Edith Melchior-Hawkins
← Biographies · printed Spring 1979
This page is a biography of Edith Melchior-Hawkins. The Society’s own record of Edith Melchior-Hawkins — the offices held, the standings conferred and the awards won — is on the register page.
The same member, another account of her: Artisan of Yester Year — her daughters' account of her life and her work
The Society's newsletter ran a column, "Who's Who in Leathercraft", profiling one member at a time. This is the profile of Edith Melchior, printed in Spring 1979 and transcribed here from the original.
Edith started leathercraft in 1951. She attended Tillsonburg District High School courses for two years, receiving instruction from Stan Savage and Marg. Jennings. In June of 1955 and 1956 she attended Bob Muma's 2 week courses and in 1957 she took a book binding course with Bob. In 1965 she took a summer course sponsored by the Vienna School of Fine Arts.
In 1953—54 she joined C.S.C.L. In 1956 she received her Associate membership and two years later won her Fellowship. Edith has attended International Assemblies and C.S.C.L. Annual Meetings since 1955. At these she has won craftsman and salon awards and contributed in a very worthwhile way with her display articles and demonstrations.
Since 1953 she has taught leathercraft classes, either in Tillsonburg High Schools or in her own home, put on demonstrations for Aylmer and Tillsonburg Fairs and at Tillsonburg Community Complex.
In 1957 Edith was instrumental in the formation of the Tillsonburg Branch of C.S.C.L. After the Tillsonburg branch dissolved she continued as a member at large until the Woodstock branch formed. Edith has maintained her position as one of the staunchest members—always ready to share her extensive knowledge gained through years of constant work, teaching and experimenting. She believes in stressing the Creative part of our name. Slowed down a bit by poor health, she still more than carries her share with demonstrations at branch level, special instruction in her own home for anyone of the group who asks for help and with articles for display and exhibitions. Just to keep her busy lately, she has been taking vocal and organ lessons—last month she gave her first public organ recital.
Woodstock members are frequently bolstered by her cheerful, matter of fact statements—"Of course you can!" and "Look I've found there's an easier way." After that, there is nothing more to say—Edith has you working!
From the "Who's Who in Leathercraft" column in Canadian Leathercraft, Spring 1979.