Porch rocker project is complete (at least half of it is!)

The blue chair on the left is the earlier version—orange one is the same chair, just finished. I took the first photo on October 2, so I guess the painting and caning process took exactly 2 months. It seemed like much longer.

I bought 2 of these rockers in 1992 to celebrate my purchase of the NJ house with a front porch. My previous post has more rocking chair history: Porch rocker paint project postponed

Now that there are helpful videos on YouTube (this one comes with baby chicks chirping in the background) it is much easier to do the caning. I tried reading the book again this time, but ended up playing the video over and over until I got the hang of it. Definitely not like riding a bike—it doesn't come back to you.

I ordered the cane from HH Perkins both times. They also sell plastic cane, but I asked if it lasted any longer than the real thing and they said no. The natural just looks so much better than anything plastic. But I will definitely try sealing the cane this time to see if I can make them last longer than 20 years in the hopes that I will rock on longer too. I don't think I will have the energy or inspiration to cane these a third time at age 80.

Now how long before I am inspired to start the second chair? Months at least. I have no fingernails left.