An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original.
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Page 1 — 1972 ANNUAL
Canadian Leathercraft
Volume XXI No. 1 Summer 1972 (June)
1972 ANNUAL
Barrie was host to the twenty second C. S. C. L. Annual on April 22, 1972.
Cathryn Bonis was presented with a Life membership, and two new Fellows, Jessie Little and Gladys Riddell were welcomed. Mrs. Helen Wheaton was installed as our new President of C.S.C.L.. Toronto Branch were the proud winners of the Weston Trophy.
Lunch was served at noon, and the afternoon session of interesting demonstrations began at 1 p.m.. The demonstrations consisted of Block printing on leather, shading in colour on leather, saddle-stitching, construction of masks, woven wallet back and bookend construction.
In the evening the ladies of the Church served a delicious smorgasbord, followed by musical selections by Susan Ricketts. Later, Mr. Garn Pratt was introduced and showed us some very interesting pictures of his trip West last summer. The highlights of this trip was the trip to the Bennett Dam and a visit to Al Stohlman's ranch in British Columbia.
We wish to thank all at Barrie for planning such an interesting day for the members.
All material published in "Canadian Leathercraft" is the property of the Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft, and may not be reprinted in any form without permission of the Society.
This issue is typed on a machine that prints several ordinary letters, most often w and a, faintly or out of shape
Page 2 — HEAD TABLE - Barrie 1972
HEAD Table - Barrie 1972, April 22 Introduced by Pres. Irva Ford
On my right, to grace our table
Sits Margaret, wife of Garn, so stable She's pretty, charming, capable too You must meet her when we're through.
Once the woman of the year,
For May Corbett we should cheer.
She's vice-president, first in line In C. S. C. L. she's doomed to climb.
Dorothea Payne, right from the start Was always happy as a lark.
Long hours has she spent recording Notes, worthwhile,but not deploring - Due to lack of craftsmen workers Keeping in tact; they are the shirkers!
Helen Wheaton is jolly and kind
Folks as witty are hard to find, As President, she'll lead the way To greater heights and fine array. The next in line is our speaker rare, Who always did his secrets share. You'll hear from him very shortly If you'll just sit back and count to forty.
Paul Payne, loyal and true
Although discouraged still comes through. I. A. L. C. though loved by all
Has petered out - no fault of Paul! We've made dear friends, both short and tall And memories are dear to all.
Mrs. Ashton's welcome too
And I hope you'll greet her when we're through. Rev. G. E. Ashton, "although retired Became associate minister and much admired He came to-night to say the Grace And keep us craftsmen in our place.
Arrangement convener for this event Kay Cloughley's time was ably spent Every detail was her concern
And from it all, did our members learn.
Page 3 — LEATHER EXHIBITION — 1972
Susan Ricketts, now of Barrie
Will entertain us, so please tarry, She's here to sing some favourite songs, Pianist, to C. S. C. L. belongs.
Climax
As a climax to this day
We've enjoyed a grand buffet,
We're proud indeed of the Branch in Barrie For managing the load they had to carry.
LEATHER EXHIBITION -— 1972
The C. S. C. L. Exhibition was held at the Woodstock Art Gallery from May 13 to June 3, 1972.
Olivia Smith, Exhibition chairman did the initial spade work, Carol McLean followed up with publicity and Beula Reynolds took charge of the physical arrangements.
There was a lot of work required to get the showcases in presentable condition, but they were all ready for set up day when Sadie Roebuck, Phyllis Brown, Fred Brown and Helen Wheaton were on hand to help the Woodstock members.
On opening night, Mrs. Telfer welcomed the group on behalf of the Art Gallery, Helen Wheaton extended a welcome from C.S.C.L. and Mr. Les Cook welcomed them on behalf of the City of Woodstock. The Exhibition consisted of 64 articles, representing the work of 29 members. Also on exhibit was a case of North American Indian Leather Artifacts on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum of Toronto.
About seventy guests viewed the exhibit and enjoyed the lunch. Lorene Manuel was in charge of refreshments, assisted by the Woodstock members and the other branches supplied the food. Among the guests were Nina and Harold Wilson, Harold is Past President of C. S. C. L.
The exhibit remained in the Art Gallery until June 5th, when all the articles were packed and returned to the branches.
Page 4 — SWAB DYEING
SWAB DYEING by...Jessie Little
The Leathercraftsman eventually comes to the place where he has mastered tooling, embossing and carving and is looking for new fields to conquer.
Colour correctly applied enhances the finished product and makes the article one of rich beauty.
Since leather is a natural product no two leathers will produce the same uniform result. It is a good idea to cut sample strips from the hide from which your project was cut. By test-dyeing on these pieces you will have some idea of the final colour. The following is an outline of a colour project which may get you started in a new field.
Choose a wallet back and check to make sure there are no flaws. A small pit in the leather absorbs more dye and may form a dark spot. Clean the wallet back with a leather cleaner or deglazer. Trace the desired initial on the wallet blank.
This project will be done in warm colours, working from light to dark.
MATERIALS:
Cotton swabs, one for each colour. Cotton quilt batts are very good.
One sable brush # 3
Modelling tool
Blotting paper or paper towels
Surgical gloves
Dyes (water soluble) Yellow, orange, red, brown and dark brown.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. Work from light to dark colours. 2. Use a minimum amount of dye on the swab. If the swab is too wet get rid of the excess on the blotting paper or a piece of paper towelling. 3. Use a circular motion when applying the dye.
METHOD:
1. Dampen the leather. 2. Trace the initial on the wallet blank.
Page 5 — THE M. L. A. AWARD
3. Swab using a circular motion clockwise and counter clockwise all over the leather with yellow dye.
4. Swab all over with orange dye.
5. Using a red swab work from outside to within about an inch of the initial.
6. Mix red and brown and again work from the outside in but do not come quite as far as you did with the red.
7. Using a brown swab repeat the same procedure but again do not come in quite as far as you did with the red brown.
8. Mix a very small amount of black with the brown and again swab from the outside but again do not come in as far as the brown. Make sure the outside of the blank is quite dark.
9. At the point your project may have uneven areas. If for example, the area from orange to red is uneven use a mixture of orange-red and swab until there is an even progression.
10. Emboss the initial - Colour the initial a dark brown using the brush.
11. When dry - wax and polish. (Leave overnight before waxing. )
When you are ready for more advanced work you will find an article on Cross Dyeing by Irva Ford in Volume XIX No. 2 - Fall 1970. The book "Color in Leathercraft" by Robert Muma is a must for those who seek information on colour.
THE M. L. A. AWARD
The M. L. A. award for excellence in creative design was established at the final meeting of the I. A. L. C. when the C. S. C. L. accepted a proposal by Paul Payne. He proposed that an award would be presented at the C. S. C. L. Annual meeting to the member whose work, in the opinion of the judges, had displayed the highest level of achievement in Creative Design.
Selection Standards and the design of the award will be established by the C. S.C. L.
The idea of an award to recognize individual achievement in creative design was conceived by Liz Freriks and Paul Payne.
Money to initially sponsor the award was donated by the Michigan Leather Artisans.
Page 6 — IRVA FORD, OUR PAST PRESIDENT
IRVA FORD, OUR PAST PRESIDENT
Mrs. Irva Ford of Hamilton was born and attended school in the Hanover - Owen Sound area, she later became a teacher in Toronto. When Irva married she moved to Hamilton where her three children were born. She is the mother of two boys and a girl, all are now professional musicians.
She was always interested in crafts, particularly woodcarving and leathercraft, she was a charter member and first president of the Hamilton Leathercraft Guild; a charter member of Hamilton Artisan's Guild; President of C. S. C. L. 1969 - 1972. During the time of her Presidency, the first C. S. C. L. Prestige Exhibition was held in 1970 and the second C. S. C. L. Exhibition in Woodstock in 1972. Also during this time, Standards for work accepted for sale were drawn up and published. Irva is also a life member of the Women's Art Assoc'n of Hamilton and the Anglican Church women.
During twenty years experience in leathercraft, Irva has received instruction from Miss Muriel Burnaby, Toronto (gloves); Jack NeDougall Studio, Toronto; Mumart Studio of Creative Leathercraft, Toronto; end McMaster University summer school under Mr. Don MacKinnon. Irva has taught leather in Hamilton at every and all available opportunities, and has taught at Westdale Secondary night school for the past twenty years.
Irva has earned her Associate standing for excellence in craftsmanship end in 1958 became a Fellow of C. S. C. L., portraying good design along with her ability in craftsmanship. She has participated in many exhibitions and won awards at International Assemblies of Leathercraft in U. S. A. and Canada, Canadian Pacific Exhibition; Can. Guild of Crafts at C. N. E. (4 years): Best in Show at Hamilton Handicraft Sale and Hamilton Artisans Guild design award 1970 and 1971 - workmanship in 1971.
Interesting custom designed commissions by Irva have been:
1. Portfolio presented to Ellen Fairclough M. P. by Hamilton Council of Women.
2. Leather cover for an old German Newspaper presented to the Mayor of Hamburg, Germany.
3. Motorcycle tool boxes for World's Championship Races in Ireland.
4. Leather cases for solid gold toothpicks.
Irva Ford has contributed greatly to the growth and interest in Leathercraft in so many ways there is not room to mention them all here. Thank you Irva and we wish you many more years of successful teaching of Leathercraft.
Page 7 — I. A. L. C. ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - 1972; LEATHERCRAFT at Georgian College
I. A. L. C. ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - 1972
The Advisory Board of the International Assembly of Leather
Craftsmen, met following the Annual, Saturday, April 22nd.
As no American Guild extended an invitation for an Assembly to be held this year, Paul Payne proposed that all finances of the I. A. L. C. be turned over to C. S.C. L. to be invested, or whatever the pleasure of the Executive Council. C. S. C. L. members present were in agreement.
The necessary business was quickly disposed of and 'Finis' to I. A. L. C. for the present.
To those who voiced the opinion, "this was rather a sad occasion," Paul countered "Not at all"---"most groups that fold do so because of financial failure, but in this case, it was lack of active participation south of the border and if and when this is revived I. A. L. C. may flourish once more."
A vote of Thanks is extended to Paul and Dorothea.
LEATHERCRAFT at Georgian College
This course is arranged for those who have already had some experience in leather work. Some special techniques will be used such as corner-turning, moulding sole leather and the making of a wallet or some similar article that could need exterior carving or tooling. Students will provide their own basic tools such as punch, awl, modeler, bone folder, skinning and cutting knives, tracer and carving tools.
Clara Cavanagh of Barrie will be the instructor for this course. She has kept in touch with the latest developments in this field and has originated her own techniques.
TIME: Afternoons, 1:30 - 4:00 for two weeks, Monday through Friday July 24 to August 4.
FEE: $25.00 — Materials included.
Page 8 — COMMISSIONS CAN BE CHALLENGING AND REWARDING
COMMISSIONS CAN BE CHALLENGING AND REWARDING
Bob Muma, master bookbinder, works out of a ground-floor studio at 118 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto. He not only restores old bindings but creates modern ones to suit any particular book presented for repair.
He has done many Commissions for important people. He has done work for the Queen, the Governor General, Col. Sam McLaughlin, E. P. Taylor, etc., and for the St. Lawrence Centre, B. A. Oil, the Buffalo Libraries, the ROM Library, the Science Centre, the city of Sudbury, the town of North Bay, Ontario Hydro, Waterloo University, University of Toronto, etc. and collectors like Floyd Chalmers and the series of books Bob does through his foundation for the Stratford Festival and many more.
Bob says that you don't need big names to turn out masterpieces. One of his most interesting was finished up last July for presentation to two retiring summer camp councilors. The camp crest on the front cover was a 4" convex circle made up of 37 pieces of various coloured leathers, blind and gold tooled. The end papers were made from an actual wood veneer paper to simulate the interior of camp buildings. It was bound in terra cotta Oasis—Niger Goatskin on heavy bevelled boards with the crest inset in the board flush with the surface.
Last November, an article appeared in the Toronto Calendar Magazine about Bob, which prompted a call from Susan Murgatroyd, producer of the TV show "What on Earth". As a result she and Mr. Warren Davis, moderator of the show and a crew of three hauled in their equipment to tape a sequence of the technique of edge gilding a book. A panel of experts try to guess what a certain tool is and its use. Then the craftsman demonstrate its use. In this case the "mystery" tool was an agate burnisher.
Using methods and devices from another century, Mr. Muma is an anachronism in this modern age of plastic vinyls and short cuts. You come away from his workshop with a knowledge of what has become a neglected craft.
Suggestion
Ruth Haig likes hair setting lotion for smooth backs on trays or belts. Property shoe cream is favoured by many, also edge dressing or oil paint
Page 9 — C. S. C. L. EXECUTIVE 1972-73
C. S.C. L. EXECUTIVE 1972-73
| Past President | Mrs. Irva Ford |
| President | Mrs. Helen Wheaton |
| Recording Secretary | Mrs. Carol McLean |
| Corresponding Secretary | Mrs. Margaret Monteith |
| Vice Presidents | Mrs. May Corbett, Mrs. Beula Reynolds |
| Treasurer | Mr. George McPhail |
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Mr. Fred Brown
Miss Olivia Smith
Miss Evelyn Burgess
Mrs. Ruth Haig
Mrs. Sadie Roebuck
Mrs. Jessie Little
Miss Betty Henstridge
Mrs. Freda Creamer
(Belleville Representative not known at this time)
| Mrs. Clara Cavanagh | Chairman of Council of Fellows |
| Mrs. Anne Hook | Secretary |
| Miss Bea Austin | Membership Chairman |
| Mr. Fred Brown | Library and Slides |
| Mrs. Sadie Roebuck | Library and Slides |
| Mrs. Jessie Little | Publicity |
| Miss Betty Henstridge | Social |
| Mr. Robert Sutton | C. N. E. Convener |
BRANCH PRESIDENTS
| Barrie | Kay Cloughley |
| Belleville | Doris Niles |
| Hamilton | Marion Bridges |
| London | Ilene Lawrence |
| Toronto | Gladys Riddell |
| Woodstock | Carol McLean |
Page 10 — WESTON TROPHY COMPETITION 1972
WESTON TROPHY COMPETITION 1972
BARRIE 74.4%
Covered Box Exquisite piece of work, but the material chosen will not stand up to wear, feet could have been leather rather than metal.
Green Tray A Pleasing article, well finished, skilfully done.
Medallion An interesting MOD piece. Edges well finished and cord is smoothly cut.
Candle Holder Unique concept for a heavy candle. Good dye job with well polished edges.
Letter & Pen Desk Set Moulded box construction, beautifully finished. Practical and pleasing piece that would grace any desk. The base is sole leather.
HAMILTON 78.5%
Candle Holders Pleasing design with metal cups covered in an interesting way. Centre of balance should have been studied, as they tip too easily.
Covered Bottle Striking colours. Design is suitable for the shape of bottle, wrinkles at bottom are unavoidable with this particular leather.
Wallet A slim morocco wallet, almost perfect, beautifully laced.
Mask Very interesting personality, this piece of fun leathercraft is smoothly moulded.
Hanging Weed Pot A novel use of Cuir Bouille. The saddle stitching is excellent. A very elegant piece. This was done on a wooden form.
LONDON 67.6%
| Book Rack | A useful article. Carving could have more depth. |
| Butterfly Pin | Well made but too small an article for the Weston Trophy competition. |
| Gardenia Pin | Edges well finished, but all over gloss gives an artificial look, more suitable as a sale piece than an Exhibition piece. |
| Card Case | Very nice piece of inverted carving. Stamped background detracts rather than enhances. |
| Album | Plain and good looking piece of work. Just enough design to add interest. Leather covered screw posts are suitable to the article. |
The London entries below are set out from a table whose rows break mid-sentence, one line of print to a row; each entry's comment is set out here as a single line, and a stray mark after "an Exhibition piece" is dropped as print noise, not a word.
Page 11
TORONTO 81.2%
Mask Well moulded and dyed. Fingernail marks should be avoided. The background detracts from the piece.
Pen Set Pleasing design. Elegantly dyed and finished.
Handbag Modern concept of soft leather. Detail well done. Saddle stitching on loops excellent. Very light to carry.
Plaque Decoration applied from copper etched plate. Beautiful sample of splatter dyeing and finishing.
Vase Cuir Bouille. Excellent craftsmanship and saddle stitching. Recessed stitching on base would reduce wear on thread. Vase has hose running through to hold fresh flowers. Design could have been livened by extending one arm of vase.
WOODSTOCK 77.2%
Album Functions very well. Interesting cover, but with such a design attention should be paid to the perspective.
Drawstring Purse Pleasant little bag to carry. Carving could have had more depth.
Handbag Good colour job with well finished stitching, but an elongated flap like this requires a different type of fastener. Gussets are too heavy at base to permit proper fitting.
Dresser Caddy Well moulded with well finished edges.
Bookends Very attractive and well weighted. Artistically designed. Lovely colour job.
The Toronto and Woodstock entries are set out like the branches before them: each underlined item name stands at the head of its own comment.
The following articles received 85% and over.
| Barrie | Green tray |
| Hamilton | Hanging weed pot |
| Toronto | Handbag |
| Toronto | Plaque |
Suggestion
Nora Huyck uses one generous coat of C. I. L. Household Cement left undisturbed 24 hours for pin backs, ear screws, etc.
Page 12
WESTON TROPHY
This page carries only the heading "12" and "WESTON TROPHY" in type; below it are five unlabelled line drawings of leather pieces — a curved-handled jug or ewer with a teardrop cutout, a letter-holder or pen stand, a wall panel carved with a stylised face, a bag or saddle-shaped piece with straps, and a carved hexagonal tray or box lid. No names or captions appear on the page.
