An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original.
(8 pages, 1.3 MB)
the full-resolution scan, 19 MB, for close research
Page 1 — C.N.E. SALE - 1984
Canadian Leathercraft
Volume XXXIII No. 1 Fall 1984
0045-5121
C.N.E. SALE- 1984
Once again the C.N.E. Sale has proved to be a most disappointing one for the Society and its contributing members. Throughout the winter season, storage charges for our booth and general sales equipment mounted up to a considerable sum, and our Treasurer made arrangements for her husband to build a trailer for off-season storage. This is now in use. However, we faced the large storage costs of last season, and hoped for good results this year to cover our deficit.
Sales were slower than at any other time in history of our participation, and, in general, the whole of the Craft and Arts Building showed a similar decline in both sales and attendance. We are now on the horns of a dilemma. Do we continue next season, since we now have cut out the considerable cost of booth storage? Or do we find other methods of financing our Society expenses, preferably NOT by any fees increase! Useful suggestions would be appreciated, we are sure, addressed to the Corresponding Sect., C.S.C.L., as we want to accommodate the wishes of the bulk of the membership in any decision of this.nature.
Articles entered in the sale dropped to only 1289.
Number of articles sold also dropped, to only 559 (!!)
9 Articles are either missing temporarily, misplaced, or stolen. The C.S.C.L. total sales were a mere $2,663.85, with the Society receiving only $532.77, This was not an amount that would cover this season's expenses, (rent etc.) Where do we go from here?
Nevertheless, we appreciate the work put into this event by so many of our members, including the behind-the-scenes booth builders under the expert direction of Jack Meharg. And in 90°+ temperatures, this was indeed a labour of love! Thanks people! 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 the permisssion of the Society.
The Society's own masthead paragraph prints "permisssion" with three s's; kept exactly as printed. (The same paragraph is retyped each issue and its spelling varies — Spring 1985 prints "permssion".)
President: Jack Meharg, 36 Bailey Cres. Scarborough, Ont. Vice-President: Madeline Mitchell, 17 Light Street, Woodstock, Ont. Recording Sect.: Kay Cloughley, R.R.#1, Hawkestone, Ont. Corr. Sect.: Lillian Kay, Apt.1703, 195 Exbury Rd., Downsview, Ont. Treasurer: Jean Pickering, 204 Elizabeth St., Thamesford, Ont. Membership: Phyllis McHale, P.O. Box 68, Norland, Ont. K0M 2L0 Editor: Mary Patterson, 270 Durie St., Toronto M6S 3G3 Reporters this issue: Members at Large.
Page 2 — OUR PROFESSIONAL STAMP
OUR PROFESSIONAL STAMP
by Robert Muma, F.C.S.C.L.
Professional status in C.S.C.L. is achieved when a general member is accepted as an Associate or Fellow member. One of the privileges of this status is the use of a "professional stamp" containing the insignia of the Society to impress in the leather of each piece of work produced.
These stamps are cut in brass and mounted on wooden handles. They are an exact replica of our maple leaf insignia about 5/16ths of an inch high. They are intended to be pressed into the leather while it is still damp; or heated and pressed into the moist, dry or finished leather. They are not saddle stamps and should under no circumstances be struck with a mallet or hammer.
How to Obtain One
These stamps are the property of the C.S.C.L. If you are an Associate or Fellow member you may apply for the use of one by writing to me. You will then receive two copies of a contract to fill out; one of these you will return to me with the lease-fee which is the cost of the tool and is currently $10.00. When for any reason a member wishes to return his stamp or is requested to do so by the Council of Fellows, one-half of the lease-fee originally paid will be refunded. The handle of each stamp is numbered in Roman numerals with an electric burning tool. This number is recorded on the contract.
The contract contains four requirements by the Council of Fellows which each applicant must endorse before receiving the stamp. They are as follows:
"1, To pay the lease-fee.
2. To apply the stamp solely to my own craft work, and only to such work as meets the standards of my professional rating.
3. To return the stamp if (a) I cease to be active in the craft;
(b) fail to maintain my standing in the Society; (c) am indicted for misuse of the stamp.
4, Not to allow this stamp out of my personal possession nor to allow copy or facsimile of it to be made." The Council of Fellows also urges that every holder of one of these tools make full and proper use of it. Too often they are put away in a drawer and forgotten. An impression of this stamp on a piece of leatherwork denotes quality and helps to publicize our Society.
How to Use It
Remember, do not hammer it. This could soon shatter the wood handle or eventually damage the face of the soft metal on the marble tooling surface. You will get a much clearer and permanent impression by pressing firmly into the damp leather, especially if.the metal is heated somewhat. Heated metal leaves a dark and 2.
Page 3 — ARE YOU ON THE LIST ??; SMALLER ISSUE?
shiny surface. A tool struck by a mallet bounces back and does not necessarily leave a clear impression behind it. Warm over a spirit or gas flame or an electric plate, being careful not to char the wooden handle. Experiment, working up to the most effective temperature.
If you are qualified and have not been using a professional stamp, you may start by writing to:
Robert Muma,
625 Rushton Road, Toronto, Ont. M6C 2Y8
ARE YOU ON THE LIST ??
Members are reminded that ALL memberships MUST be paid by September if you wish to have your name remain on the membership list.
Annual dues of $10.00 should be sent directly to the Treasurer, Mrs. Jean Pickering, 204 Elizabeth Street, Thamesford, Ont., N0M 2C0 [uncertain — the digit and two letters after the space are faint/overstruck on the page; Thamesford's own postal code is N0M 2C0, given here as the likely reading, not a certainty], if you are a Member at Large.
Those who are members of branches should continue to pay their Branch Trasurers who will forward dues on to the Treasurer in a group.
It was pointed out at the recent
Executive Council meeting that a number of familiar names, (who are not Life Members) are missing from our most recent membership list. Membership Chairman, Phyllis McHale has completely updated the list, and we fear that a number of members have overlooked paying this year's dues.
Please check immediately to make sure that you have a membership card for this year! We do NOT want to miss your name on our future mailing List! This issue is the last one that will be sent to members NOT paid up in full.
SMALLER ISSUE?
Does this issue of Canadian lLeathercraft seem shorter than usual? It's unfortunately due to the fact that most of the Members-at-Large overlooked the deadline for material, coming at that awkward end-of-summer spot. However, there are a number of special announcements that have been submitted and we urge you to pay particular attention to these as many are of real importance to you.
We have suggested that the issues that the Members-at-large have been doing be omitted in future, BUT that Members-at-large be asked to contribute directly AT ANY TIME, and their submissions will be fitted into the current issues. PLEASE continue to help out by sending material WHENEVER you find some!,
Page 4 — QUESTIONNAIRE; KINGCRAFTS Lady Flavelle Award for 1984
QUESTIONNAIRE
Upon recommendation of the Council of Fellows, a committee has been set up to prepare a questionnaire for distribution to ALL members. Pertinent questions about the future of the C.S.C.L. will be included and we will require YOUR PERSONAL OPINIONS.
This committee is composed of representatives from Fellow, Associate, and General member levels, as each and every member should have their viewpoint considered equally. As well, we have representation by a "new" member, as, all too often, we forget that not everyone is aware of all the past activities and regulations of the C.S.C.L.
We are hoping to have this ready for inclusion in the Winter issue of Can. Leathercraft, and we will at that time give a deadline for return of these forms. Members of Branches will be asked to merely return them to their Branch Rep's, but Members-at-large are asked to mail them in directly.
SINCE THIS LIST OF QUESTIONS WILL DIRECT THE ACTIVITIES OF C.S.C.L. FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS, WE URGE YOU TO WATCH FOR THIS FORM AND ANSWER IT WITH FULL AND CONSIDERED OPINIONS.
Answers will be tabulated and various points will be then discussed and problems (hopefully!) resolved at next spring's Annual Meeting.
KINGCRAFTS Lady Flavelle Award for 1984 by Lois L. Anderson.
(Lois Anderson is immediate Past President of Kingcrafts, with a leather group involving 10 ladies, and was asked to sit on the Awards Committee of the Ontario Crafts Council who administer this award for heir organization. She reports with pleasure that a leather craftsman was chosen this year.)
"The winner of the KINGCRAFTS Lady Flavelle Award for 1984 is MARIANNE ISHIBASHI, Bookbinder. Miss Ishibashi has completed her first year in Craft Bookbinding at the London School of Printing, and will use the $1400.00 towards financing her second and final year.
She has her B.A., University of Toronto, and M.L.S. University of Toronto. She studied pottery, woodblock printing and floral arranging in Tokyo and Bookbinding at Central Technical School, Toronto, 1981-1983.
P.J. Wells, A.C.P., M.I.O.T., M.B.I.M., F.R.S.A., Sr. Lecturer and Course Leader at the London School of Printing, has this to say about Marianne:
"I have been teaching bookbinding over 20 years and have been course leader for the Certificate in Carft Bookbinding Course since its inception. During that time I have been fortunate in meeting three students with exceptional talent, and Marianne is one of them. She has tremendous natural ability combined with a true dedication to the craft."
Miss Ishibashi is still in England, but the award was presented to her mother at the Ont. Crafts Council Annual Dinner in June.
4.
Page 5 — WINTER'S HARVEST 1985
WINTER'S HARVEST 1985.
First Annual Juried Exhibition of Crafts, sponsored by The Visual Arts Centre of Newcastle P.O. Box 52, 143 Simpson Ave.,
Bowmanville, Ont. L1C 3K8
Categories: Clay, Glass, Metal, Fibre and Wood.
Awards: Best in Show- $100.00
5 Additional awards- $75.00 each
Honourary Mentions
Judging Criteria: Creative interpretation, originality, of design and technical skill will be considered in the judging process.
Items may be functional or non-functional in nature; works must not have received an award previously and must have been completed since last year.
Jurors: Ms. Susan Eckenwalder, Ontario Crafts Council
Mrs. Marie Shaw-Rimmington, Curator, Ont. Crafts Council.
Open to all artisans in Ontario. Entry registration MUST be registered with the Visual Arts Centre of Newcastle by Dec. 1st, 1984,
Works must be delivered by hand, Thurs. Jan. 3, 4th oor 5th. Limit of 2 works per artist. Entry. fee- $10.00 for 1 entry and $15.00 for 2 entries.
Commission of 15% charged on any article entered for sale and sold during show.
Awards presentation and opening- Jan. 20th, 1985.
Show runs from Jan. 20th - Feb. 3rd.
For additional information and entry forms write to Visual Arts Centre of Newcastle, Box 52, 143 Simpson Ave., Bowmanville, Ont L1C 3K8. Tel: (416) 623-5831.
We have published the above call for entry received through Lillian Kay, our representaive to the Ont. Crafts Council. Hopefully (!) at least one of our members, and hopefully (!) more than one will take the time and effort to enter' this 1st Annual Competition(Fibre category).
Entering competitions of this level is an important part of being an active member of an organization such as ours. You notice how very rarely "leather" is entered on a list as a category. Of course, "fibre" covers our leather, but, if we CREATED a demand for a separate category by support of many of these shows, we would be doing all leather artisans a service! (As well as drawing much needed attention to our Society!)
The Editor.
Page 6 — CONGRATULATIONS; WANTED * EDITOR; LEATHER SHOWS
CONGRATULATIONS
To Ruth Haig for her recent award for leather won at the Image '84 Show in Hamilton.
Ruth's entry was a leather "lunch box", and, from the look of the photograph in the catalogue, this was indeed a most finely crafted piece of leatherwork. I was personally delighted to read about this achievement in the Craft column of the Toronto Star, by Ankaret Dean. (It's nice to have famous friends!) Congratulations also to one of the show jurors, our own Carol McLean, who was asked to judge this prestigious show; quite an honour!
WANTED * EDITOR
Our
Executive Council has asked that a notice be inserted in this issue to enlist an Editor for Canadian Leathercraft, with duties to commence in the spring of 1985. It seems only fair to give a new editor some advance time to take over the reins of this most interesting job.
All that is required is access to a typewriter, and an interest in what is going on in leathercraft and in crafts in general.
The co-operation of the whole Society is 100% and material for each issue is delivered in time, and with an interesting variety of articles included.
As the Spring 1985 issue will signal the end of 5 full years in this: position, it is time to listen to another voice with new opinions and new interests. It's a most interesting and fufilling job, but with an ongoing interest in BOTH leather and pottery, this editor has to take a few years sabbatical ! If you feel you would like to try one of the most varied positions available in our Society, please contact
Hope Drysdale, c/o the Corr. Secretary,
Executive Council.
LEATHER SHOWS - Lillian Kay
We were pleased to learn that Lillian Kay has two upcoming leather shows. Sept. 15-Nov. 15th she will be featured as the craftsman of the month(s) at York Woods Library,
1785 Finch Ave. West, Toronto., and from Nov. 15-Jan.15th her work will be on display in Yorkdale Library, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto.
We are waiting to hear more from our President, Jack Meharg, about his recent pleasant task of creating a leather note box for presentation to Queen Elizabeth during her recent visits! (So far, all we have heard has filtered through the grapevine, but an event like this deserves pictures, Jack!! We'll be waiting to hear more about this, and in the meantime, CONGRATULATIONS!!)
6.
Page 7 — MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF FELLOWS; ANNUAL MEETING - 1985
"Lunch shpould be brought" is printed exactly so — a typing slip in the original, kept as printed
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF FELLOWS
A recent meeting of the Fellows, held at Bob and Dorothy Muma's home, was convened for the purpose of clarifying some points in the internal workings of the Society, to give a new sense of direction to the Society, and, in general, to draw attention to details that may have been overlooked through the years.
Chairman of Fellows, Fred Brown, gave a summary report to the Executive Council, at which time the Committee for preparation of a questionnaire, (mentioned earlier) was set up.
Our Constitution will be reveiwed by a committee, led by Dorothy Muma, and any items no longer relevant will be removed if found.
Also to be formed will be an Exhibition Committee with a duly appointed Chairperson. This will distribute the work load in a more even fashion…
The questionnaire mentioned will be reviewed by the Fellows after a return date of Jan. 31st, 1985. Discussion to follow at Annual Meeting.
ANNUAL MEETING- 1985,
Plans are already well underway for our 35th Annual Meeting, to be held at the Continental Inn, Barrie.
Dates: April 26th, 27th and 28th, 1985,
This facility has recently been renovated completely, and a fine weekend is being planned. Barrie Branch, being small in number, have asked that support and additional help come from the Executive Council.
You will be asked to create a "special" piece for the Annual this year, to commemmorate this special anniversary, this request coming from "The Fellows". And you have now had LOTS of advance notice!! …
NOTE** NOTE*** EVERYBODY should plan to attend Fred Brown's special workshop on "DESK PADS" upcoming on Saturday November 17th.
See next page for advertisement and list of materials to bing. Lunch shpould be brought, and tea and coffee will be provided. For your convenience, Fred will see that MILLBOARD is available for your project, and advance registration can be made by contacting any of the executive listed on page 1 of this issue, (if you are a member at large), or by contacting your Branch Rep.. if you are a member of a Branch. This is a "special", so don't miss it!
Any funds raised through registrations will go towards expenses of the Society.
See you there!
REPORTERS NEXT ISSUE: WOODSTOCK BRANCH
Page 8 — DESK PADS
[This page is a hand-lettered workshop flyer, not typeset. Transcribed as written — the tools list is lettered "SKINING KNIFE" and the line below it "SKIVING SURFACE", and both are kept as they were lettered.]
WORKSHOP
Saturday Nov. 17th 1984
DESK PADS
with Fred Brown
Place: St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, Toronto — 1st block north of Bloor St. & Keele St.
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $10.00
Materials List.
1 small hide of Mission or Grain Calf, Tooling Calf or Morocco, 2–2½ oz. weight.
Skiver – 4" wide strip x length of desk pad (approx. 20"–30")
Tools List.
Modeller – Cutting Knife & Skining Knife
Ruler – Cement (white latex type) or Weldbond
Square – Pencil – Skiving surface to work on
Please bring lunch – coffee & tea will be served. Millboard will be made available at cost.