An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original. Download as PDF.
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Page 1
[Transcribed from the original 8-page issue. Paragraphs are reflowed from the original setting; spelling, punctuation and wording follow the original, including its own inconsistencies. Editorial notes appear in [square brackets].]
CANADIAN LEATHERCRAFT
VOLUME XLVI NO. 4 — SUMMER 1997 — 0045-5121
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
The month of June brings sunshine, weddings and flowers. How appropriate then that this June issue of Canadian Leathercraft features Ontario's floral emblem, the trillium, as a leather brooch.
Roselle Wallace, Toronto Branch, sent CL a tip that should help when painting tiny brooches - or any finely detailed work - such as her realistic wildlife brooches. She uses a magnifier lamp #B 886 from Busy Bee Machine Tools, North York, Ontario, 1-800-461-2879.
Thanks, Roselle, and everyone who helped make our job as editor (1995-97) informative. Good thing David used to teach computer science as the CL typesetting job required extra know-how to stretch the capabilities of our Commodore 64. (The poor old thing is beginning to fail.) However, the job's been interesting and fun.
David's busy now preparing for another what he hopes will be successful trade show venture in September at the new trade centre, Toronto. Meanwhile, I'm challenged just trying to find a stamp for my membership application for the Freelance Editors' Association of Canada. Are men superior or what?
Leather 98 is coming soon. The entry form is enclosed with this issue of CL. Be sure to participate.
David and I now move on to the position of Corresponding Secretary. We wish Kevin and Don the best as they take on the task of Editor.
Have a good summer.
Dorothy
INDEX
Page FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK 1 Ribbons/Awards 2 In Memoriam 3 Workshop Report 3 Weston Trophy Critque 4 47th Annual Report 5 New Associates 7 Slate of Officers 8 Columns: AL'S ADULT VIDEOS 3 THE BEVELED EDGE 8
[Critque is printed thus in the index.]
All material published in Canadian Leathercraft is the property of THE CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE LEATHERCRAFT and may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the Society.
President Bill Whittingham 42 Robinhood Rd. Islington ON M9A 2W8 1st Vice-President Nancy Durham R. R. 4 Princeton ON N0J 1V0 2nd Vice-President Recording Secretary Kevin Armstrong 1377 Hurontario St. Mississauga ON L5G 3H5 Corresponding Secretary David McPherson 133 Hampton Ave. Port Colborne ON L3K 5R9 Corresponding Secretary Dorothy McPherson 133 Hampton Ave. Port Colborne ON L3K 5R9 Treasurer David Windeyer 1202-23 Lascelles Blvd. Toronto ON M4V 2B9 Membership Chairman Madeleine Mitchell 17 Light St. Woodstock ON N4S 6G7 Editor Kevin Armstrong 1377 Hurontario St. Mississauga ON L5G 3H5 Editor Don MacLeod 2165 Corsair Rd. Mississauga ON L5A 2L7
[The 2nd Vice-President line carries no name, as on the proposed slate in the 1997 Annual Report.]
Page 2
CSCL CRAFTSMAN RIBBONS 1997
Hilda Chynoweth - Suede vest - Indian doll Art Cousins - small round vase Nancy Durham - Maple leaf frame - Pencil cup - Belt - Notebook Jim Edwards - "Scrunch" box Allan Foss - Blotter pad Ruth Haig - Dark red oval box - Plum-coloured bottle Lois MacPherson - Bracelet - Card case Loreen Manuel - Book cover - "Monk" bottle - Trophy stand Muriel McKnight - Light tan mask David McPherson - Triangular box Cliff McTavish - Wide belt Jack Meharg - Cane Madeleine Mitchell - Large blotter pad Glenn Nelson - Lamp Joyce Scruton - Purse - Belt Bruce White - Molded bottel with bear Bill Whittingham - Mirror (17 crafters and 27 articles)
[The crafter count is correct at 17, but only 26 articles are listed against the printed 27. The list ends at Bill Whittingham — Mirror; confirmed at 6x magnification, so this is an error in the original rather than a scanning loss.]
CSCL SALON RIBBONS 1997
Hilda Chynoweth - Suede vest - Indian doll Nancy Durham - Maple leaf frame - Pencil cup Jim Edwards - "Scrunch" box Allan Foss - Blotter pad Ruth Haig - Dark red oval box - Plum-coloured bottle Loreen Manuel - Book cover - "Monk" bottle - Trophy stand David McPherson - Triangular box Cliff McTavish - Wide belt Jack Meharg - Cane Madeleine Mitchell - Large blotter pad Ron Van Der Wees - Tile square Bruce White - Molded bottel with bear - Tall red bottle Bill Whittingham - Mirror - Celtic design paperweight (13 crafters and 20 articles)
[Both printed totals are correct.]
CSCL SPECIAL AWARDS
Irva Ford Award for Molded Leather: Jim Edwards — "Scrunch" box
Robert Muma Award for Best Colour Work: Nancy Durham — Maple leaf frame
Best In Show Award: Loreen Manuel — Trophy stand
Best General Member's Piece: Madeleine Mitchell — Blotter pad
Best Associate Member's Piece: Cliff McTavish — Belt
Ontario Crafts Council Design Award: Joyce Scruton — Purse
Best Branch Display: Woodstock
[The Robert Muma Award is given here for Best Colour Work; in Summer 1996 it was given for Tooled Leather. The registry records it as the Bob Muma Award for Best Tooled and/or Coloured Piece.]
Page 3
AL'S ADULT VIDEOS
by Allan Foss
June greetings. I see that our video library has grown to nineteen volumes, and covers a wide variety of work in leather. There is something for just about everyone here. Just ask your representative to the next executive meeting to pick up one for you. Here they are:
- Western Floral Carving - Fun with Flowers - Fun with Flowers Two - Carving Oak Leaves - Holster Making - Carving Roses - Figure Carving, Volume 1 - Rope Edge Belt Making - Leather, the New Frontier in Art and Air Brushing - Stretch Embossing - How to Filagree - Making Exotic Inlay Belt Buckles - Rolled Edges - Air brushing and Colouring Leather - Designing Western Floral Patterns - Secrets of Belt Making - Basic Design and Finishing - Saddle Making - Carving Scenery
There are some subjects missing, and, in fact, not available from our American friends. Make a Canadian Video?!
I am thinking about some of our CSCL workshop ideas over the past few years - molded boxes, hinged boxes, mask making, bottels, butterflies, desk blotters, one-piece wallets, etc. We have lots of actors. Now where can we find a sexy voice? The technical problem is probably not a problem at all. Any ideas out there in the wilderness?
Sorry if you were looking for something adult this time in keeping with our masthead. Have I been too serious? Look over the titles listed - fun, figure, carving, stretching, exotic inlays, secrets. Wow!
IN MEMORIAM
Bob Millford 1934-1997. Bob was born in Ormstown, Quebec, and in 1968 he purchased his first horse. He started making and repairing tack and tooling small projects for sale. After moving to Ontario, he joined CSCL and the Mississauga Branch, and started working for Tandy. His love of horses was always first.
Margaret LaChappelle was a member of CSCL in Toronto for over 30 years. Other interests of hers besides leather were dolls and stamps.
[The surname is printed Millford here and in Spring 1997, and Milford in the 1997 Annual Report membership report.]
NOTICE
Memberships for the 1997-98 year are past due. If not paid by July 1, 1997 your name will be deleted from membership and mailing lists. Send in your membership now to Madeleine Mitchell. Her address is on page one.
WORKSHOP REPORT
Thirteen members attended the CSCL workshop making a hinge-lidded box with David McPherson in Hamilton on May 10. David guided them through pattern making, tracing, cutting, hinge making, edge bevelling and burnishing, to partial assembly. They worked hard all day, and will finish the boxes at home to enter for the Workshop Award at the next Annual.
Page 4
WESTON TROPHY ENTRIES CRITIQUE
MISSISSAUGA — 73.1%
Bear Buckle — Saddle stitching uneven, poor dye job, fingernail marks, 65%, Don MacLeod
Paperweight — Filigree quite nice, too light in weight, 72.5%, Joyce Scruton
Saddle Case — poor saddle stitching, closure on crooked, great idea, needs more thought, 67.5%, Kevin Armstrong
Mirror — The work of a true craftsman, novel idea, beautiful edges, 87.5%, Bill Whittingham
TORONTO — 66.3%
Desk Blotterpad — Blotter should be shortened so as to lie flat, fairly good looking piece, 68.3%, Al Foss
Bottle — Dye shading very appealing, pleasing project, fingernail marks, 75%, Bruce White
Pins — Nicely finished, 55%, Roselle Wallace
Wallet — Nice saddle stitching, gussets even, quite nice, 66.7%, David Windeyer
WOODSTOCK — 84.5%
Trophy Stand — Exquisite, beautifully executed, 91%, Loreen Manuel
Daytimer — Another excellent article, stitching not aligned on inside, 86%, Nancy Durham
Pencil Cup — Edges smooth, appealing design, 86%, Madeleine Mitchell
Picture Stand — A very difficult project, nicely finished, edges meet, 76%, Beula Reynolds
WESTON TROPHY WINNERS
Trophy stand Loreen Manuel Pencil cup Madeleine Mitchell Picture frames Beula Reynolds Day timer Nancy Durham
[The heading BEST IN SHOW AWARD is set alongside this block; the Best in Show award is recorded on page 2 as Loreen Manuel's trophy stand.]
Page 5
CSCL 47TH ANNUAL
by Bill Whittingham FCSCL
This year, Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft's 47th Annual was hosted by CSCL Mississauga Branch at the Beacon Harbourside Inn, Jordan - a venue many are familiar with and enjoy.
As usual, members started arriving Friday afternoon to get the tables and displays ready for the evening judging. Gary Cook and Irene Bumby took turns playing "Santa Claus" at the registration table handing out to CSCL members grab bags containing a treasure trove of goodies.
While the Fellows were otherwise occupied, Glenn Nelson expertly instructed in the carving of a wildrose pattern on a coaster. The second workshop of the evening was Cliff McTavish and Gary Cook delving into the mysteries of braiding. Even though this was the second workshop of the evening it was well attended, and when I came up from the judging at 11:15 PM there were still 15 smiling happy people either finishing off their braided ring, or beaming over the already completed project.
The Saturday morning General Meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM, and some of the highlights were:
— The presentation of the Weston Trophy to the Woodstock Branch
— The presentation of Associate Certificates to Glenn Nelson and Joyce Scruton
— The presentation of the Zalitis pin to Joyce Scruton for the highest average mark of Associate candidates
— The presentation of the Past President pin to Betsy Rennie
— The passing of a motion to invite all sustaining members to future annuals and other events, thus reaffirming their full status in CSCL.
As usual, Joyce hung people from their ankles looking for spare change for raffle tickets for new "treasures".
The afternoon was a beehive of activity with workshops by Madeleine Mitchell, Bill Whittingham, and Joyce Scruton, along with demonstrations by Lois MacPherson and Dorothy Muma. (It was great to see Dorothy back in the saddle again. I can hardly wait to see her work at Leather 98.)
The level of interest and participation was high for the four non-conflicting workshops and two demonstrations.
After a sumptuous banquet, Dorothy Muma handed out the Craftsman and Salon ribbons, commenting on the higher quality of work for the Fellows to judge this year. For the special awards some members other than Fellows were asked to present certificates.
Our guest speaker was John Powers of "Flying Jewels Inc.", and he entertained and educated us for the better part of an hour. His door prizes for correct answers to questions held our interest and kept us all on our toes. It is clear his love of butterflies rivals our own love of leather.
On Sunday morning, Madeleine Mitchell graciously did double duty and conducted a second workshop on mask making. This workshop was attended by 14 people, and once again there were working hands and smiling happy faces.
No Annual is complete without taking time to say a few "thank yous", so here goes...
First of all I'd like to thank the members of CSCL Mississauga Branch for their help and input.
Secondly, I'd like to thank the demonstrators and workshop instructors for their expertise. The interest and participation was very high.
Page 6
Our Sustaining members were absolutely fantastic to us this year. They were all pleased to be invited to our Annual, and were incredibly generous with their donations for the grab bags. A huge thank you to:
— Doug Black and Kevin Lougheed of Tandy Leather for the Doodle Pages, coasters for the workshop, Specials flyer, and $2.00 off coupons.
— Kel Rekuta of Capital Findings for the threads, wool daubers, and 20% off coupons.
— Richard Pearsall of Moore-Pearsall Leathers for the half skins of Russet Skiver and X-acto knives.
— Peter Grove of Tundra Leather for the bags of buckles and small rivets.
Our Sustaining members are the life blood of our craft, and without their services and expertise we would soon falter. They went the extra mile to show their support for CSCL this year. Now it is our turn to return that support by using the coupons and advertising and give these people our business.
I would like to thank Karen Zwart of the Ontario Crafts Council for making the OCC Design Award available to us for the Annual, as well as the membership information. (By the way, some of the books available through OCC on that pink handout are quite worthwhile.)
Finally I'd like to thank all of you who came out to the Annual and shared in the fun, participated in the workshops, and attended demonstrations.
Many members congratulated the host Mississauga Branch on the successful convention. Some called, others wrote a letter. We're glad you enjoyed yourselves.
While you're all feeling good, judging for Leather 98 is the end of October. Why not put that positive energy to work and start planning your entry now?
[The page is set around photographs of the special-award pieces, captioned: CSCL SPECIAL AWARDS; IRVA FORD AWARD — "Scrunch" box — Jim Edwards; ROBERT MUMA AWARD — Maple leaf frame — Nancy Durham; BEST GENERAL MEMBER'S PIECE — Blotter pad — Madeleine Mitchell; BEST ASSOCIATE MEMBER'S PIECE — Inlay belt — Cliff McTavish; ONTARIO CRAFTS COUNCIL DESIGN AWARD — Purse — Joyce Scruton.]
[Printed Peter Grove here; Peter Groves in Summer 1996.]
Page 7
NEW ASSOCIATES
Glenn Nelson, Campbellford, has been practising leathercraft for forty years. He specializes in carving, having demonstrated this at CSCL annual meetings and local craft shows. Glenn has been awarded two Salon and two Craftsman ribbons.
Joyce Scruton, Oakville, began her love affair with leather in 1970. Her husband asked for a set of steer horns for Christmas. After many phone calls, Joyce located a pair at Tandy Leather Company in Oakville. The manager asked her how she intended to finish them. She came home with a Beginner's Leather Kit and some free lessons, but she nearly lost her bed and board for bringing another craft into the house. Joyce claims she "has never truly mastered leatherwork, but oh what enjoyment".
Two years later, Joyce started working part-time for Tandy, and soon learned all the different leathers and their uses. She remembers going to work in the morning and walking into that glorious smell of leather and having all the scraps and tools and dyes to play with.
Joyce gives thanks to the many people who, over the years, shared their knowledge with her. She mentions Jean Hunter for just a whole lot of everything, Olivia Smith for edges and finishing, Fred Brown for rolled edges and skiving, Jessie Little for colouring and construction, and Ruth Haig for guidance and being a sounding board.
Joyce feels that after 27 years of playing - 18 of them as a member of CSCL - she has just tapped the top of the barrell and has so much more to conquer. Joyce encourages all to share their knowledge with others. That person may be another Joyce with a thirst.
Joyce was awarded the Zalitis Pin for the highest mark earned by the Associate candidates in 1997. Her lamp received the Best in Show Award in 1996, and she won a Workshop Award that year. Joyce is well known for her expertise in ticket selling.
[The pin is printed Zalitis here and again on page 5. Both instances were re-read in isolation at 12x with dictionaries disabled and both return Zalitis, so this issue is a genuine source for that spelling rather than a transcription slip. The archive treats Zelaitis as authoritative.]
[Photographs of Joyce and Glenn appear alongside; a note directs the reader to Joyce's purse on page 6.]
Page 8
THE BEVELED EDGE
Join me in my workshop as I make a one-piece trillium brooch.
I begin by selecting a piece of 4/5 oz. natural tanned leather, (5/6 oz. will also do). I dampen the back and use a bone folder to finish the back properly. I case the leather and, when ready, trace given pattern onto film. Then, using ball point stylus or modeller, I transfer pattern from film onto leather. With a swivel knife I carve the traced pattern. With an X-acto or art knife I cut the outside edges of the pattern. (DO NOT use shears because they do not leave a flat edge.) I bone fold edges until they are perfectly smooth.
Next, using either an S352 or S724 seeder in the centre of the trillium, I do one impression in the very centre of the flower, and then six impressions around it (as per diagram).
Dotted lines indicate swivel knife decorative cuts on petals and leaves. A modeller can be used to emboss the lines on.
While the leather is still damp, I slightly mold leaves and petals like the back of a spoon to give a more natural look and I turn the ends of the petals down slightly.
Then I bake it on a wooden board in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven for one hour checking it occasionaly.
After it cools for one hour, I colour, finish it as desired, and afix a pinback.
Project's completed.
[A trillium pattern diagram accompanies the article.]
CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE LEATHERCRAFT
SLATE OF OFFICERS 1997/98
OFFICERS:
President Bill Whittingham 416-239-3743 Past President Betsy Rennie 905-639-0771 1st Vice-President Nancy Durham 519-458-4533 2nd Vice-President Recording Secretary Kevin Armstrong 905-278-4666 Corresponding Secretary David McPherson 905-835-2576 Dorothy McPherson 905-835-2576 Treasurer David Windeyer 416-322-5932
DIRECTORS:
1. Laura Bush (Trenton) 613-392-1475 2. Jim Edwards (Toronto) 416-699-8214 3. Ruth Haig (Hamilton) 905-525-0780 4. Lillian Kay (Toronto) 416-699-3466 5. Jack Meharg (Toronto) 416-439-5873 6. Muriel McKnight (Hamilton) 905-529-9149 7. Gladys Riddell (Toronto) 416-762-7466 8. Art Cousins (Norland) 705-454-1013 9. Joyce Scruton (Mississauga) 905-844-9471 10. Madeleine Mitchell (Woodstock) 519-537-7821 11. Don Macleod (Mississauga) 905-277-2058 12. Allan Foss (Toronto) 416-284-5036
[This slate carries twelve directors; the proposed slate in the 1997 Annual Report listed sixteen. Bill Whittingham, Nancy Durham, David McPherson and Dorothy McPherson are the four no longer listed as directors, each having taken an officer's post.]
BRANCH PRESIDENTS:
Hamilton Betsy Rennie 905-639-0771 Mississauga Bill Whittingham 416-239-3743 Norland Della Chynoweth Toronto Allan Foss 416-248-5036 Woodstock Nancy Durham 519-458-4533
EX-OFFICIO:
Chairman Council of Fellows Dorothy Muma 416-654-5635 Teaching Standards Ruth Haig 905-525-0780 Archivist Kevin Armstrong 905-278-4666 Librarian Allan Foss 416-284-5036 Membership Chairman Madeleine Mitchell 519-537-7821 Editor Kevin Armstrong 905-278-4666 Don Macleod 905-277-2058
[The Treasurer's number reads 416-399-5939 in the page passes; every other appearance of David Windeyer's number in this run is 416-322-5932, and the digits do not resolve cleanly here. The established number is carried.]
[Della Chynoweth is given as Norland Branch President with no telephone number, replacing Art Cousins, who remains a director for Norland.]