James Eaves, Jr.

I have always enjoyed the outdoors. I graduated from high school in upstate New York in 1978, have been working with hardwood flooring since 1985, and baskets since 2000. Basket making became my favorite pastime since it was recommended to me as an exercise to strengthen my fingers after a severe hand accident. My first exposure to black ash baskets was from a well known basket maker and storyteller by the name of Bill Smith. He taught me firsthand how to take black ash tree sections and turn it into a basket. Since 2000, this is how I have been making my baskets. Thanks to Bill Smith and other experienced basket makers, my baskets have juried into the best of West Virginia Crafts at Tamarack, Mountain Made, and Lost River Museum.