GEORGE NEWS - We all know women who try every craft the magazines come up with. Kay Schroeder is one of those.
"When a craze started I jumped in - pewterwork, glass engraving, macramé, knitwit, pottery etc. Each one was enjoyed and dropped. But 1973 I discovered leatherwork and I was hooked," she says.
Since then Schroeder has progressed through many aspects of leatherwork and according to her, given each form a go. To her the great appeal is the versatility.
"It includes the 'sculpturing' 3D effect, colouring and assembly which makes it a practical, useful and lasting product. I am
89 and have a leather clutch bag that my mom made before I was born. It is still beautiful and only needs minor repairs to the handle." In the course of her "leather adventure" she participated in an international leather show held in Johannesburg. It was the first time she met with other leather crafters and could discuss this fascinating craft. "Every item I had entered had received a prize. To top it off, I won a gold medal for the best picture on show - The Eva Ostrander shield. My moment of glory. So far I have not had a lesson from anyone, but I have learned from the best leatherworkers in the world. All found in books."
Schroeder confesses that her greatest handicap is lettering. "I have always battled to do that. When I turned 80, I decided to start laser printing the lettering." When she turned 70 she gave up making belts and at 75 she decided to stop making binocular cases as it was hard on the hands and she didn't have enough space for artwork.
"One of the things I experimented and achieved success with, was heat hardening of leather. The ancient warriors like the Roman soldiers had leather armour that was heat hardened and could deflect a sword thrust. Oooh, I enjoyed doing that. I still have several examples at home!"
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
