Since his death in 1993 I have continued his work caning chairs and now weaving baskets. Melanie's Woven History
My fondest memories of my childhood are at home with my mother and father. My father worked as a craftsman, restoring antique furniture. Since my father worked out of his own shop at home I was able to watch in awe at his work. My father's hand would restore that old painted dresser in
to a beautiful piece of furniture, hand polish a piece of mahogany until it shined and bring new life to that old chair. Dad and Mom are gone now, but I still have my memories of those special times in Dad's workshop marveling over his abilities as a craftsman. In the last dozen years I have returned seriously to something my father gave me, the art of caning. I live now in Vermont on the farm. I am thankful to continue my work with caning. I enjoy my interactions with my customers at farmers markets and craft shows. Working out of my home is a true gift. I hope someday to pass this on to another family member. My main work is chair caning, restoring old pieces to their once grandeur. When I was a child my mother made me a doll chair and doll. The little doll chairs I make today are a replica of what my mother made for me. The wood for these doll chairs are left over pieces from other projects. Years ago I taught members of 4-H how to cane using the smallest of footstools, I now use them in my own business. Using recycled wood for the legs, I create these footstools in four sizes. They are easy to carry and I can show how to use different types of cane in my demonstrations. I have had the joy of restoring and caning rockers, chairs and benches. I take pride in my family tradition and in my work and am thankful for every day I can continue my family tradition.
