Schedule....
POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
Class description and teachers information
There will be morning and afternoon sessions with an opportunity to visit each station for instruction and discussion.
"Power Caning" With Caning Needles & Steamers: Dave Klingler
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Learn how to expedite the flow of hand-woven chair caning. Dave from Silver River Center for Chair Caning has recently become a convert to using the caning needle, or steamer, on hand-woven caned chairs. You'll enjoy the way Dave delves into the intricacies of his work, all told with his signature smooth delivery. Take hours off your weaving practice and work more ergonomically.
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We'll have examples of traditional caning methods, but you might want to take notes and apply this to your weaving practice. Dave has made his own steamers and will have some available for a nominal fee.
A Brief History of Chair Caning lecture & slideshow: Brandy Clements
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Explore chair caning's ancient and global history in this 1 hour presentation. From Middle Kingdom Egypt to Mid-Century Scandinavia, chair makers have employed woven materials on their chairs. These woven seats (the most important part of the chair?) get a mere mention in museums and books, with little explanation of materials, history, process or contemporary applications.
Brandy from Silver River Center for Chair Caning has spent years researching and traveling to satisfy her chair nerd thirst for knowledge. A fourth generation weaver, Brandy considers herself an ambassador of the craft, and as such, she has accumulated an astonishing amount of historical information that will wow any seat weaver, furniture maker, or history buff.
"It's a tree! It's a chair!! It's a seat!" Hickory Bark: David Douyard
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Sounds like there's some super-power work going on here, eh? We think so. David Douyard of David Douyard Chairmaker creates elegant chairs from the ground up, using greenwood techniques. Fashioning exquisite Windsor chairs and settees to Post & Rung Chairs and more, you'll admire his eye for detail when he finishes a seat with Hickory Bark.
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Featured in Berkshire Style and Fine Woodworking, David is a Master Craftsman you'll want to learn more about.
"All chairs are handmade, one at a time, using hand tools and following the traditional construction techniques and tools of the originals. Staying true to the originals green woodworking processes yields a strong and long lasting chair capable of multi-generational use. "
Video Interviews: 2020 Chair Caning Census
Help us get a snapshot of chair weaving in the 21st century. Join Brandy and Dave throughout the weekend for a short interview session to supplement the 2020 Chair Weaving Census. The data gathered will establish a baseline for future craft research, be published in a report to share with craft organizations/guilds/other associates, and be featured in an exhibit at Silver River Chairs. Computers will be on site for you to fill out the survey. Postcards will be available for you to pass out at future craft events. Thanks for being part of this important research project.
"How Fancy is That!" : Faith Blackwell
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The most prolific pattern is the traditional 7-step pattern. Then there's the "fancies" Snowflake, Honeycomb, Double-Victorian,Lace, Double Daisy and more. Most often seen in wicker or Victorian era styles, the art of the fancy pattern lends itself to may other projects. The back of an elegant rocker, panels in furniture, dividers or perhaps even cabinetry. Where could you apply this new skill?
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Faith Blackwell is a TSWG member and declares herself a proud "hobbyist". She is incredibly detailed in her caning and Nantucket Basketry. Did we also mention...a lot of FUN?!
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We'll have some examples and information a a couple of weaves "in progress" so you can see if this might be a direction for you to follow.
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Shown is an example from her first visit to a TSWG Gathering in 2014, in Sturbridge, MA
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"Make Mine Ash": Stephen Jerome SR
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Stephen is a world recognized ancestral black ash basket maker from the mic mac First Nation in Gesgapegiag, Quebec. Learn how he harvests ash, pounds it, splits it into materials for traditional basketmaking and seating. Featured in National Geographic and Sundance Film Festival with the documentary "My Father's Tools" this is a unique seating material you will want to learn more about.
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"Can You Canoe?": TBA
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Small but mighty, a canoe is not functional with a broken seat. There are lots of options for weaving them. Sheet cane, hand cane, plastic cane, paracord, rawhide, strapping. Backs, seats, and even "fishing seats". ...There's more than one way to relax in a canoe. We've assembled a gallery of different styles to view.
Repair your own canoe seats or reach out to clientele in a field you may not have considered. Adding this repair style to your business will be great for exponential sales.
It also lends itself to instructing groups like scouts , young sailors and and adventurers. Learn yourself, so you can teach and pass it along. Remember, part of our mission is "Preserving & perpetuating the craft of chair caning and seat weaving!" Find some young students! Projects like this are a great start with a sense of accomplishment and reward.
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click image for video
"Put Me In A Corner": TBA
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Rush corners and wraps; If you take them apart and don't take pictures, you may get frustrated!
There's more than one way to wrap a corner. It depends on the maker. Learn how to wrap a few different styles of corners. We'll supply a handout to bring home for future reference, and teach you how to be a pattern detective the next time you get an unfamiliar drop-in seat.
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Not all patterns are in a book, and sometimes you need to document how it came apart and then...put it back together.
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We'll work with fiber and pre-twisted natural rush. Have a drop-in you need help with? They're pretty portable, so bring it in with you. You'll get some advice.
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"Rockin' Away": Sandy Sherman
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Porch Rockers are the epitome of relaxation. Rocking anywhere is a joy, but the thought of a nice porch with a view evokes warm memories. Learn about different makers and styles from the Northeast, middle coast and southern states. We'll compile an identification guide for some of the chairs.
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Learn a couple of traditional patterns and how they are traditionally woven.
Porch weave with reed or rattan, herringbone ranging from "2 over 2" to "7 over 7", diamond, radiating diamond....just to mention a few.
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We'll also have information on our "Porch Rocker Project"
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Sandy Sherman has operated Sherman Chair Caning since 1996 and currently lives and works in New Hampshire, home to many chair making factories of the past.
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Photo courtesy Silver River
Shake Up That Shaker Tape! : Caryl DeFrancesco
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Traditional Shaker tape is usually done with a checkerboard or herringbone pattern. Break out of YOUR old patterns and tease the eyes with diamond, cross, arrow, multiple diamond and more. We'll show you how to read a pattern or seek out a pattern online that you can apply to your weaving repertoire. Go from boring to bold. Let color be your spokesperson.
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Join Caryl from HH Perkins and learn how to take your shaker tape weaving to a new level.
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"THE CHAIR; Mid Century Modern": TBA
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Weaving a mid-century modern seat isn't as daunting as it looks. Clean lines, wide binder cane, a minimalism in design...but how do you begin?
Careful documentation when you take it apart is the key to lessening frustration.
Learn how to set your beginning weaving lines and fill in from there.
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Mini Sessions
"Don't be Afraid of Stain"; Tips and Tricks
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"Smalls" for extra sales: Snowflakes, hearts, holidays
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"Can you Canva?" Social media tools to quickly and beautifully promote your business: Sue Muldoon
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Friday:
Registration & Set-up: 3pm-6pm
Board Meeting: 6pm-9pm
Dinner on own
Saturday:
8:00-9:00 Coffee and Registration
9:00am Welcoming Remarks by President & intro of George who will speak about his history & experience in chair caning
9:30am-4:30pm Program & Classes
Noon-1pm: Lunch
4:30pm-6:30pm Free time to continue working and chatting
6:30pm- Dinner
7:30-8:30PM General Meeting
8:30-pm-9:30pm Something FUN!
Sunday:
8:30AM Coffee
9:00AM Program
Box Lunch for those that stay
12:30pm-3:30pm: Program open to the public
