International Federation of Leather Guilds

[Randy Cornelius]

I thought I would start a discussion on the International Federation of Leather Guilds, what is it and what the IFOLG does. Also what benefit does it have to join a Leather Guild that is also a member of the IFOLG. 

First what is the IFOLG. It is a world wide organization that has a leather competition every year. During that competition a leather worker that belongs to a guild that is recognized by the IFOLG is eligible to enter leather pieces that will be judged. There a 4 main levels of competition, Open, Advanced, Master and Grand Master. In each level there are many classes that a person can enter, pictures, belts, wallets, purses, motorcycle gear and the list goes on. There are also special classes for those over 65, those under 18 and partners. 

The IFOLG is the only organization in the world that has the ability to classify a leather worker by their ability. Anyone can enter the open division and after you win 10 1st places you are moved to the Advanced level to show. In advanced you have to win 10 1st places in order to be moved to the Masters. To be moved to the Grand Masters you must win 1st places in many different areas and be nominated by the show committee and be voted on to advance to the Grand Masters. Also if you enter into the Advanced category and win a ribbon you are stuck in advanced palmately. You can't go back to open any longer. 

Also during these shows we bring in top notch instructors from all over the world to teach classes. These classes go on over a 3-4 day period. There is a vendor room where vendors of the leather world bring their wears to demonstrate and sell. The is also the Guild Display room where each Guild sets up a table with a display to be judged by your peers. There is always a raffle room, many businesses and individuals alike donate items to put in the raffle. The raffle is usually on Sunday morning at the end of the show. Friday morning starts with the competitors entering their items to be judged. Judging starts at 6:00 pm on Friday night. Saturday the Competition room is open to the public so you can look at all the awesome items people have entered as see how they placed. Saturday night is the  Awards banquet where everyone who placed are announced and given their Awards and or find if they move up to another level. 

It is a good time and I personally look forward to the show every year as it is the only time I get to visit with old friends, make new friends and do some networking. I also get to spend some of my money with the vendors. There is nothing like getting to feel and look at the leather and the tools before you buy. 

I guilds if you don't know is like a club of leatherworker who get together and you learn from each other. But in order to compete you must belong to a guild that is recognized by the IFOLG. If you are a member of a guild that is not, and you want to be, you must make application to the governors board to be approved. I am a member of the Santa Fe Trail Leather Artists Guild in Kansas. 

If this is something that you would like to be a part of. Let me know. If you have questions, let me know I would love to answerer them or just get involved in a discussion about the IFOLG. 

For more information on competition and rules and classes you can go to the website.... WWW.IFOLG.Net

[cardinal leather]

After checking out the web site. It said to go to the list of guild sites. There doesn't seem to be a list on this site. Can you check your end or letr me know what i am doing wrong.

[Randy Cornelius]

Open the link below. When you go to the IFOLG web site click on Competition Registration forms. There will pop up several options. then click on "Guilds of the IFOLG"

guilds_of_the_ifolg_2021_-_2022.pdf

[Randy Cornelius]

Also, just because there is not a Guild close you don't mean you can join one. Several of the guilds have a web based on line group to join in. Much like this, only difference is you have to be a paid member. I know our dues for Santa Fe Trail is 30.00 for house hold, 20.00 individual and 15.00 for under 18 years old. So it is affordable. 

[cardinal leather]

Thanks  found it.

 

[Chipster99]

I would like to echo what Randy said about the value of the IFOLG and of membership in the the individual guilds. Participation in our guild has helped me considerably and I was fortunate enough to earn multiple ribbons at the IFOLG show in Dallas last fall. I couldn’t have done it without the help of our local guild. 

If anyone is around the middle Tennessee, northern Alabama, south central Kentucky, etc. area we’d love to see you at the first 2023 meeting of the South Central Leather Crafters Guild next Saturday, January 14. It’s at the Nashville Tandy store at 2:00 pm central time. After a very quick business meeting we’re going to have a class on leather braiding and knots and we’ll be making a braided bracelet in the class. All materials will be supplied to those who sign up in advance. Here’s a link to our Facebook notification:

https://m.facebook.com/100064518650164/

Please feel free to ask questions here or shoot an email to:

SouthCentral.LCG@gmail.com
 

The Tandy store is located at

405 Harding Industrial Dr, Nashville, TN 37211

 

Hopefully, we’ll see you there!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2023 by Chipster99

[Randy Cornelius]

also here is the link to our show Facebook page

[Randy Cornelius]

Also we have a Facebook page up and running just for the show, It can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/929902254667214

When going to our FB page look under the files section and you will find forms if you are wanting to be an instructor, Also forms if you want to be a vendor are there too. 

There is also a link to the hotel to get the special rate too. 

If you know of anyone who is not on Facebook and wants to have these forms emailed to them please let me know. 

 

[Randy Cornelius]

Here is a link to the Guilds recognized by the IFOLG

 https://www.ifolg.net/uploads/1/1/2/4/112415769/guilds_of_the_ifolg_2021_-_2022.pdf

[Randy Cornelius]

We are looking for new and different instructors. So If you have a special talent with leathercraft / leather working please contact me. In doing so explain your special talent and send some photos of your work. Get your name in early before all the slots fill up.\

RandyCornelius512@gmail.com

Thanks 

Instructor Agreement Topeka 2023 (1).docx

[Randy Cornelius]

Here are the forms to download to register for the show and to sign up for classes. Lots of information can be found on the show Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/929902254667214

For those traveling to the show by air that don't want to rent a car you can call Cortez Transportation Company, 785-233-5466. They run a 24/7 service from Topeka to KCI and back. They can pick you up in a car that holds 2 people, an SUV that hold 6 and a van that hold up to 14 people. I would suggest getting with someone else going to the show and car pool with them and split the rates.

The car is 225.00 from KCI to Topeka, the SUV is 243.00 from KCI to Topeka and the van is 267.00 to Topeka.

Also for those traveling in by train the Am Track station is about a block away from the hotel.

Also check on flights into Manhattan Ks as they have a new airport there. The distance from Topeka is about the same to KCI but you may find cheaper flights.

Class Registration v1 2023.docx Show Registration v1 2023.docx

[Randy Cornelius]

Also this year we are going back to $1.00 raffle tickets, so bring your $$$$ and buy a bunch. 

 

[Randy Cornelius]

Here is the Schedule of Events to let you know what is going on each day of the show. 

 

Schedule of Events.docx

[Randy Cornelius]

Here is the schedule of classes

Class Schedule Rev 7.xlsx