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Writer's pictureSue Muldoon

Learn to weave! Seats or baskets!

Another spring is upon us, and teaching continues!

In person or virtually...there's an option to learn something new.


First up is a 2-day class at CT Valley School of Woodworking in Manchester, CT

March 20, and 21. 9:30-5 each day.


"

Explore the art of seatweaving in this new two-day hands on class. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a “dying art”! Bringing old or new chairs to a sitable state can be achieved with a variety of different weaves and that is what this class is all about.

We will begin with some history of cane, rush, wicker and a wide assortment of seating styles. On your first day, you will choose to weave a small stool using either fiber rush or porch weave. Learning these two techniques opens the doors to many variations using the same weave technique but moving on to different materials of your choice. Imagine all the “sad chairs” that you pass by that could be revived or family heirlooms to be restored or new chairs woven.


On the second day, you will learn the traditional 7-step hand-woven cane

(also called lace cane) on your own chair, or you may choose from a selection in Sue’s inventory for a small fee. Chairs should be in a finished state, as caning is the last step to a complete project.


Caning kits with cane, awl, booklet and wooden pegs will be available. We will need measurements of your chair 2 weeks prior to class to assure the correct size of cane.

No experience is necessary. You will have your hands in water for soaking cane, fiber and reed.


Sue Muldoon is a seatweaver (among other things) and owns Redux For You, repairing chairs and memories . She has taught over a hundred students in 2019 and looking forward to sharing her skills. "


Class follows guidelines and protocals for a safe class.



 

Virtual Classes continue!


We had fun with a backpack class recently (it may be repeated, keep tuned )

I was finally able to add a third camera view, enabling students to look from the from, overhead and side. It was very helpful. I will continue to do this in classes.



A big thank you to Brandy Clements from Silver River Center for Chair Caning for assistance as a moderator. She took the screen shots!

We had a lot of happy new backpacks.


 

Next class up is Spring Basket!



You can sign up for the ZOOM class here.


This is a versatile basket that will be great for Easter, as a planter, or collecting eggs (holds 2 dozen) I worked from the egg carton and went backwards, for size.


 

There are more classes coming soon.

Here is a recap:



Hand Cane

Porch Weave & Rush Stools


Porch Weave, Rush Stools



To be announced...it will be virtual!




Porch Rocker Weekend



Easter Basket: March 27



Private classes by appointment

Small classes TBA


 



I will be adding kits for baskets, stools, crafts and more. It's a "work in progress" right now.


I will also be listing some completed works,

woven hearts, backpacks and baskets.


COMING SOON will be instructions you can download, or a video tutorial to learn at your convenience.


This is all a part of the "Pandemic Pivot" we've all had to do.



 

Sue Muldoon divides her time between 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional work. She bounces back and forth between photography, web design and graphic design to seatweaving (chair caning, wicker repair, rush, splint, etc.) and basket weaving.

Basketry started as an add-on to seat weaving because there was material begging to be used in more than one format.


Sue’s career has always been creative, from wallpaper hanging and interior painting to a lengthy career in the floral industry as designer and merchandiser. Wood carving, furniture refinishing and upcycling furniture in novel ways using unique materials like leather belts, ties and alpaca wool set her apart from traditional seatweaving methods.


Color is rampant and unapologetic.

Where some might see a chair, Sue sees a statement. She spends the majority of her time now repairing seats (an unabashed “chairnerd” and webmaster of The SeatWeavers Guild, Inc) but enjoys branching out into basketry.


She considers her seatweaving work to be part functional and part emotional. Along with repairing chairs, she repairs the memories that are attached to seats that are in demise and disrepair. The joy on a client’s face when they see family history brought back to functionality is inspiring.


Her photography and design work enable her to get the word out about what she does, and her skills in social media are in demand from farmers markets, growers, artists and authors.


Creating special baskets for her most rapt audience, her newborn, 5 and 10-year-old grandsons, keeps Sue busy and inspires her to teach them to appreciate nature, natural materials and art.


A frequent instructor at various sheep, wool and fiber festivals, furniture schools art retreats and farmers markets, she enjoys sharing seatweaving and basketmaking to new crafters and artisans. Virtual teaching has become part of her skills out of neccessity and adventure.


You can see Sue’s work at www.reduxforyou.com and www.suemuldoonimages.com


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