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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1979-10-10, Page 2Page 2—Lucktow Sentinel, Wednesday, October 10, 1979 Labour of love Lord's 'Supper in leather BY DAVE SYKES Bob and Pat Kelly have a dilemna. The Lucknow area couple are at a loss in determining what to give their children and grandchildren for •Chiistmas this year. Perhaps not an un- common problem today but for the Kellys, gift giving has become a tradition of hand-crafted leather goods, made with . pain staking precision and care. A seven year tradition. But now leather craftsman Bob Kelly and his wife Pat of R.R. 7., Lucknow are, quickly running out of ideas. Since Bob began working with leather as a hobby seven years ago his children and gran - children have been the recipients of hand. Crafted leatherbelts; purses, wallets, pictures, .book covers, napkin. holders. ,:•• and even playing card holders. • "I just don't kriow what ta.make for the kids this year," he lamented. • But considering Bob's talent and ingenuity there won't be any dissapointment around the Kelly.. household at Christmas. The Kellys, now retired, .live on a small parcel of land near, Brookside School, and Bob devotes:much of his time to hispassian and hobby, leather crafting. And that passion -has produced four 'fitSfs, three seconds and a third place afition showings • at the Western Fair in London over; the past four • He has only shown his work at the fair for four years and the four first place finishes are in- dicative of the intricate and quality work Bob has strived for. Bob began taking leather craft courses in London at the PUC Adult Community Centre, where his wife worked as a director and volunteer for 20 years. He had only attended classes for three • months when he injured his knee at work and.was forced to rec uperate for six months, He returned:to work as a stationary engineer until 1976 When a .second operation and the ap- pearance of. arthritis in the knee forced his retirement. . Butduring those four years he taught himself the art of leather crafting and it was .also during .that time that he built his retirement home in Ash- field TownShip. His hobby is basically self taught through hours of reading. and what he called 'simple trial and error m eth ad s ' .Though • Bob is somewhat reticent to speak of his talent his wife Pat added that he had artistic ability to begin with. Because of the injury and arthritis in is knee Bob can only stand for an hour or two and his work • with leather has provided the perfect therapY hobby. But as far as hobbys go it is also ex- pensiVe. "There is *no problem getting the leather .or materials but it is an expensive hobby," Bob explained. '`By doing work for people you can • . This rendition of The Last Sipper in leather took competition at the Western Frain London. (photo more than 60 hours to complete and is Bob's most by Dave Sykes) treasured ivork.- It took a first place ribbon in • pay for the materials but it could never be a full time jbb." Leather is purchased from companies in London and Toronto and because of the cost it is imperative to avoid waste. Aside from the delicate and time •consuming 'design work that Bob puts into a project, he em- phasized the importance of staining the, leather. • "The staining Can make or break the whole thing," he said. "You don't know what colour will come out with the stain. It varies on every piece of leather and can even vary on the Same piece." • Most of the staining must be done during the day at his work table in •front of a large Window to ensure adequate lighting: . .. . . . , . • • . . . .. . .. . . Bob Kelly has produced hundredsof leather crafts, Since moving to hisretirement home in Ashfield • Township from Landow • A knee .injury forced Bob, into .retirement and he began the ,time consuming . hobby of working with leither.11ere.he Works on a picture of fighting.stallions..(photoiby Dave Sykes) The alcohol base stain can produce several varying tones and shades • •on a single project. Bob has the patience to stick with a project for several days or even until it is done but admits that at titnes when he reaches a difficult point he will set something aside for a few days. Patience and skill are a necessary com: bination in this hobby. as One leather picture of The Last Supper consumed More than 60 hours work and a purse he made for his wife took. nearly as long. But his work will last for 'many years con- sidering the hand stit- ching, wax treatinent and • quality leather used. He does much of his work from patterns but also. takes pride- in his free hand work that adorns many family gifts. And he likes nothing better than the challenge of. making something 'semebody. wants • from scratch. • In that line he has made a- rifle sling, seat cover, bible cover and Would some' day like to make a saddle bag for himself. seemsthere is nothing Bob cannot make or has not already made out of leather butthree of the four firsts and one second • at the Western Fair were for his pic- tures. ' One depicting lions took a second in his first exhibit and since then he has copped three straight 'firsts with a colorful rendition of Paul Revere, fighting' Stallions arid his prized • work,. the- Last Supper. Bob can't sit still very .• • • .:"60.;:**'.:44M.• long which one of the main reasons he enjoys working with leather but he also admitted there was a 'sense of ac- complishrrient' to what he does as evidenced. by the fact that he makes many of his own patterns and designs. , The Kellys may haVe difficulty deciding what to give the grandch.ildren for Christmas but a homespun leather, creation of Bob's will '- certainly be a treasured gift. : When planning fall men- us, food specialists at the Ontario Ministry of Agrictil. ture and Food suggest serv- ing fresh Ontario • winter squash. • Available varieties; include" acorn •,or pepper, buttercup, butternut and kubbard. Farm For Sale By Tender Esiate of Kenneth Leslie Mackenzie Tenders will be accepted' until the 17th day of October, 1979, .for the farm property belonging to the late Kenneth Leslie MacKenzie, inclusive of all buildings, situate in the Township of Ashfield, County Of Huron, and known as the, West half of Lot 6, Concession 14, consisting of 100 acres more or less. Tenders should be k accompanied by a deposit by certified cheque of 10% of, the. tender price. Cheques should be made payable to Goodall, Campbell & Brophy; In Trust. Any and alt tenders not necessarily • accepted. Tenders should be Mailed or delivered to: GOODALL, CAMPBELL & BROPHY, BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS, BOX.190, LUCKNOW, ONTARIO. NOG 21-10 , • ..