends. And I slowly learned about all his accomplishments and admired that he never bragged about himself. Even though he won so many awards. I had a good idea that he was “it” in his industry when a woman came up to him and asked him for his autograph near an image of one of his baskets featured in a book. We were still dating then but I was amazed how calm and humble he was. I knew he was a keeper!
Where do I go look to take a November workshop with Eric and to see which basket we would be making it just says there’s a workshop and no picture of the basket itself.
You can choose any basket you want to make! No specific baskets. That’s why it’s so great coming here!
I hope I have not left this two many times , but I am looking for a Fishing Creel and I saw you had someone in one of your classes making one. My son wants one and I said I would try and make one can I get the pattern and or kit to make that one and price. Sure hope you can help I live in NY WNY between Buffalo and NIagara Falls would this be a day trip to maybe pick-up a kit or mail would be better.
Bob Allard
I will have Eric email you.
Thank you
Hello Lynne,
My name is Joe and live Greenville, North Carolina.
I Just happen to bump into your site while doing Google searches. I viewed your 2013 post “Three Canoes & a Rowboat”. Like Bruce, I restore wooden crafts (Outboard Powered & Non-Powered), not as a living but I consider myself an “advanced amateur” that loves rescuing needy pieces of history. I recently completed a basket case of a mid 1920’s EM White “& Company” 12′ rowboat. Would it be possible to contact Bruce to see if he knows anything about this particular model. Been searching for several years and no one has seen or heard of one.
Lynne, you do beautiful work!! I will be re-caning two seats this week in my current project, a 1950 wood canvas Chestnut canoe.
Thank you very much and stay safe.
I was very impressed with your paintings – Attention and Brilliance. I wanted to use them in a PowerPoint presentation on Experiential Psychotherapy methods.
I would appreciate it if you would give me permission to do so.
Thank you.
I very much like your paintings – Attention and Brilliance. I would like to use them for a PowerPoint presentation on Experiential Psychotherapy methods. If I could have your permission, that would be great.
Thank you.
I don’t know why I’m just seeing this message right now but “yes” you have my permission to use those images in your PowerPoint presentation only. I’d also be interested in seeing the presentation. Thanks! Lynne
Hello, Lynne! I’m a Chicago friend and former co-worker of Beth Bubala. Now living in Williamsburg, VA my husband and I make “non-museum” pine straw baskets and have just gone “internet”. I did send an e-mail to Eric asking about advertising and developing a customer base, but with your background, it is probably you to whom I should have addressed my questions. I’d love to hear from you!
Kathie Jennings setonhillbaskets.com
Hi Kathie: I will email you…. thanks for getting in touch!
Hey Lynne, Eric, Jaxson, and Chance!
August 26th is National Dog Day, and we’re looking for pictures of pups snoozing in bed. We’re going to post the most aww-inducing photos on our social media and blog to celebrate. Let us know what you think!
Thanks,
Alyse
Hello old friend! Love to read your doing exactly what you love!
I have the life you always knew I would have:). Great hubby 2 kids Ellie 9 and Tommy 8. Not on Facebook or any social media but googled you and found this site. Let me know if your coming with Eric to Chicago for his show and I will be there!
Love Bubala
Beth!!! I’m emailing you now…
Hello Lynne and Eric,
Both your work is an exceptional collection of creative and attractive art which deserves recognition.
Hey Lynne, nice to see you briefly yesterday. Hoping your trip to SL was uneventful. I am sure it’s hot as hell down there…..whew! Anyhow, send some info about Eric’s Oct. 13th workshop. There are several people I have in mind who might be interested. ANd, it’s imperative that Eric makes his amazing martinis towards the end of the workshop 🙂 tee hee! If you all ever need to stay at our house (if your mom and dad or brother were also all at Michelle’s,) don’t hesitate to ask……You are always welcome. Thanks, Di
Hi Diana:
My drive to St. Louis was extra long – lots of traffic and something backed up the highway through Joliet. I will email you the October workshop info. And yes, Eric must make his martinis after the workshop (for those who are from the neighborhood and not driving of course!)