My name is Mitchell Webster, I am a Basket Weaver and Chair Caner. For just about 20 years now, since 1991.
I started out as a basket weaver, the number one question of all time has always been “Do You Cane Chairs”? So a couple of years later I started hand caning chairs, now I do all the forms of seat weaving. Actually most people lump all the forms of “Seat Weaving” into the term Chair Caning or Hand Caning, this is but one of the many styles of seat weaving.
It is my hope, that this blog will become a representation of all the forms of traditional basketry and seat weaving, so that people can better understand the differences between all the styles.
I do the following forms of “Seat Weaving” - Hand Caning, Pressed or Sheet Caning, Binder Cane (also known as Porch Cane), Fiber Rush, European Rush, Splint Bottoms, Shaker Tape, and the popular Danish Cord (used in Danish Modern and other Scandinavian Chairs.
I also do most of the traditional forms of Basketry- Not All- most. I work in reed, and weave the following styles- Traditional Market, Appalachian Ribbed or Egg Baskets, Shaker Style, and some Contemporary Twill baskets.
It is my hope that whoever comes to my blog, will be able to learn the different styles of both Seat Weaving and Basketry.
I am also a member of the “Artisan’s Center of Virginia” since its inception in May of 2000.
During the years of 2006/2007 I sold my baskets through the “Colonial Williamsburg Foundation” Williamsburg, Virginia
Mitchell Webster
Heritage Basket Studio & Chair Caning
100 Pennie Layne Apt. A
Bridgewater, Virginia 22812
mcw1961@gmail.com
Mitch please make sure I get signed up for your emails or blogs you send thru email. Thanks Sue
Hi Mitchell,
I noticed you mentioned you attend a “Plain” Quaker meeting in Harrisonburg. I “attend” Quaker meeting in Richmond Virginia which is extremely liberal. What exactly is a “Plain” Quaker Meeting?
Nice blog!
-Liz
I also have a set of 4 antique european chairs needing backs and bottoms replaced. I wonder if this is something I can do myself or if not how much you’d charge for doing that job?
I have several chairs that need caning, but am curious as to how much it costs. My great aunt used to do caning and charged by the hole. How do I get an estimate? I am about an hour from Wmsbg.
I have a cane seat oak rocker that I started to re-finish and found a crack in wood seat. I need know if it’s repairable and how much it would be to cane it.
Thank you,
Marie Drummond
Mr. Webster,
I saw the link to your web page on face book from your sister in law, Lenita. I have a childs rocking chair that needs a new bottom. I would love for you to take a look at this item and give me a price.
When you have time would you please email me or call me at 830.2280.
Thanks,
Sharon
Your work is impressive, Mitchell, and I learned something new. I did not know …what an egg basket looked like. Question: Why do they have two pockets opposed to just being an open basket? Any particular reason?
Oh I love your baskets!! They are gorgeous.
I am so impressed. :0)
And your blog looks fantastic. I wish you well on this new venture.
Thanks Sharon, you are so kind, as I said I am new to this, so many people have prompted me to start a blog, once I got a feel for it, it has been getting easier. I kind of like looking at the blog stats and seeing how many people are looking at it., so far in today 39.
Thanks again, and happy canning !!!
Mitchell