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THE POUNDER
JULY
, 2006
VISIT OUR WEB PAGE PittPounders.org
WEBMASTER, JOHANNA SCHROER -
PHONE 419 - 753 – 2612
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JULY16, 2006 THIS MONTH WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER BEVELING FOR FIGURE CARVING
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DUES ARE DUE - SEE BACK COVER
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COMING EVENTS;
“HARVEST OF LEATHER” – HELD IN BUTLER, PA.
OCT 13 TO OCT 15, 2006 IFOLG SHOW
IFOLG IS THE “INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF
LEATHER GUILDS”
PITTPOUNDERS AND THE “IILG” ARE –
COSPONSORING THIS SHOW
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
CHRISTOPHER
KEARNS, PRES. PITTPOUNDERS EMAIL
ckearns109@yahoo.com
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LEATHER GUILDS, “IFOLG” WEB SITE http://ifolg.org
“IFOLG” IS THE PITTPOUNDERS (AND OTHER
GUILDS) MOTHER ORGANIZATION
VISIT ALSO; INTERNATIONAL INTERNET LEATHER
GUILD - WEB SITE IILG
“IILG” HAS “LINKS” TO THE ENTIRE
LEATHER COMMUNITY
……………………………………………………………………………………….………………………
PITTPOUNDER
GUILD OFFICERS;
PRESIDENT - CHRISTOPHER KEARNS 724 - 368 – 9507 VICE PRESIDENT – KEVIN COHN 412 – 821 -
8025
SECRETARY - GARY DRAPER 412
– 714 - 4430 TREASURER - JOYCE WEDGE 724 – 538 -
5853
LIBRARIAN - LOIS SILVIS 724 – 256 – 4457
PITTPOUNDERS
SUPPORTERS
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TANDY LEATHER COMPANY
DELMONT, PA.
PHONE 724 – 468 – 5148
DEBRA
COLLINS – MANAGER
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REGULAR
GUILD MEETINGS; NORMALLY HELD THE THIRD SUNDAY OF
EACH MONTH, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
SEE
OUR WEB PAGE FOR DIRECTIONS http://www.pittpounders.org
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Thousands of people walked past our leather display at the Three
Rivers Art Festival located in downtown Pittsburgh on June 9th, 10th and 11th but approximately
200 hundred or more visited and shared a lesson in carving with Chris Kearns, myself,
and the other folks who helped out. Young and old stopped by to chat and
share stories with us regarding a Boy Scout leather craft or just a personal
story all pertaining to some leather project they created. Nostalgias was
in the air with all the tracing, pounding, beveling of leather samples as they
relived their past experiences as they remembered back when. Henceforth,
the Pitt Pounders finally received the exposure we desperately needed for our
guild sharing with other what we do best.
The weather was challenging as we tried tirelessly to keep our
tent fastened so it would not blow away. However, it did not dampen our
spirits as we warmly smiled and greeted all the friendly faces that joined
us. We missed those who could not participate but I would like to
personally thank Chris Kearns for all his hard work. Also, many thanks
going out to Peggy Gabauer, Ronald and Brenda Parison, and Doug Haag, for
donating their time to make the show successful. Another friendly visitor
was Frank Zigon, we chatted about the leather bottle demonstration that he will
be exhibiting at the Harvest of Leather show this October. Many flyers
were past out during the three day show, hopefully we will have an enormous
turnout.
The most rewarding moment for me during the three days was an
eight-year-old girl that came to learn leather carving on the last day we were
there. She was just so excited about her little dog that she traced on the
leather sample. Why was she so special? She showed so much courage as
she attempted to beveled and pound her sample. However, she needed help
because she was missing fingers on her left hand. I spent extra time with
her because of her determination and courage.
Her proud smile made my day complete and she was by far my
favorite student.
Lets try to make the International Federation of Leather Guilds
Show a huge success by encouraging friend and relative to attend. Pass out
flyers and remember there is going to be competition, classes, demonstrations
and vendors.
Kevin P. Cohn
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Greetings Folks!
Kevin’s
write up about the Three Rivers Arts Festival was right on the money. It was a
HUGE success! Anyone who helped out at the show can attest to the fact that
there was almost always someone at our booth trying his or her hand at tooling
leather. Quite often there were anywhere from six to eleven people at a time,
which kept us all hopping to keep up. And it wasn’t just the youngsters that
were interested. As Kevin said, we had both young, old, and every age in
between pounding leather, with the majority leaving both pleased and proud of
what they had just created. In fact, after seeing how much some people enjoyed
this introduction to our craft, I truly believe that at least some of these
folks will pursue this new endeavor, be it at our monthly meetings or at our
show. May we be ready to welcome each and every one of them as we continue to
learn and grow together. Again, my sincere thanks to Kevin, Peggy, Ron &
Brenda, and Doug, for taking the time to share their passion, skills, knowledge
and smiles with so many, many people.
HELP NEEDED
I
recently received a letter from John Hassan who lives in Center Moriches, (Long
Island) New York. He is 73 and looking for someone who would like to correspond
with him and discuss the basics of cutting patterns & hand stitching so
that he can make nice gifts for more than 20 nurses at the VA Hospital. He
would also love to come to our show in October, and is willing to share
expenses with anyone who would be willing to stop by and pick him up.
Please
give me a call if you can help out in either of these areas. (I know people
from many different guilds read this newsletter, and this gentleman is looking
for help. You don’t have to be a Pitt Pounders to help out, just willing.
Thanks.)
We
also had a few people stop by our booth at the Arts Festival looking for some
help. A Doctor from West Virginia is looking for someone who can make high-top
moccasins for people with big feet and/or orthopedic inserts. There was also a
lady looking for someone who can repair or replace her purse strap. Can you
help either of these folks?? Let me know and I will get you the contact
information.
FOR
SALE
A
lady who lives in Clinton Township called me to let me know that she has about
$1,000 worth of her late husband’s tools for sale. She is willing to sell them
all for $500. At this time I don’t know what she has. I will try to get some
kind of list for those who are interested. Again, let me know.
HARVEST
OF LEATHER, the 2006 International Federation Of Leather Guilds Show, is
quickly approaching. Although there is still a lot to be done before the show I
know that the majority of you will really be there for the hands-on work that
can only be done during the show. But I would like to give you all three suggestions
on what each of you can do this week to help out.
1)
Buy a raffle ticket. The number one way we make money at these shows is
on the raffle table. Right now you can buy a chance at $1,750 worth of tools
& supplies, ($1,000 gift certificate to the tool maker/supplier of your
choice to the winner. $500 for second place and $250 for third.) Also to be
raffled off will be an autographed copy of Al Stohlman’s Pictorial Carving
Finesse and a tribute to Al & Ann Stohlman called “The Legacy” by Billy 2-Shews.
Tickets
can be purchased via Pay Pal account missboll@gmail.com
or you can send a check made out to 2006 IFOLG Show to Pat Hay, PO Box
98, Cary, MS 39054.
2)
The second thing you can do is get donations for the raffle table.
Not everyone who attends our show and buys a raffle ticket will be a
leatherworker, so not everything on the raffle table needs to be leather
related. What we are looking for are a variety of quality prizes. Gift
certificates from the stores & restaurants you frequent, gift baskets, and
nice hand made goods are just a few examples.
3)
The third thing you can do this week is get the word out. As Kevin
said, let all of your friends & relatives know about the show. Put up
flyers, with permission, at all of those stores & restaurants you go to.
And if you have any contacts that can help us promote the show, please let us
know about them.
If
all of us can help out in these areas now, the results will really be apparent
come show time! Thanks!!
One
more note about the Harvest Of Leather Show. If you would like more information
on Butler County, places to visit, eat, shop, and things to do & see, just
request a visitors guide from www.visitbutlercounty.com
or give them a call at 866-856-8444. And if you would like more info on the
entire state of Pennsylvania, go to www.visitpa.com
and request the PA Travel Guide.
WORK
SESSION
To
go along with what we were teaching folks at the Arts Festival, this month we
will be talking about the importance of proper beveling for figure carving. It
should be a great hands-on session, so bring your mallet, marble and all the
different bevellers you have. And as always, we’ll have extra to share with
those who don’t have them.
Hope to
see you on the 16th!
Your Friend, Christopher
