Mother, daughter win prizes in CNE handicraft competition

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Mother, daughter win prizes in CNE handicraft competition

Spectator Staff

One of the proudest mother - and - daughter twosomes in Hamilton this week must be Mrs. Karl Jonasson, of Laurier Avenue, and her daughter Karen, 22.

Both of them have won prizes in the leather work section in the women's division annual handicraft competition at the Canadian National Exhibition.

Not only have they walked off with three of the total of 16 prizes offered in the section but this is the first time either has entered any work in a competition.

Marie and Karen Jonasson started learning leather craft two years ago at the adult education classes at Westdale Secondary School.

"I became interested in this type of craft when a colleague of my husband's made a leather picture. I liked it so much I looked around for a place where I could learn to do this kind of work myself," Mrs. Jonasson said.

Mother and daughter joined the class taught by Irva Ford, and immediately became fascinated with the unusual technique.

They learned how ot prepare and shape the leather, how to trace and handtool designs into it and how to make attractive articles.

"We get our leather from hobby shops either in Hamilton or Toronto," Mrs. Jonasson said.

"It is quite expensive to buy." Leather alone for a man's belt would cost about $1 or $1.25 depending on the length and width of the belt. Raw material for a small bowl, such as a nut or candy bowl, would also cost $1 or a little more.

Among the items Karen and her mother have learned to make are bowls, belts, coasters, trays, purses, wallets, key rings and wall hangings.

Mrs. Jonasson has designed several items herself, including a special wallet with extra pockets, and an unusual tongue-shaped wall hanging.

Their winning entries were a set of coasters which won a first prize for Mrs. Jonasson and a black wallet which earned her a second prize, and a little bowl which was Karen's second prize winner in her section.

Karen, who is a medical technologist, does not have as much time to pursue leathercraft as her mother, who admits that she spends four to five hours a week at it.

"Before last Christmas I spent as much as three hours a day making gifts."

Mrs. Jonasson also took a large selection of her work to Germany last year when she and her husband went there for his parents' golden wedding anniversary.

Mr. and Mrs. Jonasson came to Canada from Germany 17 years ago. They have two children, Karen and a son Peter, 14.

"For my parents-in-law I made a large leather bowl with the dates 1920-1970 tooled into it."

Now Mrs. Jonasson says she finds many of her friends are becoming interested in her work and several have ordered items to be given away as gifts.

She has recently completed an attractive tray, with a wedding date worked in it, for a young bride.

Although leather work is her main hobby right now, Mrs. Jonasson is interested in many kinds of handicrafts.

Proof of her rug-hooking talents is a pretty black and white rug which she has in her living room.

The glowing orange hanging lamp is another of her own works. It is of brilliant orange plastic, embedded with tiny local leaves and small insects.

Small scatter cushions on the armchairs are still another example of this woman's work. These cushions are done in an unusual Japanese embroidery which Mrs. Jonasson calls 'kogin'.

"I saw an example of this type of work in a magazine and simply had to try it for myself."

Other interests include embroidery, crochet work and knitting and sewing. "Karen also likes sewing and crocheting," her mother said.

Both mother and daughter plan to go back for a third course of leather work. They are hoping to become associates of the Hamilton Leathercraft Guild, which is a branch of the Canadian Society of Creative Leathercraft.

Their teacher, Mrs. Ford, is national president of the society.

Mrs. Ford said she was delighted that her students had won prizes. "They are both very ambitious and capable students," she said.

Demonstrations

Mrs. Ford explained that to become an associate member of the guild, one must have had ordinary membership status for two years and have done some kind of service such as demonstrations or written articles for the guild.

"They must submit four articles which must be passed by the judges before they can achieve associate standing."

Above the associate standing there is one more level - the fellowship.

Mrs. Ford also won a prize at the CNE this year - in the Canadian Guild of Crafts juried exhibition with a leather piggy bank.

Mrs. Jonasson says she is continuing with her leathercraft because she enjoys it and also because it "offers so much opportunity to try new things."

"Also it is an ideal hobby for making gifts."

"Now that Karen and I have won prizes, I really feel good. It has given both of us a push. Now we will try even harder."

Other Hamilton area winners in the women's division handicraft competitions were:

Pottery and ceramics sculpture, Valerie Rupay (two prizes) and Mrs. Graham Smith, both of Burlington; handwoven articles, Ada Petraitis, Hamilton; knitting, Gertrude Stenzel, Hamilton, Mrs. J. A. Betts, Hamilton, Valerie Eaton, Brantford, Mrs. A. E. Harvey, Hagersville; needlework, Juliana Sanders, Guelph; sewing, Valerie Eaton, Brantford; infants' wear knitting, Mrs. I. Mills, Hamilton.

Hobby crafts, John Hoye, Hamilton, Mrs. Rod Thompson, Stoney Creek; Doll dressing, Mrs. J. Disher, Hamilton (two prizes), Mrs. B. Robinson, Burlington; dressmaking, Mrs. E. Damkjar, Burlington.

Hospital class section - needlework Sister M. St. Lawrence, Guelph (two prizes).

Home for the aged and persons aged 65-plus section - toys, Miss J. Fatheringham, Hamilton, Mrs. M. Nichol, Oakville; miscellaneous, Mrs. M. Barker, Jean Torrance, Mrs. D. Almas, Mrs. R. Nolan, all of Burlington; Rugs, weaving and quilts, women of Burlington Senior Citizens Club, needlework, Mrs. J. Steenton, Guelph, Mrs. D. Lodge, Hamilton, Mrs. J. A. Betts, Hamilton, Mrs. L. M. Peters, St. Catharines, Mrs. M. Hoth, Hamilton.

Work for the blind, Miss M. Broughton, Guelph.

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