Monday, November 8, 2010
Did you know....
We list Caners on our website (www.peerlessrattan.com) and have features of Caners in several areas of the country.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Christmas is coming....
Ok, Halloween is over....it's now time to start thinking about Christmas - if you haven't been already! The Annual Christmas Craft show at Wings Stadium will be on Saturday December 4th and Sunday December 5th. This event is a MUST for all those living in West Michigan. It is perfect for those hard to buy for people!
Peerless Rattan will be having a booth at the show this year!! We will be showing and selling many different types of stools from hand cane to shaker tape to rush as well as splint! Come and check us out and buy for that person who "has it all"!
Peerless Rattan will be having a booth at the show this year!! We will be showing and selling many different types of stools from hand cane to shaker tape to rush as well as splint! Come and check us out and buy for that person who "has it all"!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Updated Website!
BIG NEWS!
Peerless Rattan has updated our website: www.peerlessrattan.com
We have been working diligently on this project and are excited for you to check it out.
You'll find all the same features you are used to, plus a few new ones. The biggest change is that we are now set up to accept credit cards as well as Paypal.
You will have to re-register as a new user as we weren't able to transfer over your password. It is an easy process, and you'll only have to register once.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Thanks for supporting us, we look forward to supplying you all your future caning needs!
Peerless Rattan has updated our website: www.peerlessrattan.com
We have been working diligently on this project and are excited for you to check it out.
You'll find all the same features you are used to, plus a few new ones. The biggest change is that we are now set up to accept credit cards as well as Paypal.
You will have to re-register as a new user as we weren't able to transfer over your password. It is an easy process, and you'll only have to register once.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Thanks for supporting us, we look forward to supplying you all your future caning needs!
Monday, October 4, 2010
What is a Steamer?
Peerless Rattan is the only North American supplier of the Steamer...what is a Steamer?
A Steamer is a special type of caning needle imported from England. It is used in pairs in an innovative new way of caning. Once you adjust to this new method, you'll be hooked on steamers! You can purchase them from our website: http://www.peerlessrattan.com/. Instructions are included with every purchase. They come in both 20" and 30".
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Losing it's Memory...
If the cane in your chair begins to "lose it's memory" (become loose) simply put a wet towel on the underneath side (tip your chair over) overnight. When you take the towel off and tip it back over the cane should tighten up. It it doesn't tighten up, then your chair has "lost it's memory"!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Basic Instructions for Hand Caning
Before you begin, make sure all of the holes are cleaned out throroughly. Find the center of the back and front and mark that hole with a caning peg. Soak the cane in room temp. water, and keep damp throughout process.
Step #1 By using the center holes pull the cane from back to front making sure that you leave at least 3 inches for tying off. Move the cane under the seat to the next hole and run it from front to back...continue this until the entire seat is done. Keep the shiny side of the strands up.
Step #2 Using the back left corner of the chair use the same method as described above only go from side to side. Try not to use the corner holes.
Step #3 Same step at #1 - only place the cane on the right hand side of step #1 placing the strand over step #2.
Step #4 This is where the actual weaving begins. By following step #2 go under over, under over. This step is on the bottom side of step #2. You may only be able to pull through a few at a time.
Step #5 Beginning in the upper right hand side of the chair, use the corner hole. Weave over strands from front to back and under strands from side to side. You will need to double up in the corner holes and you will see it form a "fish head" in each corner. The reason for this is that usually there are more holes in the front than the back, and it will help to form "x's" along each side as well.
Step #6 At the upper left hand side of the chair use the opposite corner hole. Weave under strands from front to back and over strands from side to side. You will notice "x's" forming in the front and back and even along each side. If you don't then you need to adjust your strands to do so.
Binding the Outside: By using Binder or Finishing Cane, cut a piece and lay over the holes. By using a piece of cane, go up through each hole and under each hole to hold the binder in place. After you are finished, you must now tie off the loose strands hanging underneath the chair. Use an awl to pick up the cane, slip the strand under, and then by using the same strand, make a tie. You need to trim any excess cane off. Our PLATO nippers are an excellent tool for this. You can use round reed to "peg" the hole you start and end with.
Step #1 By using the center holes pull the cane from back to front making sure that you leave at least 3 inches for tying off. Move the cane under the seat to the next hole and run it from front to back...continue this until the entire seat is done. Keep the shiny side of the strands up.
Step #2 Using the back left corner of the chair use the same method as described above only go from side to side. Try not to use the corner holes.
Step #3 Same step at #1 - only place the cane on the right hand side of step #1 placing the strand over step #2.
Step #4 This is where the actual weaving begins. By following step #2 go under over, under over. This step is on the bottom side of step #2. You may only be able to pull through a few at a time.
Step #5 Beginning in the upper right hand side of the chair, use the corner hole. Weave over strands from front to back and under strands from side to side. You will need to double up in the corner holes and you will see it form a "fish head" in each corner. The reason for this is that usually there are more holes in the front than the back, and it will help to form "x's" along each side as well.
Step #6 At the upper left hand side of the chair use the opposite corner hole. Weave under strands from front to back and over strands from side to side. You will notice "x's" forming in the front and back and even along each side. If you don't then you need to adjust your strands to do so.
Binding the Outside: By using Binder or Finishing Cane, cut a piece and lay over the holes. By using a piece of cane, go up through each hole and under each hole to hold the binder in place. After you are finished, you must now tie off the loose strands hanging underneath the chair. Use an awl to pick up the cane, slip the strand under, and then by using the same strand, make a tie. You need to trim any excess cane off. Our PLATO nippers are an excellent tool for this. You can use round reed to "peg" the hole you start and end with.
Monday, September 13, 2010
On-line Video Slide Shows
Our website http://www.peerlessrattan.com/ has several on-line video slide shows with pictures showing step by step directions and instruction.Here are some quick links to them:
Seat Weaving Using the Blind Knot
Cane Seat Weaving
Pressed Cane Seat Weaving
Rush Seat Weaving
Seat Weaving Using the Blind Knot
Cane Seat Weaving
Pressed Cane Seat Weaving
Rush Seat Weaving
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Christmas at Wings
Peerless Rattan is getting ready for "Christmas at Wings" on December 4th and 5th 2010! This holiday events brings in over 30,000 people to Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Garage Sale Finds
Be on the lookout at estate sales and garage sales for caned chairs that have holes in them! You can pick them up for cheap, cane them yourself and either re-sell them for a nice profit or keep them! I just found 4 pressed in cane chairs in great condition and the lady sold them for $6 Bucks! They look to be about 40 years old. I can't wait to get them fixed up and see what I can get for them!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Peerless Rattan in Memorial Day Parade
Peerless Rattan owners Ed and Cindy Hammond were in the Plainwell, MI Memorial Day Parade this year. Their children and Grandchildren all wore matching Peerless Rattan shirts and walked along-side the company mini-van passing out candy. Sitting on top of the mini-van was a caned rocking chair! It was a fun time and they can't wait to do it again next year - maybe behind Papa's tractor?!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Care of Cane Seats
Follow these helpful hints to prolong the life of your caned seat.
1. Keep cane chairs away from extreme heat situations and areas with low humidity.
These conditions cause the cane to dry out and become brittle and break. Fireplaces forced air heating, and sunny window exposure should be avoided.
2. Distribute weight evenly on the seat.
Never kneel on your seat or use it for a stool or ladder, which will cause the cane to break.
3. Is your seat starting to sag?
Cane has a memory (a natural elasticity) which over the years it will lose. (sound familiar?) If you don't tighten this up - your chair will start to break along the edges. If they aren't too far gone, you can tighten them up. All you need to do is tip the seat upside down, and place damp cloth on the under side overnight. The next day, tip right side up and the cane should tighten right back up. You should not sit on the seat for 24 to 48 hours to give it a good amount of time to dry. You can also mist the underside of the seat and you could even do this periodically to add moisture and prolong the life of the cane.
4. Cane and wicker storage.
Try not to store your furniture in places with high humidity or places where mold and mildew can develop. Keep your cane clean and mold free.
Caring for your cane seat can help them to last anywhere from 5 - 25 years.
Any other suggestions - please share.
1. Keep cane chairs away from extreme heat situations and areas with low humidity.
These conditions cause the cane to dry out and become brittle and break. Fireplaces forced air heating, and sunny window exposure should be avoided.
2. Distribute weight evenly on the seat.
Never kneel on your seat or use it for a stool or ladder, which will cause the cane to break.
3. Is your seat starting to sag?
Cane has a memory (a natural elasticity) which over the years it will lose. (sound familiar?) If you don't tighten this up - your chair will start to break along the edges. If they aren't too far gone, you can tighten them up. All you need to do is tip the seat upside down, and place damp cloth on the under side overnight. The next day, tip right side up and the cane should tighten right back up. You should not sit on the seat for 24 to 48 hours to give it a good amount of time to dry. You can also mist the underside of the seat and you could even do this periodically to add moisture and prolong the life of the cane.
4. Cane and wicker storage.
Try not to store your furniture in places with high humidity or places where mold and mildew can develop. Keep your cane clean and mold free.
Caring for your cane seat can help them to last anywhere from 5 - 25 years.
Any other suggestions - please share.
Friday, April 16, 2010
To Knot or Not to Knot
To Knot or Not to Knot - that is the question. After using the no knot method for the last few chairs - I am not convinced that it will hold over the long haul. I do see its use for chairs where there is a groove underneath...the David Dick method is good for backs (located on our website). But I am just fine with the old fashioned method of tying. I will keep using the different methods to suit each chair.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Sentimental
Today we had a man here at the shop with a chair that he had rocked his daughter in - we needed to replace the cane seat so he can give it to her for her new baby coming soon! What an awesome idea.
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