Village Squire, 1979-12, Page 10Elva solders pieces of a candle holder together. It takes a good
deal of skill to get the solder at just the right temperature before
applying it.
Traditional sales patterns show that pewter sells heaviest
before Christmas (about one third of the annual sales) and the
family is looking forward to business slowing down in the new
year. They want the chance to Nish their retail shop and they
also want to take more time for the family. The whole family skis
and they're planning to make sure that their weekends are kept
free in the coming months for trips north to ski country.
And despite the fact they can wholesale about everything they
make to luxury stores in the cities they also want to open their
own shop. They want the contact with people and the feedback
they get from customers as to how well their pewter works in
practical use.
The Holms are the only people in Ontario that they know of
. who are making pewter on a large scale but they're not worried
about competition. The problem, George says, is not so much too
much competition but a lack of knowledge on the part of the
public of what pewter is all about. One man, he laughs, when
they talked about setting up a pewter shop, thought they were
talking about a computer shop. As far as they're concerned, the
more people making pewter, the better for everybody. They still
work very closely with Philip Aitken, exchanging information
that will help each other in speeding up their work or improving
technique. One senses they'd be as happy to help someone else
learn the craft as Philip Aitken was to broaden their knowledge
of an ancient business. They want to see others enjoying the
rewards of pewter that they've discovered.
8 Village Squire, December 1979
GIFTS FOR
THE HOME...
•pictures & wall decorations t.,^
*lamps & cushions
•bathroom accessories
4S-4
d
r- INTERIORS
•bedspreads, table linens
151 Main St. W., Listowel
Merry
Christmas
to All!
Re happy
and full of 't'
good cheer now and throughout
the holiday season.
Thanking you for your patronage
in the past year.
BLACKSTONE
FURNITURE
West St., Goderich