Padua Crafts Chair Caning

04/23/2025

I am pleased to announce the first fundraiser for a new venture in Front Royal -- Hill Country Thrift, Inc.

This has been a dream of mine for more than a decade. Several St. John's members are now starting this nonprofit thrift store, beginning with a rummage sale this June 13-14. See the attached flyer for details.

Donation collection begins this Saturday, April 26, 1-3 pm. Additional details will be available on our website soon.
Besides material donations for the rummage sale, we will soon be asking for financial donations to help secure a physical store front in Front Royal.

The mission of the venture is to support the Front Royal Pregnancy Center both financially and with shopping vouchers for their clients. I am hoping to have an info session soon to provide further information and answer questions.

Please consider donating or volunteering, and most importantly keep us in your prayers.

Thank you and Happy Easter!

-- Stephen Pilon

11/19/2018

Not wanting to let two whole years go by since my last post, here is a chair I recently completed. That is 25 hours of finger-aching, hand-caned goodness there! But now it can be used again. Cheers! (or should that be Chairs!)

12/05/2016

Just finished up with a set of four Shaker Tape chairs with a black & white checkerboard pattern. You can see the before and after pictures here. Any rush or reed chair can easily be converted to Shaker Tape. There are many colors to choose from. Let me know if you want an estimate on this or any other type of woven seat.

03/24/2016

Just picked up another load of chairs. Looks like I'll be busy!

04/24/2015

Padua Crafts Chair Caning will be at the Virginia Wine & Crafts Festival on Sat, May 16 from 10-6. I'll be doing demonstrations of various types of seat weaving throughout the day.

Front Royal Wine & Craft Festival

10/01/2014

I will be at the Festival of Leaves in Front Royal on Oct 11, 9am-6pm. My booth will be in the Heritage Square section on Chester Street and I'll be doing chair caning, rush and other demonstrations throughout the day. If you are at the festival, stop by to say hi.

This marks the 44th year of the Warren Heritage Society's annual fundraiser, the Festival of Leaves. Please mark your calendar and plan on joining us on Saturday, October 11, 2014, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Festival takes place in historic downtown Front Royal, Virginia on Chester and Main Streets. Come e…

10/01/2014

What keeps me busy at Padua Crafts? How about 17 chairs coming in all on one day!

09/05/2014

Here's a little project I completed recently. All hand-tied cane. About 50-60 hours of work, and very satisfying to see the finished product.

09/13/2013

Here is a chair I recently repaired for a friend. The seat looks great as is, or could be stained to match the chair.

09/06/2013

Here is a nice example of a side-chair with a round seat. It's a bit more work than a standard rectangular seat, but has a beautiful look!

09/06/2013

A close-up on the danish cord seat.