The Craftsman

From high school dropout to woodworker, Eric's journey to become a master craftsman spans over four decades. A project from his early days resurfaces with an opportunity to restore a trolley car from the 1980s for his hometown of Eureka, California.

Eric shares the significance of his relationship to the resources he uses for his projects and honors the trees that are cut down by putting care into his creations. Later, he connects with the historic trust by restoring its 1930s Julia Morgan doors.

Eric restores a window and call box in the historic Carson Mansion while explaining his methodical and precise approach to being a master craftsman. He expresses the importance of educating people about where they come from using historic objects.

Eric demonstrates the importance of being a good neighbor and building community by restoring the Monroe House. While working to reconstruct corbels for local renovator Jules, he recovers the lost details hidden behind years of paint.

Eric takes on two projects with a personal connection. First, he works on the restoration of the Eureka movie theater he used to frequent as a child. Then, he restores a pair of vintage milking stools, reminding him of his first job at a dairy farm.

Eric tackles a pre-1920s footstool and the intricate windows of Eureka's bank, demonstrating that no matter the size of the job, all treasures are significant to history. He then reconnects with his own history by reconstructing his mother's rose garden.

Eric works on the restoration of the Pinc Lady Mansion's finial, demonstrating the value in constructing something made to last. He explains the importance forgotten treasures have in our lives and how they symbolize our connection to the past and future.

Eric continues his restoration of the Monroe House and meets a descendent of the Monroe family who shares his passion for keeping its historic details alive. He teaches the importance of tenacity and why it's essential to have the courage to fail.

Eric explains the importance of learning a trade and how it can help you discover self-worth. He then teaches a group of teen students how to make their own paint and use power tools to create a barge board.