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| Regina Stinson and her Sherlockian crafts |
When and how did you first
encounter Mr. Sherlock Holmes?
It was during the summer when I
was allowed to stay up and watch the late show on TV—I was probably about 12,
or so—when I first saw the Basil Rathbone series of Sherlock Holmes movies. My
older brother informed me that these were updated and that the Holmes of the
stories was from an earlier era. He also gave me a paperback book containing a
collection of short stories. Craving more Holmes, I bought myself a complete Canon
and the thing blossomed from there.
You make a wide range of
beautiful and creative Sherlockian crafts. How did that come about?
I was looking for a way to
support my dear friend Jacquelynn Morris with her symposium, A Scintillation of
Scions, and being somewhat artistic, I came up with the idea to make a
Sherlockian charm bracelet for their auction. It was so popular that people
were asking me if I made jewelry to sell. One thing led to another and I began
selling my creations. The first symposium I ever sold at was in Dayton. I also
sell my items on Etsy under the name Artful Pippin.
How did you come to start the
Ribston-Pippins in 1988? And don’t forget to explain the name!
I had wanted to join a scion
society for some time and had made several calls to the contact person for the
Amateur Mendicants, but all I got were promises that they would be starting up
again soon. (They had been on a long hiatus.) I finally decided that if I
wanted to belong to a scion, I’d have to start my own. So, I distributed fliers
to libraries and bookstores in my area announcing our first meeting, which took
place at our home on November 18, 1988. We had about 12 members at that time
and have been studying the Canon and having Sherlockian fun since then! (Ten years
later, the Amateur Mendicants started up again.)
Oh yes, the name. We were looking
for a name that hadn’t been used before and that sounded interesting. I leafed
through Tracy’s Encyclopaedia
Sherlockiana when I ran across the term “Ribston-Pippin.” We had a vote at
our second meeting and everyone liked that name best. It comes from Watson’s
description of one of the men, James Lancaster, who came to interview with
“Captain Basil” in “The Adventure of Black Peter.” Subsequently, we acquired a
member who actually grew Ribston-pippins in his yard. His chosen nom was “James
Lancaster,” of course.
To what other Sherlockian groups
do you belong?
I’m in the BSI, ASH, Hounds of
the Baskerville (sic), Amateur Mendicants, Watson’s Tin Box, Illustrious
Clients, and Bar of Gold.
What has it meant to you over the
decades to be part of worldwide community of friends devoted to Sherlock
Holmes?
I love being a part of this
wonderful community! I’ve met a lot of great people and become close friends
with many of them. I feel like I’ve found my people!
When did you become a member of
the Baker Street Irregulars?
I was given the investiture of “A
Little Ribston-Pippin” in 2006.
What did that feel like?
It was one of the most awesome
experiences in my life! I was floating on a cloud for a long time. I’m
sincerely honored to be a part of this illustrious organization.
What question have I not asked
you that you would like to answer?
Have you ever had anything of
your Sherlockian writings published? Yes! I’ve had two small monographs
published in the Baker Street Journal,
a short story published in Charles Prepolec’s Curious Incidents II, and essays in About Sixty and Sherlock
Holmes is Like. I’ve also contributed a monograph to an upcoming Baker
Street Irregulars book, Corporals,
Colonels and Commissionaires.
Register now for Holmes, Doyle, & Friends and get the early-bird discount.
Register now for Holmes, Doyle, & Friends and get the early-bird discount.
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