An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original.
(12 pages, 1.5 MB)
the full-resolution scan, 28 MB, for close research
Page 1 — MEET OUR NEW PRESIDENT - BEULA REYNOLDS
| CANADIAN | LEATHERCRAFT |
| Volume XXVI, No, 4 | |
| 0045-5121 | Summer (June) 1978 |
MEET OUR NEW PRESIDENT - BEULA REYNOLDS
BEULA has been doing leatherwork since 1952 when she joined the Woodstock members who drove to London Branch for 2½ years before forming the Woodstock Branch 9 years ago, She was its charter president and has held that office off and on for a total of 5 years,
Her kitchen table holds many fond memories for us who congregated there for branch meetings before we moved to our present location of Springbank Public School.
Beula has had articles accepted in our Bi-ennial Exhibitions as well as in the winning branch of the Weston Trophy Competitions, and has demonstrated at Annual meetings. Beula has her Associate Standing in C.S.C.L.
She was a member of the Editorial Committee for 3 years, and has recently served as this organization's Vice-President for 6 years and formerly as corresponding secretary. She was instrumental as Vice-President in charge of branches, in assisting the formation of the New Windsor Branch
Beula has supported the C,N,E, display and sale faithfully and has an abiding interest in the Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft in particular and leather in general
She has studied under the late Irva Ford, Clara Cavanagh, Anne Hook and Olivia Smith,
Beula is a very approachable person and we are sure will serve well as your new president. We are looking forward to her leadership in conducting the the affairs of The Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft.
by Carol McLean, F.C.S.C.L.
Helen Wheaton, F,C.5,C,L,
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.
President: Mrs. Beula Reynolds, ACSCL, 500 Parkinson Road, Woodstock Vice-President: Hope C. Drysdale, ACSCL, 130 Young St., Hamilton
Mr. Jack Meharg, 36 Bailey Cresc., Scarborough
Editor: Mrs. Margaret Monteith
Corresponding
Secretary: Miss Lorna Robson, R. R. #1, Font Hill, Ontario Reporters this issue — Barrie Branch
Membership Chairman — Mrs. Kay Cloughley, ACSCL, R. R. #1, Hawkestone, Ontario
[Both addresses' "2. R. #1" are set out here as "R. R. #1" (Rural Route); "Fonthill" is set out as "Font Hill" (two words, as printed).]
Page 2 — 1978 Annual Meeting
1978 Annual Meeting
The twenty eighth Annual Meeting of C.S.C.L. was held on April 22nd at the Hotel Triumph and hosted by the Toronto Branch with 115 members in attendance.
The business meeting was chaired by May Corbett of Barrie, President. The election of officers was held and May Patterson of Toronto was presented with her Associate standing and awarded with the Zalitis Pin.
Four Branches entered the Weston Trophy competition—Barrie, Hamilton, Toronto and Woodstock. Vice-President in charge of Branches, Beula Reynolds, of Woodstock, was pleasantly surprised to find herself making the presentation of the Trophy to Madeline Mitchell of Woodstock. The overall average mark of the five articles in the winning entry was 83.8%.
A new branch at Windsor, Ontario was officially welcomed into the Society. In the absence of the Windsor President, Dan Ouellette, the Vice-President, Alice Riddle represented the members.
Special guests of interest at the 1978 Annual Meeting were Mrs. May McKinnon and Deane Russell.
The afternoon was given over to demonstrations of Top Weave on Belts by Dave Elliott, Macrame 'With Leather by Carol McLean, Glove Making by Dorothy Proctor, Inverted Carving by Noel Bee, Miniature Articles by Madeline Mitchell, Morocco Wallets by Alvin Haig, Desk Pad in Leather by Fred Brown, Moccasions in Leather by Beula Reynolds and Lamp Shade for a Leather Lamp by Vera Farrara.
Lunch and coffee breaks were enlivened as usual with lucky draws for your choice of a wide variety of lovely and useful articles donated by the members.
The formal dinner in the Ambassador Room was attended by 95 members who thrilled to the entertainment provided afterward by the athletic and joyous dances of the youthful Ukranian Tlorion Dancers. As a contrast, the beautiful stylized movements of the six young ladies of the Haruyagi Japanese Dancers gave the audience a view of two very diverse cultures. Kay Cloughley, of Barrie branch, expressed the appreciation of all and invited the members to attend the next Annual Meeting at Barrie in 1979.
Many of those who had remained in Toronto overnight joined in a tour of nearby Blackcreek Pioneer Village arranged by Fred Brown. On a lovely bright Sunday morning nothing could be nicer than a stroll back through the past. Along the streets of the village, recreated in the period of the early eighteen hundreds, the homes and workshops and farm buildings bustled with the daily activities appropriate to the time. After lunch at the Halfway House Hotel on the grounds we parted following another inspiring weekend with promises to meet again next year.
Page 3 — Deane Russell visits the 1978 Annual Meeting
Deane Russell visits the 1978 Annual Meeting 3
C.S.C.L. members attending the Twenty-eighth Annual Meeting held at the Triumph Hotel, Toronto, on April 22, were surprised and pleased to greet a member attending from Duncan, British Columbia. Deane H. Russell, the first President of C.S.C.L. and first Editor of Canadian Leathercraft; one of the prime moving forces behind the formation of our organization, was in Toronto on business and so was able to attend.
In his remarks, he recalled the beginnings of C.S.C.L. when seventeen leathercrafters met at a Y.W.C.A. in Toronto in 1950. During this and following meetings the new Society's constitution was drafted and plans were made to present a program to improve and upgrade the quality of leathercraft in Canada.
It is evident that Deane is still keenly interested in leathercraft in spite of his diverse other occupations. He noted how the organization had remained together and progressed over the years. Deane brought with him a display of his hand molded leather trays.
[The page plainly prints "Y.W.C.A." This disagrees with the Society's own founding record elsewhere (8 June 1950, sourced to the Society's contemporary retrospective), which gives the venue as the Central Y.M.C.A. — this is Deane Russell's own spoken recollection, 28 years after the fact, reported second-hand by the bulletin. Left as printed here rather than corrected either way; which is right is unsettled.]
Memberships are now due.
For those of you who have not paid your membership dues for 78-79, they are now due. Please remit your cheque for $5.00 to:
Mrs. Kay Cloughley, Hawkestone, Ontario L0L 1T0
Telephone - 705-487-3214
C.N.E.
Antique leather pieces that could be used for display would be appreciated for the C,5.C,L. booth.
Page 4 — WESTON TROPHY 1978
WESTON TROPHY 1978 BARRIE:
RING BINDER - One corner not quite the same as the others. Cover a bit bowed. Turned edges and corners very well done. A simple design could have been incorporated.
BOOK COVER — Very well made. Tooling very well done and well placed.
PENDANT — Pleasing coloration. The hanging could be more substantial.
RED BOTTLE — Dye needed on bottom edge of cap. Butt edges do not quite meet. Probably could have been improved with the cap dyed black.
BROWN BOTTLE — Some butt edges separated slightly. Good composition. Warm colouring. Interesting piece showing warmth and attractiveness of leather.
HAMILTON:
NUDE PICTURE — Could have been improved with a bit darker shading background, or possibly frame. Perspective in the legs not quite true. Beautifully moulded—leather adapts well to the contouring.
JUG — Handle a bit too large. Edges finished nicely. Saddle stitching well spaced.
TRAY — Nice back. Sits well. Interesting decoration, and nicely polished. Embossing wheel design around centre panel very appropriate.
PURSE — Handles could have been stitched on, not riveted. Gussets nicely formed, although they protrude a bit. A touch of finish dressing on the lacing would have improved appearance. As a whole, the carving was fairly good. Some of the ornamental cuts a bit poor. Nice appearance.
SHOE HORN — Beautifully done — a lovely, classy piece. Stitching excellent.
TORONTO:
WALLET — Interior nicely creased and dyed. Lovely shading and dye work. A beautiful piece.
TRAY WITH HOLES - Too much polish coat leaving it white in the depressions on the back. Well shaped. Nice dye job. Corners meet nicely.
TRAY - An attractive piece of leather work—a beautiful back.
PENDANT — Very pleasing design. A nice combination of leather and metal. Well finished.
PURSE — A bit of a bulge below the strap hangers in the gusset. Nicely tooled.
Page 5
WOODSTOCK:
FREE FORM SCULPTURE = An excellent free form shape from a rectangle of leather. Well finished.
PURSE - A dandy little bag. Gussets should have been shaped a bit more.
Pleasing design in two-tone effect. Very neat.
BOTTLE LAMP—BASE — Bottom finished nicely.
Design is not definite enough — not enough contrast. Well done.
WALL PLAQUES - Lovely refreshing new idea. Well finished. Rolled edges very practical and gives a soft appearance. Some texture could have been evened out a bit more.
BOOK COVER — Lovely piece of leather. Design could have been lowered a bit. Edges are well skived. Feels nice in the hand.
WESTON TROPHY 1978 Woodstock
LORENE MANUEL
CAROL MCLEAN
JOY HUTCHESON
MADELAINE MITCHELL
BEULA REYNOLDS
[This is a sketch plate of the five pieces in Woodstock’s winning Weston Trophy entry, one caption to a drawing; the fifth is easy to miss. The page letters her name MADELAINE MITCHELL, one of several spellings of Madeleine Mitchell printed in the Society’s papers.]
Page 6 — DON MacKINNON
DON MacKINNON
Don will always be affectionately remembered by those of us who had the pleasure of working and playing with him,
He was a "Fun" man in his well years, always ready with a joke, and he enjoyed people, His latter years were sad ones for him and for all who knew him and visited him,
To listen to Don recalling the early years of the Society, one realizes the great debt of gratitude we owe to the Charter Members, They worked hard and long and drove many miles to demonstrate and exhibit their work.
Don's specialty was life-like pictures of early Canadian scenes and they were authentic pictures of history, all skillfully carved. He was a master craftsman, The pictures have been exhibited throughout Canada and the United States.
Don taught leathercraft at home, at Central Technical School and Northern Vocational School, also a summer course at McMaster University. He was a patient teacher--his students speak of him with pride.
I remember him with affection as "An Unforgettable Character".
Evelyn Burgess passed away on April 9, 1978, at her residence R. R. #22 Waterdown, Ontario, while attending her animals, her labor of love.
She came to Hamilton from England in 1951. Her talents were many, such as teaching voice and violin, working as a lecturer both here with the Hamilton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and throughout Southern England, during World War Two on food production for British Department of Agriculture. She had a small crafts shop at her home were she sold her handmade articles such as leather and produce from her land.
For approximately five years Evelyn had taught senior citizens leathercraft in Burlington and area.
Evelyn had been active in our C.S.C.L. Artisans and Hamilton Leathercraft Guild and Hamilton Horticultural Society.
She will be missed perhaps most of all at her Church and Community were She gave so freely of her time and talents with her beautiful voice, as she was an active member of her church choir.
A real loss to us all.
Page 7 — Reference Library April 1978
Note leathercrafters - The Ontario Crafts Council
346 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1G5.
have available a new slide package to members of OCC on loan for a week period from above address at $5.00 or non-members of OCC at $10.00 It is #21 Leather Forms by Dave Trotter and Paul Williams - 20 slides with written descriptions and short biographical sketches of each craftsman. Leather as sculpture, leather as decoration, leather as functional.
Reference Library April 1978
The following books are in the reference library and may be obtained by writing to - Jessie M. Little,
Snelgrove, Ontario L0P 1M0
These books came from the libraries of Miss Clarice Packham, Robert Muma and Deane Russell.
1. Leather Goods Manufacture - by Mosely (2 copies)
2. The Mode in Footwear - by R. Turner Wilcox
3. Leather in Life, Art and Industry - by J. W. Waterer
4. Glovemaking - by Edwards
5. Glovemaking - by Abbott
6. You can make your own gloves
7. How to make Gloves - by Close
8. Love of a Glove - Collins
9. Color in Leather - by Muma
Members at Large please note that lists of books in the Members At Large Library may be obtained by writing to Jessie Little at the above address.
Page 8 — SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIPS; Welcome to the Windsor Branch
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIPS
As well as individual memberships, C.S.C.L. is fortunate to have a number of Sustaining Members. These firms lend us support by buying an annual Sustaining Membership as well as providing the best in leather, tools and a wide variety of other related goods and services essential to good craftsmanship in leather.
When you are in the vicinity, drop in at any of the following addresses (or their outlets) and get acquainted, Don't forget to mention C.S,C.L. and express your appreciation for their continued support. CAPITOL FINDINGS AND LEATHER LTD., 580 King St. W., Toronto, Ontario
416-363-8563
CRAFT TRAINING SCHOOL, Arts & Culture Centre, P.0, Box 8624, Stn. A St. John s, Nfld, A1B 3T1 EARTHLY GOODS REG D, 319A Lakeshore Road, Pointe Claire,
514-695-0569
THE LEATHER WAREHOUSE LTD,, 662 King St. W., Toronto, Ontario
416-360-1787
LEWISCRAFT (Div. or Gerry Lewis Ltd, ) Head Office - 40 Commander Blvd.,
Agincourt, Ontario M1S 3S2
LIBERATED LEATHERWORKS, Howard & Frances Breen - R. R. #5, Seaforth, Ontario
N0K 1W0 519-345-2365
MOORE-PEARSALL LEATHERS LTD., 47 Front St. E., Toronto, Ontario M5E 1B3
416-363-5881
TANDY LEATHER CO, OF CANADA LTD,, Head Office - 1 John St., Barrie, Ontario
705-728-6501
Welcome to the Windsor Branch
At the recent 1978 Annual Meeting this new branch, Leather Artists International of Windsor, was officially ratified. Beula Reynolds introduced Miss Alice Riddle, Vice-President, Windsor Branch. C.S.C.L. is happy to welcome the Windsor members and looks forward to a long and happy association.
[Restored against the printed page: Liberated Leatherworks is "Howard & Frances Breen". On this page the typewriter's h printed without its ascender and reads as an n, so "Seafortn" is Seaforth and "Lakesnore" is Lakeshore; the postal code is typed "NOK 1WO", where the same glyph serves for letter O and zero, and is set out in the postal format as N0K 1W0.]
Page 9 — 1978 is a 'Banner Year' for Canadian National Exhibition
The fifth biennial C.S.C.L, Exhibition of Leather will be held in the Etobicoke Civic Centre from November 2 until 23th, 1978. The official opening will take place on the evening of Thursday, November 2nd at eight o'clock.
Each member in good standing as of 1 January 1977 may enter a maximum of five articles which have been completed since March '76, The entry fee is $3.00 per person. If a medium other than leather is used, leather must b predominate. No kits are permissaole.
Articles will be juried by members of the Council of Fellows of C.S.C.L. on October 20th at the home of Robert Muma, 118 Hazelton Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2E5 (416-921-1003). Mr. Muma will judge the accepted articles Prizes will be awarded at the opening
You will receive a letter giving full details regarding the show Start now to plan your projects
1978 is a 'Banner Year' for Canadian National Exhibition
Much has already been accomplished to prepare for the celebration of the Centennial Year of the C.N.E, at Toronto, Aug 16 to Sept. 4/73, Among other extensive renovations and restorations, the exterior of the Arts, Crafts and Hobby Building lhas undergone a face lifting. In order to carry out the Centennial theme indoors and generally add to the festive atmosphere, A banner competition was announced in your last copy of Canadian Leathercraft That competition by the C.N.E. management is offering prizes of $100, $75 and $50 and is open to all exhibitors in the Arts, Crafts and Hobby building as individuals or groups.
Now, your CSCL
Executive Council is offering a prize of $25 for the banner best depicting leathercraft This competition is open to all CSCL members in good standing. You may either enter alone or in co-operation with other CSCL members If you belong to a branch, why not submit an entry from your branch members also?
All entrys must reach Fred Brown, 9 Nashland Ave., Islington. Ontario M9B 2V5 (416-626-3184) not later than August 1st 73 so that they may be judged by CSCL and our prize awarded. They will be then passed on so they can reach the CNE panel or judges by 10 Aug. for their consideration. Act now as time is getting short, so contact Fred at the above address to obtain the entry forms and detailed instructions as to size and content
Many sales persons will be wearing costumes of the period and arrangements have been made by your Executive to have aprons made for the workers in the booth.
[Set out here as printed: "o:" as "of"; "celebration or the" as "celebration of the"; "Leatnercrai't" as "Leathercraft"; "C_.N.E." as "C.N.E."; "canner" as "banner" (matching "A banner competition" two sentences earlier); the address "M0B 2V5" and "416-626-3134" as "M9B 2V5" and "416-626-3184"; "ve t:.en...trey" as "be then...they"; "snort" as "short"; "tse period" as "the period". Left as printed: "lhas undergone", the page's own typing slip; and "Sept. 4/73" and "August 1st 73" both read ambiguously between "73" and an apostrophe-"78" (this issue elsewhere writes years as "'76" and "78-79") — plausibly meant as 1978, since the article is about the 1978 C.N.E. Centennial, but not clear enough to settle either way, so recorded exactly as printed.]
Page 10
C.S.C.L. Annual Meeting, Toronto, April 21-23, 1978.
CRAFTSMAN's RIBBONS awarded as follows:
| Bea Austin | Shoe Horn |
| Lilian Beech | Box |
| Laura Bush | Lamp |
| Clara Cavanagh | Folio, Brown Bottle |
| Kay Cloughley | Belt 12", Book cover |
| Hope Drysdale | Round Tray, Jug |
| Dave Elliott | Belt - carved, Belt - braided |
| Vera Ferrara | Necklace set |
| Anne Hook | Round box |
| Ruth Haig | Tray - rectangle, Belt - maroon |
| Joy Hutcheson | Mobile |
| Nora Huyck | Spice bottle, Belt; macrame |
| Bela Iro | Spring binder, book |
| Marion Kehoe | Jewellry (4 pce) |
| Jessie Little, | Wallet, Pine cone; Wallet, ship |
| Carol McLean | Checkerboard, Book cover |
| Mary Patterson | Pendant, Purse, Belt |
| Beula Reynolds | Mask, Bottle |
| Olivia Smith | Pendant, Tray |
| Mildred Wilcox | Bottle |
| Itsuko Yasui | Tray, Tote bag |
Ethel Zimmerman: SPECIAL COMMENDATION for novel work (Little man)
A bit of whimsy well thought out and (in leather) well carried out.
SALON RIBBONS awarded as follows:
| Bea Austin | Shoe horn |
| Clara Cavanagh | Bottle |
| Hope Drysdale | Round tray |
| Vera Ferrara | Necklace set |
| Ruth Haig | Oblong tray |
| Anne Hook | Round box |
| Bela Iro | Stamped box |
| Carol McLean | Necklace set, Checkerboard |
| Beula Reynolds | Mask |
| Itsuko Yasui | Oblong tray, Jug - cuir bouilli |
Page 11
[Continuing the "Salon 1978" sketch plate from p. 12: eight drawings, seven of them captioned by name (the eighth, a long decorated bolster at the head of the plate, carries no caption) — Vera Ferrara (a woven bracelet and ring), Bela Iro (an octagonal box), Itsuko Yasui (a rectangular box), Bea Austin (a beaded swizzle stick), Beula Reynolds (a mask), Carol McLean (a beaded necklace), Hope Drysdale (a round dish). All seven match the Salon Ribbon list on p. 10.]
Page 12
[This is the "Salon 1978" sketch plate: five pieces, four captioned by name — Anne Hook (a covered canister), Itsuko Yasui (a jug), Ruth Haig (a rectangular tray), Clara Cavanagh (a geometric-cut canister) — plus a checkerboard and checkers, captioned in type "Checkerboard and checkers" but with no maker's name. All four named pieces match the Salon Ribbon list on p. 10.]
Checkerboard
and checkers
