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Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft
1950–2026
CSCL·The Newsletter·Stories and Essays
The Newsletter · 1951–2022

Stories and Essays

← The Newsletter · 120 pieces from 93 issues — 65 stories and 55 essays.

Most of what the newsletter printed was meant to be used: patterns and techniques, reports of meetings and shows, notices, prize lists. In among them the members also wrote for the pleasure of it — personal accounts, travel pieces, humour and poems, and signed essays on craft, design and the Society itself. They are gathered here decade by decade, each linked to the page of the issue where it begins, with the title as the issue printed it and the writer where the paper names one.

Every piece of writing the issues carry, whatever its kind, is listed in the Index of Articles.

The 1950s (25)

  • Craftsman by Richard F. Armknecht September 1951, page 11 · story — A short poem about a skilled craftsman who explains that the things he makes also shape him.
  • Leather Plaque Carving by Don W. Mackinnon June 1952, page 8 · story — A carver recalls how a bit of verse grew, through family talk and sketching, into a carved leather picture.
  • On Being Canadian Winter 1952, page 1 · essay — A signed editorial arguing that Canadian leathercraft need not strain for a national look; original Canadian work will become recognized.
  • The Lajord Leathercraft Club by Beatrice Baycroft Winter 1952, page 4 · story — A farm wife's account of the small leathercraft club of neighbour women meeting weekly at her home near Regina.
  • STUNTS or SKILLS -- The Choice is Ours Spring 1953, page 1 · essay — A protest against plastic templates for tracing leather designs, arguing that short cuts cannot replace real craft skills.
  • YOUR MONEY'S WORTH by Ralph K. Larmour Summer 1954, page 1 · essay — The new President reflects on what members gain from the Society beyond tangible benefits: shared work toward common aims.
  • IF THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND by Ralph Larmour Fall 1954, page 1 · essay — The President argues that leathercraft teaching in Canada is poor and asks members for ideas on improving it.
  • DESIGN by Anne Hook Winter 1955, page 4 · essay — An essay on what good design is, its basic principles, and how a leathercraftsman can begin to design.
  • REFLECTIONS ON THE ASSEMBLY by Robert Muma Summer 1955, page 1 · essay — A reflection on the Second International Assembly, crediting its success to cooperation and asking what further heights lie ahead.
  • BACK TO EDEN by R. K. Larmour Winter 1956, page 1 · essay — An essay on automation and leisure, arguing that making things by hand keeps mind and hand joined.
  • THE WALKING DEAD by R. K. Larmour Spring 1956, page 1 · essay — The retiring President's address: in a push-button age, handcrafts offer the creative outlet that saves people from boredom.
  • EXHIBITIONS by Mary E. Black Summer 1956, page 1 · essay — A reprinted reflection on what exhibitions give craftsmen, buyers and visitors, with a note of annual Canadian shows.
  • MEMORY HOLDS THE DOOR ON THIRD INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITS by Helen Wheaton Summer 1956, page 8 · story — A member's recollection of strolling the exhibits at the Third International Assembly, ending back at the Society's own display.
  • WHICH WAY IS "FORWARD" IN LEATHERCRAFT? by Edith Roscoe Spring 1957, page 3 · essay — A Fellow argues for moving beyond all-over western carving toward restrained, distinctly Canadian design in leathercraft.
  • Letters to the Editor Autumn, 1957, page 9 · essay — A reader's letter, signed O.B. Servor, arguing machine-made goods surpass handmade ones and questioning craftsmen's reverence for the past.
  • CREATIVENESS by Paul F. Payne Winter 1958, page 1 · essay — A Detroit instructor's reflection on creativeness, creative courage and the pursuit of perfection in craft and life.
  • Letters to the Editor Spring 1958, page 10 · essay — Two readers' replies to O.B. Servor: one defends leatherwork as a pleasure, the other the honest craftsmanship of the past.
  • THE VALUE OF A HOBBY by Clyde Johnson Autumn, 1958, page 4 · essay — A reflection on why hobbies matter, how to choose one, and how good leisure brings tranquility.
  • SHED THE SHACKLES by Paul Payne Autumn, 1958, page 6 · essay — A philosophical argument that craftsmen should shed past traditions and meet a fast-changing technological age with intelligence.
  • DEFINITIONS FROM THE PAST by Ruth M. Home Winter 1959, page 1 · essay — A reflection on how the words amateur, artist, craftsman and professional have shifted in meaning from the Stone Age onward.
  • MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN by R. K. Larmour Spring 1959, page 1 · essay — A reflection on Art versus Craft, urging patient teaching of basics and a search for rare genius.
  • REFLECTIONS ON THE SEMINAR by A Participant Spring 1959, page 7 · essay — A participant's candid personal reactions to each speaker at the 1959 Canadian Craft Seminar in Design.
  • WHAT IS GOOD LEATHER? Fall 1959, page 9 · essay — A plea to prize leather's natural qualities, blemishes included, against tastes shaped by plastics and synthetics.
  • ESTABLISHMENT OF A CRAFT MARKET by R. K. Larmour Winter 1960, page 5 · essay — An argument that Canadian crafts need publicly supported markets on tourist routes to replace imported trinkets.
  • DESIGNING FOR RANK AMATEURS by Dorothy Muma Winter 1960, page 9 · story — A self-mocking humorous guide for non-artists inventing leather designs from wiggles, mirrors, ink blots and vegetables.

The 1960s (9)

The 1970s (16)

  • A DILEMMA by Evelyn R. Burgess Fall 1970, page 2 · story — A member's account of a rust-stained handbag panel on a special order, rescued with repeated soakings in rain water.
  • HEAD TABLE - Barrie 1972 Summer 1972 (June), page 2 · story — Rhyming verses introducing each guest at the head table of the 1972 Annual Meeting in Barrie.
  • LEATHER, NATURE'S GIFT TO MAN by E. R. Burgess Summer 1973 (June), page 1 · essay — An appeal to leathercrafters to press governments to save Canada's failing tanning and leather industry.
  • "WHERE DO ALL OUR MAPLE LEAF PINS GO?" by Hilda Darbyshire Winter 1973 (December), page 5 · story — How a Woodstock leather maple leaf pin travelled to France and was given to Madame Panier as a memento.
  • THE LEATHER GUILD by Doris Beacham Spring 1974 (May), page 8 · story — A short light-hearted poem following a hide from slaughter to the tooled purses of the guild ladies.
  • WHY I AM A MEMBER OF C.S.C.L. by Phyllis Brown Spring 1974 (May), page 9 · essay — A member who does no leatherwork herself explains why she belongs: for its design lectures and fellowship.
  • WORLD CRAFTS COUNCIL TENTH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE Summer 1974 (August), page 1 · story — Anne Hook's lively account of the 1974 World Crafts Conference, including her struggle to learn sprang.
  • OBSERVATIONS OF A PAST TREASURER by George McPhail Winter 1974, page 7 · essay — A former treasurer argues that Society dues are an investment, listing what membership gives in return.
  • OPPORTUNITIES by Irva Ford Spring 1976, page 3 · essay — A call to members to seize every chance to create new and better leatherwork for the coming shows.
  • SONG OF THE CRAFTMAN'S MALLET Spring 1976, page 8 · story — A short rhyming poem on the joy of the mallet and tools as a leather pattern takes form.
  • "CREATIVITY AND YOU" by Huldy Gutekunst Summer 1976, page 11 · essay — A visiting Salon juror's address urging leathercraftsmen to be bolder with colour and pattern, and to sketch ideas daily.
  • WORLD CRAFTS COUNCIL (Seventh Biennial International Conference), OAXTEPEC MEXICO by Carol McLean Fall 1976, page 10 · story — A member's account of the 1976 World Crafts Council conference in Mexico, its tours, markets and mishaps.
  • LEATHERCRAFT MAKES "SCENTS" by Robert Muma Spring (March) 1977, page 4 · essay — A reflection on the smells of different leathers and the memories and pleasures they bring to the craftsman.
  • THE ORDER TO USE TOOLS WHEN CARVING by Dolores Rossi Spring (March) 1977, page 7 · story — A short rhyming verse setting out the order in which to use carving tools.
  • POEM Spring 1978, page 8 · story — A four-line verse ranking labourer, craftsman, artist and salesman by hands, head, heart and feet.
  • IMAGINATION by Sid Taylor Spring, March 1979, page 8 · story — A self-confessed unimaginative member's light-hearted account of moulding leather cameos in a face-cream lid and a plastic mould.

The 1980s (21)

The 1990s (24)

  • THE HOOKED RUG Fall 1990, page 5 · story — A poem following one piece of cloth from a mother's dress, through her children's clothes, into a hooked rug.
  • STRANGE BUT TRUE Fall 1990, page 5 · story — A short humorous complaint that distances, hills, stairs and newspaper print have all grown harder than before.
  • FOOD FOR THOUGHT by Bill Whittingham Fall 1990, page 10 · essay — A branch president's appeal over falling membership and poor workshop attendance, asking members what the Society means to them.
  • "RICHARD IN WONDERLAND" OR "SO MUCH TO LEARN, SO LITTLE TIME" by Rick Fielding Winter 1991, page 2 · story — A musician's account of taking up leatherwork after years of wanting carved cases for his instruments.
  • JUST BELONG? Spring 1991, page 6 · story — A poem asking members whether they take an active part or merely have their names on the list.
  • WHAT ARE SENIORS WORTH? Summer 1991, page 7 · story — A humorous monologue on growing old, naming aches and ailments as a woman's daily gentleman callers.
  • CREATION by Dorothy McPherson Winter 1991, page 4 · story — A short poem about a woman carving apple granny dolls in the sunlight, her dog dozing nearby.
  • A BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY by Margo Griffith Winter 1991, page 6 · essay — A traveller's reflections on why British craftspeople prosper, and what Canadian crafts might learn from them.
  • CHATEAU RENAULT: CITY OF LEATHER by René Hackstetter Fall 1992, page 4 · story — A travelogue of a visit to a French tanning town, its leather museum and gracious hosts.
  • MEMORY LANE by Don MacLeod Fall 1992 · story — The president describes finding a box of the Society's old embossed stationery and envelopes, and what it revealed.
  • THE GOOSE STORY Winter 1992, page 7 · story — An inspirational piece drawing lessons in teamwork and loyalty from how geese fly in formation.
  • CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS Winter 1992, page 7 · story — Short Christmas verses on love, peace and friendship, closing with the editors' holiday wishes to members.
  • BUSY YEAR by Dorothy McPherson Spring 1993, page 6 · story — A leatherworker's lively personal account of a year of classes, shows, sales and gallery ventures with her husband.
  • DAVID WINDEYER, ASSOCIATE Fall 1994, page 7 · essay — A newly named Associate reflects on what the standing means and on ten years of leatherwork.
  • ON THE EXHIBITION TRAIL by Dorothy McPherson Winter/Spring 1995, page 4 · story — Dorothy McPherson recalls how a music case for organ lessons started her leathercraft, as she readies a library exhibition.
  • JOHNNY'S RED UMBRELLA by Dorothy McPherson Summer 1995, page 8 · story — A Canada Day poem picturing 'Johnny Canuck' growing up and unfurling the maple leaf flag.
  • 'TIS AUTUMN by Emma Windatt Fall 1995, page 8 · story — A short rhyming poem on the signs of autumn in the countryside, each verse ending with its refrain.
  • SOFT LEATHER - AS APPEALING AS IT ALWAYS WAS by David Windeyer Winter 1995, page 2 · essay — A light-hearted look at buckskin, from brain-tanning and smoking hides to today's love of soft leather.
  • LEATHERCRAFTING WINS WIFE'S APPROVAL Spring 1996, page 3 · story — A joke about a charter member whose wife's birthday gift of engraved marble shows her approval of his hobby.
  • MY CANADA by Dorothy McPherson Fall 1996, page 4 · story — A Cape Breton trip: smuggled oatcakes from Rita's Tea Room and an old leather shoe at Fortress Louisbourg.
  • AUTUMN by Jack Bonisteel Fall 1996, page 8 · story — A poem about walking through autumn woods as the bright leaves fade and winter arrives.
  • EPHEMERA by René Hackstetter Fall 1997, page 4 · essay — Musings on collecting leather-trade ephemera: an 1889 trunk invoice and an old Toronto harness firm's letterhead and letter.
  • HOW TO KNOW YOU'RE GROWING OLDER Spring 1999, page 4 · story — A humorous list of signs that you are growing older, including one about skiving the wrong piece.
  • The Story behind the Little Key Basket by Don Macleod Summer 1999, page 7 · story — Don Macleod tells how a brief television glimpse of an old key basket inspired his own leather version.

The 2000s (13)

  • A Smelly Affair by Don Grove Fall/Winter 2000-2001, page 4 · story — A retired CNR conductor recalls the reeking gut wagons that hauled tannery fleshings to a Brantford glue works.
  • A Travel Agent's Nightmare Fall/Winter 2000-2001, page 5 · story — A joke about a traveller who asks for a flight to Hippopotamus when she means Buffalo.
  • The Excuse of the Year 2000 by Don Macleod Fall/Winter 2000-2001, page 6 · story — The co-editor's rueful account of a flooded basement and a summer of home repairs that delayed this issue.
  • Irish or Scotch Fall/Winter 2000-2001, page 6 · story — A joke about two drinkers testing whether Irish whiskey or Scotch is the more potent.
  • "MINT" Winter 2002, page 6 · story — A short devotional poem about good intentions left undone, built on a play on the word mint.
  • Really Important Things Kids have Taught Me... Spring 2003, page 2 · story — A short humorous list of life lessons learned from children, such as asking for sprinkles.
  • The Order to use Tools when Carving Autumn 2003, page 3 · story — A rhyming verse reciting the order of the carving tool steps.
  • Leathercraft, a Canadian Perspective by Al Foss Winter 2003-2004, page 6 · essay — A librarian's argument that Canadian leathercrafters should drop American western motifs for plain work and Canadian themes.
  • My Friend and Mentor: Ruth Haig FCSCL by Madeleine Mitchell Summer 2005, page 3 · story — A longtime friend recalls Ruth Haig's workshops, humour and a hair-raising night drive to Fenelon Falls.
  • WHO’S THAT MASKED MAN? by Dorothy McPherson Spring 2006, page 13 · story — A member takes her workshop-made leather mask to be signed by authors, and learns a lesson about hotel accessibility.
  • The Norland Branch Presents It’s a Family Tradition by Phyllis McHale Summer 2006, page 8 · story — A daughter's lively history of her mother Hilda's leatherwork since 1957 and the family of crafters it produced.
  • Notes from the Editor… Winter 2008-2009, page 2 · story — The editor recalls three favourite leather pieces she made over the years, chosen as subjects for an art-class painting.
  • PEBBLE IN THE WATER Winter 2008-2009, page 3 · story — An excerpted poem about how a single small act spreads outward like ripples on water.

The 2010s (10)

  • Notes from the Editor… Spring 2010, page 2 · essay — The editor marks the Society's 60th anniversary, recalling its 1950 founding and the mentors she met after joining.
  • Another Use for Neat’s Foot Oil by Marilyn Harry Spring 2011, page 5 · story — A member's family account of using neat's foot oil to ease stiff fingers and bursitis.
  • A Canadian MAL in Cuba and Czech Republic by Lauren McPherson Summer 2013, page 6 · story — A member's travel account of leather souvenirs found in Ontario, Prague and Cuba.
  • Notes from the Editor… Winter 2013-2014, page 2 · story — Snowbound, the editor takes humorous stock of the tools, findings, dyes, patterns and leather crowding her workspace.
  • A Canadian Site To Visit by Lauren McPherson Summer 2014, page 3 · story — A member's travel note on finding framed Polish leather folk art near Port Loring, and Sudbury's Big Nickel.
  • Meeting Rex Lingwood by Madeleine Mitchell Winter 2014-2015, page 3 · story — The editor visits leather sculptor Rex Lingwood and tours his restored stone home in rural Ontario.
  • Touring with Alf by Madeleine Mitchell Winter 2014-2015, page 4 · story — The editor recounts a Norwegian leather-magazine publisher's whirlwind four-day visit with Ontario leathercrafters.
  • From Eugene Pik about January 29, 2015: by Eugene Pik Winter 2014-2015, page 4 · story — A member's brief first-person note on a day spent with a Norwegian publisher and a Canadian bespoke shoemaker.
  • A 30-SECOND ELEVATOR SPEECH: “What leathercraft means to me” by Lauren Malec Summer 2016, page 8 · essay — A brief personal statement of what leathercraft means to the writer, from boots and saddles to a custom coat.
  • THE NATURAL APPEAL OF LEATHER by Margaret Hunt Summer 2017, page 3 · essay — A short reflection on why leather appeals: its colour, texture, aroma, versatility and lasting beauty.

The 2020s (2)