"I don't like mass production...handmade pieces are better" said Andrew. He tells an interesting story about his involvement with QVC some years ago when he had a onetime order for 800 baskets. "I thought I'd be glad but I didn't make much money because of their discount. I worked night and day with several helpers. Eight hundred baskets took a long time to make. I hated it because they were all the same size. I decided I'd never make another basket in my life."
Andrew went on to make another basket, hundreds of them, then wreaths, angels, birdhouses, crosses, churches, chairs, benches, tables and four poster beds. His grandbaby said "Daddy, I need to spend some time with you," or, "Daddy, it's dark outside, you need to come in." According to Andrew, "I'm not a workaholic but when I'm at a show or down here (at his gallery) it don't make sense to have down time and just sit around. It's a good way to attract people when I'm working." He said, "that when I'm driving along the road my wife says to watch where I'm going. I'll stop when I see a stick. People have landmarks. I see something and will go back later if I can't stop then."
Andrew observed other artists over the years. He had an interest in willow furniture but said, "I know one thing God didn't want me to do and that was copy another man's product. Now my pieces are constantly changing so I don't make the same piece twice." The diversity in size, color or design of items in the gallery or at festivals is a quality that is important to him, as he says "that people won't stop if you only have one item to sell." No two pieces are alike even though the natural materials may be the same. "My biggest inspiration is nature. He says that most people "can do what I do but they are just in too big a hurry. I'm always thinking ahead on how I can make this better."
At Andrew's studio/gallery alongside the I-65 exit at Ft. Deposit, he keeps a photo album of an amazing array of his work. Examples in the album allow interested collectors to request special orders, or on the spot purchase of items on hand. A visit with Andrew gives one the sense they are with a philosopher, a preacher or teacher and a genuine artist. But most of all he is a person that appreciates his God given talent and his ability to create items from his supplier - nature herself. Andrew praised Black Belt Treasures, located in Camden, Alabama, for showcasing his work, and that of other artists through its gallery and website. Now, Black Belt Treasures has the opportunity to praise McCall, along with twelve other "treasured" artists, on April 29 and 30 in Camden at Black Belt Treasures Gallery.
