Danish Cord Chair by Hans Wegner - split rail warp/weft weaveHans Wegner CH23 Split Rail Danish Cord Chair
Danish Cord Chair by Hans Wegner - split rail warp/weft weave
Danish Cord Chair by Hans Wegner - split rail warp/weft weave
1970s chair and footstool by George Nakashima
1970s chair and footstool by George Nakashima
steam bent trefoil table base, woven with black and natural cane in a basket weave pattern
steam bent trefoil table base, woven with black and natural cane in a basket weave pattern
book cover of The Woven Chair, Traditional and Modern Chair Seating. 2-tone blue shaker tape chair with woven seat and back. Also featured are Danish cord and paper rush seats.
book cover of The Woven Chair, Traditional and Modern Chair Seating. 2-tone blue shaker tape chair with woven seat and back. Also featured are Danish cord and paper rush seats.

Silver River Center for Chair Caning

Silver River Center for Chair Caning is the nation's only chair weaving school & museum. David Klingler and Brandy Clements thrive on building community through their work in Southern Appalachia and by connecting chair nerds across the globe. The school is an official Education Center of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and Brandy is a 4th generation chair weaver. David and Brandy are excited to announce the publication of The Woven Chair, Traditional and Modern Seat Weaving in 2025 by Blue Hills Press. A signed copy can be purchased at the school!

The museum is open by appointment Mon-Fri 10-5 and some weekends. On display are an astounding collection of Corn Shuck chairs, historic Western North Carolina chairs, mid-century goodness, an impressive collection of #canespotting objects and ephemera, process exhibits, a green woodworking exhibit and their latest acquisition, a NYC Subway bench with woven rattan fabric. Sit a while and study up via their chair library. Learn about broommaking in the ever expanding handmade broom nook! Kids and dogs are welcome. Sales of Chair Nerd T-shirts help keep the museum free for the education of the masses.  Warning: You might become a Chair Nerd.

Formerly located in Asheville's River Arts District for 15 years, Silver River Chairs is a flagship for the traditional craft. Now located below Five Monkeys Quilts at 32 N Main Street, they are excited to be in the Weaverville community. Brandy & Dave are widely respected in the craft industry and are commonly known as "Chair Nerds." They teach in person and online at their shop, at various craft schools like Arrowmont and John C Campbell Folk School, and at museums, conferences, woodworker and fiber groups, public schools and galleries. Classes range from 1 day to 2 weeks and cater to all levels of weavers. After 20 years of full time restoration work and because they want to focus on educating the masses, Brandy and Dave are being a little more selective about their restoration work but will gladly refer you to another local weaver if they aren't able to help. For classes or for restoration inquiries, please email a photo of your chair to [email protected] or text a photo to 828-707-4553.

Silver River Chairs also has a variety of materials, tools, and supplies for those with the DIY Spirit. Chair weaving and broom making books are for sale. And while they don't usually sell chairs, they often have some that need a good home woven by students in their classes or they can put you on the right path. They feature small businesses who sell basketry and embroidery kits, so there is a little something for everyone!