The definitive guide to restoring and repair woven chairs from the nation’s only chair caning school and museum
Brandy Clements and Dave Klingler, the duo behind Silver River Chairs Center for Chair Caning, have co-authored The Woven Chair to bring their expertise in this ancient art to crafters. Each project is guided with in-depth instructions and step-by-step photography that demonstrates the complex beauty of each chair.
Discover how to bring old or damaged chairs back to life by restoring them and adding a personal touch with new fiber materials or weaving patterns that complement the style. Learn the techniques of a skilled craftsman at your own pace, from prepping the chair, gathering the necessary materials, and finishing just as you would in their classes.
Projects include restoring everything from iconic Mid-Century modern pieces, to more traditional Shaker Tape weavings and repairing laced cane chairs. The techniques you learn here will help you breathe new life into your heirloom furniture.
Muu info
Author outreach online and via email blast to former students all over the country and in their own retail shop and school at Silver River Chairs in Asheville, North Carolina.
Outreach to Publishers Weekly and Library Journal.
Author social media campaign on Instagram and Facebook.
Outreach to print media including Fine Woodworking Magazine (150,000 circulation, Make Magazine (225,000 circ), Woodcraft Magazine (125,000 circ), Woodworkers Journal (90,000 circ.) and others.
Seeking podcast appearances on Fine Woodworking, Modern Woodworkers Association, Woodworking for Mere Mortals, and others.
Website promotion and book giveaways on The Wood Whisperer, Fine Woodworking.com, Woodworking for Mere Mortals, Canadian Woodworker.com, Woodworkers Journal, and others.
Outreach to blogs and websites promoting woodworking, including Stumpy Nubs, Matts Basement Workshop, Canadian Woodworking, Fine Woodworking Online, The Wood Whisperer, Close Grain, and Modern Woodworkers Association.
Foreword and Caned Furniture History
ForewordChair Weaving in the US
Silver River Center for Chair Caning
Introduction
GETTING STARTED
Anatomy of a Chair
Common Chair Identification
Tools and Skills Library
Structural Issues and Repairs
SEAT WEAVING
Overview
Paper Rush
Pre-Twisted Natural Rush (PTNR)
Introduction to Advanced Materials
For Hand-Twisted Cords
Shaker Tape
Splint Reed
Introduction to Hickory Bark
Open Weave
MID-CENTURY
Overview
Danish Cord Rush
Moeller #71
Yugoslavian Folding Chair
Hans Werner #501 The Chair
CHAIR CANING
Caning Overview
Laced Cane
Pressed Cane
Brandy Clements & David Klingler are the co-owners of Silver River Center for Chair Caning, the nations only chair weaving school & museum. The school is an Official Education Center of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Brandy is a 4th generation chair caner and the couple are highly regarded in their field as chair caning ambassadors (aka Chair Nerds). They teach and speak at conferences, museums, craft schools and craft shows, and travel the US & Europe to study the heritage craft. They have taught hundreds of students of all ages from across the globe and helped launch 30+ small businesses. They have been published in Mother Earth News, have been featured in American Craft Magazine and other regional publications, as well as on television including CBS, PBS, and The Travel Channel. They love to chat with podcasters about chairs and the chair nerd community, and continue to restore chairs and collaborate with furniture makers alongside their golden retriever, Rosie in Asheville, North Carolina. Find them online at www.SilverRiverChairs.com or @SilverRiverChairs on Instagram and YouTube.
