Erica Hemming – I have been practising traditional techniques of chair seating in natural materials for over 10 years now, every chair that I have worked on has been different.  This is not Upholstery; it is a collection of skills akin to basketry; inded Cane Seaters and Rush Bottomers – as we are quaintly known – can belong to the Basket Makers Association (www.basketassoc.org).

This year I have taken the opportunity to pass on the skills that I first learnt from my Grandfather.  I love the variety of chairs that I have restored and invariably the interest I get from their owners about the chairs’ history and about my craft.  There is a lot of satisfaction to be had giving a new lease of life to a cherished and very necessary item.