Canadian Leathercraft – Spring 2014

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 LXII No. 3
0045-5121 Spring - 2014

Carol McLean FCSCL receiving Caring Canadian Award from the Honourable David C. Onley Photo from the "Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario"

In this Edition…
Page 2 Notes from the Editor, Highlights of the past Executive Meetings, Membership Reminder Page 3 Governor General Caring Canadian Award – Carol McLean FCSCL
Page 4, 5 CSCL 2014 Annual Weekend May 2,3, 2014
Page 6 2014 Annual – Special Awards
Page 7, 8 2014 Honourary Life Member – David James McPherson FCSCL, New Executive Council Page 9 2014 Honourary Life Member – Peter Grove FCSCL
Page 10 Peter Grove continued, Past President Pins

President: Rob Regan, [email protected]
1st Vice-Pres.: Jim Wilkes, 11 Flynn Ave., Cambridge, ON N3C 2T8 – [email protected]
2nd Vice-Pres.: Vacant
Past President: Lauch Harrison, 68 Tisdale St. S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2W2 – [email protected]
Treasurer: Della Chynoweth, 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, ON K0M 2L0- [email protected]
Recording Secretary: Della Chynoweth, 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, ON K0M 2L0- [email protected].
Correspondence: Pat Bullock, 139 Valentia Rd., Little Britain, ON K0M 2C0 [email protected]
Membership: Barbara Chynoweth, 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, ON K0M 2L0 – [email protected]
Editor: Madeleine Mitchell, 17 Light St., Woodstock, ON N4S 6G7 – [email protected]
Website: Kristi Grove, [email protected]
Privacy Officer: Tracey Howard, 70 County Rd 41, Kirkfield ON, K0M 2B0 [email protected]
Website: www.canadianleathercraft.org

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2 Notes from the Editor…
CSCL celebrated 64 years as a Leather Guild during the first weekend in May, and members laughed, cried, and danced. Liuna Gardens in Stoney Creek, ON was the lovely setting for the renewing of friendships and sharing of leather crafting tips and skills.
Enclosed in this issue, you’ll find the highlights, milestones, and surprises, along with the list of our Ribbon and Award Winners. The leather laden display tables had a wide variety of creations – everything from soft leather bags, belts, flowers, carved pictures, sandals, even high heeled shoes with matching clutch purse. A pair of dining room chairs with leather seats and carved back inserts demonstrated the practicality and beauty of CSCL’s chosen medium.
Many thanks to the Hamilton Branch for organizing the event, Lauch Harrison and his team pulled it together and made the weekend memorable. Demonstrators led workshops for Purse Making and a Cigar Case. Thanks to Kristi Grove and Craig Gill and the other talented demonstrators. Lauch, in his last official duty as CSCL President, then proceeded to conduct the Annual General Annual Meeting, see the details in this edition.
Thanks also to Lauren McPherson who provided the biographical information for her father, David McPherson FCSCL. David was presented with a 2014 CSCL Honourary Life Membership. Thanks also to Lauch Harrison and Kristi Grove for the biography of Peter Grove FCSCL, our second 2014 CSCL Honourary Life Member. Framed certificates were presented to both Peter, and to David McPherson. Both deserving CSCLers.
Thanks to Dorothy McPherson for contributing the page about Carol McLean FCSCL.
Carol received the Caring Canadian Award from Lieutenant Governor David Onley. Carol received her award at a presentation ceremony in Toronto in mid-February 2014.
With some challenges facing the new Executive Council, CSCL will continue to bring their best game to Canadian leather crafting.

“Canadian Leathercraft” is your source of information about CSCL and its 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]

Highlights from Executive Council Meetings…
March 25, April 25, May 3, 23, 2014
Awards – The new Awards Lists was in effect at the 2014 Annual. See the enclosed prize lists.
Executive Council Changes – As of the May 23rd Executive Council will be installed. See the full list of members and a picture in this Newsletter.
Workshop Co-ordinators – Lauch Harrison and Rob Regan will emphasis regular workshops for members. Tell us what you want to see! See the August 9 workshop plans on page 3.
Privacy Officer - Barbara Chynoweth has provided a photo release form that was used at the Annual on the Registration Desk. Attendees signed their consent for use of photos in CSCL Newsletter, Facebook page or website, taken during the Annual. Tracey Howard takes this office May 23rd.
Barbara moves to Membership Chair.
Treasurer’s Report – Della Chynoweth, although reporting a deficient, Della spoke positively of turning the red into black in the near future. Budgets will be prepared and followed.

It’s a New Membership Year! To sign up or renew your CSCL Membership Contact our new Membership Chair: Barbara Chynoweth, Membership Chairman, CSCL 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, Ontario K0M 2L0 T: 705-454-9941 [email protected]

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The Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

CONGRATULATIONS to Carol McLean FCSCL

*Congratulations to Carol Ann McLean, Woodstock CSCL Member-at-large, who was among 40 Ontarians awarded The Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for her lifetime involvement in leatherwork and quilting. Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley presented Carol’s award in the afternoon ceremony at Queen’s Park, Toronto, February 18, 2014. The Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft was the proud sponsor of Carol’s nomination in recognition of her lifetime support of that organization.

See website: www.lgontario.ca Choose English. Choose Caring Canadian Award. Choose See also:
Additional photos: Afternoon ceremony, and then scroll down 4 or 5 rows of pictures to DSC2694 and DSC2700. (Carol is wearing black suit and pink/purple scarf.)

Another accolade for Carol that day, just prior to the February 18 afternoon ceremony, was an unexpected presentation by Ernie Hardeman, MPP, of a folder containing an Oxford County congratulatory letter and certificate recognizing her 45 years of enriching the arts scene.

*Carol Ann McLean, Woodstock CSCL Member-at-large, was among 30 people presented with The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Oxford MP Dave MacKenzie on November 10 in Woodstock. Her summary read: Carol McLean has promoted quilting and leatherwork for 45 years in Oxford County, nationally and internationally bringing distinction to herself and country. She has touched and inspired thousands of lives thereby helping to preserve two of Canada’s heritage arts.
The Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft was the proud sponsor of Carol’s nomination in recognition of her devoted service to promoting leatherwork.

Carol McLean’s Leather - Checker Board, Belt, and Purse From the CSCL Biennial 2013 Purse Making Workshop Mark your Calendar for August 9, 2014 Details will be sent to members

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4 2014 CSCL Annual Weekend May 2, 3, 2014

Hard at work at the Purse Workshop

Sitting on the edge of Lake Ontario, Liuna Gardens in Stoney Creek,ON was the site of the 64th Annual Weekend for the Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft.
About 30 CSCL members gathered to learn, revisit friends, and explore the world of leather. Hamilton Branch hosted the weekend with Lauch Harrison ACSCL, President, and his team providing guidance, refreshments, laughter, and enthusiasm.
Friday evening allowed Branches to set up their display tables. The Norland Branch table was laden with Sandals produced at the March Workshops taught by Paul
Kitchener FCSCL. Completing the table were moccasins, belts, wallets, and jewellery Hamilton Branch display had tote bags and “Simple Shoppers”, and excellent examples of carving and molded leather.
Mississauga Branch had everything from high heeled shoes, purses, jewellery, belts, and even dining room chairs!
Even the Members-at- Large (those not belonging to a Branch) displayed a prize winning belt by Nancy Durham FCSCL, and some unique articles on a small scale by MAL Lauren McPherson.
Peter Grove FCSCL visited, and sold tools that members couldn’t live without. Nancy Durham FCSCL set up a table selling tools, lacing, findings, and leather from the late Toronto member, Bruce White.
Friday night Demonstrations about Colouring with Desiree Kern, and Western Floral Carving with Lester Pinter started the weekend teaching program to entice members to expand their skills.
Paul Kitchener and Linda kindly hosted an early morning Breakfast Buffet at their beautiful lakefront home before setting the members loose at the Saturday sessions.
Saturday workshops were held to make a Simple Lady’s Purse with Kristi Grove and a molded and stitched Cigar Case with Craig Gill. Later, a belt buckle was covered with leather and stitched in the workshop with Lauch Harrison ACSCL. Rob Regan
ACSCL discussed Lacing Techniques with an eager group.

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Cigar Case Workshop with Craig Gill Purse Making Workshop with Kristi Grove

The Annual General Meeting followed the workshops, instead of as published on Sunday morning. The business part was highlighted by several important issues.
CSCL is running a deficient in the Operating Budget, this will be a top priority for the new Executive Council. Peter Grove started the ball rolling by literally, passing the hat.
Treasurer Della Chynoweth has ideas of how to get us back in the black. Our new
President, Rob Regan ACSCL will have a busy agenda at the end of May.
Lauch Harrison, President CSCL made an Executive decision this year and did not present the Weston Trophy, the Branch Competition. There were some problems with the selection of articles for judging and resultantly, the Board of Selection and Lauch decided that no presentation would be made. Rules for the competition were read to clarify for future years.
Draws for some valuable prizes donated by members, followed .The new
Executive Council was presented at the conclusion of the 64th Annual General
Meeting.
A sumptuous evening Banquet completed the busy day along with Special
Award presentations, and an entertaining Guitar Player, David Wice.
As always, the Annual Weekend delivered friendship, dramatic moments, and teaching of leather crafting skills. Thanks Hamilton Branch!

Guitarist David Wice providing the music for Lauch and Joyce

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6 2014 Annual – Special Awards

2014 Annual –Special Awards

Best in Show –

Eugene Pik - Lined Belt

Best Non-Traditional Article –

Eugene Pik – Dodecahedron

Best General Member Award
Carved Purse by Lester Pinter Betty Heacock Award for Novice Eugene Pik – Lined Belt

Ontario Crafts Council Design –

Karen Weber ACSCL –Backpack

London Jewellery Award –

Karen Weber ACSCL – Bracelets Best in Show - Lined Belt by Eugene Pik

Woodstock Heritage Award –

Paul Kitchener FCSCL –Belt

Robert Muma Award for Colour –

Kim Winchester – Flower Brooch

Best Wearable Article –

Pat Bullock – Black Sandals

Best General Member Article –

Ontario Craft Council Design Award Lester Pinter – Carved Purse Backpack by Karen Weber ACSCL
Don MacLeod Best Buckle – Note: More pictures from the 2014 Annual
Weekend will be available on CSCL’s website Nancy Durham FCSCL –Buckle and Facebook page.

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2014 CSCL Honourary Life Member: DAVID JAMES MCPHERSON BA MEd FCSCL

David McPherson at the 2009 Annual Weekend.

David is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (BA) and the University of Toronto (MEd).
After a 30-year career of teaching Mathematics and Computer Science at Port Colborne High School (PCHS) his leatherwork naturally incorporates mathematical theories and geometric shapes.
In Niagara, he acted as PCHS Night School Principal, Junior Girls and Boys Basketball coach, and Chairman of graduation exercises. At church he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and Superintendent. While there, the Arthritis Society presented him with an award for his 8 years of service as door-to-door Canvassing Chairman for the Port Colborne Chapter. The Niagara Guild of Crafts awarded him a 10-year Ontario Volunteer Service Award for holding office on the Guild executive.
He up-dated his leathercrafting skills in the 1970’s and took courses in the 1980’s after he discovered and joined the Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft (CSCL) Hamilton Branch in1980. David served in the Hamilton Branch as Treasurer, Membership Convener, and Librarian. He became adept at traditional leathercrafting skills and received his CSCL Associate standing in 1991 and his
Fellow standing in 2005.
On the CSCL Executive Council he served as Corresponding Secretary and, for several years as a
Director. With Dorothy he co-edited Canadian Leathercraft. For several years he held the position of Chairman of the Council of Fellows: the organization’s judging body. He and wife Dorothy served as CSCL representatives to the Ontario Crafts Council acting as liaison for several years.
Following David’s retirement, the family moved to London in 1997. He and Dorothy worked for 10 years at DURA MED Mobility Products Inc. that their son Jamie founded in 1999 to provide medical 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 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 began his arts career and lengthy leather journey about 1950 in his teens when he signed up for his first leather course from Margaret Jennings at the YMCA, London, where he made a carved wallet. He remembers his aunts, Agnes Stacey and Jeanne Lacey, making work vests by stitching leather pieces together on a sewing machine. From that humble beginning he went on to compete, exhibit and retail his work, especially corporate gift boxes. His work gained recognition including two Ontario Crafts Council Awards, CNE prizes, CSCL SALON and CRAFTSMAN ribbons, Irva
Ford (Best Molded Piece) Award, Haliburton School of Fine Arts Award, Zalitis Pin (with Associate

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8 standing), Fred Brown Award (Best Dyed Article), Tandy Leather Award, Moore-Pearsal Award.
David is known for his exquisite boxes that are built entirely of leather beginning with a thick, rigid sole leather base. Their hinged lid is a McPherson trademark. He has given demonstrations and workshops on “Acrylic Rubs” and “Box Making” and has generously shared his expertise with others at diverse community events such as the CNE, Toronto, Thanksgiving Festival, Balls’ Falls Conservation Area, Niagara, and teaching Leather Boxmaking at Haliburton School of the Arts.
His work has appeared in several Ontario Crafts Council shows, in the OCC magazine and he participated in the Toronto Gift Show marketing his work internationally.
In 2005 CSCL awarded him a 25-year Ontario Volunteer Service Award, and he still maintains a keen interest in leather and continues, as he has for over 34 years, to be an avid supporter of CSCL and its objectives.

Received from Lauren McPherson DATED: April 29, 2014

[A framed Honourary Life Membership Certificate was presented to Nancy Durham FCSCL on behalf of David McPherson, who was not present at the May 3rd, 2014 Annual General Meeting.]

CSCL Executive Council 2014 -2016
Back Row: from Left Madeleine Mitchell
Pat Bullock
Phyllis McHale
Nancy Durham
Paul Kitchener
Lauch Harrison
Rob Regan
Front Row: from Left Joyce Scruton
Barbara Chynoweth
Jim Wilkes
Tracey Howard
Della Chynoweth
Absent: Peter & Kristi Grove

Past President Lauchlan Harrison Branch Presidents:
President Rob Regan Hamilton Sean Dalgetty
1st Vice President Jim Wilkes Mississauga Jim Wilkes
2nd Vice President Vacant Norland Tracey Howard
Secretary/Treasurer Della Chynoweth
Correspondence Pat Bullock Ex-Officio Chairs:
Directors: Sean Dalgetty Council of Fellows Sean Dalgetty
Nancy Durham Teaching Standards Lauch Harrison Kristi Grove Newsletter Editor Madeleine Mitchell Peter Grove Membership Barbara Chynoweth Paul Kitchener Librarian Paul Kitchener Phyllis McHale Web Site Kristi Grove
Lauren MacPherson Privacy Officer Tracey Howard Madeleine Mitchell Workshop co-chairs Rob Regan
Joyce Scruton Lauch Harrison

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9 2014 CSCL Honourary Life Member:
Peter Grove FCSCL

Lauchlan Harrison ACSCL presents Peter Grove FCSCL with his Honourary Life Membership

Taken from “Biography of Leatherworking Career” by Peter Grove

Born in Hamilton, ON and one of six children, there was little money for extras. Peter was 11 years old in 1967 when he attended a summer program where he made his first leather wallet and his life long passion with leather began.

He frequented the Hamilton Tandy store as a teen, until the Manager Doug Black hired him, taught him, and introduced him to Al Stohlman’s books.
“I began to improve to the point that Doug allowed me to make up samples that were displayed along side packages products for sale at Tandy. This allowed me to learn many new skills, at little cost to me.”

After high school and a stint in Hamilton’s steel industry, Stelco, Peter worked at the Tandy Head Office in Barrie, ON and then, at age 21, moved back to Stoney Creek to manage the Tandy Store.
He married his Slyvia in November 1977 and discovered the Canadian Society for Creative
Leathercraft (CSCL). He was not a member but a teacher and mentor. His specialty was Western Style Carving.

For a number of years, Peter taught students in the Ontario School Board system focusing on stamping, basic tooling, and safety.

In 1979, at age 23, Peter left Stoney Creek and took over as Manager of the Hamilton Tandy store.
Peter taught weekly classes as well as sharing his skill with Scouts Canada events.
“I also taught at the Stoney Creek International Scout Camps. The International Weekends as they were known, brought together Canadian and American Scouts. I did the organizing and the teaching…focusing on group style stamping and simple finishing.” Peter taught Scouts across Canada from the late 1970’s to the 1990’s.

Peter fondly remembered meeting Al and Ann Stohlman in 1981 at their ranch in Cache Creek, BC.
Al gave Peter many memorable hours and shared his secrets on finishing pine cones and needles.
By 1991, Peter had purchased the Tandy Store in Hamilton and changed the name to “Tundra
Leather”. “ I began teaching classes at my own shop. I taught leatherwork every week, 12 months a year, to interested customers. Some of the techniques included, dyes and finishes, hand stitching, introductory braiding, carving finesse, molding masks, measuring and fitting belts, and virtually anything the students requested.”

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10 In 1995, Sean Dalgetty joined Peter at Tundra and became the primary custom leatherworker.
Their association continues today.

Finally, in 1998 Peter officially joined CSCL and the Hamilton Leathercraft Guild. Meetings were held at Tundra Leather with plenty of sharing, questions and answers.
Peter credits the 7th Annual Rocky Mountain Leather Show in Sheridan, WY in May 2002, with significantly impacting him with Sheridan Style Carving as taught by Clint Fay.

Peter received his Associate standing in CSCL in 2001 and then in 2002, he became a Fellow of CSCL. He was 1st Vice President of CSCL’s Executive Council in 2002, and by 2004 became CSCL’s President until 2006. He was Past President for the following 2 years, then has served as a Director since. He has served on various ad hoc committees and organized Annual Meeting when hosted by Hamilton Branch. He’s even brought his daughter, Kristi into CSCL as Website Editor.
His generous spirit has often seen Peter called upon by other Branches for their Annuals. He is a demonstrator and workshop leader that is extremely knowledgeable and very respected.
Although Peter admits to enjoying one-on-one teaching, he reports that his favourite teaching workshop with CSCL is “Fun with Your Tools” bringing hundreds of his tools to “show and tell” There is virtually no topic in leatherwork that Peter can not teach. Many, many customers, Scouts, CSCL members, and others have benefited from Peter’s skills and gifts of teaching.

Therefore, on May 3rd at the 2014 Annual CSCL, President and friend, Lauchlan Harrison presented the Honourary Life Membership to Peter Grove FCSCL. This Certificate will be added to his huge collection of CSCL Salon and Craftsman Ribbons, and Special Awards.

2014 Annual Craftsman and Salon Ribbons
Craftsman Salon
Pat Bullock 2 Sandals
Nancy Durham 1 Belt, Buckle
Paul Kitchener 1 Belt
Bob Pfister 1 Eagle Carving
Eugene Pik 5 2 Chairs, Belt, Costrel 1 Belt
Dodecahedron
Leslie Pinter 2 Carved Purse, Bookends 1 Bookends
Bob Richardson 2 Axe Sheath, Guitar Strap
Karen Weber 3 Purse, Bracelets 2 Purse, Backpack Black Backpack
Kim Winchester 4 Sandals, 2 Brooches
Belt & Pouch

Past President Pins
When Past President pins were no longer available for presentation, CSCL searched for a new supplier to duplicate the early version. Paul Kitchener has been instrumental in having the new pins fashioned with the CSCL logo similar to the original pins.

Presented at the 2014 Annual General Meeting
 2000-2002 Nancy Durham FCSCL
 2002-2004 Phyllis McHale  2008-2010 Phyllis McHale
 2004-2006 Peter Grove FCSCL  2010-2012 Barbara Chynoweth  2006-2008 Lauch Harrison ACSCL  2012-2014 Lauch Harrison ACSL