This morning the conference opened with a lovely brunch and a lot more table prizes. I think I've got enough animal stuff to open a pet shop!

The afternoon's workshop (for me) was a wicker rocking chair, taught by Marilyn Crockett. She uses a linen thread that gives a very realistic effect. It has a nice feel to it, too ... very nice to handle. It's a very relaxing project. I could do a lot of this, I think!

This is the kit we started with. It contained a chair seat with the wire spokes preglued. This was necessary in order to complete the chair during a 4-hour class. Cloth for the cushion was included, but I think I'll change it out for something else.

Hint: Marilyn said she included some batting in the package, but she usually fills her pillows with fine sand. It lays beautifully and you can even make an indentation, as if someone has just gotten up.

The wires are covered with paper. They can be found at cake or floral shops. They're painted to match or complement the twine color.

We started with a plain in-and-out basket weave, then put in a decorative row.

A curved space defines the back. Marilyn said that this is a very basic design for the tutorial. I can see how it could be embellished with other weaves or even a pattern of contrasting colors. The arms and back are gently curved as you work. I was surprised to discover that the whole woven part could be shaped very easily. I guess I was thinking about real wicker, which is not flexible at all after it's finished.

After the top is finished, the spokes are clipped off and some are inserted into predrilled holes in the seat bottom to accomodate the bottom detail.

That's about as far as I got during the class. I'll post more photos when it's finished. Meanwhile, here is a photo of one of the prototypes. It's a different color, and a chair instead of a rocker, but you get the idea.