Betty Denton,known as "The Ladycaner", learned chair caning by apprenticeship in the early 1990's from her mentor, friend and distant cousin, Ned Johnson. He had been caning for 75 years and was a master at his craft. After three years of apprentice work, Betty began caning on her own. She has now been caning for close to 30 years, and is proficient at hand (thru-the-hole) caning, blind caning, primitive (over-the-round) caning, splint, rush, and press-in caning.
Betty operates her business for her customers at her shop near Tampa, Florida, and has demonstrated her heritage craft as well at venues all over Florida, North Carolina and Vermont.
Within Florida, she is regularly seen at the Florida State Fair "Cracker Country" living history museum in Tampa and at the Plant City Pioneer Day in Plant City. She enjoys sharing her craft with others and is delighted to teach classes wherever the opportunity presents itself. She is full of funny stories and genuinely loves to share her passion for caning with others.
