Canadian Leathercraft – Winter 2011-2012

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. 2 Winter 2011- 2012 0045-5121

The Weston Trophy
Which Branch will win in 2012?
In this Edition…
Page 2 Notes from the Editor, Highlights from Executive Council Meetings,
Page 3 Membership Reminder, Calling all CSCL Members-at-Large, Privacy and Confidentiality Page 4 2012 CSCL 62nd Annual Weekend, Special Guest Peter Main
Page 5 Annual, Registration Form, Judging Dates Announced, To Win Annual Awards & Ribbons Page 6 Annual Awards and Ribbons, What is the Weston Trophy?
Page 7,8,9 Forgotten Tools by Lauch Harrison ACSCL

President: Barbara Chynoweth, 3350 Monck Rd., Norland ON K0M 2L0 –[email protected]
1st Vice-Pres.: Lauch Harrison, 68 Tisdale St. S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2W2 – [email protected]
2nd Vice-Pres.: Rob Regan, 28 Hazel Ave., Hamilton, ON L8L 6C9- [email protected]
Past President: Phyllis McHale, 3783 Cty Rd. 45 RR#1 Coboconk, ON K0M 1K0 –[email protected]
Treasurer: Della Chynoweth, 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, ON K0M 2L0 - [email protected]
Recording Secretary: Della Chynoweth 3350 Monck Rd., Norland, ON L0K 2L0- [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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Notes from the Editor…
I’ve been Editor of the “Canadian Leathercraft” newsletters since about 2003, taking over from
Mississauga’s Don MacLeod. I had just retired from full time employment and was looking for a way to serve CSCL. The challenge came with trying to best use the computer to complete the quarterly issues.
Gone were the days of mimeographed copies and folded, goldenrod foolscap paper. Many of you might have past copies of the “Bulletin” as it was often called in those early days; keep them, they are little treasures of the past history of CSCL. I cannot count the times I have searched through those bulletins, looking for articles by Robert Muma, Fred Brown, Deane Russell, Jessie Little and others. Although we have lost many of the charter members of CSCL we have been fortunate to have had talented contributors like Karla Van Horne, Carol McLean, Bill Whittingham, and more recently, Peter Grove, Lauch Harrison, the Chynoweth clan, and the Mc Pherson’s, David and Dorothy. I, literally could not publish the issues without their help.
Now that we are in 2012, for the most part, I can put together an issue easily with the contributions, I can insert pictures digitally, add links, and even send the completed copy to a print shop electronically.
The printer will copy, collate, staple and have everything ready on a designated date. I still have to stuff the envelopes manually, but there are less of them now since the majority of the copies are sent via email to our members.
Now I come to the point of this note… keeping our information and members safe from the unknown factors lurking on the internet. It’s become common to hear of “identity theft”, internet fraud and worse.
Even though we have a statement of “copyright” on the first page of each issue of the “Canadian
Leathercraft”, how can we ever know if a design idea or an article won’t be reproduced without our permission? I have had members ask about privacy with regard to their personal information and I will always oblige their requests. Nobody wants “spam” or nuisance emails, or vicious viruses, worms, and other infestations on their hard drive.
To date, touch wood, I have not had any problems from publishing my own information or any of our members (that I have ever heard about.) However, I don’t think we can be complacent and just hope for the best. I have discussed this concern with our CSCL President and others of the Executive Council. I’ve also looked into what other organizations do. I have made some changes already, including using “undisclosed recipients” when emailing, but I do need guidance from our members- note, that our newsletter is distributed only to CSCL members and a few organizations like Ontario Crafts Council, National Library of Canada, and businesses like Tundra Leather and the Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal in the USA.
Another side of this issue comes from CSCL website at www.canadianleathercraft.org which was set up to promote CSCL to the world wide net and indeed has had some results – we have a friend in Norway who publishes a Scandinavian leather craft journal that he faithfully sends by snail mail. I have also had emails from interested people who are seeking information about a leather craft project and I been able to pass along information. We also have some members who communicate through social net works like Facebook bringing another aspect into view for discussion. What information can be publicly viewed and what should be restricted or even discontinued?
We may have opened the proverbial “can of worms”.
Please give some thought to these concerns. Communicate your thoughts to CSCL Executive Council members or to your Editor. I have included in this edition a few other thoughts of this concern of confidentiality or privacy.
Thanks to Lauch Harrison for his article on Forgotten Tools in this newsletter.

As always, contributions and comments about this newsletter welcomed by your Editor at [email protected].

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3 Highlights from Executive Council Meetings…
Note: January 26th Executive Council Meeting CANCELLED by President, Barbara
Chynoweth, due to poor weather conditions.
From the February 24, 2012 Meeting:
-discussion about Privacy and Confidentiality of CSCL member information. To be expanded in the Newsletter as well as the upcoming AGM
-Peter Grove looking for Workshop requests, members to be asked at the Annual.
-Tracey Howard reports some computer problems, but has a new Norland member!
-Hamilton Branch submitted the 2011 Annual Financial Report.
-CSCL received the Norwegian Leather Magazine, circulated to attendees.
- Linda Courtney reported on the progress of the 2012 Annual Committee (see details in this issue)
-Tracey reported on some changes to Norland’s program, contact her for details.

See Tracey at the 2012 Annual and Renew Your CSCL Membership
CSCL Memberships (April 1st –March 31st)
Contact Tracey Howard at 705-426-4663
Email to [email protected]

Calling all CSCL Members-at-Large As a MAL would you like to get more involved in CSCL?
 How about more involvement at the Annuals?
 Want increased communication?
Contact the Editor with your ideas and comments at [email protected] or send a note to:
Madeleine Mitchell, 17 Light St., Woodstock, ON N4S 6G7 Your comments will be taken to the next Executive Council

Privacy and Confidentiality in CSCL
With rampant identify fraud, mind boggling spam and scary viruses, worms, and worse, CSCL is asking for your guidance on protecting our CSCL members. See more in the Notes from the Editor in this issue.
Currently, our Newsletter, published 4 times a year, is available to members and a limited number of others (like the Ontario Crafts Council, National Library of Canada, and a few leather craft related businesses)
Many members now receive their copy via email, with about a third receiving snail mail. We also have a website at www.canadianleathercraft.org and recently have created a Facebook Group.
As a CSCL Member, would you allow personal information, such as full name, address or phone number, or email address be published, if required? What about sharing pictures from events?
Send your questions, comments to the Editor and come to the Annual General Meeting for more information and discussion.

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2012 CSCL 62nd Annual Weekend Mississauga Society for Creative Leathercraft Invites All CSCL Members and Guests to the

April 20,21 & 22, 2012 at the Burlington Arts Centre! 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON 905 632-7796

Meet Internationally Known Leather Artist!
Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and learn From the Best!
CSCL is pleased to present
Peter Main
Peter Main is a world class leather master from Texas, he will be demonstrating and sharing his techniques on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. He will also be our guest speaker on Saturday night.
We will see some of his terrific leather work as well as some of his acquisitions from Al Stohlman. To learn more, please check out his website at www.petermain.com

Annual Weekend events will include:

-“Days of Yore” Special Table featuring prize winning and favourite leather articles from members made in past years – bring your best!
-Special Major draws for tools, leather, and more
-the “infamous” Draw Table – where just about everything goes! Leather craft related articles welcomed.
-sumptuous Saturday evening Banquet with Award Presentations and our Special speaker, Peter Main. In keeping with our Special theme for this Annual, feel free “to Dress in your Best” for the Banquet!
-Displays of Leather works from Branches and Members-at-Large
-Sale of leather crafting supplies

-Guests and Spouses may attend all events on payment of Registration Fee.
However, guests will not have voting power at the AGM.

For those requiring accommodations: please make your own arrangements The Waterfront Hotel on the Lake
2020 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON L7R 4G8
Phone: 866 685-3457 www.thewaterfrontdowntown.com –Mention CSCL Leather Guild for Special rate available until March 20th.

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5 Alternate accommodations available at the Ascot Motel, 2076 Old Lakeshore Rd, Burlington 905 634-3177

Restaurants and Coffee Shops nearby, including in the Burlington Arts Centre.
_______________________________________________________________________________ Registrations Required! Please complete the following:
Or send in the Registration form members will receive in the mail
Your Name, Address, Contact Number:

Additional Non-member/Guest(s)

Registration Fee per member $45.00 X ____ = $______
Registration Fee per Non-member $50.00 X ____ = $______
Banquet ticket - $55.00 per person X ____ = $______
Parking fee at BAC - $3.00 per token/day X ____ = $ ______
Also, meters available for after BAC hours
Total $_______
Cheques payable to “Mississauga Society for Creative Leathercraft” Send Cheques, with above details to:
Barry Taylor,
1606 Maple Ridge Drive,
Mississauga, ON L4W 3C8
905 624-3109 (H) or 905 890-5777 Ext 225 (W)
Early Bird Draw, if Registrations received before April 9, 2012

Judging Date Announced Judging for Weston Trophy, the Branch Competition and the Candidates for Associate and Fellow Membership will be held at Tundra Leather, 313 King St. East, Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1 Attention: Peter Grove or Sean Dalgetty Phone: 905 527-7745 Sunday, April 1st, 2012 Articles MUST BE RECEIVED before 5:00pm March 31st at Tundra Leather

To Win Annual Awards and Ribbons
All items for judging on display tables must have an CSCL Entry Tag, These tags are available from Branch Presidents or at the Registration Desk at the BAC on Friday, April 20, 2012.The Fellows will only judge items with CSCL Entry Tags.Entries must be on the tables by 8:00pm Friday, April 20, 2012

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6 Annual Awards & Ribbons:

Irva Ford Award for Best Moulded Piece ($50)
Betty Heacock Award for New or Novice Crafter ($50)
OCC Design Award ( 1 Year Craft Professional Membership)
Best General Member ($50)
Best in Show ($50 and Bronze Zalitis Pin)
Junior Award, Craftsman and Salon Ribbons
Cash prizes for the Best Jewellery, Best Non-Traditional, Best Wearable,

What is the Weston Trophy?
Through the years, at CSCL’s Annual General Meetings, the highlight has always been the presentation of this coveted prize. However, many CSCL members do not know the significance and history.
The History of the Weston Trophy
In the early 50's when the Weston Leathercraft Guild disbanded, the money left in the Treasury was turned over to the Executive Council of CSCL. The Executive in their wisdom, choose to use the funds for a trophy to perpetuate the Weston Leathercraft Guild, which was the first leather craft guild in Canada under the Canadian Handicrafts Guild.
The first Weston trophy was presented to the London Branch in 1957. By 1958, the judging was based on a Point System where six articles from one Branch were judged. The Point System is described in detail, in the "Canadian Leathercraft" Volume 7, No.4, Summer 1958.
In 1961, five articles were required, and today, only four articles are required, but the Executive Council reviews this number annually.
The Board of Selection judges each item carefully with particular attention to design and workmanship. CSCL encourages you and your Branch to become involved in the annual Weston Trophy Branch competition.
Editor’s Note: Since the Trophy has been in use since 1958, it is not surprising that the original shield has been filled up with the names of the winning Branches. A “New” Weston Trophy has been started (below) and on April 21st, we will find out who will take it home in 2012.

The “New” Weston Trophy

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7 Forgotten Tools by Lauch Harrison ACSCL

Tools of the trade at the turn of the 20th century.

I will be doing a series of articles on hand tools used in the past two centuries. I will describe the tools using the C S Osborne Catalogue No.51 circa 1905 and number them. I'll also use HF Osborne and Gomph Catalogues. The information I present is gleaned from books and through study and consultation with other tool users young and old.

CSO No. 134. The Gum or Patent Leather Tool. a.k.a Stitching Groover, Stitch Race, Freehand Scratch.
This free hand groover is pushed forward cutting a trench as it goes. It was made to carve stitch channels in Patent Leather. Due to the hardened and shiny surface of the patent leather it was difficult to see the pricker marks, a channel cut down to a softer layer aided visibility. The harness stitching was protected being less exposed to chafing and wear.

This thin bladed tool has a U-shaped groove. Due the fineness of the tool there are very few files or stones that can be used to sharpen the inside of the groove, a tube made of fine sand paper or wrapping the sandpaper around a harness needle can be used. The tool can be sharpened and honed on the outside of the U. The inside of the groove can be honed with a piece of string that has been rubbed with rouge or polishing compound.

Mostly used on the grain side of the leather, but it can be used on the backside to cut fine channels.
The channel helps to guide the french edgers when relieving excess material allowing the leather to fold. It can be used to cut the tops off stitching, making disassembly easier, it can also be used to cut decorative designs in the top grain.
Look for rosewood and fruitwood handles, the ferrule should be tight and unsplit. Tool Makers to look for Gomph (3 lines on handle), CS Osbourne, HF Osborne, W.Dodd, J English & Others. Tool were made from 1820's til turn of the 20th century. Expect to pay $30 - $40 for unreburbished and $40 - $80 for a working tool. Some Makers are more collectable and tool prices can be higher.

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No. 135 Saddlers Carving Tool. This free hand groover is pushed forward cutting a trench as it goes. It is generally used on the back of the hide. It has a larger width than the Gum Tool and is used extensively in box making. Able to create a deep even gouge, this tool is sharpened to allow it to cut only as deep as designed, the tool can not “dive” into the leather without a great deal of force. I have seen the 1/16th thru to 3/16”. The carving tool is ideal for removing material allowing folds. It also cuts to a set depth that gives the french edger an excellent control on removal of excess leather.

The width of the tool goes to ½ inch, Common sizes are 1/8” to 1/4” the tools are not numbered the dimension is given on the tool in fractions of an inch. Generally this tool shows up sharpened incorrectly.
Notice the geometry of the working tool, this sharp angled point makes a very even round cut.

Look for Hardwood handles, occasionally this can be found with rosewood but it is later in the 19th Century and rosewood was being less used due to availability and cost. This tool was usually made by CS Osborne and HF Osborne. Expect to pay $40 to $65 for a working tool.

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9 No. 130 French Edge Tool This tool is pushed forward, the protected cutting edge is able to trim the high points without diving into the leather. By using the flat sole on this type of french edger, keeping it very close to the leather allows fewer mistakes and speeds skiving. The inside edge must be sharpened and honed. The outsole is flattened, then honed. This tool can remove leather on edge skives and thin leather in the midlands, when used with gouges, the leather can be taken off with precision.

The tools are numbered by the 16th's of an inch, so for example a number 6 is 6/16th of an inch. Due to it's usefulness many Makers made this tool, look for CSO, HFO and Gomph. The handles are made with hardwoods, and rosewood. Expect to pay $40 - $60 depending on size maker and condition.

CSO No. 132 French Edger This tool is made with heavier Octagonal Stock, it was an up grade. The tools were made to last for generations of use, I have seen tools properly sharpened that are nearly full size after years of use.

Expect to pay slightly more for the No. 132 as it is more collectable, any where from $45 & up. Tools of the larger sizes fetch more money, rarity comes into play sizes 6,7, & 8 are seen less often.

There are some good resources for using and maintaining the tools, the paperback book
Leathercraft Tools by Al Stohlman available from Tundra Leather or LeatherFactory is a great start. The book covers lots of tools and techniques, filled with Plates, Pictures and good descriptions.
More information on the Early Makers is available in Search for early New Jersey Tool Makers by Alexander Farnham and Early Tools of New Jersey and The Men Who Made Them by Alexander
Farnham. Farnham details the histories of C S Osborne and H F Osborne along with others. If you have questions about tools new or old please email or call and I will do my best get answers.
Thanks
Lauch Harrison A.C.S.C.L.