Profession wicker furniture maker

Wicker furniture makers choose and prepare materials such as softened rattan or willow branches in order to produce wicker furniture such as chairs, tables and couches. They use hand, power or machine tools to cut, bend and weave materials to create the desired objects. Finally, they treat the surface to ensure a finished look and protect it from corrosion and fire using waxes, lacquers and other coatings.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Realistic

Knowledge

• Furniture trends

  The latest trends and manfacturers in the furniture industry.

• Ergonomics

  The science of designing systems, processes and products that complement the strengths of people so that they can use them easily and safely.

• Technical drawings

  Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.

• Wicker materials

  Wicker is woven fiber forming a stiff structure that is used for wicker furniture such as chairs, tables and couches. Various materials can be used for different purposes and aesthetic effects such as willow branches, rattan, cane or bamboo. Sometimes, plastic fibers are used as well.

• Wicker weaving techniques

  Techniques to weave materials with various degrees of flexibility and thickness, and producing different patterns such as the hole-to-hole chair caning, the press cane webbing or the natural hand-twisted bulrush.

Skills

• Operate drilling equipment

  Operate a range of drilling equipment, pneumatic as well as electrical and mechanical. Tend drilling equipment, monitor and operate it, according to regulations. Safely and efficiently drill holes using the correct equipment, settings, and drill bits.

• Apply wood finishes

  Use a variety of techniques to finish wood. Paint, varnish and stain wood to improve its function, durability, or appearance.

• Apply weaving techniques for wicker furniture

  Apply various weaving techniques to form a solid structure or a seating surface by means of interlacing strands, and fix it to the chair frame with different techniques such as drilling holes or using glue.

• Design objects to be crafted

  Sketch, draw or design sketches and drawings from memory, live models, manufactured products or reference materials in the process of crafting and sculpting.

• Apply a protective layer

  Apply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.

• Tend boring machine

  Tend a boring machine, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.

• Prepare wicker material for weaving

  Apply preliminary treatment such as soaking to prepare the chosen materials and cut it to the right dimensions by means of drilling, heating, bending or other techniques.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB