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Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft CANADIAN LEATHERCRAFT
Volume LIV No. 4 Summer –2006 0045-5121
Toronto’s Branch Display at the 2006 Annual
In this Edition…
Page 2 Notes from the Editor
Page 3 CSCL Misses Nora Huyck FCSCL and Gladys Riddell FCSCL
Page 4 Reading Corner Gallery, Anniversary Best Wishes
Page 5 Dues Reminder, Leathercraft Tips from our Friends in the South West Page 6 Have you met Antony?
Page 7 Leather 2006 –CSCL’s Biennial Exhibition
Page 8,9 Norland Branch Presents…It’s a Family Tradition by Phyllis McHale
President: Lauch Harrison, 68 Tisdale St. S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2W2 – [email protected]
1st Vice-Pres.: Phyllis McHale, 3783 Cty Rd. 45 RR#1 Coboconk, ON K0M 1K0 – [email protected]
2nd Vice-Pres.: Barbara Chynoweth,701-45 Balliol St., Toronto, ON M4S 1C3 –[email protected]
Past President: Peter Grove, 313 King St East, Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1 – - [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…
In the same week in June, I learned of the passing of two CSCL members, both Fellows of CSCL and both grand ladies of leather craft in Canada.
Nora Huyck of Huntsville had been a Barrie member until it disbanded, then continued to have association with CSCL as an Honourary Life Member until her death in May 2006. Nora had a tragic fire in her home that left her bereft of all her worldly possessions except the clothes on her back. She continued on and would write me letters about how she had loved leathercraft, and greatly enjoyed the Newsletter that I sent to her each quarter. She would write back saying that she didn’t always know the people in the pictures. I started to make sure I added the names of anyone whose photo I used.
Unfortunately through the years we didn’t have contact with any of Nora’s family and I learned of her passing by receiving back our Spring Newsletter. I called the Retirement Home and found out that Nora had been admitted to the Huntsville Hospital, where she died.
On a sunny June Sunday morning, I had a call from Glenda King of Toronto.
Her mother, Gladys Riddell had passed away in her 96th year on June 8th after a brief stay in Hospital. Gladys had been a long time Toronto Member and also a Fellow and an Honourary Life Member. She had attended Executive Council Meetings and Annuals well into her 80’s. I remember once “rooming” with Gladys at an Annual and she shared the secret of her vitality and stamina…Cod Liver Oil – which she had taken since the 1940’s.
Both ladies were superb crafters of leather – each with their own style and techniques. Gladys excelled at stacked leather projects and Nora used nature themes and executed intricate filigree belts and collars. Both ladies were fair and equitable judges at Annuals, always helping the crafters see the beauty of their projects and when necessary kindly pointing out areas of improvement without discouraging the crafter.
Although CSCL has lost some of its older members, their influence and their skills still abound in CSCL.
I can’t help but think that CSCL and the love of leathercraft, is something special when members continue to be connected even into their 90’s.
Another leather crafter with past ties to CSCL is currently in the leather business in Georgia – Karla Van Horne. Karla had been a member with the Hamilton Branch and had been on the Executive Council before she moved to the States. Karla achieved her Fellow in CSCL with precisely stitched and carved leather cases and covers. Today she is very involved in her business, currently on her way to New Mexico, but she did promise to do an article for the newsletter. Watch for it.
We’re continuing to involve Branch members in the Newsletters – this issue thanks go to Phyllis McHale and the Norland Branch. Wait till you read the article!
Members-at-Large – your input is always welcomed! The CSCL Newsletter will always find room for contributions of news, tips, questions –just contact me at [email protected] or write to Madeleine Mitchell, 17 Light St.,
Woodstock, ON N4S 6G7
Take a break from the sultry, summer of 2006 and enjoy this issue.
Thanks to Phyllis and the Norland contributions to this Newsletter!
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Contributions to the next Newsletter will be from Toronto Branch We want to know what’s happening in T.O.! via Canadian Leathercraft. Deadline for submissions –November 1st, 2006
CSCL Misses Nora Huyck and Gladys Riddell
Nora Huyck FCSCL
From Carol McLean FCSCL re: Nora Huyck FCSCL:
"I am sorry to hear of Nora's passing. I will always remember her cheerful encouragement, especially at workshops and annuals. We were indeed fortunate to have her as a teaching Fellow Member for so many years. She was always willing to share her techniques and knowledge. For those of us who knew her for all those years, her kindness and vast knowledge will be memories we will cherish. For those of us who knew her exquisite work, it will be remembered with great respect. Her attention to detail and perfection of techniques were a hallmark to equal CSCL standards. She will leave a legacy of much beautiful leatherwork for all to enjoy." Carol McLean F.C.S.C.L.
Gladys Riddell FCSCL
Gladys was a longtime member of Toronto Branch who worked tirelessly and participated at both the Toronto and National level. She often demonstrated at Branch meetings and was frequently part of the Annual Meetings both as an Executive member and as a demonstrator. Gladys shared her talents generously, she was particularly skilled with stacked leather, creating a ship of stacked leather and a beautiful dresser jewelry chest (pictured below). At one meeting Jack
Meharg asked Gladys –“Where’s your chest?” to which she replied “Under my bed”. After that Jack never failed to tell CSCLer’s “Gladdie kept her chest under her bed!”
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The Reading Corner Gallery 566 Newbold St. London presents MASKS/MASKS/MASKS September 5 – October 31, 2006
featuring leather masks by Canadian leather artists.
For further information, contact Dorothy McPherson, TRC Gallery curator, 574 Cayley Drive, London, ON N6H 3G8. (519)473-6450 or email [email protected]
Mississauga Branch Display at the 2006 Annual
Anniversary Wishes go out to Gus & Carol McLean Celebrating 50 years on August 26th, 2006
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Did You Forget to Pay Your Dues?! Phyllis McHale, CSCL Membership Will still sign you up if you contact her …asap! She’s at RR#1 –3783 Cty Rd 45 Coboconk, ON K0M 1K0 or [email protected] and send her $25.00
Norland Branch Display at the 2006 Annual
Tips from our Leathercraft Friends in the South West -be sure that the stamping tool is facing the right way, a spot of paint or nail polish on the backside of the shank just above the tooling head will be a great help
-two-tone dyeing can be achieved by covering the carved portions with Neat Lac and then swabbing the area with an antique finish.
-the plastic ink cartridges that are used in some pens are fine as protective
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6 covers for awls and other sharp tools.
-for a quick spotting brush, take any hair brush and tip it in Neat Lac. Draw it to a point and let it dry, then clean it with thinner and you a good brush again.
-chrome-tanned and lining leathers that have become wrinkled by storing can be ironed with a warm iron to restore smoothness. Caution: be sure the iron is only warm and the leather is dry.
-From the Columbine Leather Guild Newsletter “Dead Cow Society” July 2006
Hamilton Branch Display at the 2006 Annual Have you met Antony?
Although his last name is almost unpronounceable for most of us - it’s Wohlgemuth, Antony is someone you should get to know if you do leather craft. He’s at the Mississauga Tandy Leather Factory of Canada and literally knows everything you need to know about leather supplies.
I get to visit Antony when Executive Council Meetings meet, after hours, at the Leather Factory. During the break time and after the meeting adjourns, we prowl the long aisles of this leather supermarket, like kids in a candy shop!
Antony knows where everything is! Just ask him for a particular belt buckle or piece of natural skiver and he’ll find it for you, in a flash. He knows what’s available, how much it costs, and what to do with it.
Once every winter, Antony, tells me, he likes to wear shorts to work, just to get a rise out of the TTC riders – he hails from Winnipeg, the real land of cold, cold winters.
CSCL has been very fortunate in it’s connection with the Leather Factory – the Mississauga Branch meets there, regularly on Saturday mornings, and the Executive Antony Wohlgemuth Council holds monthly meetings on Friday nights. Not to 5562 Tomken Rd. mention CSCL has conducted workshops and visits from Mississauga, ON L4W 1P4 internationally known leather crafters like Jim Linnell at 905-625-370 the Factory.
Toll free 866-608-8822
Fax 905-625-4030
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During the May Executive Meeting, Paul Kitchener,
President of the Mississauga Guild and Peter Grove, then President, of CSCL presented Antony with a wooden tool chest with a beautiful carved locking panel made by Paul. It was CSCL’s way of saying Thanks for the long hours and efforts well beyond the call of duty.
CSCL members be sure to stop by and say Hi! to
Antony, he’s one of us!
Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft
invites CSCL members to participate in Leather 2006 September 30 to November 4, 2006 Opening Ceremonies & Presentations of Awards At 2:00pm Saturday, September 30 in the Grand Hall of the Woodstock Museum 466 Dundas St., Woodstock, Ontario We are pleased to announce that Ruth Haig FCSCL of Hamilton & Carol McLean FCSCL of Woodstock will be the Chief Jurists
All current members of CSCL are eligible to enter
Original articles must have been produced since November 2004 (the last exhibition)
Articles must be predominantly leather
Up to 5 articles may be submitted per crafter
Articles must remain with Leather 2006 from September 29 to November 4, 2006
Accepted articles are eligible for all awards (list included)
Crafters are responsible for the delivery and pickup of their articles
Entry fee of $15.00, entry forms, and articles must be received by 5:00pm, September 7 at Tundra Leather, 313 King St., East, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1C1
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If you have not received your Leather 2006 information and entry form, contact Madeleine Mitchell at [email protected] or call 519 537-7821
Awards available for Leather 2006
CSCL Executive Award for Most Functional Article $100 CSCL Special Judges Award $100 Michigan Leather Award for Best soft Leather or Best Colour $75
Moore-Pearsall Award for Best Belt Gift Certificate Moore-Pearsall Award for Best Carving Gift Certificate Plus other awards…
The Norland Branch Presents
It’s a Family Tradition
By Phyllis McHale (nee Chynoweth)
Now I’ll tell you a little story about a gal named Hilda, she sorta started something way back in the year of 1957. That was the year when Hilda decided that she needed to do something else to occupy her few spare minutes, the three girls at home didn’t take up enough of it, driving the mail, gardening in the summer time, preparing preserves for the winter, keeping house, housecleaning for some of the summer people and helping her husband with painting and putting down flooring with some of his house building and being a farmers wife.
Hilda comes from a history of leather working. Pop (her father) use to have four team’s of horses which worked year in and year out in the bush or at the saw mill which he owned, if there was any damage done to the harness Pop would fix these himself with Hilda as an observer.
So leather dates back to the early 1920’s. Pop was a Mill Wright, an Undertaker, a Boat Builder, a Coffin Maker, Steam Engine Operator, Teamster, Farmer, Horse Doctor, Black Smith, and traveled Stud Horses. See why he had to live till he was over 90! (Guess that is why the last job Phyllis worked at she had to have 16 diplomas on her wall, Della has a pile of them too, Barbara won’t tell how many she has, and Sandra just says there’s a bunch.)
Fenelon Falls High School offered a leather working course in 1957 so Hilda signed up for the course, ordered a kit from Tandy and was on her way, the first wallet she made she sold to Harold her husband and with the money from it she bought more leather. Through word of mouth her business grew until some years just before Christmas she would have all three girls lacing wallets so she would have them ready for the orders she received.
Hilda joined the CSCL and over the years traveled the distance from Norland to Toronto for the monthly CSCL Executive meetings and held positions of Director and Membership
Chairman.
During the years the three girls at home started helping more and more doing some things in the leather work. Della was the first to jump in with both feet, then when Phyllis moved back to the area in 1982 she got involved. Since then both Sandra and Barbara have become very involved with the work.
In 1978 Della joined the C.S.C.L., in 1982 Phyllis joined the group, in 2000 Barbara and Sandra became members. There are a good number of Craftsman’s Ribbons and Salon Ribbons hanging up around the home of these gals.
For the past nine years Hilda and Della (sometimes Phyllis) are at the Kinmount Fair at Kinmount Ontario Labour day weekend for the three days demonstrating their craft. Hilda and Phyllis have items in the Artisans Store in Kinmount.
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Hilda also has had many hobbies over the years, knitting, crocheting, woodworking, painting, sewing, quilting, beading and a few others I can’t remember. But she has tried it all.
She says that Leather crafting is the only one that keeps drawing her back and the one she enjoys the most. At 96 she is still very active in the hobby. She has a lot to share and teach and we are still learning from her. Believe me with the four of us she still has to referee sometimes.
Hilda was fundamental in getting the Norland Leather Crafters started, at the last Annual Norland hosted they celebrated their 25th anniversary, over the past couple years our group has grown in size, as for the family leather workers that is growing too, we now have Della’s daughter Tracey hooked on the craft.
Hilda’s House about 8:05pm Wednesday, August 2, 2006
If any one has been at our house and in the work room they will know that on the west end of the room there is a long window, in from of the window Hilda had three wooden racks of tools, the rest of the counter you could see very little of due to the amount of tools and containers of tools. Well Wednesday night about 8 o’clock the “Big Blow” happened, in the matter of about 3 – 4 minutes we lost 22 trees some up to 80 feet tall in front of the house, along with 5 on the hill behind the house, along with half the bush behind the hill. The window in the work room blew open and completely cleaned the counter off; every thing to do with the craft was on the floor with the rain blowing in.
What a mess!!! There was also a couple boxes with the little drawers; well Hilda is busy sorting stuff that got dumped.
The boys (Phyllis sons) have been running chain saws for the past five days, so far only the trees around the house are done. Find out to-day that the tornado that hit Gull Lake in Manitoba hit the lake right in front of Phyllis’s sister-in-laws home.
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Ponderisms – Worth Thinking About Again!
Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but you still can’t help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
The easiest way to find something around the house is to buy a replacement
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?