Canadian Leathercraft – Spring 2005

An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original. Download as PDF.

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Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft CANADIAN LEATHERCRAFT

Volume LIII No. 3 Spring 2005 0045-5121

Nancy Durham receiving her Fellow certificate from CSCL President, Peter Grove

In this Edition…
Page 2 Notes from the Editor, Thinking of you…
Page 3,4 Report of the 55th CSCL Annual
Page 5,6 Nancy Durham’s Fellow Articles
2005 OVSA Recipient–David McPherson FCSCL
Page 7,8 Special Awards 2005 Annual
Page 9 Craftsman Ribbons 2005 Annual
Page 10 Salon Ribbons 2005 Annual, Renew your CSCL Membership!
Page 11 CSCL Sponsors & Supporters, Ruth Haig –2005 John Mather Award Page 12 CSCL Executive Council 2005-2006

President: Peter Grove, 313 King St East, Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1 – - [email protected]
1st Vice-Pres.: Lauch Harrison, 68 Tisdale St. S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2W2 – [email protected]
2nd Vice-Pres.: Vacant
Past President: Phyllis McHale, 3783 Cty Rd. 45 RR#1 Coboconk, ON K0M 1K0 – [email protected]
Treasurer: Della Chynoweth, Unit 2- 42 Fourth Ave., Orangeville, ON L9W 4V9- [email protected]
Recording Secretary: Della Chynoweth, Unit 2- 42 Fourth Ave., Orangeville, ON L9W 4V9- [email protected].
Correspondence: Sandra Roberts, PO Box655, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0- [email protected]
Membership: Phyllis McHale, 3783 Cty Rd. 45 RR#1 Coboconk, ON K0M 1K0 – [email protected]
Editor: Madeleine Mitchell, 17 Light St., Woodstock, ON N4S 6G7 – [email protected]
Website: www.canadianleathercraft.org

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Notes from the Editor…
Well another Annual has come and gone – the 55th CSCL Annual was, as the convener, both a challenge and its own reward. When the Woodstock Branch started thinking about the Annual for 2005- it was still early 2004 and the planning was minimal to say the least. However, the small group that constitutes the Woodstock members always seemed to be thinking and when we did get together, the plans came together easily – but not without some controversy. We had decided that we would try a one day Annual – harkening back to the earlier Annuals of CSCL. Since we were eliminating Friday evenings as part of the Annual that meant that “ the judging “ had to be done in advance of the day. As it turned out we had plenty of articles for the judges to scrutinize a week before the Annual. Bill Whittingham, Chair of the Council of Fellows in 2004 had challenged more Branches to enter the Weston Trophy competition – Mississauga Branch rose to the challenge and we had 3 Branches compete. Maybe next year, we’ll get another one or two Branches to enter…
When you only have one day to fit in all the traditional parts of an Annual – you have to be on schedule – my gratitude is extended to everybody who participated!
Everything from the morning General meeting conducted by our very capable President, Peter Grove to the various draws, conducted by the Roberts team of Miles and Sandra, and the demonstrations by Paul Kitchener and Peter Grove, throughout the day – were on time.
Nancy Durham had suggested that her church, the Etonia United Church, would be a good venue for our Annual and that the Ladies of the church would provide excellent meals – she was right on both counts!
Since the Annual, I have heard from several attendees who appreciated the location and the country-style style dining provided by the ladies.
Another thing we added this year was an evaluation sheet. The results from about 59% of those attending indicated an overall approval of 78%. Some did want to return to the weekend Annual with more demonstrations – all the evaluations will be passed onto the Hamilton Branch that will be looking at the organizing of the 2006 Annual.
In this issue of the Canadian Leathercrafter you’ll find more details about the Annual’s highlights.
Finally, the Woodstock Branch and I sincerely Thank all of the many people and organizations that helped make April 16th, 2005 a celebration of CSCL’s 55 years!

Report of the 55th CSCL Annual of the Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft

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3 Etonia United Church Princeton, ON Saturday, April 16, 2005

The Spring morning of April 16th dawned bright but still cool, and found the
Woodstock Branch members bustling around the Etonia United Church Hall preparing for the arrival of CSCL members from Coboconk, Norland, Haliburton, Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, and London. To celebrate the 55th Annual of the Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft, an innovative one day Annual was planned.
By 9:30 am the displays were setup up by all the 5 Branches and coffee and goodies were available for the 33 registrants.
Sandra and Miles Roberts started ticket sales for the table full of donations and special draw items.
Carol McLean FCSCL, who had another engagement the same day, stopped by to present the first awards of the day – the Craftsman and Salon ribbons. 14 Crafters took home 24 Craftsman ribbons and 10 Salon ribbons. It was mentioned that fewer articles were sent in for the pre-annual judging, but this was the first time this had been tried.

Peter Grove, CSCL President, then called the General Annual Meeting to order. In Peter’s President’s report he remembered the loss of 3 CSCL members in the past year –
May Corbett, CSCL Past President and longtime Barrie Branch member and
Member-at-Large,
Jack Meharg, CSCL Past President, beloved member of the Toronto Branch, and Kevin Armstrong, CSCL past Secretary, Treasurer, co-editor of the Bulletin, and Archivist, and member of Mississauga.
“We miss you all,” said Peter and felt by all that knew May, Jack and Kevin.

Peter recognized the efforts of Hamilton President and member, Lauch Harrison – who conducted “Mitt Workshops” along with Peter Grove and also organized the Leather 2004 Biennial Exhibition at the Hamilton Public Library. Lauch then presented ribbons to the CSCL crafters who contributed to the successful
November Exhibition. It was a very well received show!
Woodstock Branch and Norland Branch also contributed to CSCL having a busy and creative year with sales, demonstrations and local exhibitions.

David and Dorothy McPherson, Woodstock members who live in London ON travelled the distance to Executive Council meetings often during the past year, as did the Woodstock and Norland officers and directors. Paul Kitchener,
Mississauga’s Branch President has been supportive and helpful in keeping Peter on track at meetings.

Peter expressed CSCL’s thanks to Fred Heacock, the husband of the late Betty Heacock for his generous donation making the “Betty Heacock Award” a reality.

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Annual Reports were presented in the printed 4 format and then Peter moved on to New Business, which included an issue with the revisions to the Constitution of CSCL.

Although the Executive tried to get the proposed changes out to members prior to the General Meeting, the deadline of “four weeks before the Annual Meeting” was not met. Therefore, the Executive Council will take the revision plan back to the table and plan to communicate with members well in advance of the 2006
Annual. No changes to the Constitution have occurred at this time.

Phyllis McHale, Past President and Nomination Chair presented the new slate of Officers for 2005-2006. (Complete list on page 12).

Madeleine Mitchell then read 5 biographies of the 6 Ontario Volunteer Service Award Candidates for 2005:

Dorothy McPherson (Woodstock Branch)
David McPherson (Woodstock Branch)-read during his Fellow presentation
Al Foss (Toronto Branch)
Cindy and Kevin Magura (Toronto Branch)
Marion Sim (Norland Branch)

Nancy Durham and David McPherson both of the Woodstock Branch were celebrated as CSCL’s newest Fellows! You’ll see their excellent work in the pictures that follow.

This year, we had three entries for the Weston Trophy Branch Competition.
Mississauga Branch got together and challenged Hamilton and Woodstock.
Hamilton won! Many Congratulations to Lauch Harrison and his Hamilton CSCLer’s.

During the lunch break, Madeleine Mitchell presented DVD presentations of the history of CSCL – the first one chronicled the first 45 years (1950 – 1995) and the second newer production, the last ten years (1995 – 2005). With images of CSCL work through the years and the people who made it happen, the DVD’s allowed the newer members of CSCL to see some of the colourful past history.

Paul Kitchener of Mississauga presented an excellent demonstration on “Colour Techniques” followed, after some draws and Coffee Break (courtesy of the
Leather Factory) by Peter Grove, Hamilton demonstrating the almost-lost skill of “Leather Tooling”. Although this year’s Annual had only two demonstrations we were able to present two of the Guild’s most gifted teachers!

Barry Taylor, a new Mississauga member, won back his registration fee in the Early Bird Registration Draw. Welcome to CSCL Barry!
Mississauga took home the prize for “Best Branch Display” –Congrat’s to Paul Kitchener and his Branch!

While members chatted and caught up on leather craft tricks and tips, Sandra and Miles prepared for the “big” draws – Norland members cleaned up almost all

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the big prizes – we’ll be expecting big things 5 from Norland next year with all those new tools and leather!

Nancy Durham then presented the Special Awards just before the start of the Banquet. Five awards were presented. The list is enclosed in the following pages.
Congratulations to all the winners!

The women of the Etonia United Church then served a delicious Annual Banquet.
“The Gal Family Singers” a mother and her two talented daughters then entertained CSCL Members and their guests.

As the day was coming to a close, Madeleine Mitchell still had a couple of more surprises – first of all, a trivia game, with apparently some difficult questions, that awarded two persons at each table with the spring flowers that served as center pieces, and then secondly, as a parting gift and remembrance of the 55th CSCL Annual – a CSCL mug with a little taste of Oxford County Maple Syrup!

Comments of “well done’’ and “lots of fun” and “thanks” were heard as the displays were taken down and the hall emptied.

See you all next year!
Madeleine Mitchell,
Woodstock Branch
Nancy Durham’s Fellow Articles

If you would like to see more pictures from the 2005 CSCL Annual –
Go to www.kodakgallery.com Register, for free, and sign in.
You’ll be able to view all the
68 pictures from the Annual.

2005 OVSA Recipient: David McPherson FCSCL by Dorothy McPherson
While in his teens, David took his first leather course from Margaret Jennings at the YMCA, London, around 1950 making a carved wallet. He remembers his aunts, Agnes Stacey and Jeanne Lacey, making work vests by stitching leather pieces together on a sewing machine.

2005 OVSA Recipient: David McPherson FCSCL continued…

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He up-dated his leathercrafting skills in the ‘70s 6 and took courses in the‘80s after he discovered, and joined, the Hamilton Branch of the Canadian Society for Creative
Leathercraft. He began competing and retailing his work, especially corporate gift boxes.
His work has gained recognition including the Ontario Crafts Council Award, CNE prizes, CSCL salon and craftsman ribbons, Irva Ford (Best Molded Piece) Award,
Haliburton School of Fine Arts Award, Zalitis Pin (with Associate standing), Fred Brown Award (Best Dyed Article), Tandy Leather Award, Moore-Pearsall Award.

He builds his boxes entirely of leather beginning with a thick, rigid sole leather base. The hinged lid is a McPherson trademark. He has given demonstrations and workshops on “Box Making” and also on “Acrylic Rubs”.

David is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (BA) and the University of Toronto (MEd). Now retired after 30 years of teaching mathematics at Port Colborne High School he incorporates mathematical theories into his work. Following David’s retirement, the family moved to London in 1997. With retirement from teaching, he and his wife Dorothy founded DURA MED Mobility Products Inc. with son Jamie, in 1999, to provide home care equipment and mobility equipment to London and area.

In London David volunteered as a leathercrafter in the Tack Shop at Fanshawe Pioneer Village and on the London Arts Council executive as a Director and then Treasurer.
David lent an air of stability to the London Arts Council during his four years as
Treasurer when the LAC budget went from $5000 to $300,000 and office staffing went from volunteers to a full-time Executive Director.

David’s work, which has been marketed internationally, is now available at ARTISTIX, London.

David served in the Hamilton Branch as treasurer, membership, and librarian. On the Executive Council of CSCL he has been Canadian Leathercraft Editor and
Corresponding Secretary, and is currently a Director. He received his CSCL Associate standing in 1991 and his Fellow standing in 2005.

David, who is already a recipient of a 10-year Ontario Volunteer Service Award from the Niagara Guild of Crafts, will receive a 25-year Ontario Volunteer Service Award this year from CSCL.

David McPherson receiving his Fellow Certificate from Peter Grove David’s Fellow Articles

Special Awards 2005 CSCL Annual
Congratulations to all the Winners!

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CSCL Workshop Award
Barbara Chynoweth for her Black Sheepskin Trapper Mitts

Irva Ford Award for Moulded Leather Loreen Manuel for her Wreath of Moulded Flowers

Betty Heacock Award for New or Novice Leather Worker
Barry Boyd for his Carved & Laced Mouse Pad

Robert Muma Award for Colour and Best in Show
Madeleine Mitchell for her Red & Black Covered Bottle

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2005 Weston Trophy Branch Competition Hamilton Leather Craft Guild

Ontario Crafts Council Design Award Sean Dalgetty for his English Saddle Bag

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Craftsman Ribbons 2005 Annual Congratulations to all the Winners!
Hamilton Branch
Sean Dalgetty –5 Red Stamped Belt
Square Moulded tray
Rifle Scabbard
English Saddle Handbag
Bollocks Bag

Peter Grove -1 Moulded Tray

Lauchlan Harrison –2 Magazine Rack Sheepskin Vest

Mississauga Branch
Barry Boyd -1 Carved and Laced Mouse Pad Gary Cook -1 Braided Lead with Brass Fittings Colleen Peyer -2 Moulded Flowers
Brown Flower Stamped Belt
Joyce Scruton -1 Desk Blotter

Norland Branch
Della Chynoweth -1 Moccassins

Toronto Branch
Barb Chynoweth -1 Dark Brown Sheepskin Mitts

Woodstock Branch
Nancy Durham –5 Pen Stand
Book with Buff Pages Knapsack
Basketweave Belt
Scissors (shears) Case

Loreen Manuel –1 Wreath of Moulded Flowers

David McPherson –1 Rectangular Box

Madeleine Mitchell –1 Red and Black Covered Bottle

Jean Pickering –1 Passport Case

Overheard at the Annual…

“leather doesn’t always do what you want it to…”

“ain’t it the truth !”

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Salon Ribbons 2005 Annual
Congratulations to all the Winners!
Hamilton Branch
Sean Dalgetty –3 Rifle Scabbard
English Saddle Handbag
Bollocks Bag

Peter Grove –1 Moulded Tray

Lauchlan Harrison –1 Magazine Rack

Mississauga Branch
Barry Boyd –1 Carved and Laced Mouse Pad

Woodstock Branch
Nancy Durham –1 Pen Stand
Loreen Manuel –1 Wreath of Moulded Flowers David McPherson –1 Rectangular Box
Madeleine Mitchell –1 Red and Black Covered Bottle

Have You Renewed Your CSCL Membership?

Phyllis McHale, Membership Chair reminds CSCL members that the Annual fees were due April 1, 2005. If your membership expires you won’t receive the Canadian Leathercrafter or important CSCL information. If you belong to a Branch –contact your Branch Treasurer. If you are a Member-at-Large please send your $25 Annual fee (cheques payable to CSCL) to Phyllis McHale, 3783 County Rd 45 RR#1 Coboconk, ON K0M 1K0

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Our Many Thanks to our CSCL Sponsors and Supporters!

The following companies and people generously donated to the success of the 55th CSCL Annual with donations towards expenses and gifts for the Special Draw Prizes.

The City of Woodstock DURA MED Mobility Products Inc. The Leather Factory Tundra Leather Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal Hamilton Branch CSCL Mississauga Branch CSCL Norland Branch CSCL Toronto Branch CSCL & Trillium Fund Woodstock Branch CSCL Loreen Manuel Nancy & David Durham Dorothy & David McPherson Eileen Metcalfe

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Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft Executive Council 2005-2006

Officers

Past President Phyllis McHale (705)454-3206 President Peter Grove (905)527-7745 1st Vice President Lauchlan Harrison (905)525-4092 Recording Secretary Della Chynoweth (519)942-3390 Treasurer Della Chynoweth (519)942-3390 Correspondence Secretary Sandra Roberts (705)457-1966

Branch Presidents

Hamilton Lauchlan Harrison (905)525-4092 Mississauga Paul Kitchener (905)257-5622 Norland Phyllis McHale (705)454-3206 Toronto Della Chynoweth (519)942-3390 Woodstock Nancy Durham (519)458-4533

Directors

Laura Bush (613) 392-1475 Barbara Chynoweth (416) 481-7732 Nancy Durham (519) 458-4533 Al Foss (416) 284-5036 Marilyn Harry (613) 392-2660 David McPherson (519) 473-6450 Dorothy McPherson (519) 473-6450 Jean Pickering (519) 285-2518 Betsy Ronnie (905) 631-6277 Miles Roberts (705) 457-1966 Joyce Scruton (905) 844-9471

Ex-Officio

Chairperson of Council of Fellows Vacant
Teaching Standards Ruth Haig (905) 525-0780 Lauchlan Harrison (905) 525-4092 Archivist Vacant
Editor Madeleine Mitchell (519) 537-7821 Membership Phyllis Mchale (705) 454-3206 Library Vacant

First Meeting of the New Executive Council 8:00pm Friday, May 27, 2005 at the Leather Factory, 5562 Tomken Rd., Mississauga