Rattan Crafts

Furniture Making

• Furniture making is a widely popular use of rattan. Sofas, chairs, tables and mats adorn homes and businesses worldwide, adding a traditional and natural theme. After removing the rattan skin, remaining material is used for making sturdy furniture. Working with rattan involves drying the core via sun-drying, chemical process, or boiling in an oil mixture, all that also help prevent insect infestation. Once dry, the rattan is bent, woven and formed into furniture. Completed pieces can be painted, stained or varnished.

Arts and Crafts

• Skillful workmanship brings out the true beauty of rattan. Basket weaving utilizes the rattan skin, which acts as a durable weaving textile. Because pliable material is needed for the delicate work of basket weaving, rattan should be soaked in water prior to use to avoid brittleness and breakage. Rattan weaving involves several stages, including horizontal and vertical weaves, settings and crossings.

  Canes fashioned from rattan are not only designed as walking aides, but also popularly used in sporting martial arts and self-defense. Rattan canes have been historically utilized to impose corporal punishment.

Handbags

• Rattan weaving is not limited to home décor and furniture design. In fact, woven rattan has established a special place in the handbag industry. Rattan handbag and purse handles are also immensely stylish. Tough, flexible cane of uniform diameter obtained from the plant’s long stem crafted into various handle shapes adds a decorative flair.

Fashion

• Intricately woven rattan has successfully found a place in the fashion world. Formed into belts, rattan makes a unique statement. Skilled craftsmen with patient hands also shape rattan into delicate pieces of jewelry.