Resources

Where do you get chair weaving materials? Is there a good book or a class I can take? Resources for structural work, staining, upholstery, wicker repair in Asheville, NC are listed below. If you live in Charleston or on the Virginia coast, I can help you find someone closer to you if you scroll to the bottom.

LOCAL SUPPLIES:

If you would like to buy cane, rush, or any other weaving materials there are many options. If you live in Asheville, please visit Earth Guild downtown. I generally go to them to help support local business!

SUPPLIES ONLINE:

The Country Seat specializes in cane and basket weaving and has an immense selection of materials including kits for you to learn to weave yourself. They are located in Pennsylvania.

HH Perkins is another great source for caning and basketweaving. They are very helpful in helping you determine what materials you may need if you have an unusual chair seat. They are located in Connecticut

STRUCTURAL WORK OR STAINING/REFINISHING:

If you want to get your cane stained or if you need structural repair for your furniture and you live in Asheville:

Tim McCall at McCall Restoration Services at 828-301-3480. Tim is my furniture guru and an amusing chap to boot. Formally trained in restoration and structure (he studied cross sections of various types of wood; he did not just pick it up after trash picking a cool table), he is very knowledgeable and does QUALITY work.

Try also Furniture Repair Works on Brevard Road by the Arboretum (828-670-7764).

Woody’s Chair Shop:  So cool. Located in Spruce Pine, Scott Woody is a 7th generation chair maker. Check out Woody’s Chair Shop’s story on their website.  Definitely worth the read and the drive to Spruce Pine!

UPHOLSTERY: my friend Erin at 828-337-1978.

In Burnsville, Judy Dowis at Quality Upholstering 9191 State Hwy 197 S. Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 682-1677.

These next folks I haven’t met but got their name from a furniture company: Wagner’s Upholstery 828-683-3893 or George Williams 828-645-3182.

For wicker: my friend Andrea Clark.  Call me (828-707-4553) or email me at gochairrepair@gmail.com for her number!

If you want to learn more about caning, check out the Folk Art Center of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, and also the Artisan Center at Berea, Kentucky.

This book is great! The Caner’s Handbook by Bruce Miller and Jim Weidess

If you have a broken chair and don’t live around Asheville:

If you live in or around Charleston, SC and need structural or staining repair call Chehaw River Woodworks in Mt. Pleasant at (843-849-9166). They also have a Lake City, SC location.  I have also worked with Charleston Interiors in North Charleston. Remember I DO take an occasional road trip to Charleston and don’t mind doing chair weaving business while I’m there!

If you live near Norfolk, Va, my aunt Linda has been caning there for 40 years. Call me at 828-707-4553 or email me at gochairrepair@gmail.com and I’ll get you her information.

If you want to find cool old chairs with cane, or just cool antiques:

Oddfellows at 124 Swannanoa River Road in Asheville is full of awesome stuff from Europe and the Colonies.  Lots of good barley twist, cane, stained glass, unique Asian pieces, garish retro, classic, fluffy, wierd, and random cool stuff.

Need a photographer? My personal hero is Tipton Gentry of Portable Onsite Photography. No weddings, no kids, just ART. He comes to you so you don’t have to pack up your art and schlep it all over town. He did a fantastic job photographing my chairs for the Southern Highland Craft Guild application and was super quick editing and getting my images to me. Check him out at portableonsitephotography.com
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