Rustic Wood Furniture

Gallery

	Hand-Made Chairs The frames are made from Alder or Maple, the bentwood is willow. Each piece is hand sanded. The frames are made very sturdy with bracing; they are nailed together using stainless nails. After the wood is completely dry the chairs are stained and/or clear coated. I sand the chairs between each coat. Chairs can be custom ordered, adjusting the frame size and back. Loveseats and longer benches are also available. Stained and clear coated $500.00 Clear coat or stain only $400.00 No clear coat or stain $350.00
	Dinner or Patio Table Glass top with etched flower, set on an alder frame, which has been finished with stain and clear coat. Custom orders available.

9. Garden Chair Sandra met Jenny at an Artisan fair. She was looking for a small rustic chair for her garden. Sandra constructed the frame and took it over to see if it fit the spot. Jenny liked the size but decided she would prefer it dressed up a bit. A friend had brought over some wisteria clippings that were perfect for the look Jenny had described. In the spring she plans to have a potted geranium and some pretty gloves place on it. Testimonial "If you are looking for something special for that vacant spot in your garden, I highly recommend the artistic work of Sandra Caillet. The rustic chair I recently purchased is well made and is one of a kind design. Her service is exemplary." J. Hewett	10. Kings Chair This chair had been in my mind for a long time. I wanted it to look like a kings chair from times gone by. The tree had been wrapped by a honey suckle vine causing the tree to grow around it. After the wood had cured I carved away the bark to enhance the spiral look. this chair is available for sale. $1575.00	11. Queens chair With over 150 hours involved in the creation of this piece, it was built with expression and not function in mind. Truly a chair to attract attention and would be perfect for display. Contact us for more information.
12. Bentwood Chairs The wood for the frames of these chairs is harvested from logging slashes, roadsides or under power lines. Maple and alder are my favourites. The frames are strong and made from 2-to-3 inch material predrilled and nailed. Every piece is rasped lightly, and sanded to a smooth finish. Saplings of alder, willow or red osier dogwood are cut just before use as bent canes. These are also rasped and sanded. The chairs can be treated with a coloured stain or left natural, and then finished with a polyurethane clear coat. I usually have one or two of these chairs available for sale starting at $350 - $500. I also do custom sizing for a personal fit. Please contact us.	13. A Table To Gaze At This table won the AWARD OF EXCELLENCE  COMOX VALLEY Community Juried Art Exhibition. It is a totally functional table as well as a wonder to gaze upon. Saplings were manipulated while growing to bring unique appearance and shape to this design. It is constructed with mortise and tenon joinery. All tenons are hand carved, fitting tightly into place and glued for extra strength. It is finished with poly urethane. The top is amber tinted glass cut to a unique design. Available for sale, please contact us.	14. Driftwood Bench This bench was built for Riversong Bed and Breakfast. Although it is a comfortable bench they say people prefer to sit under the opposite grape arbor and gaze back at this bench! Mortise and tenon joinery was used with glue as well as screws for added strength. Watch for more driftwood creations soon to come. Please contact us for your very own commissioned work.
15 & 16 Candle Holders These candle holders are made from twisted alder. Mortise and tenon joined and hand carved. Finished off with a brass candle liner. Similar designs as well as driftwood are often available. Prices starting at $35.00 Custom orders welcome, please contact us.		17. Crazy Curly Reindeer Curly wood from trees gone mad! Discovered at a neighbor's yard with a few crazy cherry trees. I wish I could have pruned them all. These trimmings from last year are delicate, fragile and rare. Please contact us for availability.
Dragon on a Perch This driftwood dragon is sculpted from eleven pieces of driftwood. A sculpture made using driftwood of the rivers and sea from the west coast of Vancouver Island. He balances on his perch, resting for the moment, balancing in the waves of time.	Driftwood Stool (fur) This stool is mostly made from west coast fur, some yellow and red cedar thrown into the mix''' ...just like at the beach - a little bit of everything.
Funky Hall Stand This is a one of a kind hallstand; it has been handcrafted from alder and pine. Magical and mystical; as if it was from a time gone by.	Show display multi-cultural event Here is a picture of one of Sandra’s latest displays. You can see the wide variety of her creations. Call or email us for dates of the next show.
		The Bird of Paradise This beautiful bird is made from Vancouver Island driftwood. It is made from four different pieces, put together with mortise and tenon joinery. A very rare bird indeed!
The following have been sold.
	Bar Stool It is put together with mortise and tenon joinery. The seat is made from 15 year old maple, the legs are maple saplings. I made this for my workshop; my partner liked it so much he moved it to the house. To use in the kitchen, my son liked it for doing his homework. This stool was sold at its first showing. Custom orders available, please contact us.
	Claudia’s Sauna Stool It has been made from west coast driftwood. Sit in it front or back, one way or the other. This stool has been sold.
	Foot stool This beautiful foot stool, made from driftwood, was sold to some folks in Nanaimo.
	Driftwood Swan Sculpture This graceful bird was created for a call for entry; the theme was the year of the swan. This sculpture has been sold.
	Driftwood jewelry holder This is a whimsical sculpture using driftwood to decorate and bring you in touch with the wild and rugged west coast of Vancouver Island. Sold.
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Sandra Caillet

Sandra was born and raised on a farm in Nanaimo, B.C. There she developed a love for the outdoors, which includes a great interest for trees. She remembers seeing images and having ideas for creating with wood as a young girl.

Because of her love for skiing and being near the mountains, Sandra moved to Courtenay in 1990. It was the need for some deck chairs, which inspired her to try her hand at building twig furniture. She has been building ever since, more than sixteen years.

Sandra has taught herself many different techniques, from building with green wood, mortise and tenon joinery, to carving sculptures on her band saw. Sandra’s work includes bentwood chairs; tables; stools; driftwood sculptures; driftwood jewelry; glass etching; wood sculpture; and one of her favorites, living tree sculpture. Each being original, and one of a kind.

Sandra has been showing her work for the past four years. In July 2004 the Comox valley Community Arts Council recognized her work with an award of excellence. It was for her coffee table called, “A TABLE TO GAZE AT “

Sandra and her partner Jeff are in their fifth year of operating their business "Trees To Please". They offer Sandra’s woodwork, topiary’s, tree sculpture, hedge trimming and tree services. They live on Coleman Road, Courtenay, B.C., and keep busy with tree work, art work, property improvements, skiing, kayaking and raising kids.

Sandra's Quotes:

• When I started making rustic furniture I developed the idea to manipulate trees as they grow. Continuing to develop my ideas and skills has enabled me to produce original furniture that has a high demand not only in the art world, but also in the gardening world.
   

• I love my work!
   

• I am very determined individual with endless ideas and passion for this work.
   

• I am awestruck by nature, the force of a storm; the power in water; the intricate patterns of tree's. This attention, along with an immense desire to create, has brought me to building furniture. With this comes an energy, I feel, can not be denied. Building brings me inspiration; I hope, that, I may pass some of this, on to you.
  
  Sincerely, Sandra Caillet

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• Communicative - Receives descriptive information, listens, visualizes customers ideas and requests uniquely.

• Adventurous- Enjoys exploring, backcountry skiing, caving, canyoning, white water kayaking, hiking in the forests.

• Hard working - focused and driven to create.

• Athletic, Capable, Elemental - Working outdoors every day. Physically capable of reaching new and unique locations on Vancouver Island to find materials to create with.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most commonly asked questions about bent wood chairs, driftwood benches and art work.

• How do you shape the wood?
  
  For the twisted effect the trees are manipulated in special ways and left to grow for 2 - 5 years. We also use green saplings, shape them, dry them to retain certain shapes, or used green bent to shape seats and backs.
  
  Some of the artwork is envisioned 2-5 years in advance in order to select and uniquely culture the red alder trees found growing near the coastal forests on Vancouver Island.
  
  The trees are harvested, cured and treated by hand to maintain the fine original quality nature has provided.
  
  Sandra brings character to life with hours of hand carving as each furniture creation takes on a form of its own.
   

• What types of wood do you use?
  
  Wood is all harvested locally and is alder, maple, willow, and red dogwood for the bent wood chairs. The drift wood is all types imaginable, including fir, yellow cedar, and red cedar. We also use apple, plum, and cherry wood.
   

• How long does it take to make a chair?
  
  The bent wood chairs take about two days of hand crafting, if the material is on hand. Added to that is curing time which is slow and natural and depends on the season. Another two days can be added for sanding, staining, and clear coat.
   

• How are they finished?
  
  The chairs are dried, sanded, stained, and clear-coated with polyurethane.
   

• How did you learn to do this?
  
  We have discovered that we can do anything we want to with wood through patience and persistence. The driftwood art is a natural talent mixed with trial and error over a few years. On going research and experimentation is required to master the joinery, the curing, and the finishing of the furniture. Mostly it is self-taught through many hours of happy and rewarding creation.
   

• Will they stand up to the weather outside?
  
  It is best if the chairs are kept under cover or stored inside for the winter months. Although we have a driftwood bench outside for the second season and it still has its original finish and looks fine. Like all finished wood products they do not last indefinitely outside without some maintenance.
   

• What's so great about your furniture?
  
  It is something different that attracts attention and is a great conversation piece. Something original that no one else has. They are all created by hand by a recognized, award-winning artist from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Original furniture that is functional and comfortable, as well as artistic!
   

• Can you make custom orders?
  
  If you have seen furniture in a magazine or elsewhere, Sandra can create a similar, unique piece for you, an original masterpiece of wood art with a personal touch. Commissioned wood works is what Sandra likes best!! Please contact us for further information.
   

• What is the quality of the furniture? Can I sit on it?
  
  The wood art is functional and it is well made to last. Sandra is a utilitarian. All her work is user friendly. Yes, you can sit on the chairs!
   

• Where can I see some of Sandra's work?
  
  Occasionally at Comox Valley art galleries, the Art and Bloom Festival (in the Spring) or the Artisans Festival (in the Fall) - both at the Woodland Gardens in Courtenay, British Columbia. Please contact us for the latest showings.
   

• Is there a guarantee?
  
  All of the driftwood art Sandra produces is guaranteed original and one of kind.

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