STEVE'S CHAIR CANING

 

A PROFESSIONAL CHAIR CANING SERVICE


CLASSES

Caning is taught in a series of two to three hour classes given on
week day evenings (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) or on Saturday mornings.
It runs for four or five weeks in a row which is adequate time for a novice
to finish a chair or two. Classes are held either in my studio in
Providence, Rhode Island or at a place to be announced such as the
Slater Mill or other such community based places in
Rhode Island or southern Massachusetts.

 

TIME & PLACES

SLATER MILL
67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, R.I.
 401-725-8638 ext. 105
 email: bernadette@slatermill.org or info@slatermill.org
Session Begins Again!

 

THE BARRINGTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Barrington Middle School, Barrington, R.I.
 401-245-0432 .
 Call for brochure 

ARNOLD MILLS COMMUNITY HOUSE
Cumberland, R.I.
 401-333-6080 
No classes presently.
Call for brochure.

EAST PROVIDENCE ADULT EDUCATION SCHOOL
East Providence High School
 401-725-2266 
No classes presently.

WOODCRAFT STORE
East Greenwich Square
1000 Division Street, East Greenwich, R.I.
   No classes presently.  401-751-5215 

 

TOOLS FOR HAND CANING


There are certain tools that you will need to do the different kinds
of chairs. For hand cane chairs, the ones with all the little holes
around the edge of the seat or back of a chair, you will need just a
few common tools or items. A scissor or snips to trim or cut the cane,
a small water pail or bucket to soak the cane, an ice pick, preferably
thin and sharp, an old large towel, several snap clothespins to hold cane
while soaking and a water spray bottle to wet the cane. You will of course
need your own chair.

 
TOOLS FOR BINDERS CANE AND SPLINT

For chairs that are wrapped with binders cane or splint which would
be chairs such as those large porch rockers, Appalachian chairs, benches,
small ladder back chairs and some Shaker chairs, the following tools
would be needed;  A large pale or bucket for water, a water spray bottle,
a scissor or snips to cut cane, a regular stapler, a large towel, several
snap type clothespin clamps(2" or 3" opening) which can be bought at
any hardware store, screw drive, preferably thick shanked and short, and of
course your chair.

 
TOOLS FOR RUSH SEATS, SEA GRASS AND DANISH CORD

You will see what is called "rush" seating on most ladder back chairs
as well as other chairs. It is probably the most long lasting and
durable material for wrapping a chair. I do both "real" rush and
fiber rush. I only teach fiber rush to my students.
For these types of chairs only a few tools are needed. A ruler,
a small hammer and a few tacks, a screw driver preferably short and
thick shanked and a snap clamp, one with a large enough opening to fit
over the wood rails you will be wrapping around. Canvas gloves might help
protect your hands also.

 
CHAIRS

There are several things or problems to look for when you have a chair
to be caned or are looking for a chair to be caned. The most important
being that the chair in question is in good shape with no broken parts.
Legs, or other major structural damage may mean that the chair is too far
gone to repair and cane. Minor problems such as a chair that is loose or
needs to be glued is an easily solved problem. Broken or missing parts
are another story and unless you know what you are doing it is wise to look
for another chair. Any refinishing of a chair should be done prior to caning
as it is more difficult to refinish a chair after it is caned. It is not
impossible to do however. Chairs with more than 28 holes per inch (tiny holes)
would be much more difficult to cane and the novice might not finish such
a chair in a five week class. Such a chair is a challenge even for me with
all my years of experience.

PATTERNS


(click on patterns below to view)


  
  
H OM E | B O W L S | S P O O N S | S C U L P T U R E | T H E A R T I S T  
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O R D E R


For more information please email:
steve@steveemma.com


Call for further information at:
(401)751-5215



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