Thanks Mical for answering! I was going to suggest contacting you. Sue

contact Mical E. Wilmoth Carton chrperson@aol.com

The only thing you can tell them is you cannot guarantee the longevity as it is not how the product was intended to be used. Correct that a marine spar varnish would extend it, but still...no guarantee. A lot of our weavers just refuse work if it is to be left outside. I had a customer with 4 reed porch rockers and she was going to paint them (so reed, not binder cane)...I told her to do them quickly, she changed her mind and decided to seal them natural color...but waited and they got mold spots. Hard to see but...I gave her complete instructions. Sue

Hi! Is this reed or cane? In any case, it can not be left out in the weather. If you are using it under a porch or screened in area, I would suggest shellac. Sue

How long are you soaking it? You can also add a dot of dish soap and some glycerine to it. Often the finer cane sizes will break more easily. Also, check your "nodes"...the spot on the cane where the leaf had come out. Make sure you are not pulling the cane against the node,

Hi Janet, It is under the members only page, but reposting here

Love it! I had a friend that crocheted shopping bags with strips of plastic bags