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.

The following job titles also refer to wicker furniture maker:

rattan furniture weaver
wicker-furniture manufacturer
rattan furniture maker
rattan furniture assembler
wicker furniture assembly worker
willow furniture weaver
wicker furniture weaver
wicker furniture fabricator
wicker-furniture producer
rattan furniture production process worker
wicker furniture manufacturer
wicker furniture producer
wicker furniture creator
wicker furniture assembler
wicker-furniture fabricator
wicker furniture production process worker
wicker furniture production operative
rattan furniture assembly worker
rattan furniture production operative
wicker-furniture creator
rattan furniture manufacturer

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a wicker furniture maker.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Wicker furniture maker is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to wicker furniture maker.

cabinet maker
antique furniture reproducer
furniture assembler
frame maker
furniture upholsterer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of wicker furniture maker. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of wicker furniture maker with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

3D printing technician
furniture shop manager
printed circuit board designer
taxidermist
carpenter supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of wicker furniture maker.

• 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.
• Furniture trends: The latest trends and manufacturers in the furniture industry.
• Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
• 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.
• Ergonomics: The science of designing systems, processes and products that complement the strengths of people so that they can use them easily and safely.

These skills are necessary for the role of wicker furniture maker.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of wicker furniture maker. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Woodturning: Process of shaping wood on a lathe and its types, namely spindle turning and faceplate turning.
• Conservation techniques: The procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.
• Organic building materials: The types and processing of organic materials to build products or parts of products.
• Metalworking: The process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large-scale structures.
• CAD software: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
• Furniture industry: Companies and activities involved in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of functional and decorative objects of household equipment.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of wicker furniture maker. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Pass on trade techniques: Pass on knowledge and skills, explain and demonstrate the application of equipment and materials and answer questions about trade techniques for the manufacturing of products.
• Manipulate plastic: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of plastic.
• Apply restoration techniques: Select and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management processes.
• Handle delivery of furniture goods: Handle the delivery and assemble the furniture and other goods, according to customer’s needs and preferences.
• Join wood elements: Bind wooden materials together using a variety of techniques and materials. Determine the optimal technique to join the elements, like stapling, nail, gluing or screwing. Determine the correct work order and make the joint.
• Use welding equipment: Operate welding equipment in a safe manner; use welding techniques such as shielded metal arc welding or flux-cored arc welding.
• Evaluate restoration procedures: Evaluate the outcome of conservation and restoration procedures. Evaluate the degree of risk, success of treatment or activity and communicate the results.
• Create smooth wood surface: Shave, plane and sand wood manually or automatically to produce a smooth surface.
• Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
• Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
• Sand wood: Use sanding machines or hand tools to remove paint or other substances from the surface of the wood, or to smoothen and finish the wood.
• Sell household goods: Sell household devices and goods such as microwaves, blenders and kitchen supplies in accordance to the client’s personal preferences and needs.
• Design original furniture: Master and develop industrial aesthetics through ongoing research of new shapes, adapted to the function of the objects the research deals with (domestic objects, urban furnitures, etc.).
• Create furniture frames: Construct a strong frame out of materials such as wood, metal, plastic, laminated boards, or a combination of the materials for furniture.
• Use painting equipment: Use brushes, rollers, spray guns and other painting equipment in accordance with the work.
• Design prototypes: Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
• Sell furniture: Sell pieces of furniture in accordance to the client’s personal preferences and needs.
• Repair furniture parts: Repair locks, pegs, braces, frames or other parts of furniture.
• Prepare furniture for application of paint: Set up furniture for standard or custom paint job, protect any parts that should not be painted and prepare painting equipment.
• Operate wood sawing equipment: Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.

7317 – Handicraft workers in wood, basketry and related materials

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References

1. Wicker furniture maker – ESCO