An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original.
(12 pages, 1.6 MB)
the full-resolution scan, 24 MB, for close research
Page 1 — ANNUAL 1974
Canadian Leathercraft
Volume XXII No. 3 Spring 1974 (May)
ANNUAL 1974
Belleville was host to the 24th C.S.C.L. annual meeting held at the Holloway Street United Church, May 4, 1974 with 91 registered and 4 visitors.
During the business meeting held in the morning, the new executive was elected. It was decided by ballot (according to Article 3, Section 1 and 3 of the C.S.C.L. constitution) t: increase the membership fee for 1975-76 to $5.00.
The Weston Trophy was awarded to the Barrie Branch with a percentage of 84.
[The Weston Trophy sentence — "The Weston Trophy was awarded to the Barrie Branch with a percentage of 84." — runs straight into the next paragraph on the page. The 84% score is independently on record, sourced to the Council of Fellows’ own report and the 24th Annual Meeting minutes.]
Two members attained their Associate standing, Joyce
Poulson of Lindsay, who was awarded the Zalitis Pin and Howard Brock Sr. of McKees Rock, Pa., U.S.A.
Gel Brigden was awarded an Honorary. Associate Certificate recognizing his many years of service to the Executive Council. Helen Wheaton was presented with a Life Membership and made an executive at large for Canada by the Leather Pounders International of Salt Lake City, Utah. This was presented by Howard Brock.
A delicious salad plate was served at noon by the ladies of the church. Just prior to Grace being said, Mr. Robert Dengler, honorary life member, (who never misses an Annual) arrived.
Continued.
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. Editorial Committees
Pres. Mrs. H Wheaton, FCSCL, 100 Grand Ave., London
V. Pres. Mrs. M. Corbett, ACSCL, 10 Highland Ave., Barrie VY. Pres. Mrs. B. Reynolds, "CSCL, 500 Parkinson, Woodstock Cc-ordinating Ed. Mrs. J.. Hutcheson, R.R. # 4, Ingersoll. Committee Member Mrs. H. Darbyshire, FCSCL, Woodstock Reporters tis issue - Barrie Branch
Page 2 — LOST AND FOUND
At 1:30 an illustrated talk on "Design" was given by Mrs. Lillian Peddie, who held her audience so spellbound that no one noticed they were missing their coffee break. This was followed by demonstrations as follows:
| Candle Bottle Harness | Irva Ford |
| Pattern Enlargement | Sandy Coutts |
| Box Forms | Gladys Riddell |
| Dyeing Technique | Nora Huyck |
| Round Braiding | John Trops |
| Turned Edges - 3-D | Fred Brown |
At 6:30 a turkey dinner was served, the ladies were commended and thanked for their culinary art. Prior to the dinner, there was an hours break when those remaining at the church realized what a wonderful job of effort and organization was put forth by the Belleville Branch. This feeling was echoed
We were entertained by a group of young dancers from the Mohawk Indian Reserve. The after dinner speaker, Mr. Art Duncan, retired Personnel Manager of Bata Shoe and Toast Master of Canada kept his audience laughing from start to finish. An appropriate gift was given to Mr. Duncan, made by a member of the Belleville Branch.
During the day, draws were made for the many interesting articles donated by members of the branches.
A full and interesting day was brought to a close with the final auction of the Larmour tools, and everyone departed with a feeling of fulfillment.
LOST AND FOUND
LOST — At the 1974 Annual, a lady's beige London Fog raincoat (nearly new). Anyone wearing this type of coat, please check the one you returned home with. My coat did not have a zip-in lining, Please contact Mrs. Doris Laroche
163 Toronto: St. Barrie, Ontario Phone 705-728-5157
FOUND - Following the last Larmour sale at the Brown residence, a red folding chair. If you are missing one, please contact Fred Brown.
Continued...
Page 3 — QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
FOUND — At the 1973 (yes, 1973) annual one pair of lady's printed green net slippers in a Gallenkamp store plastic bag. Please contact
Mrs. Kathleen O'Riley
414 Huron Street
WOODSTOCK, Ontario
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
At the recent annual meeting, the question box contained the following questions. The answers were provided by a panel led by Fred Brown who was assisted by Nora Huyck, Jean Newton, Helen Wheaton, plus various 'ad libs' from the audience.
Q. What thonging is best for leather macrame?
A. Any regular lacing can be used providing it is possible to keep the grain side uppermost — or the flesh side could be dyed a contrasting colour. Suede welting can be used in ¼" wide strips.
Q. What is the life of Garnett dye after opening?
A. It depends how tightly the lid is replaced; it should be air tight. It was suggested the lip of the bottle be wiped to prevent dye build-up.
Q. Should design on each bookend always be the same?
A. If the shape of the form is irregular, they will have to be reversed; or, if a profile, each should face in the same direction. Actually, personal preference is the main consideration.
Q. What should be used to clean gold-coloured findings?
A. Very fine scouring pads such as Brillo, etc. or Bon Ami on a damp cloth. Be sure to spray with lacquer to retain the finish.
Q. Is it possible to obtain gold kid lacing?
A. As far as those present were aware, it is no longer obtainable. The name Pearsall was suggested as a source to buy skins which could be cut.
Should anyone happen to have a supply of the above, please advise Clara Cavanagh.
The original is a clean, legible typescript; set out below in full.
Page 4 — WESTON TROPHY - BARRIE
WESTON TROPHY - BARRIE
OBLONG TRAY - Red and Black, a pleasing spot of color. Design suitable to area. It sits flat, but edges could be better.. The fat wrinkles in the leather add attractiveness. By Emma Knowles
MAN'S BELT - Excellent carving and stamping of the wild roses. The only criticism would be that the leaves had points that stick out and might catch in the belt loops. Gary Walsh
Bottle - A lovely piece of work with a pleasing shape. It is covered with a light skiver in mottled beige, the neck is wrapped with lacing. By May Corbett
RING Binder - This is a very pleasing dye job in a warm brown. The edges are not quite square. By Sherle Bottrill
HANDBAG - A beautiful piece of work, and excellent use of the green factory finished leather, A very original pattern in which the domed end flaps and an interior zipper allow it to almost double in size.
By Clara Cavanagh
Page 5 — C.S.C.L. BRANCH COMPETITIONS 1974
C.S.C.L. BRANCH COMPETITIONS 1974 BARRIE:
BELT — Excellent carving and stamping. The only criticism would be that the leaves had points that stick out and might possibly catch in the loops of slacks.
OBLONG TRAY - Pleasing spot of colour. Design suitable to area. It sits flat, but edges could be better. The fat wrinkles in the leather add to its attractiveness.
BOTTLE - A lovely piece of work, with a pleasing shape.
RING BINDER - Edges are not quite square. This is a very pleasing dye job.
HANDBAG - A beautiful piece of work, and excellent use of factory finished leather. A very original pattern.
BELLEVILLE:
BELT -— An excellent example of braiding. The keeper is a bit large, and the holes a bit small for the tongue.
CAMERA CASE - Very sensible pattern and a good dye job. Might be more practical to have the strap go all around the base.
HANGING TRAY - A novel idea, but metal chain is distracting. Base decoration is attractive.
GLOVES — They look well on the hands.
TRAY -— Suitable design with the trillium nicely done. Outer line not really necessary.
HAMILTON:
PAIR OF PLAQUES - Excellent piece of inlay work. A really good exercise in optical illusion.
LIQUEUR SET - A Lovely piece of work with beautiful use of splatter technique. 3 techniques - splatter, cuir Bouilli, and moulded tray.
PLAIN TRAY - Nicely finished, with good flat base. Edges are a bit rough.
RED TRAY - Lovely dye job in ruby red. Base well reinforced. Decoration very accurately planned and nicely executed.
Page 6
6.
CHECKERBOARD - Excellent example of laminated leather, Rather heavy.
TORONTO:-.
PURSE - An excellent example of sponge dyeing, with a suitable and chaste design. 'The craftsman showed initiative in hanging straps to swing, a beautiful example of recycling frames.
TRAY - A novel approach to trays. Well constructed and level.
BOX - A fine example of 3-D. Beautifully hinged. A suede lining might have been richer to look at.
JUG - An example of cuir bouilli with interesting shape. The mould could have been more tapered.
BOOK COVER - An excellent example of a book cover, with matching book mark.
WOODSTOCK —
GLOVES - A very nice example of navy pigskin 'gloves, with a stylish cuff.
PENCIL HOLDER - Beautifully designed and dyed. Join well thought out. The cut lines not quite precise enough.
PICTURE FRAME - A very neat frame, and nicely moulded.
TRAY - An interesting example of colour, and contrast of flesh and grain sides.
BOOK ENDS - Excellent workmanship. A good example of line tooling and embossing.
......./.......
C. N. E.
Articles for sale, to be delivered to the Crafts building inside Dufferin Gate, on Tuesday, August 13th by 10 a.m.
Please do not forget, we also need articles for display. All members who have not previously submitted articles for sale are reminded to contact Mr. Bob Sutton, 51 Compton Cres. Downsview, Ontario, M3M 2C2 for code letters. Entry forms will be mailed out between July 1st and 15th.
["articles for gale" is set out here as "sale", and "will Emailed out" as "will be mailed out" — the page predates email.]
Page 7 — WHO'S WHO IN LEATHER
WHO'S WHO IN LEATHER
by Kay Cloughley
Janis Zalitis — was born in Latvia where he learned the basic leathercraft techniques. After he emigrated to Canada in 1951, he was able to attend some courses in design. These he put to good use by adapting the folk designs of his native land to be used in leather.
He joined the Toronto Branch C.S.C.L.. In 1959 he became an Associate and a Fellow of the Society in 1962. While he, himself, has not been able to take any formal instruction in leathercraft, he has endeavoured to pass on his knowledge to others. For several years he taught courses to youth and church groups, mainly at a camp near Burlington operated by fellow Latvians.
The unique patterns used to decorate his leather articles are executed with a few deft knife cuts. He is also noted for the distinctive use of dyes on the background. Either an atomizer or an air gun is used to apply and blend a variety of colours into a most subtle and pleasing effect. The colours are at all times used to highlight and enhance the pattern.
Award
Winner C.N.E. Women’s Div’n.
1971
[Beside this paragraph, a sketch of a book-shaped leather piece decorated with a patterned central band and leaf sprigs, with the caption above typed beneath it — one of his three 1971 C.N.E. Women’s Division placings, which the Winter 1971 bulletin prints on pages 10 and 12 (classes 217, 218 and 220).]
In recent years Janis has proven his interest in promoting leathercraft by donating a sterling silver pin (in the shape of our insignia) to the member who obtains the highest marks of those who try for their Associate standing. The pins are made by one of his Latvian friends.
Janis is also an accomplished woodcarver and when not creating articles of leather or wood for sale in craft shops in Canada and U.S.A. he enjoys hunting, fishing, and the outdoor life.
Page 8 — THE LEATHER GUILD; RECENT AWARDS
London C.S.C.L. members were saddened Dy the death of Margaret Fader on Saturday, May 18, 1974.
This poem is offered as a tribute to Margaret and to show how her enjoyment of working with leather inspired her friend Doris Beacham of Dorchester to write it for Margaret.
THE LEATHER GUILD
Such is of the leather guild;
First the animal was killed
The hide thrown in a heap to dry Til it was smelling rather high.
Then it was washed, and worked so fine And went right down the assembly line; For ladies of the leather guild To refrigerate, and show their. skills.
Some make a purse all tooled so nice Or a perfect flower, red or white; To pin upon lapel so gay
Reminders, of the roadside way!
Doris Beacham
RECENT AWARDS
Irva Ford received an Honourable Mention in the Design C Canada Craft Awards 1974, for her Cuir Bouilli Jug.
Phyllis and Fred Brown were presented with a Life Membership by the Etobicoke Art Grow: for their active participation over the years. —
Page 9 — WHY I AM A MEMBER OF C.S.C.L.
WHY I AM <A MEMBER OF C.S.C.L.
I spoke briefly at the Annual at Belleville and thought I would like to record a summary of what I said at that time. What makes this a little unusual is the fact that I do not do leathercraft so why am I a member of C.S.C.L.?
I am keenly interested in Design and have been a member of an Art Group for a number of years. When my husband became interested in leather I, of course, took an interest in it also. We found that while the craftsmanship was difficult to perfect, the design for an article was a real challenge. Where could we get assistance and from whom?
Apparently a number of members have had this same problem and so there have been a number of meetings through the years where we have had good lectures and demonstrations on design. I have attended as many as possible.
When cur Branches are able to get a different or unusual speaker they very often invite other groups. I attend, with thanks, and it is always a pleasant meeting with friends.
I receive the bulletin with many worthwhile suggestions. I lock forward to the Annual Meeting which has always been so well planned. The one this year at Belleville was excellent and the lecture on design was outstanding.
Leather is such a specialized craft it is very difficult to get craftsman who are on a professional level to assist us, but as our members are searching all the time for these people we succeed in locating them and we must continue to do so. As I said at the Annual to have these professional craftsmen we must pay them but we must have them in order to improve cur craft and design. Fred and I could not contact these people on our own, it would be too expensive for us. We must belong to C.S.C.L. in order to improve.
[This page is typed in worn type: some o's print as open c-shapes ("nct", "cn cur cwn") and some b's barely show ("have been", "belong"). The words are set out as typed: "not", "on our own", "have been", "We must belong to C.S.C.L."]
Phyllis Brown
Page 10 — Leathercraft courses - Barrie & Huntsville; 1975 - Our 25th ANNIVERSARY YEAR
Leathercraft courses-Barrie & Huntsville
Georgian College with headquarters in Barrie is again offering courses in leathercraft this summer.
In Barrie - by Clara Cavanagh
&. 01) July 8 - 18 Monday to Thursday, 9:30 — 3:30 B.
Part 1 of this course is for beginners. Part 2 is for advanced students. in Huntsville - by Carol McLean
Part 1 - Monday - Friday, July 22 to July 26, 1-4 p.m for beginners, Part 2 - Monday — Friday, July 29 - August 2, 9 - 3 p.m. for those with some experience in leatherwork,
1975 - Our 25th ANNIVERSARY YEAR
At this year's annual meeting, upon hearing that next year we would be celebrating our 25%h anniversary, a guest, Brig. Jd. J. Burgess, C.B.E. a brother of Evelyn Burgess of Hamilton Branch, Started an anniversary fund with a donation of $20.CO. An additional amount has been added and at a recent executive meeting the following suggestions were advanced for its use, providing the members are in agreement and sufficient funds arc raised:
(1) A special edition of the »bulletin.
(2) Prints made from the collection of C.S.C.L. slides.
(3) A booklet telling history of C.S.C.L. with a>oropriate clotures.
Do you have any further suggestions? The
Executive Council is over to receive them; also, we would 2e cleased to receive donut— ions to this fund. Send to Mre. Dorothy Muma
118 Hazelton Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
Page 11 — CRAFTS OF THE WORLD COMING HERE
11.
Excerpt from the Toronto Daily Star (Family Section) April 18'74 CRAFTS OF THE WORLD COMING HERE
The exhibition which will run from June 11 to Sept. 2 is the public part of the World Crafts Council 10th anniversary conference.
The conference itself is being held at York University from June 9 to 15 and 1,400 delegates from 78 member countries of the Council are expected to attend.
A selection committee of Paul J. Smith, director of Museum of Crafts, New York, Erica Billeter, curator, Museum Bellerive, Zurich, and Sori Yanagi, Yanagi Industrial Institute, Tokyo, worked for three years to select the crafts for the show. They assessed each piece in terms of the culture it represents. Twelve craftsmen were selected from Canada: Haakon Bakken, Elin Corneil, Ruth Gowdy McKinley, Robert Held, Richard Hunter, Mary Keepax, Bailey Leslie, Alan Perkins, William Reid, Heidi Rovkema, Hilda Schreir and Winnie Tanya Putumiraqtugq.
The purpose of the exhibition, which is titled "In Praise of Hands", is to demonstrate the role of the craftsmen in contempory society, the human condition of the craftsmen, and the circumstances under which the craftsman produces his work.
About 60 craft exhibitions are expected to be held across Canada this summer in celebration of the council holding their conference in this country.
One of these craft exhibitions will be "Leather '74" which is open to the public from June 3 to June 28. The official opening will be held June 8th with a wine and cheese party. Mr. Bob Secord will open the show at approximately 8:30 p.m.
It is expected that many of the 1,400 delegates will take the opportunity of their visit to Toronto to travel cross-country and learn more about Canada, its craftsmen and their customs.
Page 12 — C.S.C.L. EXECUTIVE 1974-75
12.
C. S. C. L. EXECUTIVE 1974-75
| Honorary President | Mrs. Rita Larmour |
| Past President | Mrs. Irva Ford |
| President 7 | Mrs. Helen Wheaton |
| Recording Secretary | Mrs. Carol McLean |
| Corresponding Secretary | Mrs. Margaret Monteith |
| Vice Presidents | Mrs. May Corbett, Mrs. Beula Reynolds |
| Treasurer | Mrs. Dorothy Muma |
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Mr. Fred Brown
Mr. Gel Brigden
Mrs. Sadie Roebuck
Miss Evelyn Burgess
Mrs. Sandy Coutts
Mrs. Kay Cloughley
Mrs. Marion Kehoe
Mr. Robert Sutton
Mrs. Dorothy Proctor
Mrs. Anne Hook - Chairman, Council of Fellows Mrs. Robert Muma - Archivist & Teaching Standards Mrs. Joy Hutcheson - Co-ordinating Editor
BRANCH Presidents
| Barrie | Clare Cavanagh |
| Belleville | Catharine Lough |
| Hamilton | Royce Richardson |
| Toronto | Gladys Riddell |
| Woodstock | Kay O'Riley |