Canadian Leathercraft – Spring 2012

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 LVV No. 3 Spring -2012 0045-5121

Peter Main at CSCL's 2012 Annual Weekend
In this Edition…
Page 2 Notes from the Editor, Membership reminder
Page 3 Highlights of the Executive Council Meetings, Getting to Know CSCL`s Special Guest Page 4 Mississauga Whips the Competition!
Page 5 3 New Associate Members for CSCL, 2012 Annual Awards
Page 6 Annual Awards continued
Page 7 2012 Annual Ribbons
Page 8 CSCL`s Executive Council Slate for 2012 – 2014
Page 9 Learning from the Master – Peter Main, Tips from the Demos by Carol Broumley Page 10 Creating a Leather Applique with Peter Main

President: Lauch Harrison, 68 Tisdale St. S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2W2 – [email protected]
1st Vice-Pres.: Rob Regan, [email protected]
2nd Vice-Pres.: Ken Boroski, 1960 Aldermead Rd., Mississauga, ON L5M 3A1 [email protected]
Past President: Barbara Chynoweth, 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, ON K0M 1K0 – [email protected]
Treasurer: Della Chynoweth, 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, ON K0M 1K0- [email protected]
Recording Secretary: Della Chynoweth, 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, ON K0M 1K0- [email protected].
Correspondence: Pat Bullock, 139 Valentia Rd., Little Britain, ON K0m 2C0 [email protected]
Membership: Tracey Howard, RR#1 2316 Conc Rd. A, Brechin, ON L0K 1B0 – [email protected]
Editor: Madeleine Mitchell, 17 Light St., Woodstock, ON N4S 6G7 – [email protected]
Website: www.canadianleathercraft.org

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2 Notes from the Editor…
It's difficult to remember all the Annuals I have attended since becoming a CSCL member in 1974, but I will remember the 2012 Annual, as the one I missed. Due to a family illness that required me to stay at home, I had to rely on the reports of those who attended.
Thanks to Nancy Durham, Dorothy McPherson, Paul Kitchener, and Carol Broumley who provided comments and insights, as well as Sean Dalgetty and David McPherson who supplied the statistics of ribbon and award winners.
The 2012 Annual Weekend hosted by Mississauga, proved to be a member favourite.
The site was the beautiful Burlington Arts Centre, on Lake Ontario, where CSCL had the opportunity to showcase the last years' leather articles and meet one of the planet's most renowned leather artists, Peter Main.
The weekend started Friday, April 20th with Registration and set up of display tables.
Friends hugged each other and newcomers marvelled at the leather displayed. CSCL's special guest for the weekend, Peter Main, from Houston, Texas got down to the business of sharing his considerable skills with eager members. Meanwhile, the Board of Selection, composed of Fellows and Associates judged the table display items and awarded Craftsman and Salon ribbons and then the special Awards – see the listings in the following pages.
Saturday brought the Annual General Meeting, highlighted by the presentation of the 2012 Weston Trophy. Three new Associates were welcomed by Council of Fellows President, Sean Dalgetty, congratulations to Karen Weber, Rob Regan, and Ken Boroski.
Barbara Chynoweth as outgoing President of CSCL, welcomed the new Executive
Council, to be led by incoming President, Lauch Harrison. Find out who's on your new Council in this issue.
Throughout the weekend, CSCL's special guest, Peter Main demonstrated his leathercrafting talents. Included in this edition are some of the comments of his demos and information about Peter Main, the man.
As always, Saturday afternoon, at the Annual brought the Ticket Draws for the members – laughter and smiles filled the hall as the tables were emptied of their treasures. I`m sure I missed something special!
Following the Annual Banquet members were found relaxing and enjoying the comments from Peter Main. The final draws and the presentation of the Special Awards filled the evening
On Sunday morning, Peter continued his visit with our Canadian leathercrafters, teaching and sharing before saying goodbye, and heading back to Texas. Word has it, CSCL would welcome him back anytime ...and he would be glad to come back!
“Canadian Leathercraft” is your source of information about CSCL and it’s members.
Check out the CSCL website at www.canadianleathercraft.org
As always, if you have questions, comments, or even a future article for this newsletter, contact your Editor, Madeleine Mitchell at [email protected]
Memberships were due April 1, 2012 but it's not too late to sign on or renew contact: Tracey Howard
705-426-4663 or email to [email protected]

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3 Highlights from Executive Council Meetings… March 2012 highlights-

Privacy policy for CSCL 's website and newsletter in the works for the new
Slate for 2012-2014 Executive Council still has a few spaces to fill, but should be complete by the April Annual General Meeting.
Planning already started for the 2013 Annual, to be hosted by Norland Branch.
Biennial Exhibition likely to be held in Woodstock in the Spring of 2013.

Getting to Know CSCL`s Special Guest ...
Peter Main - 1999 Al Stohlman Award Winner.
Taken from notes of Paul Kitchener:
Peter has become a renowned educator, teaching around the world and now, Ontario. He has written several books on carving and colouring well worth the read.
His greatest personal project has been the preservation of the heritage of Al and Ann
Stohlman.
He had become very close to the Stohlmans until there deaths and in 2000 he created the 'Stohlman Display' in Sheridan, Wyoming to preserve the life of the Stohlmans not just their wonderful body of work.
On a personal note, Peter admitted to liking cars and in his youth had several Jaguars,
XK120’s and XK140’s and enjoyed driving on the track.
Check out his website - http://petermain.com.
http://customcowboybootsandshoesforum.com/discus/messages/11074/11120.html?
1239919535 (Thanks to Paul Kitchener and Dorothy McPherson for these articles)

TAKE NOTE: Before Peter Main said his good byes to the CSCL members on Sunday, April 22nd, he was awarded an Honourary Fellowship in CSCL by incoming Council of Fellows President, Sean Dalgetty. As a memento of this award, Sean presented Peter with a Zalitis Pin and CSCL's heartfelt Thanks!

Lauch Harrison`s Sunburst Journal -1st Woodstock Heritage Award

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4 Mississauga Whips the Competition!

Congratulations Mississauga Society for Creative Leathercraft on winning the 2012 Weston Trophy! Additional piece, not pictured, was the Saddle by Ken Boroski

The Weston Trophy presentation goes back to the 1950's when CSCL had been newly formed. A Branch submitted 5 items, by 5 different crafters in their Branch, for judging. The winning Branch proudly had possession of the Shield like trophy for the next year until the next Annual. It was, and still remains a very coveted Award.
In the last few years, 4 items were allowed for judging. However, this year the
2 Branches that competed, each had 5 articles that warranted inclusion.
Mississauga Branch edged out Hamilton and was presented with the Trophy by President of the Council of Fellows, David McPherson.
Mississauga's Entry included: Clockwise in the above picture-Brown and Copper Purse by Verginiya Kecheliev
Black and Red Purse by Karen Weber
Coasters by Rob Phister
Whip by Gary Cook (Not pictured) Saddle by Ken Boroski

Receiving the 2012 Weston Trophy for Mississauga Branch, Rob Phister, Gary Cook, & Karen Weber

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5 3 New Associate Members for CSCL
Every year, CSCL encourages members to try to achieve Associate
Membership. This involves creating 4 items showing excellent craftsmanship and design. These articles are judged by a panel of CSCL Fellows and
Associates and must attain marks of at least, 75%. The candidate with the highest mark also receives the “Zalitis” Pin – a highly regarded award in CSCL.
This year, 3 members became Associates –
Ken Boroski – Saddle, Gun Belt, Saddle Bags, Dog Collar
Rob Regan – Saddle Bags, Belt, Bottel, Journal Cover
Karen Weber – Red and Black Purse, Credit Card Case,Belt, Book Cover Karen Weber – Winner of the Zalitis Pin for the highest Associate marks

Ken Boroski`s Saddle

2012 Annual Awards

Best in Show to Sean Dalgetty FCSCL for his Humidor (below)
Irva Ford Award for Best Moulded Article to Sean Dalgetty FCSCL for his Skull Mask (below)

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6 -Betty Heacock Memorial Award for new or novice member to Kristi Grove for her Tooled & Handbound Scrapbook

-Ontario Crafts Council Design Award to Joanna Malec for her Hands Sculpture (below)

-Best General Member piece to Gary Cook for his Loaded Snake Whip
-Woodstock Heritage Award to Lauch Harrison ACSCL for his Daily Journal -Best Wearable Item to Peter Grove FCSCL for his Santa Belt (below)

Please Note:
45 judged items, 29 Craftsman Ribbons and 14 Salon Ribbons.
(Above Report provided by Sean Dalgetty FCSCL, Incoming President of the Council of Fellows.)

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7 2012 Annual RIBBONS
2012 SALON RIBBONS 14 RIBBONS TO 13 MEMBERS

JUNIOR
JOANNA MALEC HANDS SCULPTURE
GENERAL
GARY ANTHONY COOK WHIP
CRAIG GILL KNIFE SHEATH
KRISTI GROVE SCRAPBOOK
PETYO KECHELIEV CARVED LEATHER BAG
VERGINIYA KECHELIEV BROWN AND COPPER BAG ASSOCIATE
KEN BOROSKI SADDLE BAGS
LAUCH HARRISON JOURNAL
KAREN WEBER BLACK AND RED BAG
ROB REGAN LEATHER BOTTELL
FELLOW
SEAN DALGETTY HUMIDOR
GATOR FLASK
PETER GROVE SANTA BELT
PAUL KITCHENER SHOE

2012 CRAFTSMAN RIBBONS 29 RIBBONS TO 20 MEMBERS

JUNIOR
JOANNA MALEC WALLET
JULIA MALEC WALLET
GENERAL
BARBARA CHYNOWETH MITTS BRIAN GORING WATCHBAND GARY ANTHONY COOK WHIP KRISTI GROVE SCRAPBOOK MARYANN CRAWFORD BOOKCOVER ROB PFISTER COASTERS CRAIG GILL KNIFE SHEATH LESTER PINTER L” WALLET BRIDLE
PETYO KECHELIEV BOOK COVER
VERGINIYA KECHELIEV BROWN & COPPER BAG

ASSOCIATE KEN BOROSKI SADDLE BAGS
HOLSTER/BELT
LAUCH HARRISON PATTERNED MITTENS

Norland`s Branch Table

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8 CSCL Executive Council Slate for 2012- 2014

Executive
Past President Barbara Chynoweth (705) 545 – 0729 President Lauch Harrison (905) 525 – 4092 1st Vice President Rob Regan (905) 537 – 3983 2nd Vice President Ken Boroski (905) 820 – 4118 Secretary Della Chynoweth (705) 454 – 0729 Corresponding Secretary Pat Bullock (705) 786 – 1340 Treasurer Della Chynoweth (705) 454 – 0729

Branch Presidents
Hamilton Sean Dalgetty (905) 528 – 2136 Mississauga Ken Boroski (905) 820 – 4118 Norland Tracey Howard (705) 426 – 4663

Directors
Dorothy McPherson (519) 473 – 6450 Joyce Scruton (905) 844 – 9471 Sean Dalghetty (905) 528 – 2136 Ken Boroski (905) 820 – 4118 Nancy Durham (519) 458 – 4533 Lauren McPherson
Peter Grove (905) 527 – 7745 Jim Wilkes (519) 638 – 4437 David McPherson (519) 473 – 6450 Paul Kitchener (905) 257 – 5622

Ex-Officio
President – Council of Fellows Sean Dalgetty (905) 528 - 2136 Teaching Standards Lauch Harrison (905) 525 – 4092 Editor – Canadian Leathercraft Madeleine Mitchell (519) 537 – 7821 Membership Tracey Howard (705) 426 – 4663 Librarian Rob Regan (905) 537 – 3983

Special Committees
Workshops - Lauch Harrison, Peter Grove, Sean Dalgetty
2012 - 2014 Executive Council at the Annual

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9 Learning from the Master -Peter Main

Peter Main demonstrating at the 2012 CSCL Annual

When I contacted Peter Main a few days after the Annual weekend, he had this to say about CSCL- ``such a great group of the nicest and enthusiastic people. Look forward to returning``
And from all the comments I have heard from CSCL members the feeling is mutual – he generously shared some of his leathercrafting techniques and secrets with new members and old. His easy teaching style along with the overheard mirror and camera captured the intracacies of his unique and beautiful style.
His carving is masterful and his colouring majestic. Even though, I was not there, I could feel his attention to detail and confidence in his design and his humour in the photos.

Tips from Peter Main`s demos, by Carol Broumley, Norland Branch:
Sharpen knives- on Rouge Board Sharpen Swivel Knives- on card with 2000 wet-dry grit, don`t use leather strop for sharpening. When carving- Hold knife upright, aim for cutting HALF WAY through the leather thickness. Always move your work to be able to see. Mount leather on card with rubber cement, and remove board from leather, not leather than card. Always ensure correct moisture content.
To remove rubber cement- use crepe sole or rubber eraser When cutting borders- deliberately angle the blade and undercut edge. Use a plastic ruler. (More of Carol`s Tips in the next Newsletter)

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10 CREATING A LEATHER APPLIQUE WITH PETER MAIN by Dorothy McPherson
As a proud possessor of Peter Main’s book Australian Leather Carving I was delighted to learn that Australia’s foremost leather carver/artist was coming to
CSCL’s annual convention at the Burlington Art Centre. I hurriedly searched our house for the book so I could take it and have Peter sign it for me. Alas! I missed seeing it wedged among a stack of my favourite handcraft books. Today I found it:
ten days after the convention ended!

We did, however, enjoy seeing Peter in person at the convention as he shared leathercrafting tips and know-how while expertly demonstrating the making of a beautiful PLUG EMBOSSING horse head that could be used as an appliqué on a box or a necklace, or as a relief piece framed and displayed on the wall.

Now a resident of Houston, Texas, Peter told the CSCL audience that he has spent a lifetime perfecting his craft. Raised on a dairy farm at Cecil Park, New South Wales, he developed a love of nature and an affinity with all things rural. His working life began as a junior artist with a printing company in Bankstown, Australia. During his teens a carved leather belt, worn by a family friend, piqued his interest in leatherwork.
After teaching himself how to carve leather with borrowed tools and an instruction book he began teaching basic leathercraft in Sydney. For his design inspiration he turned to flora and fauna of the Australian countryside.
In 1970 he started his own Graphic Art Studio and, after it was established, he retired and took up leatherwork. He then began competing nationally and internationally with outstanding success. His projects ranged from table tops, boot tops, and large wall hangings to the finest and most delicate pieces using fine leather binding techniques:
some of the world’s best-known contemporary pieces of leather art.

In 1982 he met renowned Canadian leathercrafters Al and Ann Stohlman. And, in 2000 he created the heritage STOHLMAN DISPLAY, Sheridan, Wyoming, to showcase the life of the Stohlmans - not just their wonderful body of work. He has written several excellent books on carving and colouring and he has become a renowned educator, teaching leatherwork -- around the world!

Another of Peter Main`s Articles
See more of Peter Main`s articles and tips in the next issue of ``Canadian Leathercraft``.