Canadian Leathercraft – Winter 2006-2007

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 LV No. 2 Winter –2006-07 0045-5121

Lauch Harrison at the Woodstock Museum Sale
In this Edition…
Page 2 Notes from the Editor
Page 3, CSCL Presents… Lasted Box Workshop with Nancy Durham FCSCL, a suggestion from Carol Page 4 Highlights from the Executive Council Meetings, From the Chairman of the Council of Fellows Page 5 London Leather Masquerade by Dorothy McPherson
Page 6 Annual 2007 Notice, CSCL/Zelikovitz Leathercraft Award
Page 7 Leather Box with Hinged Lid and Inset Stone by David McPherson FCSCL
Page 8 Tooling Leather…A soft, more gentle technique by Loreen Manuel

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, Po Box 98, Brecken ON L9W 4V9- [email protected]
Recording Secretary: Della Chynoweth, PO Box 98., Breckon, ON L0K 1B0- [email protected].
Correspondence: Sandra Roberts, PO Box 655, 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 Notes from the Editor…

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On Friday, December 8, 2006 the Woodstock Branch of CSCL planned to celebrate the upcoming Holidays with their annual Potluck Christmas Dinner at a member’s home in
Woodstock. President, David McPherson and his wife Dorothy live in London, about 40 km from the site of our get together and called early in the day to say they couldn’t come to Woodstock because of the four feet of snow in their driveway! A huge snowstorm hit
London with a vengeance –public transit was closed, the University and schools were closed and the city literally came to a standstill. In Woodstock, we had about an inch or two of snow and Nancy Durham was just far enough east to get only a dusting! Needless to say, the London contingency, including long time CSCLer Marion Kehoe missed out on a great turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Of course, following that snowfall, London and the rest of the area cleared up and we had a green Christmas and New Year and unseasonably warm, sunny days in early January. It’s as I’ve always thought –if you can live with the weather in Ontario – you could live virtually anywhere in the world.
Our Woodstock member, Jean Pickering has had husband, George taking over the vacuuming at their home as Jean recovers from recent back surgery. George has been quoted as saying “it’s not as easy as it looks!”
Woodstock Branch members and Hamilton Branch members, Lauch Harrison and Peter Grove participated in the Annual Christmas Craft Sale at the Woodstock Museum in
November. Thanks to Lauch, who set up right at the entrance, and who directed people to the Grand Hall where CSCL had the last day of our 2006 Biennial Exhibition and our sale items, we had a very successful day.
Well it’s a new year and new chance to create that wonderful article crafted from leather …
so get busy CSCL members!
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

Thanks to David McPherson and the Woodstock Branch members for contributions to this Newsletter! Contributions to the next Newsletter will be from Hamilton Branch

Deadline for submissions –May 1st, 2007

The Reading Corner Gallery 566 Newbold St. London presents the 1st Annual Woodworking Show January 3 to March 2, 2007 For further information, contact Dorothy McPherson, TRC Gallery curator, 574 Cayley Drive, London, ON N6H 3G8. Open 9:00am to 5:00pm (519)473-6450 or email: [email protected] Featuring Fine Handart by Canadian Crafters Founded in 2004

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CSCL presents…

Lasted Box Workshop with Nancy Durham FCSCL

At the Tandy Leather Factory, 5562 Tomken Rd.
Mississauga, ON Saturday, February 24, 2007*
10am to 4pm
$25 registration
Bring your own Lunch
*Only 5 spaces remain, first come, first served – contact Lauch Harrison at (905) 525- 4092 asap (another date may be added, as demand requires)

Materials to Bring:
-Bass wood or soft wood form, 2 in deep (lasts) No sap wood or pine etc.
-5-6oz Veg tanned leather, enough to cover your form top and bottom plus 2 inches all the way around.
-4-5oz veg tanned leather for the inside perimeter insert
-Belt stripper
-Skiver for lining top and bottom
-Lasting pliers (borrow or share)
-Nails (shoe tacks)
-Old Towel to use on your lap
-Bone folder, Exacto knife or utility knife
-Spray bottle for water
-Ruler, Wing dividers
-Feibing’s dyes and daubers, as desired
-Files and sandpaper
-White glue, contact cement

A suggestion for searching for Leatherwork from a Fellow:
“If you have not done this type of search before, just go to your Internet Explorer and type in www.google.ca and then when that window comes up click on IMAGES and then in the Search line type Leatherwork.. You can type in different things.. eg. Leather or whatever you would like to see. This way you actually get to see pictures of what is on the site.” Enjoy, Carol McLean FCSCL and Have Fun!”

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`Highlights from the Executive Council Meetings
November 2006 –
A leather craft Scholarship Award is being planned jointly between CSCL and Zelikovitz Leather Company – with administration and promotion by the
Ontario Crafts Council. Details will follow.
CSCL is looking at initiating more awards –possibly a Most Popular article or Viewer’s Choice Award and others
The library books are now at the Branches –be sure to have a look
CSCL’s Constitution revisions are almost ready for Executive Council approval What more can we do for New Members? –CSCL wants your input-Talk to your Branch President or send a note to an Executive member

January 2007 –
-New members needs were discussed with many suggestions put forth –among the priorities were teaching the basic skills and identifying the proper leather for a project.
-lively discussion about possible new awards that members may win at Annuals and Biennials.
You’ll be hearing more about these awards as standards are decided.
-the Executive Council motioned forward the new Constitution Revisions and a mailing to all members is planned very soon. Finally voting by members, on the Revisions will take place at the Annual General Meeting –May 5, 2007.
_Nancy Durham’s planned Workshop on Lasted Boxes on February 24th may have to have a 2nd date as interest seems to warrant this.
See the details of the first planned date in this issue.

From the Chairman of the Council of Fellows
You now have fewer than 3 months to create and construct your entries for the 2007 Annual. We have not had entries for Weston Trophy from all 5 branches for many years. Please make an effort to provide a fine assortment of work for the judges. There are awards to be given for molding, colouring, carving, tooling, and more. Everyone who puts in one or more pieces for judging will receive a
Participation Ribbon. Now you have no reason not to compete. You will take home something.
This year some of you could be ready to present 4 pieces for Associate standing.
Then another year you can be really creative and receive your Fellow standing. A good place to start is one of the workshops. I expect to see more boxes, freeformed or lasted, on the tables this year.
Everyone should come to the annual to see what others are doing.
David McPherson FCSCL

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LONDON LEATHER MASQUERADE
The group exhibition at TRC (The READING CORNER) Gallery, London, MASKS is devoted to the mystery of masks. A variety of techniques is used in fourteen masks by six participating Ontario artists:
Madeleine Mitchell, Sean Dalgetty, David McPherson, Ruth Strebe, Dorothy McPherson and Roselle Wallace. Two of Mitchell’s traditional pieces, BASKERVILLE and DERVISH, open the show and illustrate the gorgon-like features that result from her artful leather folding. Next is Dalgetty’s realistic Belgian-shoulder mask WOLF cut from a pattern then skillfully shaped and baked to hold its werewolflike features. David McPherson’s SUMMER SCHOOL life-size mask is an example of pliable leather shaped over an existing mould.
Two leather jewellery masks reference Dickens and Shakespeare: a pendant necklace THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST by Dorothy McPherson, and a black and white brooch THE COMEDY AND THE TRAGEDY by Wallace depicts those familiar theatrical masks.
Strebe’s mixed-media work is strategically placed midway through the exhibition adding a welcome jolt of colour to this show in which browns predominate. This noted artist’s wearable ANGEL mask is resplendent in striking red dress, royal blue leggings and pale blue wings: all with an iridescent overlay of sparkles that lends an appropriate otherworldly air to this seasonal show.
The placing of several non-traditional pieces at the end of the show typifies the current interest in unusual leather projects. Among them is KEEPSAKE wall mask whose surface design is formed by signatures inscribed by Canadian author Robert McGill and American author Hoagy E. Carmichael. Red marble eyes, inserted behind slits in CAT MASK eerily track the movements of observers passing by. A white MIME mask and DOLL FACE are included as well as a river mask THE SPIRIT OF THE
THAMES.
The skillful manipulation of materials by these artists is summed up in one guest’s comment: “A varied and funtastic show!”
(TRC GALLERY is located in the retail showroom of DURA MED MOBILITY PRODUCTS, 566
Newbold Street, London)

Dorothy McPherson is a freelance arts reporter.

At Gaspésian book launch author Hoagy E. Carmichael autographs McPherson’s souvenir leather mask and her copies of his book THE GRAND CASCAPEDIA RIVER A HISTORY Vol. 1.

photo by David McPherson

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CSCL/Zelikovitz Leathercraft Award

This new award received unanimous, executive approval on November 16, 2006. Applications are available from the Ontario Crafts Council which will be administering this award. For information about the application requirements check www.craft.on.ca or contact the Ontario Crafts Council, 990 Queen Street West, Toronto, M6J1H1, Fax: 416-925-4223 General Manager Emma Quin, Ext 223, [email protected].
The work should have been made in the past two years depending on the nature and complexity of the work. Applicants have to submit 12 electronic images of eight pieces of their work. Only the one award recipient will be asked to send in one actual piece of handwork after s/he has been notified about winning the award. An up-to-date CV (curriculum vitae) is required showing applicant’s background, exhibitions, awards etc.
The award description appears on the OCC website and in OCC Award information flyers: Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft and Zelikovitz Leathers have established this award to recognize excellence and creativity in the medium of leather, whether functional or decorative. This award is intended to promote leathercraft. CSCL/Zelikovitz emphasizes originality in design using leather techniques of carving, tooling, molding and dyeing – with skills in skiving, lacing and saddle stitching.
$500 is available.
The award is available for three years beginning in 2007.
It was made possible through the concerted efforts of the CSCL executive and the enthusiastic and generous support of Zelikovitz Leathers, Ottawa. This award and its attendant publicity will broaden the appeal of this time-honoured crafting tradition. Who knows what great handart will result from this joint venture! Written by Dorothy McPherson, Award Committee Chair

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David’s Leather Box with Inset Stone From the desk of …
David McPherson, FCSCL
President of Woodstock Branch CSCL and Chairman of the Council of Fellows

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LEATHER BOX WITH HINGED LID AND INSET STONE (SHAPED LIKE INSET STONE)

Photocopy and enlarge inset piece to desired size for base. Outline shape to smooth any rough edges. Create a straight part on one side for the width of the hinge. This is the base pattern. Cut out of sole leather.

To make lid pattern, add a strip 1” wide (length of hinge slot) to the straight side. Measure 3/8” larger around base pattern except at straight side. Tum pattern over and add it to the other side of the strip. Note which half is the top of the hinge. Trace lid pattern onto leather (probably 4 to 7 oz), but cut out slightly larger to trim later after gluing. Trace stone for inset hole and cut out hole for inset.

Cut a strip (same weight of leather) for back part of hinge e.g. 2%" wide, and length about 2” plus double the height of the box.

Cut a strip for the sides of box (7 to 9 oz.) to go around base plus overlap.

Cut hinge slots e.g. for 2 %” width, 5 %” slots in top piece and 4 in the back piece.

Edge bevel inside top of side piece and back of hinge slots. Dye base, sides, hinge pieces. Burnish and polish inside of side piece and top edge, hinge slots, inset hole, and sides of hinge back.

Dampen side piece, fit around base and mark end. Add overlap (5/8”). Cut off using square. Skive for overlap, one end on the inside, other on the outside. Check fit around base, then glue. .

If inset has clear parts you might paint white acrylic behind it. Let dry. Dampen, fold, shape, then glue parts of top hinge together. Check fit of hinge. Retrace pattern if necessary and trim top piece. Edge bevel, dye, polish and burnish trimmed edge.

Trim back part of hinge that fits inside box and glue. Square end of hinge slots should be level with top edge of sides of box.

Glue outside back part of hinge, careful not to pull too tight, then trim off excess. Use utility knife to trim any excess off bottom of box.

Glue skiver on bottom and trim off excess-carefully with shears. Polish. ——_—

Tooling Leather ... a Softer,More Gentler Technique for Decorating a Leather project

Loreen’s Tooled Book Ends

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Tips from Loreen Manuel, Woodstock Branch Member

 Choose a suitable leather –such as calf, morocco, mission grain, steer 2-3oz  Look for patterns in older leathercraft books, may use carving patterns that are open and not too busy
 Trace pattern on properly dampened leather – immerse leather in water until bubbles rise, blot gently, lay flush sides down, and wait. If necessary refrigerate in plastic bag
 Choose modelers with a spoon end and another with a ball end
 Hold the modeler like a pencil. Drag towards yourself. Turn leather often Keep going over the pattern until it can be seen on the back. Burnish your lines
 For straight lines use a wooden ruler, not metal, unless it has a cork back
 Use the ball end of the modeler to push up the pattern from the back. Continue to go over and over –this is embossing
 Use the spoon tip of the modeler to push down the outside (right side) of the pattern.
 The tip of the modeler can be used to stipple the background – use even pressure
 Let dry thoroughly before continuing any assembly.