Entries from October 27th, 2011

First Snow of the Season

October 27th, 2011 · 1 Comment · Weavin' Wicker Woman Blog

THURSDAY THOUGHTS–When we woke up this morning at around 6 a.m. it was snowing ever so slightly. But by 8 or 9 a.m. we had about three inches of snow on the ground and the flakes were coming down fast and furiously.

First snow fall of the season -- October 27, 2011

As you can see by the picture above, it was quite overcast and gloomy with a temperature of only 31 degrees. The sun looks like it’s going to come out pretty soon, and I hope that’s the case.

First snow of the season 2-3" on the barbeque grill 10-27-11

I’m driving up to North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota today which is 150 miles away, to teach an antler basket class over the weekend. Don’t want to run in to problems, hope the driving goes smoothly and I make it there in one piece.

Antler Basket Class at North House Folk School 10-2011

I was trying to remember when we had our first snow fall last year, and wanted to look it up in my annual journal, but must have packed it away already. And made no mention of it in last year’s blog posts either in October or November, although there is this one that talks about our coldest temperature so far of -22 degrees in December 2010 that you might enjoy reading. http://www.wickerwoman.com/mn-sub-zero-weather.html

Enjoy the coming winter and have a great weekend! What are you doing over the weekend and how’s your weather?

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New use for old wicker material–Wednesday Wicker Wisdom

October 26th, 2011 · 2 Comments · Weavin' Wicker Woman Blog

WEDNESDAY WICKER WISDOM–Today’s topic is about creativity in using an old wicker material in a new innovative way. Well, it’s probably not so innovative, just different…

Paper rush stool in checkerboard pattern

A while back a customer brought in this small footstool that had been woven in a checkerboard pattern, using #4 paper fibre rush. It was in sad shape and needed the seat replaced, as you can see.

Bottom of paper rush checkerboard footstool

I have done this pattern before, but had a roll of some paper wicker braid sitting there on my workbench and with the customer’s permission, decided a different look with a different material might be a nice touch.

So, using some 1/2″ paper fibre braid that was typically used as trim on baby and doll buggies from the 1920s, I started weaving a checkerboard pattern on the stool only using the wicker braid.

Weaving a checkerboard pattern out of paper wicker braid

I think the final product turned out pretty cool, don’t you?

Weaving finished on checkerboard paper rush braid stool

Now, as the final finish, I applied two coats of thinned down varnish to both the top and bottom of the stool.

Varnishing the checkerboard paper wicker braid stool seat.

That was fun using an old material with a new twist! What do you think? And how have you used old materials in new ways of weaving seats and stools?

Seat on the checkerboard footstool is complete!

Let us know in the comments below, what you’ve done to change things up with your weaving! Enjoy!

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Paper Rush Seatweaving Hint–Tuesday Tips

October 25th, 2011 · 4 Comments · Weavin' Wicker Woman Blog

Tuesday Tip of the Day–This Tuesday’s Tip is about weaving a paper rush seat, beginning the first step of weaving, filling in the gussets or side rails.

The old way of attaching the short strands needed to “square up” a trapezoidal (wider in the front than in the back) chair seat, was to nail the ends to the inside left and right side rails using upholstery tacks.

This solution worked fine for many years and in most cases, but sometimes all those tacks and nails would damage the side rails, especially if the rails were round dowels and on the narrow or small size to begin with.

"Squaring Up" a paper rush seat using tacks

But then several years ago, I ran across another way to attach those rush strands to the side rails that works really, really slick! Attach the pre-measured paper strands to the side rails using a cable tie! Fold the strands over in half and then attach the cable tie in the middle to the left side rail.

Instead of tacks, use cable ties for gussets

Weave each strand over one at a time until you finish filling in the gussets or “squaring up” the chair seat. When you get to the end of a strand, clip it to the right side rail using a spring clamp!