***Update–Due to the flooding in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene on September 27, 2024, Silver River Center for Chair Caning lost their entire business, except for a few things they could rescue.
Here’s their GoFundMe account, please give generously to help them rebuild in a different location: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-our-chair-weaving-school
Silver River Center for Chair Caning is operated by two chair nerds on a mission to cultivate and inspire a reverence for a worldwide chair caning legacy.
Our vision is to promote an enthusiasm for the craft through education, published work, restoration, and travel. Be on the lookout for our instructional manual to be published in 2023! Also, see our article in Mother Earth News (August/September 2021).
We aim to dispel the myth that chair caning is a dying art. We want to empower everyone to learn to restore their own chairs. So we expanded our chair caning restoration business into Silver River Center for Chair Caning, the nation’s only chair caning school and museum. We teach small classes at our shop in Asheville as well as regular classes at John C Campbell Folk School, Penland, Arrowmont, and the Island Farm.
Silver River is an official education center of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Memberships include The SeatWeavers’ Guild, The Furniture Society, The American Craft Council, The River Arts District Association, and we are a heritage member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild (Brandy is a 4th Generation Chair Weaver). We are proud to honor a family tradition, the craft, and all chair nerds (past, present, and future) with Silver River Center for Chair Caning.
Visitors to Silver River can–
- See daily demonstrations on an incredible variety of chairs with woven seats.
- Take classes from beginner to advanced tutorials, volunteer, or apply for apprenticeships.
- Take a self-guided tour d’ chairs and read about the material, history, and process of 8 styles of chair seat weaving. A permanent collection of historical chairs is on display as well as rotating exhibits including #canespotting and Historic Western North Carolina Chairs.
- Enjoy the reference library and educate yourself on ancient and global traditions.
- Bring their family heirloom in for restoration by our seat weaving experts
- Donate their chair for student practice
- Purchase restored chairs for sale
- Get advice on their chairs
- Quickly become total chair nerds.
NOTE: Due to the “Pandemic Pivot” as well as persistent overuse injuries, we are stepping away from MOST restorations. We still love to weave chairs, we just have to be more selective with what we bring in. Our main goal is education through classes, both in-person in our shop and at craft schools across the country, and online.
We shoot videos for YouTube and we are building an online school for on-demand learning from the comfort of your home. We travel to speak and demonstrate at museums, craft shows, schools, woodworkers associations, etc.
As such, our restoration waitlist is often 6 months-1 year out. Restoration inquiries should be emailed to [email protected] and should include photos of the chair attached to the email. Classes at the moment in 2022, are by appointment only, call or email to schedule.
Corporate & Board Member of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(4/1/NCHG)
Bayberry Seatweaving is now located in Bellevue, Nebraska, just south of Omaha, after recently moving from Canton, Massachusetts.
***Please Note 5/23/24: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the shop will be closed until fall. I apologize for any inconvenience this causes you but will continue to maintain my waitlist for caning jobs. Thank you, Theodore
Owner, Ted Powell had his chair caning and seatweaving business in Canton for 15 years, providing chair caning and other seatweaving services in the surrounding area before moving to Nebraska.
My mother was the Extension Service agent for Dukes County on Martha’s Vineyard – what a great place to grow up!! She taught me how to refinish, cane, and rush furniture back in the sixties when I was about ten years old.
In Canton, I concentrated on single-strand caning, pressed cane, paper rush, pre-twisted natural rush, and Danish cord. I intend to continue practicing these skills and incorporate other seat weaving types here in Bellevue as the need arises.
In addition, I provide minor restoration, re-gluing, and refinishing. My turn-around times vary depending on what is needed and the complexity of the work. However, because I am “retired,” I can respond quickly.
I provide free cost estimates and can usually do them using a few pictures and some seat measurements. Contact us today for your appointment.
Member of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(10/31/24-TC)
The Wickerfixer and Chair Recaner’s owners Cheri and Mike Russell in Ozark, Missouri have served the antique wicker furniture world nationwide since 1976. They are also mentioned in all of Richard Saunders’ antique wicker books and price guides.
They specialize in minor to major restoration of wicker furniture, and all types of chair seat weaving, hole & pressed cane, rush, splint, Danish cord, herringbone, and seagrass weaving. Family heirloom restoration is their specialty! They buy and sell at shows and through http://www.WickerFixer.com shop.
The Wicker Fixer will locate that special piece of furniture for you, paint your wicker and even travel to do on-site wicker repairs! Pick-up and delivery service is available, call for areas covered, and remember shipping is an option, too.
Judging from their slogan “Get your dog chewed, cat clawed, bird pecked, family abused, wicker fixed today!” The Wicker Fixer can do just about anything for your wicker and cane furniture.
(2-SUB 3/4/25)
Sherman Chair Caning–I have been in business since 1995 and specialize a wide array of caning services: Hand and Pressed Caning, Fibre and Natural Rush, Danish Cord, Splint Weave, Shaker Tape, Binding Cane, Specialty Caning and Wicker Repair.
In addition to working with my own customers, I have been called upon to work with some of the top furniture restoration businesses in the region, fulfilling any or all of their chair caning needs.
Therefore, if you bring me a chair that is in need of chair caning as well as restoration, you should know that no matter what condition it may be in, I have resources available to ensure that you will have many more years of enjoyment left in your chair.
(12/9 GFSUBTC)
Carrie Weiss, owner of Black Swamp Seat Weaving, LTD, was taught to weave by her grandmother at the early age of 15.
Her grandmother patiently taught her to take pride in her work, weave the best she possibly can, and to continually challenge herself.
After 45+ years, she continues to do this to this very day.
Over the years since Carrie first began weaving, she has expanded her abilities to include ALL forms of weaving, such as, hand cane, blind cane, cane webbing, rush, splint, and wicker.
She works on weaving projects for individuals, museums, refinishers, upholsterers, interior decorators, and many others.
Carrie also treats every project with the care and meticulous attention it deserves, while taking on some of the most difficult projects.
Every project is a challenge that she is confident she will complete.
Not only does Carrie care about the finished project and the happiness it will bring her customers, but she also loves what she does, and it shows.
(11/05/TC)
WICKER, CANE & RUSH WORK “Sagging Seats – Our Specialty”
Heirloom pieces are always resurrected with museum-quality work. All types of cane work, ash and reed splint woven seats, and rattan furniture lovingly restored. Owner Tricia Vandewater learned chair seat weaving from her mom over 45 years ago as a child.
“We’ve never met a piece of furniture we couldn’t bring back to pristine condition.”
(SUB-1/21/24)
WOVEN FURNITURE REPAIR–
JC Caning specializes in hand cane, pressed cane, flat reed, round reed, splint, fiber and natural rush, seagrass, Danish cord, and shaker tape.
Services include cleaning and refreshing the finish, minor repairs, and sealing of finished weave if required. Staining to match is extra.
Approximate estimates can be given from a photo but are subject to change as each project is unique and may provide certain challenges.
Pickup and delivery are available for New Kent County and surrounding area. Call, text or email to discuss your restoration and make an appointment.
Visit my website for more information, testimonials, and photos of completed work.
Business Member and Treasurer of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(3/01/23)
Antiques by Futura–Founded by John and Carol Bessone in 1992, is now operated by son Robert and daughter Regina. Boasting a 10,000 square foot showroom full of Antique and Vintage furniture and decor that we’ve been collecting for well over 30 years and have available for purchase.
We also have a full-service repair and refinishing shop with a complete seat weaving room to take care of your chair caning needs. We do Cane, Rush, Danish cord, Rattan Wicker, and Upholstery repair as well as Refinishing and Restoring Furniture of all types. Local pick-up and delivery are also available.
Call or email today for your chair caning, upholstery or refinishing job appointment. When you come for that appointment, be sure to peruse the antique furniture in the showroom, you’ll be glad you did!
(2/01/23)
GRAHAM CLAN CANING CAN CANE YOUR CHAIRS!
We provide these chair re-seating services: Hand Cane, Pressed Cane, Rush, Shaker Tape, Danish Cord, Splint, Reed and Porch Weave. Other types of re-seating quoted upon request.
Graham Clan Caning has very competitive prices with excellent craftsmanship, so call or email us today to schedule your appointment!
Cottage Members of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(10/01 TC)
For over 30 years Judith Larkin’s home-based business, Raising Cane, has provided expert hand and pressed cane; paper rush; and splint seat repairs. She is willing to tackle any unusual assignments or weave unique patterns.
You’ll see Judith at area heritage festivals giving demonstrations – always promoting the craft of chair seat weaving!
Check us out now recently relocated from Medina, New York to the southern part of Alabama in Repton, not far from the Florida border, ya’ll!
(5/01/23)
Natural Environments is a chair caning and seat weaving business in Waukesha County Wisconsin started in 1980.
I offer expert weaving in:
- hand caning
- pre-woven cane
- Shaker tape
- reeds
- Danish cord
- binder cane weaves
Your piece is not just a chair or just a rocker, it is a memory of gatherings with friends and family, and of hours spent rocking generations of babies.
I learned to weave on a child’s rocker and high chair which have been in our family for 4 generations.
I work with individuals, refinishers, antique dealers and decorators. And I take pride in restoring pieces to an attractive, useful state again.
Make your appointment by phone or email today and then send a picture to share with me so we can discuss your project.
(12/27/SUB-TC)
Angie Reid’s Furniture Refinishing and Caning preserves memories and brings old furniture new life! The business located on the border of Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, serves the Maritime provinces in both Canada and Maine.
I started my business after stripping and refinishing the stairs in my Victorian Era home. Shortly after launching my refinishing business, a neighbor brought me a cane chair in need of a new seat.
While learning hole-to-hole caning I discovered a talent and passion for seat weaving. I am proficient in hole-to-hole caning, sheet cane, French hand cane, Danish cord, rush and reed weaving.
In terms of refinishing, I restore heirlooms and breath new life into pieces with paint and/or stain. I specialize in custom colour staining and also wicker repair.
(2/1/23)
Ellen Harford, owner of Island Maide, learned her craft at an adult education class.
Since taking that first class, which sparked her entrepreneurial spirit, Ellen has been providing chair seating in a variety of weaving techniques and materials for 30+ years.
Island Maide creates handcrafted seating to replace worn or broken chair seating. Services include traditional hand caning, pressed cane, half-round oval seatweaving and rush, extending the life of memorable family heirlooms.
Located on an island in Casco Bay in Maine, Ellen has made it her mission to help bring business and the arts to the island community.
She’s doing her part by adding chair caning and other types of seat weaving repair services.
Fee-based pick-up and delivery services within 50 miles of Portland, Maine are also available.
(10/05/MO-TC)
Hi, I’m Dick Zechiel, owner of Ohio Chair Caning and an expert chair caner with over 15 years of experience.
I do handwoven, pressed cane, and fibre rush chairs. I work out of my home, doing quality work at reasonable prices.
Please call for a quote and appointment.
Member of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(3/01/23)
Hank’s Cane & Rush Restoration specializes in Hand Cane, Machine Cane Webbing, Paper Rush, Danish Cord, Shaker Tape and more.
Sadly, chair caning and rush seat weaving are fast becoming dying art forms and it is our intent not to let that happen.
Each chair we see in the shop comes with a story or has a story yet to come!
Our mission at Hank’s is to restore your chair or furniture piece while refreshing the memory that accompanies it!
Or, possibly it’s a chair with memories still to unfold! Whatever you do, don’t throw that chair out without talking to us first! ~ Lynn
Secretary and Business Member of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(8/29/25-TC)
Two shops in one–The Chair Man specializing in antique chair restoration; chair caning, fiber and natural rush, splint, Shaker tape and regluing the joints of chairs. The Tea Lady specializes in antique and vintage porcelain, pottery and glassware.
Over 20+ years of seatweaving experience and service. Pickup and delivery available for local Boston area.
Keeping wonderful (sometimes very old) chairs in use and circulation is our goal. We love the stories of how many chairs have been handed down within families or found on the side of the road.
Visit our website, see our work samples and us at antique shows!
Business Level Member of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(12/24 GFSUBTC)
Trinity, FL 34655
ThatWickerGuy.com is determined to bring you the best quality Antique Wicker on the market today!
Whether furnishing an Adirondack Mountain Camp, a Beach House or an Urban Condo, we have antique wicker and antique rustic furniture, ranging from country to sophisticated, to meet your specific needs.
Owners Wayne and Kathie Gonyea are anxious to work with collectors, designers, and decorators. We are one of a few sources for top-quality American made antique wicker furniture manufactured during the 1880s–1930s.
The restoration of antique wicker is a nearly lost art being lovingly preserved by Wayne and Kathie. Each piece that we sell is cleaned, inspected and professionally restored before being sold.
Wayne is a well-known, respected craftsman/artisan able to both restore the structural integrity of heirloom wicker furniture as well as provide painstaking detail in reweaving damaged areas. Kathie utilizes her artistic knowledge and experience to revive the color, finish, and patina of much-loved wicker pieces bringing them back to their original beauty.
How can we help you with your antique wicker furniture needs? Have a question? If you love antique wicker or great camp furniture as much as we do, we need to talk! We gladly work with individuals, collectors, and designers to assist with developing outstanding decorating plans.
Visit our website, ThatWickerGuy.com to see our extensive inventory and information about our restoration services. We personally answer all phone calls, so give us a call at 727-992-2142 or email us at [email protected]
We have two locations: Saint Albans, Vermont (05478) in the summer and Trinity, Florida (34655) in the winter. We do not have an open shop but will gladly welcome you by appointment to visit our Vermont warehouse where our entire inventory is located.
(fl-1/01/23)
(vt-3/01/23)
REDUX FOR YOU–Bring your cherished chairs back to life!
Sue does hand-cane, press-cane, fiber rush, natural rush, seagrass, splint, porch weave, wicker repair, and more.
Custom-made baskets on request. Backpacks, market baskets, purses and everyday baskets.
Email, text, call or go to the website to fill out a quote request.
We have online and in-person classes available for seatweaving, basketry and crafts. Check the schedule on the website for what is coming up next.
We work with many local furniture restoration companies and can give you a referral for other repairs.
Our studio is open by appointment only. Follow our work on Facebook and Instagram.
When not weaving chairs, Sue can be found behind a camera or keyboard, with her photography, website design, social media management and graphic design skills.
Thank you for considering Redux For You to repair your chairs!
Member and Webmaster of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(SUB-TCGF-2/28/24)
Michael Mascelli Upholstery with 40+ Years Experience – Highest Quality Work, specializing in traditional hand-sewn upholstery for period and reproduction pieces, automobile seats, and upholstery conservation, including minimally intrusive treatments as per AIC standards.
Lower cost hybrid treatments with modern materials also available. Complete service including restoration and refinishing of frames. Challenging pieces welcomed, impossible pieces considered. He is also co-Director of the Professional Refinisher’s Group, a national organization founded in 1998.
Michael teaches others the craft with upholstery classes offered at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, Franklin IN and at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, ME. Other classes, including lecture-demonstrations upon request.
(4/01/23)
Weaving Restoration is the Chair Caning and Wicker Repair division of Bruce H. Kreymborg Refinishing and Conservation, a family operated, full-service antique restoration business in Southampton, NY, started in 1967.
Katherine K. Wilson, owner of Weaving Restoration and Bruce’s daughter, provides all the chair caning and wicker furniture restorations, while Bruce and his associates provide major and minor furniture restorations and upholstery.
“We’re a complete source for all your restoration needs! No job is too big or too small.”
See Katherine’s website and Facebook fan page for more photos, click on the icons.
Corporate Members of The SeatWeavers’ Guild, Inc.®
(Sub-9/2/23) Chair Caning
(Sub-9/2/23) Wicker Repair